Chapter 14: Thunderclap
Rose tried not to scream in pain when the servant grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the rear entrance. It was the door the servants used to get out of the castle. The servant in question was an older woman, and Rose suspected she had some authority over the servants here.
The woman held a light in her hand as she pulled Rose, who scrambled to follow her. They reached an open door, and the woman pushed her out. "Follow the walls of the house; you’ll get to the front. For goodness’ sake, hurry up."
Rose nodded and bent her knees before turning away. She was unsure whether to go left or right, but neither mattered. She dropped the clothes she was still holding, not caring that she was littering.
She took the left, as it seemed like it would take less time to reach the front of the castle. It was a bit hard to see in the dark, and Rose clung to the walls of the castle, holding it as she walked. Eventually, she started to see light and could tell she had reached the front.
Rose took the turn and was immediately met with disapproving eyes. Caius’s men were seated on their horses, dressed to leave. A cape around their necks, someone held a flag, and a few held torches.
"Get on your bloody horse!" she heard a voice, and Rose scrambled toward them.
No sooner did she sit on the horse than the front doors opened, and Caius walked out with Prince Rylen next to him. Their eyes met immediately, and he smirked. Rose immediately bowed her head and didn’t lift it until she heard the order to go.
"I wish you a safe journey, Your Highness," Lord Edric was saying. He was only with his wife, and his wife was forcing down a yawn as she waved.
"Hiya!!" Rose heard, and Caius took off, leading his men. Only when they were through the gates of the mansion did he slow down and let some of the men take the lead. Rose was at the edge of the group; they didn’t push her out, but she couldn’t ride any closer than she was. She wasn’t complaining; it was already awkward enough.
Rose felt her eyes water as she thought of her parents. By now, she would be waking up to prepare for the day, starting with checking on her mother and then going out to fetch some water. She hoped her mother would be fine; her father wasn’t very good at making her herbs.