Having dinner with the king, the commander, and the young soldier went off without a hitch. To prove that he had never misunderstood Gilbert's intentions, Borit was the model of decorum. He was beyond gentlemanly toward the younger soldier.
This sudden shift in attitude confused King Rhodri until Caitlyn stayed behind after the meal to explain...and have the chat that she promised Rose she would have.
For her part, the princess had been able to say a pleasant goodbye to Gilbert as they parted ways, and she gave him a note thanking all the men and apologizing for not seeing them off in the morning. Everyone had decided that would be best way to keep the Princess's identity a secret.
All in all, when Rose's head hit her pillow, she was utterly exhausted, but carefree.
In the morning, the beautiful brunette felt the fresh early fall air stream in through her window. Soon the leaves would change and the world would remind its inhabitants of the cold to come.
Rose had had the most lovely dream, but unable to remember it as she woke, she simply stretched and sighed happily. It was usually a few moments before the pressure of the world hit her, and she reveled in that time. It was heavenly.
All too soon, the reality of the day pulled her from the blissful grogginess. Rose sat up suddenly.
"Ethyn is coming today!"
The door to the princess's chamber door flew open as her lady-in-waiting glided in with a tray in hand. "That is the second time you have called that man by his name and not his title. You must be careful or you'll give your father ideas."
Caitlyn winked at the princess, who blushed heavily.
"Father already has ideas," she muttered trying to hide her embarrassment. "What did he say when you spoke to him last night?" Rose had fallen asleep before the woman had returned with the news.
"His Majesty was most understanding. He said that he will take the meal alone with Sir Samberg if you are uncomfortable." Caitlyn watched as the princess's face paled slightly.
In her hurry to avoid her father's matchmaking, Rose realized she might be ruining her brother's plan to protect her.
"No, no. That won't be necessary. As long as father doesn't try to marry me off during dinner, I will not object to meeting with the young knight."
By the smug look on Caitlyn's face, this answer pleased her greatly. "I shall inform His Majesty accordingly."
Rose swallowed, feeling like she had fallen into another trap. "No, it isn't what you think, Cait."
"And what do I think?" The brunette graciously offered the tray to her mistress before setting it on the bed.
"You think that Sir Ethyn and I...well...never mind what you think...the point is that I need Sir Samberg." Rose paused to take a sip of the warm liquid from one of the cups on the tray.
"You need him?" The small grin on the lady-in-waiting's face grew into a blinding smile.
Rose spit the tea all over her bed, nearly dumping the rest of the cup onto her lap. "That is not what I meant!"
"Then what did you mean, Your Highness?" Caitlyn pulled a cloth from Rose's vanity and helped her clean up herself and the bed. The feigned innocence in the lady-in-waiting's voice was infuriating, but really Rose could not blame her friend for her curiosity.
Rather than let the lady speculate, the blonde decided it was time to come clean. "I will tell you, but you cannot tell anyone. Many lives may depend upon our discretion."
Caitlyn's face went from joyful to very serious. "You aren't kidding, are you?"
"You should probably sit down..." Rose motioned to the chair at her vanity, which Caitlyn brought and placed next to the bed.
"I'm all ears, Your Highness." Caitlyn placed her hands in her lap, looking attentively at her mistress.
"Sir Ethyn was invited to dinner by the king, but he was also sent to protect me from Borit. I need to find a way to get Sir Ethyn to stay at the palace." Rose got out the words as quickly as she could.
"I think you skipped a few steps. Who sent Sir Samberg to protect you? And why would he know anything about Borit?" Caitlyn pressed her lips together. Something did not add up.
"Oh. About that…funny story actually. In addition to being one of the newest knights in the kingdom, Sir Ethyn is also my brother's best friend." Rose gave a weak smile.
"…I am glad you told me to sit down." The brunette seemed ready to faint. "Can you start at the beginning?"
'Time to come clean.' Rose offered Caitlyn one of the buttered rolls from the tray. "This may take a while."
The two ladies stayed in the princess's room all morning. By the time Rose was finished explaining, Caitlyn was pretty sure her heart would never stop its rapid beating.
"So you found Philip and Cole, got ambushed, managed to escape, found your brother--who just happens to be friends with a man you just had an incredibly awkward encounter with-- managed to get into trouble a second time, found out about your family and hometown and somehow managed to get back here safely?"
"That about sums it up," Rose confirmed.
"I don't even know what to do with all of that information." With her nervous energy, Caitlyn began to collect the contents of the breakfast try which they had easily devoured.
"Nothing. We act like everything is normal until we get word from my brother. If we tip our hand, Borit may do something drastic." The princess finally stood from her bed, her nightdress gliding to the floor.
"Well it is good I was already angry with the Commander. He will attribute any change in your behavior to my growing disdain." After setting down her tray, Lady Caitlyn ushered her mistress into the wardrobe to pick out her gown for the afternoon.
Rose selected an emerald gown, and Caitlyn's frown turned to a mischievous grin. "What?" The princess felt herself blush but she didn't know why.
"It's nothing. It is just the same color as a certain someone's eyes. It is almost as if you are trying to match him," the lady-in-waiting said nonchalantly.
Rose released the dress and scowled. "I am doing nothing of the sort. Our relationship is purely business and for the sake of the kingdom. I don't need to dress to please him. And anyway, green has always been one of my favorite colors. What color did I wear for my last birthday?"
"Green."
"There! You see?" Rose crossed her arms.
"All I see is how much your ears are burning, Your Highness." Caitlyn took the green dress from its spot and held it out for the princess to begin to dress.
Rose looked down at the garment and turned away. Selecting a deep blue gown, she replaced the one in Caitlyn's arms. "I never want to hear about this again."
"Yes, Your Highness." Caitlyn nodded solemnly. She knew better than to press her mistress.
A little teasing would do the princess some good, but too much would only make her stubborn. And a stubborn princess was no good to anyone.
With some cinching, tying and hair artistry, Rose was ready to face the people of the palace. She did not put anything on to color her face. As she was supposed to have been sick, looking too chipper would make her even more the topic of gossip at court than she already would be. People would have many theories on exactly what had ailed the princess.
When she was finally ready, there was a knock at the door. The ladies hurried to the door and Caitlyn opened it to reveal Rabert.
"Good day, captain!" Caitlyn dipped her head.
"Good day, My Lady. Your Highness. I have come to escort you to His Majesty." Rabert smiled.
"You and what army?" Rose looked in the hall. There were only two Guards outside instead of twenty.
"No army, just me. King Rhodri is trying something new. He says 'less is more.' But I suspect a lovely golden-haired lady has something to do with his new attitude." Rabert bowed deeply. "Shall we?"