The Enchanted Rose by Konstanz Silverbow Read Free Book Online Page B

woman who has been making my gowns since I can remember, had to close her shop because she couldn’t afford it. Her husband lies dying, so ill he can’t work. All the while, the seamstress has to provide for her family alone, working from her home. More than one business has closed down. The market is in tatters and ruin. What is going on that could cause such harm in our kingdom right beneath us, and here we sit in our castle, doing nothing about it?” I did not mean to blurt it all out at once, but what I saw earlier today haunts me. 
    “Roselyn, what are you talking about?” Father reaches, taking my hand in his, scooting to the edge of his seat as he looks at me intently, genuinely shocked by what I am saying.
    “Father, the people are suffering. We must do something to help them.” I swallow hard, unsure what else to say. 
    “I admit I have not visited the market or town square of late. With preparations for the wedding, and looking over contracts and peace treaties for kingdoms you aren’t about to marry into, my time has been overspent. But surely someone would have come forth before now if things were actually as bad as you say they are, would they not?” He raises his eyebrows, widening his eyes. 
    “Perhaps they fear coming forward and asking for help. Nadi did not want me to call upon the royal physician to help her husband. Why would that be, if not that she feared something or someone? There is more going on than we could know. I am begging you to look into this. Help the people, for without them, there will be no kingdom to rule.” I stand, clenching my hands around the skirts of my dress as I walk toward the door.
    “Rose?” Father’s voice is quiet, almost so I do not hear him. 
    I turn back to see what he wants. 
    “I will see what I can do.” He offers a small smile, one that does not reach his eyes. 
    “Thank you,” I mouth, unable to give voice to the words. With that, I turn on my heel and leave. 
    As soon as I am in the corridor, Madrid falls into step with me. 
    “Milady?” she asks. 
    “He has promised to look in to the matter,” is all I reply. 

Quin gives me a knowing look, having just delivered the news. Mother and Father have requested that I join my brothers in the family’s private dining hall this evening for supper. They wish to spend the night as a family rather than as rulers of the kingdom. 
    It puts a delay in my travel plans, but I can’t deny their request. Already, I spend hardly any time with them, always sneaking off to see Roselyn. Edda usually covers for me, but we’re both sure at this point that everyone is well aware of my whereabouts. 
    Still, it is best for them never to know for sure. They don’t have to lie for me if they actually don’t know. It’s protection for Roselyn, and for me. 
    I nod at Quin, letting him know I’ll eat with my family. He offers a sympathetic smile before leaving me to finish packing my bag. I stuff in a fresh pair of trousers and shut the bag tight, feeling confident that I didn’t forget anything.
    I usually only spend one evening at a time in Tivor, but with the wedding and Queen Jossa’s even more odd behavior, not to mention the wizard and the roses, I feel it best that I go prepared for worstcase scenarios. 
    I leave my bag on the table and make my way to the king’s dining hall, a room adjoined to his quarters. The corridors are empty, which seems odd. Usually, the castle is buzzing with servants and visitors and the usual castle dwellers. It’s unsettling to find everything so quiet and lonely. 
    It’s nice to see two familiar faces as I approach the dining room. “Evening, Gareth.” I nod to the first guard. “Evening, Darian.” I nod to the second. 
    “Evening, Your Highness.” They both bow in reply, then pull the doors open for me. 
    I enter the room to find everyone already waiting for me, Mother and Father sitting side by side at the head of the table, Alaric and his fiancée,