The door swung open at that very moment as a brunette with large skirts marched into the room. Her stately manner told of her noble lineage.
She seemed fully in control of her faculties as she dipped a low curtesy. But then the door snapped shut.
The three were alone.
Caitlyn lifted up her skirts, ran, and knelt at the princess's feet beside the couch. Like the king before her, the lady-in-waiting seemed in disbelief that the woman had returned.
"It is really you, Your Highness!" Caitlyn clasped the princess's palm, which reached down to her. "We were so worried."
"So my father has been telling me. I am very sorry for causing you so much pain." Rose pulled on her friend's arm and led her to sit next to her on the couch.
Although the brunette would have normally been embarrassed to sit on the same couch as the king, this time she did not seem to mind Rhodri's presence in the slightest. The week of worrying about Rose had caused the two to share confidences that would otherwise remain unspoken between monarch and subject.
As such, they had shed the awkward formality that usually existed between them. Caitlyn had completely skipped greeting the king with his title, and Rhodri did not even bother to remove his hand from along the back of the long seat when she sat.
For a moment, Rose could envision how a family with two loving parents must feel. For although neither person around her was related to her—and Caitlyn was only slightly older—they loved her like their own.
"We are just glad you are back and in one piece. How did you escape the attack?!" Caitlyn looked at the princess with her mouth half-open. The unladylike expression made Rose smile in spite of her answer.
"Not easily. Fireball helped immensely," the princess responded. "We can discuss it later. I am very tired." A yawn escaped the woman's lips even as she spoke.
"Of course, you must be exhausted!" Caitlyn's face paled with concern.
"Did you bring what was requested?" The king asked the brunette. "I hope Borit did not fail to give you the orders when he brought the happy news."
Caitlyn's mouth pinched at the Commander's name. "He was quite clear, Your Majesty. And I have done as you asked. I just couldn't bring an extra dress in here in my hands without arousing suspicion."
Lifting her skirts, the lady revealed why the her dress seemed unusually voluminous for that time of day. She was wearing two dresses-one on top of the other!
"Brilliant!" Rose clapped her hands. "But how will I get the dress from you to me?"
"You may use my chamber," Rhodri pointed to the room where the bed lay. "Or if you prefer, you can use my closet. It is the biggest one in the palace, you know." He wiggled his eyebrows and tugged at his robes as if he were very vain.
Happy for the relief of the tension, the ladies giggled. "Thank you, Your Majesty," Lady Cait helped her mistress stand. "I think it will be far less awkward if we use your closet."
As the ladies walked away arm in arm, Rose nudged her friend. "You just want to see all the king's clothes!" she whispered, her fatigue suddenly gone.
"Don't you?!" Caitlyn gave a lopsided grin.
Any time the king had been particularly ill, the two women had been admitted to the king's bedchamber to cheer Rhodri in his time of need. But neither had ever had a reason to enter his wardrobe. Until now.
Skirting the edge of the large room which was filled with lavish furniture and a massive four-poster bed, the ladies entered the king's closet with wide eyes. It was even larger than they had imagined. Caitlyn raised the shades covering the ever-ready lamps, filling the room with light.
"No wonder I have never seen him wear the exact same thing twice. He could go his entire life and never need to repeat!" Rose gawked. 'Surely not all of these things could be his! Some seemed very old while others seemed like they had just been made.'
Caitlyn eyed one of the garments closely, careful not to touch it. "I think some of these may not belong to His Majesty, but to former rulers. Maybe he has them updated and tailored so he can wear them."
It made some sense. The cloth was very fine. It was a shame for it to only be worn once or twice. Why not reuse them for a new owner? Centuries of kings' royal outfits stretched out before her. She could have spent all day examining each one and guessing its origin and use.
Maybe someday, when Rose was better rested, she would come back to this spot and play that very game. But for now, she would have to give only a cursory glance around so her father would not come to check on them.
Rose stepped up on the pedestal which the king must have used for fittings. She spun around examining her purple dress in the mirror. "I look a bit of a mess, don't I?"
Within the looking glass,something shiny caught Rose's eye. She turned around and hurried to a white garment which was given its own special place in the spacious room. Standing tall, a mannequin wore the outfit to keep it from getting wrinkled. It was possibly the most stunning outfit Rose had ever seen.
"Caitlyn, look at this!"
Jewels adorned the collar of the cloak which projected a kaleidoscope of color on the ceiling. The long robe reached nearly to the ground where a pair of neat, fitted grey trousers peeked out to finish the ensemble. The only thing missing was the crown to match.
"Wedding clothes?" Rose muttered. 'Why would there be wedding clothes on display?'
"Perhaps they are just always out," Caitlyn suggested. "The king always did want to marry, or so he claims. But these clothes are too small for him to wear now anyway. They probably belonged to an ancestor or relative. They likely aren't his."
"You are probably right," Rose agreed. She nodded, turned the corner of the large room, and gasped. "You are definitely right!" Her face paled.
The second half of the closet was not meant for the male monarch, but his female counterpart. Dresses of all shapes and sizes poked out from beneath white sheets which were keeping the dust from soiling them. Everything was covered except for one solitary item.
On the pedestal matching the other side, a dress-form was covered in a white, lacy garment. The slender sleeves were inlaid with jewels and the scooped neckline left ample room for a diamond necklace.
The delicate weave of the lace formed roses and leaves interlacing in beautiful arcs. The princess stepped up on the pedestal and moved her body behind the dressform. Picking up and holding out the sleeves, her lithe body was precisely hidden by the snow white gown. It would be a perfect fit.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Rose could barely manage the words.
"Don't jump to conclusions." By Caitlyn's face, she was clearly having the same thought.
Rose shook her head. "What else can I think? It is so clear! Those wedding clothes weren't meant for someone else's wedding. They are meant for mine!"