Chapter 203
"I need to learn more before you need to leave. I have been doing well with reading small words but my writing isn’t good. I have to practise making it pretty. Alexander has helped me with a map and in exchange, I have made him join my lessons with my mother," said Rose.
"Hmm."
Zayne was not interested in what concerned Alexander. Why was he still sticking to Rose’s family when it was time he left to be on his own? "How long will he be staying with you? I don’t have room on my ship for him."
Rose couldn’t recall Alexander speaking of wanting to sail with her. She also didn’t recall what his plans for the future were now that the palace was taken over by Zayne’s people. "I don’t think he wants to sail. He might not be a soldier again. I should ask him."
"Why? Would you stop him from leaving?" Zayne asked.
"No. He is my friend so I want to know where he will be. Just as I would want to return to see my family, I want to see him. I do not have many friends to visit. We have talked about how long it took for him to find me. I am not angry," Rose said so Zayne wouldn’t be. "You shouldn’t be harsh to him."
"Harsh?" Zayne laughed since that was the opposite of how he viewed himself. "I sent a man in love with you to see you and didn’t have anyone trail him. I was kind."
"But you don’t like him," said Rose.
"I don’t," Zayne replied, refusing to sugarcoat it. "It took too long for him to admit he did not try hard to find you. How was it that the fool who kicked you was better than the man in love with you?"