The next morning was cloudy, so Rose did not feel the warm sun stream into her room to wake her as she normally did in the first days of fall. She was so bundled under blankets that she resembled a swaddled child resting comfortably on her cot.
Caitlyn sighed when she entered. Rose was not a morning person and waking her was unpleasant business. "Better to just take it off like a bandage," she mumbled.
"Don't you dare," Rose countered groggily. "I learned a move or two while I was gone, and I might just be forced to use them to get back my blanket."
"As I just got back your blanket from having it laundered, I have no intention of it getting blood on it...again. Breakfast is in the main room." Caitlyn placed her hands in front of her, her palms pressed together waiting for her mistress.
Rose's eyes opened slightly. It was no surprise that there was no formal meal this morning. Rhodri had gone to bed late as well, and since Ethyn was no longer a guest but a personal knight, there was no need to entertain him.
"Bring it in here," the princess waved her hand.
"If it pleases Your Highness, I just said that I did not desire to have the blankets laundered again. The covers which you spewed--spilled juice on yesterday are still being dealt with." Caitlyn did not move from her place nor did her face change.
Rose, on the other hand, blushed. She seemed to be making a nasty habit of ruining her bedding, which was making her lady-in-waiting's life harder.
Servants did take care of the room, but Rose preferred to have as few people in her quarters as possible. Secretly Caitlyn did not like people invading her space either. But that meant that some of the more mundane tasks, like making sure someone took away the breakfast cart and changed out the linens, had to be requested by Caitlyn to be completed.
"You need to get started on your thank-you notes. I figure you can finish the first twenty or so before your morning ride." Caitlyn held up a robe for the princess as she stood.
Rose pursed her lips. "I do not think I am up to riding today."
"Suit yourself, Your Highness," Caitlyn tied the fabric belt around the woman's waist. "But I'm sure Belle misses you."
Rose thought about her lovely chocolate mare. The last time the princess has seen her, the poor thing had been fleeing from a barn with a bandit on her heels. "I miss her too, but I'm not sure what that has to do with anything."
The thought of going to the barn and seeing Belle's empty stall filled Rose with a profound sense of sadness. She moved toward the sitting room to escape her friend.
"Princess Rose!" Caitlyn caught the princess by the arm.
But Rose was already pushing open the door. Within the sitting room, a dashing redhead stood from one of the couches to greet her with a bow.
"Your Highness!" He said cheerily, his mouth grinning from ear to ear.
Rose yelped and slammed the door. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"At least you had on your robe," Caitlyn chuckled. "I didn't tell you because I did not want you to feel rushed. I just assumed you would get dressed as normal and complete your regular morning ablutions before going to eat. If I had thought you were going to run off unexpectedly, I certainly would have given you a warning about your personal knight being present and ready for duty."
Rose pulled at her robe in a protective fashion. "How long has he been here?"
"He came shortly after the break of dawn, but I made him wait outside your suite until breakfast came." Caitlyn directed the woman over the mirror and started brushing through the long golden locks.
The princess could hardly look at herself. Her untamed hair was very messy, but under Caitlyn's firm finesse, it quickly curled in all the right places.
"He's been out there this whole time and you didn't wake me?" Rose pressed her eyes shut trying not to think about whether or not she might have spoken in her sleep.
"He serves you now just like I do. His life has to mold to yours, Your Highness, not the other way around." Caitlyn's voice was very matter-of-fact.
There was no two ways about it. As much as they cared for and liked Rose, at the end of the day it was not an equal friendship. At any point the princess could order them to be hauled out of the castle or even jailed and it would be done.
Her wish was their command.
"Still…I would like to know next time." Rose donned a lilac morning gown and awaited it to be cinched.
"Yes, Your Highness," Caitlyn answered.
Rose mulled over the fact that she had become resigned to her title. Since returning she hadn't fought anyone about calling her Your Highness or even Princess. She realized that to be effective in the role Silver had given her, she needed to hold onto every bit of power and respect the title could give her.
But if she wanted to keep that respect, she would have to stop accidentally walking out in her nightdress for men to see. 'It won't happen again,' Rose promised herself.
At last the ladies emerged having completed all their beautifying.
"Sir Ethyn," Rose dipped her head with as much dignity as she could.
The young man's face was devoid of emotion, which made Rose's ears burn. 'Oh what must he be thinking!'
Fortunately the young man did not make her wait to find out. "It is a lovely morning, Your Highness." When he could see he would get no immediate response, he turned to the friendly blonde. "Isn't it, Lady Cait?"
"Indeed it is, I always find the weather this time of year to be my favorite." Caitlyn smiled warmly.
"Though I must admit it is far more lovely in here than outside." Ethyn smiled, seeing he had struck a nerve and truly caught Rose's attention.
The princess shook off her embarrassment to glare at the knight. "You know how I feel about that kind of flattery."
"I was meaning the flowers, Your Highness…" Ethyn answered innocently.
"Oh," the princess felt a new wave of blood rush to her head. 'How does he keep managing to do that to me?'
"Oh indeed. It must be nice to have so many admirers." Ethyn peeked over at one of the cards and wrinkled his nose as he recognized the name.
At his reaction, Rose let go of her frustration and laughed. "Not so very nice, as you should yourself remember at the last dance."
"You have caught me there," Ethyn had to admit. "Except for one notable dance, the rest was nothing to write home about."
Rose's eyes darted away. "Shall we eat?" The princess moved to the low table in the middle of the couches where all of the food was spread. The other two exchanged a glance before joining her in the circle of seats.
They began to eat in silence. All of them were more hungry than they had realized. It was funny that even after a night of overeating, they still seemed to have room for a morning meal. It was almost as if their stomachs had been stretched, and their new capacity demanded immediate filling.
When Ethyn could stand the silence no longer, he broke it with the only comment that came to mind.
"If you ever need any help defending yourself against the admirers, I vow to take them on at any day and time.," Ethyn tapped the hilt of his sword, which he had made sure to bring with him to his new position.
"That will not be necessary. I can take care of them myself." Rose brushed her hair behind her shoulder as she set down her plate.
"And it's not like Sir Ethyn will have to face a threat alone. Your two shadows outside will also keep anyone at a distance who you deem unworthy." Caitlin sipped her drink mildly.
"Don't remind me. I would rather forget that they are out there." Rose gave an unladylike groan.
"I suppose you would prefer to have Philip and Cole back at your side again." The lady in waiting leaned away from the princess. "From your angry look, I gather you did not find their company pleasant."
"Their company was pleasant enough. I just do not think it is kind of you to speak of the dead in such a way," Rose huffed.
"Dead?" Caitlyn scrunched her face in confusion. "When did they die?"
"In the fight at the inn…" 'Is Caitlyn being dense or is she just playing dumb for Ethyn's benefit?'
"Did no one tell you?" Caitlyn's eyes opened wide as her hand covered her mouth. "Philip and Cole are very much alive."
"WHAT?!"