Chapter 161
"Did you find it overwhelming inside?" Zayne asked the moment they were in the clear of having no one around.
"No. Once I didn’t think about the stares, I settled in well. I," Rose started but first turned to her mother who already backed them. "I just wanted to talk about feelings. If you just let me ramble for a moment. I fear this is the only way I can say what is on my mind."
"I have told you that I am still trying to understand everything. That being with someone was never in my plans but I am quite certain that I do not like thinking of when you would not be near. I have not fully convinced myself that we are equal. You appear well above me in my eyes and sometimes it is not so bad," said Rose.
She had moments of liking that a man like Zayne cared for. He had helped her without expecting something in return. To know that a prince saw something in her sparked a new confidence.
"Feelings are confusing and like everything else, I have a lot to learn. You make me feel weird but not a bad kind of weird. It is feelings I have never felt before. I want to try to better understand them. From what my mother explained it is possible that I like you," Rose confessed.
Rose had experienced all of what Madeline spoke of. Knowing that it was because of her liking Zayne allowed her to move forward instead of staying puzzled.
"I do not want you to go and I don’t want to leave your side. I am not uncomfortable with your touch like I am with others. The thought of you leaving greatly bothers me. If that is how it feels for you as well and you like me then I do like you. I am sorry that I did not say it as confidently as you did," Rose apologised.
Zayne had been so certain of his feelings when he confessed but yet she was here still questioning what she felt. How was it that the young women inside quickly knew of which man they loved? Why couldn’t it come more easily for her?
"Rose," Zayne called, palming her face to have her look up. "I know it is a great step for you to have thought about this and realise that you might have feelings for me. Do not apologise. I knew I had to be patient from the start."
Zayne continued, "I don’t expect your feelings to be like mine. For you to speak of loving me. Knowing that you are figuring it out and you know you like me is quite enough. What does figuring out these feelings entail?"
Rose didn’t know herself. "We should do what other couples do."