Chapter 244: Shed All The Tears
Rose adorned the robe one more time, securing the ropes around her waist. She tied and retied it, giving her hands something to do as she tried to calm herself.
Rose didn’t know how much time had passed, but she hoped it wasn’t too late and that there was still enough time for her to get a full night’s sleep.
As she took her hand away from the ropes, certain the robe wouldn’t fall off her shoulders, she noticed the fireplace was dying out. There was more ash than wood. The candles in the room had melted so much wax that it was enough to remake several candles.
Rose could feel the crown prince’s gaze on her back, but she didn’t care, nor did she turn around to meet his stare. She had done what she was supposed to do, and now she was leaving. It was stupid of her to think things had changed. It was stupid of her to think she could make such a request.
Rose didn’t curtsy this time before heading for the door. She walked to it without looking back. She could still feel the crown prince’s eyes on her.
She kept her back straight and her chin high as she walked out of the room. She didn’t wrap her arms around herself, didn’t give even the slightest hint that something was wrong, and most importantly, she didn’t stagger or falter in her footsteps.
The guards outside the crown prince’s room stood as usual. None of them stared more than they should have, and for the first time, she was grateful that they always ignored her.
She didn’t think she had the strength to make it to her room. She feared that at the slightest stare, at the slightest look of concern, she might fall apart and cry—begging anyone who would care to listen to get her out of here.
Rose got to her room and immediately started to undress. The nightdress and robe pooled at her feet. She didn’t want them clinging to her body, didn’t want any reminder of what had occurred tonight.
She staggered forward but didn’t make it to the bed before she fell. Rose could feel her heart breaking, but surprisingly, her eyes were clear. Perhaps she had shed all the tears she could.