The next day the monarchs found Rosalina sitting before the fire laughing and talking with the other ladies. Lady Lucilla was close by watching her mistress with worry. Rosette approached the woman, " What is it, Lady Lucilla?" she asked. " The Doctor and healers told her to rest and stay in bed today. She insisted on rejoining the world. I just think she is pushing herself too much too fast." Lady Lucilla explained. " We both know that she is very strong willed but also knows when she is ready and what she is capable of. We will watch but trust her at the same time." Rosette responded. " I will trust your judgment. I just can not help but be concerned for her." Lady Lucilla said. " There is nothing wrong with being concerned for her. That just means that you really care for her." Rosette responded. Lady Lucilla smiled at the Queen but she still looked concerned.
Rosalina noticed the Queen and smiled at her. Rosette turned back to Lady Lucilla, " Lady Lucilla I just had a terrific idea." she said. " What is it,Your Majesty?" Lady Lucilla asked. " I want to keep her from stressing herself out and I want to cheer her up. Take one of my ladies and pick the most beautiful flowers in the garden."
The Queen suggested. " That would make her very happy. I will be back soon." Lady Lucilla agreed. She went and asked one of the ladies to join her. The pair left and the Queen sat with Rosalina. " How are you feeling today?" she asked the young lady. " I am feeling very well. Still taking it easy though, I just could not stay locked away any longer." Rosalina explained. " I understand, I just hope that you are not pushing yourself too fast." Rosette commented. " I am not pushing myself too much. I got up, had Lady Lucilla dress me and I sat in this chair. The ladies have not let me move much." Rosalina laughed. Rosette chuckled as well. " Good," she responded. " How are you today, Tia?" Rosalina asked. " I am wonderful. I am still concerned for you but I am happy to see you up and smiling." Rosette answered. " I understand your concern but knowing that I have those who care for me will help me grow stronger." Rosalina smiled.
Lady Lucilla and Lady Elizabeth returned with four baskets full of beautiful flowers. " The Queen thought we should fix our hair with flowers." she announced. Everyone smiled, they loved the last time and were eager to do it again. They all removed their veils and head covers. They helped each other brush through their hair. Rosette worked on Rosalina's hair Lady Lucilla worked on the Queen's hair. When they finished they went out to the gardens to enjoy the nice afternoon. They were met by the King who wanted to check on Rosalina and to see his wife. It was a lazy afternoon filled with laughter and good stories.
Just before they made their way in for the evening meal a surprise visitor joined the garden party. Rosette started to cry at the sight of her daughter. Princess Bethany ran to her mother and they embraced. Edmund sat smiling, as did Rosalina. The mother and daughter parted and the princess turned to her cousin. Rosalina stood and hugged the princess. " How are you feeling, cousin?" the princess asked. " I am feeling very well. Everyone has been taking very good care of me. Aunt Rosette has made it a point to keep my spirits up." Rosalina answered as they sat.
Edmund led the party inside to a surprise feast to welcome the princess back to court. The festivities seemed to be a joyous event until Josephina Ivrea burst into the Hall. She started yelling at Edmund, calling him a liar and telling him that he ruined her life, her family and the Kingdom. She told the entire court that the princess was a child of incest and should not be acknowledged as a legitimate child. She even went as far as calling Bethany a bastard child. Then she accused Rosalina of being a witch. "No one could possibly survive a slit throat and a poisoning. You have cast a spell over the King!" She yelled at Rosalina. Edmund went to call the guards but Rosalina stood and had him pause.
" Josephina," Rosalina calmly addressed the crazed woman, " I understand that you are upset because your plan to stake a claim to the throne did not work. What you do not understand if that lying, manipulating and murdering or attempted murder is not the way to this throne.
I survived the attempts on my life by your father and your family because I have people who care about me and who acted fast. I have never manipulated the King or anyone else in this court. The King trusts me and listens to any advice I may give him because I am not looking for anything in return except friendship and family. I have no desire for a claim to the throne and I have no desire to break up a family for my own needs. I want this family, my family, happy and strong. If I were you I would never speak to or about the Queen or the Princess ever again. The Queen was raised to be honest in all things. I was taught the same. If she says her first marriage was not consummated then it wasn't and it should be left at that. Right now you're only hurting your cause and ruining your reputation and that of your family. If I were you I would shrink into obscurity and never return to court, for your own safety This is if this is the King's wish." Rosalina said and turned to Edmund. " If my Queen agrees I will let you and your family live, for now. IF you ever return to my court or if I hear whispers that any of you plot against myself, my Kingdom, MY Queen, my daughter or Lady Rosalina you will face execution. Is there any of that you do not understand? You had better be forever grateful to Lady Rosalina, if it wasn't for her mercy you would have none of mine. Now, leave my court, take your horrid family and never return." The King commanded. Jospehina looked shocked, scared and angry. She glared at them all and tried to kill Rosalina with her eyes and stormed out of the Hall.
Rosalina sat back down next to Princess Bethany. It was then that she noticed the shocked faces from the court and her family. Bethany leaned over, " That was impressive." she said. " Thank you." Rosalina responded. Queen Rosette leaned over her daughter to speak to her niece, " Very well done, where did that come from?" she asked. " I figured it was time I stood up for myself and for all of you. Instead of allowing others to speak for me and standing back in the shadows. I found my voice, finally." Rosalina explained. Rosette smiled in response, it made her happy at how much her niece had grown.