CHAPTER 311: A KNOCK IN THE COLD

Rose cleared up the dishes after dinner was over. As much as she would like to wash the dishes tonight, all she wanted to do was get some sleep. She went to get her bed from her room, which was really just a little hay under a piece of cloth.

She didn’t sleep in that room during winter as it was too cold. She slept in the same room as her parents close to the fireplace. Rose yawned as she sat down on the bench with her father. Her bed was already made out and she would just spend some time with them before she fell asleep.

Darkness was upon them, it was past evening when she headed out to the Olivers’ residence and the sun was setting when she returned home. Rose winced at this thought. There was a time she thought her surname would change to Oliver. Now, that was nothing more than a dream that would never happen.

Her mother was sleeping again, and the two of them just sat on the bench watching her. Rose leaned against her father as she tried to suppress a yawn.

"I hope it wasn’t too hard, Fat’er," she whispered.

"It wasn’t nearly as ’ard as wha ye ’ad to do," he returned immediately. "We missed ye, but I am sure ye missed us more."

Rose smiled faintly. "Yes, every day. I am sorry I didn’t send a letter."

Vallyn shook his head. "I understand. I tried to send a letter at different times. Madame Razel would always write it, but I don’t tink ye got any of tha letters."

Rose lifted her head. "You wrote me letters?"

"Just two, but I don’t even tink it got to the capital. I ’ave no way of knowin’. We can’t read, but I wanted to know if ye were okay. All I knew was mi daug’ter sacrificed ’erself for me and went wit a strange man. We were beside ourselves with worry. Yer letter was so relievin’. It was tha first time we felt better since ye left. I wasn’t even sure if ye got the carvings."

"I did, and the clothes. Thank ye." Unfortunately, the clothes had been destroyed, but her father didn’t need to know that.

"The flute too," Rose cried as she recalled. "I am sorry I didn’t send a letter earlier. I couldn’t. A lot of things just kept happ—"

"Don’t apologize, ye ’ave nothin’ to say sorry for. I owe ye mi life."

"I owe ye mi life too. You’re my Fat’er," Rose laughed. "I don’t regret what I did, so don’t feel sorry for me. Don’t look at me like that, Fat’er. Losing Ander and Emma isn’t the worst thing. It just hurts more ’cause I lost them both."

Rose lifted her arms towards the ceiling, stretching them. "Hmm. I am tired, aren’t you?" she asked her father mid-stretch. "You should get some sleep."

"I will," he replied. "Ye go to sleep first."

"Very well, if you say so. I shall hit the hay first," she chuckled.

As Rose rose to her feet, a knock froze them both in place. Her father turned his head towards the door first, then turned to look at Rose.

"Are ye expectin’ anyone?" he asked.

"Nay," Rose said and turned to look at the door.

"I will get it," he offered.

"No, I’m on my feet already, Fat’er, I will get it," Rose said absentmindedly as she walked towards the door.

After her father had chased off the neighbors, only a few of them returned, and he had dealt with them without involving her. She didn’t think anyone would return this late, not in this cold.

The knock was also soft, and there was no urgency behind it—almost like they were asking her to ignore it. Rose got to the door but didn’t open it immediately, not until she heard another knock.

She pulled open the door and could scarcely believe the sight in front of her. It was Ander, dressed in a thick coat and a hat that covered more than half of his face, but she could easily recognize him anywhere.

"Ander," she said before she could help herself.

Her father heard her, and before Ander could even speak, she heard her father’s footsteps behind her.

"Rosie!" he said, sternly. "Come inside."

"Master Vallyn, please let me ’ave a word wit yer daug’ter," Ander pleaded, taking off his hat.

"It’s okay, Fat’er," Rose replied. "I will come inside soon."

Vallyn didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t want to interfere when his daughter had said otherwise, so he backed away—but not before giving Ander a death stare that caused him to stagger back.

Her father left, and Rose closed the door. Resting on it, she folded her arms and glared at Ander.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I-I wanted to explain wha tis is..."

"There is no need," Rose cut in. "You both have my blessings."

"Nay, nay, nay," Ander sounded as though he was on the verge of crying. "It’s not wha ye tink."

"Then why didn’t you come out when I banged on your gate, and why are you only here to explain yourself when it is late? Am I only fit to be met under the cover of darkness?"

"Rosie," Ander said, pressing his hat to his chest, his voice breaking. "Tha’s not true. A lot of tings spiraled out of mi control. I didn’t intend to lay with Emma. It was a grave m-mistake. I would never do s-such to ye. I lo—"

"Happy married life, Ander. As I said, you both have my blessing." Rose turned, ready to open the door.

"Rosie, please," Ander said and grabbed her arm. "Let me at least explain miself. Let me ask for yer forgiveness."

Rose pulled her hand away. "What difference would it make? I-I was away for no more than two months." Rose didn’t like the way her voice wavered. "You two could have at least told me this was the sort of relationship you wanted to have, I would have given ye both—"

"Nay, Rose, never. I went all the way to the capital for ye after the crown prince took ye. Tis—tis was a mistake. I woul—"

"I don’t think your unborn child would want to hear you say that."

"Rose," Ander whined. "Ye hate me, don’t ye? Ye keep lookin’ at me wit expressionless eyes. Ye really believe I will do somet’ing like tis to ye?"

"I don’t hate ye, Ander," Rose replied genuinely. "But ye did marry my best friend. I don’t hate ye, I could never hate ye both, and I truly wish ye the best—but I never want to see ye again."

"Rosie," Ander let out a guttural voice. "Don’t do tis. I-I just want to—"

Rose reached for the door again. This was getting overwhelming; she didn’t want to even think about it, and here was Ander telling her all this, while he had chosen to lay with and marry her best friend.

Ander grabbed her again. "Rosie."

She winced at the nickname. "Let me go," she yelled.

"I will, I-I just want ye to understand. ’Er mot’er was not goin’ to—"

"What is going on here?" a familiar voice asked darkly.

She lifted her head to see a figure on a horse only a few feet away, and beside him on another horse was a guard holding a lantern.

"Lord Thomas," Rose called, shocked to see him. She hadn’t even heard the hooves of the horses approaching. Even if she was arguing with Ander, it wasn’t enough to miss this on a quiet night.

Ander jumped back immediately and bowed. He didn’t need anyone to tell him this was an important person—Thomas’s outfit and demeanor were more than enough.

Thomas easily got off the horse. "I asked, what is going on here?" Thomas directed his question to Ander, his hand moving to his sword.

Rose’s eyes widened, and she knew if she didn’t do something, Thomas might really strike him down.

"Lord Thomas," Rose called. "He is leaving and will never return," she replied.

He turned his attention to her, and Ander fled without waiting to confirm if Thomas was going to let him go or not. Thomas didn’t even glance back, just glanced down at her wrist where Ander had grabbed her. It was red. Rose tried hiding it behind her back but not before Thomas’ eyes narrowed.

"Who was that?" he asked her.

"A childhood friend," Rose replied immediately.

Thomas’ eyes accused her of lying. "A childhood friend wouldn’t grab you like that."

Rose’s eyes narrowed. Was this teenage boy accusing her of something? "He is the man I was supposed to marry, but worry not, he is already married. If you’re worried I might sleep around behind His Majesty’s back, you have no reason to be so concerned."

Thomas was immediately taken aback, and color appeared on his cheeks. He looked away. "I meant, a friend wouldn’t try to attack you."

"Oh," Rose replied and sheepishly grabbed her wrist. She was surprised Thomas even explained. "I am so sorry," she said with a small bow as she held onto her wrist. "It has been a rough day."