Chapter 107 - Are You Here To Mock Me? (1/2)

Rosenia tried to stay out of her quarters as much as she possibly could but it was difficult to get away. Sigmund was there watching her every move and would pitch a fit if she tried to leave without permission.

As afraid of him as she was, she was also disgusted. This fool hadn't been smart enough to keep his title and blamed his mistakes on everyone else. He was no better than an animal at this point.

More than anything she wanted to go home but she would be disgraced forever and shunted to a hidden part of the palace, never to see the light of day again. Rogan may have favored her over all their other siblings but that did not mean he was kind.

If she strained diplomatic relations between their closest ally because she could not handle her husband's temper Rowenhilde would be in trouble. Rogan would not let that go unpunished.

So she kept her predicament a secret and hid in the gardens as often as she could. They were beautiful with all of the buds in full summer bloom.

Rosenia dreaded everyone coming back to the capital for fall court and the debutante ball. They would all see how far she had fallen. Sigmund was sulking like a child and likely would not even show his face at such an important event for the royal family.

All because of a demotion! He was still a prince; he needed to act like one.

She sighed. This was not the way she had wanted her life to turn out at all. She would much rather be married to a prince of less importance somewhere else if it meant she was treated well.

She had paid a heavy price for her greed. Now she was trapped. Divorce was not an option; marriages were a life sentence unless she wanted to be forever shamed.

No. It was better to be a princess and have a small chance of living in the light than be locked away forever back in Rowenhilde. Rosenia told herself that over and over yet it did not make her burden any easier to bear.

Sometimes during her turns about the garden she would spot Alpheus and his wife heading to the stables. They were always laughing, smiling, or holding hands. It made her heart ache but it also made her furious.

How dare this insignificant wretch who had been an enemy since the beginning live so happily when they had both been married off into this palace? What was so special about her anyway?

Alpheus had no power and no real claim to the throne but he and his wife were happy. Rosenia realized that their kind of marriage was the kind she should have sought all along and it only increased her bitterness.

The rare occasions she saw Mariela were even worse. She was the queen with a husband that adored her, if not to the same extent that Alpheus adored Katie, and her future was perfectly secure. The future that Rosenia should have had.