"Rose!" a voice called.
Rose poked her head out of her house. "Ye're early," Rose said with a smile.
"We 'ave to go to the marketplace, remember?" Emma replied.
"Well, yes, but we don't 'ave to go now. Just admit ye want to 'ear all about it."
"Of course not. I told ye I don't want to know about y'all frolicking."
"Fucking, ye mean," Rose said with a sly smile.
"Rosie!" Emma said with a blush.
Rose smiled and was about to speak when her father's thunderous voice called out. "Emma, is that ye?"
"Mr. Vallyn," Emma said with a smile. "Good mornin'."
"Good mornin', Emma. How's yer mot'er?"
"She's mighty fine, Mr. Vallyn."
"I'm heading out for the day, Rosie."
"Have a good day out workin', Fat'er."
"Aye, aye."
"Yer fat'er could 'ave 'eard ye," Emma replied.
"Ye're worried about nothin'. Mot'er is still sleepin'. I'll leave some water beside 'er, and then we can leave for the market. I also need to see Madame Razel. She said she 'as a gift for me. Can ye imagine?"
"Wow! For the weddin'?" Emma asked.
Rose nodded. "Do ye want to see Mot'er?"
"No, she's sleepin', isn't she?"
Rose nodded and slipped into the house, returning later with a scarf she used to tie her head and a basket on her arm. "What do ye think?" Rose asked as she gripped the ends of the scarf tied to her neck.
"Looks good," Emma replied honestly.
"Won't ye say somethin' like, 'Ye look very pretty, Madame Rose. Ye look like a farmer's wife'?"
"How's a farmer's wife a compliment?"
"Isn't it? The farmer is the wealthiest after the baron and the merchant."
"Aye, ye're right, but ye don't really care about such things."
"Yes, but ye don't 'ave to ruin mi joke, Emma. Ye're no fun," she said and bumped into Emma, who just subtly smiled at her.
Suddenly, Emma frowned. "Wha's that on yer neck? A mosquito bite? I didn't notice that before."
Rose clamped her hand on her neck and blushed. Emma stopped abruptly. In all the years she had known Rose, she could count the times she had blushed. Rose wasn't the type to get embarrassed easily. Without a doubt, that wasn't a mosquito bite.
Her eyes widened, and she turned around to face Rose. Her mouth tried to say the words, but her face just got redder and redder. She covered her mouth with her hands.
"Why am I the one with a love mark, but ye're redder than a tomato?" Rose teased.
"Don't say somethin' like that out loud!" Emma yelled, looking around. "What if someone 'ears?"
"No one's around, Emma."
"What if someone sees?"
"That's why I am wearing a scarf."
"I could still see it with the scarf," Emma replied.
"Only 'cause ye were staring too closely." She slipped her free arm through Emma's. "Don't fret, my lady. We 'ave to get to the marketplace."
Emma sighed but didn't fight Rose as she pulled her.
They got to the entrance of the marketplace. There wasn't much of a gate, just two pillars indicating the entrance, holding a huge signboard with words that Rose once heard someone read out.
"Edenville's Marketplace."
"Why do ye always do that when we are standing in front?"
"Pretend I can read?" Rose laughed. "It's fun."
A woman was selling roasted almond nuts directly in front of the marketplace. Rose rushed to her to buy them—her mother loved them.
"Rose," Emma pulled her. "I need to pick up something for my ma. Head into the marketplace, I'll find ye when I'm done."
Rose nodded. "If ye don't see me, meet me at Madame Razel's, or better still, just meet me at Madame Razel's."
"Okay," Emma said and waved.
Rose waved back and turned to the old lady, making small talk as she bought. No sooner did she accept her wrappin' of roasted nuts than she heard the hooves of horses as people cleared the path and dropped to the floor.
Rose didn't need anyone to tell her it was the crown prince. The baron didn't care for this much entourage when he came to the marketplace, and he also rarely came himself. He had more than enough hands to help him. She dropped her woven basket on the ground and kowtowed, as did the older lady selling nuts.
Rose bent her head, expecting the herd of horses to go through the gate of the marketplace or at least pass in front of it, but suddenly they stopped, and she could hear whispers. Rose didn't even move. Whatever this was, she was sure it had nothin' to do with her.
"You!" a familiar voice said.
Rose slowly raised her head. "Oh, ye," she smiled, seeing the knight from the day before.
He glared at her. "Come," he simply stated.
Rose looked behind her, beside her, and then back at the knight. "Me?" she asked.
"Yes, you! Are you deaf?"
"Why?" she asked innocently. She was sure this was a mistake.
"Don't ask stupid questions, wench!" the knight yelled and grabbed her arm, pulling her up. "You answer me when I—"
"Thomas," a voice said. "Get your hands off her."
"Your Highness," Thomas bowed and immediately let go of Rose.
Rose felt all the air leave her lungs. Riding on the biggest stallion she had ever seen was the crown prince. She could tell in one glance. His black hair was combed back, his eyes sharp, his nose straight, his chin shaved with just a little line of hair at the end. There was a visible scar across his chin, however, that didn't dent his handsomeness; rather, it gave him a roguish look.
He was dressed in royal clothes. White with gold embroidery. His horse was white and sparkling. The men around him were dressed in a similar manner, and they all rode on white horses. So engrossed was Rose in starin' at him that she forgot to bow.
Rose had heard enough tales about the crown prince to keep children awake at night, but she had chalked it up to simple rumors. Yet just one look at him, and she could almost imagine them to be true—especially the part where he was good in bed. Rose almost smacked herself at this—just what was she thinking?
"You were at the well yesterday," he casually spoke to her.
Rose almost lost her bowels. "I'm honored that ye would remember me, yer Highness," she said, bowing her head.
On the contrary, Rose was petrified. She knew what it meant to deal with royalty—they could mess with you however they wanted. The fact that the crown prince had noticed her enough to make a show of it was concerning. She could hear whispers from around her, but none of them dared lift their heads.
"Come closer," he said. His voice was thick, and the air hummed as he spoke.
Rose's eyes darted around, but she slowly stepped forward. "Is there something that ye need from me, yer Highness?" she asked, her voice shaking a little. She didn't think she had done anything wrong. Was he angry that she had used the well? But she had made sure to ask for permission first.
"Perhaps," he whispered. "Lift your head."
Rose was hesitant, but she obeyed, and her scarf slipped off. The love mark she was hiding was on full display. Rose tried to cover it, but it was too late. The crown prince's eyes were already locked on it.