Chapter 220: A Lifetime of Love and Happiness
Edna watched Rose smile at her as she held the bouquet to her chest. She could still see the sadness in her eyes even as Rose stared at her with the biggest smile ever. She knew Rose meant every word she said, even if it was the opposite for her—until the crown prince let her go, she would never get married.
Edna knew all about her fiancé, at least enough to know just how sad Rose’s situation was, and she wished she could have done something more or helped. She was married now and out of the castle, but none of them knew when that would happen for Rose.
She was surprised she had gone out of her way to come here. Edna knew it must have been hard to convince the crown prince just as it was hard for Rose to witness her wedding when hers had been cut short. She shouldn’t have come but Edna was glad she did.
"You don’t need to apologize. I made it more difficult for you. I should have told you much sooner. I shouldn’t have left without telling you."
Rose shook her head. She wasn’t angry anymore—maybe she had been in the moment—but she now clearly knew Edna’s side. She was just glad she got out of the castle before the Queen plotted more evil.
She didn’t think there was any reason to let her know that Lily told her about what the Queen had done, just as she was going to tell her she knew about Edna leaving weeks before she told her. Edna wanted to keep it a secret; she intended for it to remain that way.
"It is fine, really. I am fine," she said. It wasn’t really a lie. "The crown prince is nicer, and I even went to the ball last night—it was wonderful."
Rose made sure to hold her smile in place because she knew if it fell, she might not be able to put it back up. There was no reason to be this sad at the wedding, but the same way she felt overwhelming happiness that Edna was getting married was the same way she felt overwhelming sadness at her own wedding that never happened.
"Really?" Edna asked excitedly.
Rose nodded but didn’t say anything more on the matter. She was losing her only friend, but at least here Edna would not suffer consequences that were her fault.