The evening grew on as a carriage arrived at the palace. A young redhead stepped out followed by one of her Lady's maids. A footman met then at the door and led them to the Queen's apartments. The Queen's secretary met them at the doors outside the apartments. "Welcome, Lady Rosalina. When you meet the Queen address her as 'Your majesty'. Speak only when spoken to and keep your answers short and clear. Do you understand?" The secretary instructed. "Yes, sir." Rosalina responded in a whisper. The secretary nodded and led the women inside. He bowed to a woman sitting in a chair in front of the fire facing the door. The older woman wore a very stern look on her face. "Your Majesty, may I introduce Lady Rosalina of Baelo Claudia and her Lady's maid, Lady Lucinda Soto." The Secretary introduced. Rosalina stepped forward and bowed to the Queen, " Su Majestad." she greeted. Queen Rosette was surprised by this lady. She was much younger than anticipated and was clearly scared. This child was not a threat but completely out of her comfort. "Buenos Dias, Senora Rosalina. Bienvenidos a mi hogar." Rosette greeted with a smile. ("Please, come sit and speak with me a while.") she gestured towards the chair next to her. "Gracious, su Majestad." Rosalina whispered and sat in the chair. "How old are you, Lady Rosalina?" The queen asked. "I am twelve years, ma'am." Rosalina answered into her lap. Rosette saw how scared and nervous the child was and felt sorry for her. "I know that a royal palace is scary, and the prospect of court life can be very frightening. To tell you the truth court life still frightens me sometimes." she said, Rosalina smiled into her lap. "Just remember that you have nothing to be afraid of here. Here you are safe and welcome." Rosette patted the girl's hand. Rosalina looked up for a moment and gave a small week smile, then quickly looked back down. Rosette was taken by those green eyes that she had to see them again. She gently placed her hand under the young lady's chin and pulled the little face up. Rosalina kept her eyes down. "Come on, please look at me." Rosette coaxed. Reluctantly Rosalina allowed her eyes to meet the Queen's blue eyes. "Oh my, those eyes are breath taking. Has anyone ever told you that your eyes look just like emeralds?" The Queen asked. Rosalina smiled, "My mother always told me that the Gods made me so beautiful that precious jewels were the only eyes I could have." Rosalina responded but did not advert her eyes this time. "There is that smile I was looking for." quipped the Queen. Rosette could see the look in Rosalina's eyes when she talked about her mother. She saw an opportunity to help the young lady to relax and open up. "Tell me about you mother." Rosette requested. Rosalina lit up, "She was beautiful and strong. She thought very differently than most around. She gave me a love of books and learning. She would tend to her garden, one of her favorite activities, but if the situation called for it, she could wield a sword.
My father used to say that she could use a sword and shoot a bow and arrow better than he could. I asked her why she wanted to use weapons of war and she said that just because she was a woman does not mean that she cannot die at the end of a blade. She also believed that all women should learn how to use the weapons just as men and that they should also be just as educated. I was supposed to learn how to use a sword and shoot arrows when I was old enough. Mama said that she would teach me. I guess that was not meant to be." Rosalina trailed off. "What do you mean it was not meant to be? Where is your mother?" Rosette asked. Rosette's smile was completely gone, and she was no longer looking at the Queen. "When I was eight years old my mother and father started fighting and he would stay away from home more and more. When he would return home, Mama would do everything she could to make him happy. She became with child, but father was not concerned. Mama was very sad all of the time. She stopped gardening and would not read to me anymore. She was arguing with my father more and more. When she went into labor, she refused to allow anyone to send for father. She believed that he would not care. She gave birth to a little boy and named him Finn. The doctor tried to stop the bleeding. Mama just laid there and did not even try to fight to stay with us. I think my father took away her fight. The last thing she said was to me. She said that she was sorry and that she loved me. Then she closed her eyes and the breath left her. I tried to be strong and take care of Finn, Father, and the house. I was now the lady of the house and had to make Mama proud.
I did everything I could to take care of everything. I was not enough. When he was two Finn took his last breaths in my arms. I should have done more, I should have..." Rosalina was crying and staring at the floor. Rosette had tears rolling down her face. She wiped them away and cleared her throat. "It was not your fault that your brother died. Your mother did not die because she was not strong enough. It hurts when you do not think that the man that you love does not seem to love you anymore. She just could not push back the dark clouds created by the hurt. She loved you and will always love you. She is proud of you. Any mother would be proud of a child so young taking on the responsibilities and doing everything they knew how. What about your mother's parents, who were they?" Rosette changed the subject. "I never knew my grandparents. My grandfather died in battle and my grandmother died when I was two. Mama would tell me how smart and beautiful her mother was and how strong and loyal her father was. My grandfather was Juan Carlos, Duke of Baelo Claudia. My grandmother was Graciela of Baelo Claudia, Princess of Alcantara." Rosalina cleared her tears and looked back to the Queen. "You are the granddaughter of Graciela, Princess of Alcantara? The daughter of Montenegro and Tristiana, King and Queen of Alcantara?" Rosette asked stunned. "Yes, ma'am." Rosalina answered. "Graciela was my younger sister. She was five years old when I left my home to marry." Rosette responded. "I was not informed that my great aunt was the Queen of Mercia. I was told that my uncle was Maximo, the King of Alcantara. That I had an aunt names Valencia and another named Rosaline, whom I am named for." Rosalina questioned.
"I am Rosaline, I changed my name when I married Edmund. Rosette is a more Mercian name. I wanted to show the people that I was accepting the country as my own." Rosette explained. "I see, I can understand that. Being a foreigner in a new country that you are supposed to rule over you have to get the people to accept and respect you." Rosalina commented. "I remember your grandmother as a little girl. She followed me around everywhere from the time she would walk. When she started talking, she kept saying that she wanted to be just like me. I have missed her much in my life. I have missed my Alcantara. Your uncle is the King of Alcantara. Have you met him yet?" Rosette asked. "Yes, I met him once. The year after Finn passed, he invited my father and I to court for the Yule celebration. I was taken into the grand hall and met the King and Queen, then taken to the nursery to stay with the royal children. I enjoyed the celebration and playing with the children." Rosalina answered. "So, you have almost no royal court experience." Rosette commented. "No, my father did not believe that I was old enough to understand the inner working of the court and he did not want me influenced by some of the people that frequented court." Rosalina explained. "I understand that. Some of the people at court are very manipulative and only after advancing their own interests. But there are many good people at court that you can one-day count as friends." Rosette said. "I can see why my father did not want me in a royal court. How can you know who to trust?" Rosalina asked.
"It is a challenge how to learn who you can trust. Some people are very convincing that they can be trustworthy and then they will use what you say to them against you. I have a few that have proven themselves trustworthy. Do not worry I will help you. I have to attend many court events and I will have you by my side and you can learn how to be a proper lady of court." Rosette suggested. "Thank you, Your Majesty. It may take a lot of patience on your part and hard work on mine. My father always says that I am more comfortable between the pages of books than around people." Rosalina explained. "That is just fine. I am a very patient person. I would love it if you would teach me what you have learned from books. Then we can be teaching each other." Rosette responded. Rosalina's smile grew, "I would love to teach you what I have learned." she gushed. Rosette loved how excited Rosalina got when she was being given the opportunity to discuss her interests. She knew then that she would learn much from this young girl. They sat for the rest of the day talking. Rosette told her about Princess Graciela when she was young. Rosalina told her mother about what books she had read and what she was most interested in learning. Lady Lucinda watched while she sewed and smiled. It made her happy that Rosalina finally could talk to someone about anything. Rosalina would talk to Lucinda, but she was not as open as she is with the Queen. The redhaired lady was alive and relaxed in the presence of the Queen.
The Queen and her ladies prepared for the evening meal. When visitor surprised them all. The King arrived unannounced. "Your Majesty." the ladies said and bowed.
"Your Majesty, would you join me for the evening meal?" Rosette asked as she bowed. "I would be honored, if you will have me." he responded. "You are always welcome at my table. I would like to invite another to join our meal if you are in agreement." The Queen requested. "Of course, you may invite whomever you wish." Edmund smiled. Rosette turned to a lady-in-waiting, "Lady Lucinda will you call Lady Rosalina back in?" She asked. "Yes, Your Majesty." Lady Lucinda bowed and left the dining room. She returned moments later followed by a young redhead with a down cast head. "Lady Rosalina, you may enter." Rosette coaxed. Rosalina stepped into the room without raising her head. "Lady Rosalina of Baelo Claudia would like you to meet my husband. King Edmund of Mercia and Dal Cais." Rosette introduced. Rosalina bowed, "Nice to meet you, Your Majesty." she whispered with a bow. "Welcome to Mercia, Lady Rosalina. I hope that you enjoy your stay with us." the King said and offered the young lady his hand. She stood and took his hand but still did not look up. He led her to the table. The three of then sat and were served wine while they waited for their meal. "Edmund, I have to apologized. When we spoke last, I made assumptions before you could explain your intentions. We argued and you stormed out. I am sorry that I assumed the worst." Rosette said. "No, sweetheart. I should not have appointed another lady to your household without speaking with you first. I did not respect you or your position. You may dismiss her if you wish, and I will not be upset." Edmund admitted. "I do not wish to dismiss Lady Rosalina. I must thank you for sending her to me.
She is a little piece of home. Well, not just a piece of home she is also a piece of family." Rosette smiled. "What do you mean?" Edmund asked. "Do you remember my younger sister Graciela?" she questioned. "You mean the one that followed you around everywhere when I was in Alcantara to escort you to the altar?" he relied. "Yes, Rosalina is Graciela's granddaughter." Rosette answered. "Is the so. That is wonderful. I am sorry that I have kept your family for so many years." Edmund smiled. He turned his attention to the young lady to his side. "Lady Rosalina, how do you like our Palace?" he asked. Rosalina timidly looked at the King, "The palace is beautiful, but it is large and intimidating." she answered. "It is meant to be intimidating. It was built and decorated to show foreign delegates our power and wealth. You should not fear it. Just always remember the beauty and that you are always welcome and safe here. You know, you have some of the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen." Edmund said. Rosalina's face turned red, and she looked back down to the table, "Thank you, Your Majesty." she responded. "You may call me Edmund." he patted her shoulder. She looked at him and smiled, "Thank you Edmund." "You are the Granddaughter of Princess Graciela, have you met her brother Maximo?" He asked. "I have met Uncle Maximo at the royal palace last year for the Yule celebration. I also met his queen and their children." Rosalina answered. "You met my sister?" he asked. "your sister is Queen Bethany of Alcantara?" she questioned. "Yes, she is." answered. "She is very beautiful and kind. She is teaching her children all that she can, even the girls." she smiled.
"She has always been kind and thought that everyone should learn no matter station or gender." he commented. "I believe her to be correct in her thinking. How can we expect to move on and improve our lives and those around if we insist on keeping the majority and a specific gender ignorant?" Rosalina questioned. Edmund and Rosette were surprised by her passion and the ideas one so young could have. "How would educating a peasant benefit the country?" Edmund asked. "They are only peasants now because someone long ago decided to take power and created laws to keep certain people at the bottom. They are all people and should have to opportunity to better their own lives and those of their families. And before you ask, women should be educated just as much as a man. Just because we were born female does not mean that we do not have brains. Women are just as important as men. It takes both men and women to create more life. The only thing that separates us is an old belief that women are only good for producing children and raising them. Women are capable of more." She responded. "Where did you learn these ideas?" Rosette asked. "My mother taught me that all should be treated with dignity and respect no matter the station or gender. She believed that everyone should have an opportunity at an education." Rosalina explained. "You have some amazing ideas. You are most definitely your aunt's niece." Edmund smiled. This made the Queen and the young lady smile at each other. They finished their meal and sat in front of the fire and spoke more over wine, for the King and Queen, and tea for Rosalina.