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Dark Moon Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 343. Protective
🕑 Added 2024-10-31 16:28:51 +0000 UTCThird Arc (Fallen Heart) - 343. Protective
Rose nodded. “I know. I just—there’s so much at stake. Not just for me, but for him, for the kingdom.”
Claire gave her a firm look. “And that’s why you’ll be a great queen. You understand it all, and you care about the people around you. The court may have their whispers, but in the end, actions speak louder than gossip. You’ve got this.”
Rose smiled, this time a bit more genuinely. “Thank you, Claire. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
The rest of the party played out as she had expected. Noble families approached her, each interaction carefully calculated. Women and men alike made their way to her, some with daughters in tow, eager to push them forward, to place them in Rose’s view, hoping one might become a trusted favorite, or perhaps even a confidant like Claire. There was an almost palpable competition in their gestures. Each of them tried to present their daughters as worthy of Rose’s favor.
Some of the young women offered practiced smiles, while others looked anxious. Their glances filled a mix of fear and ambition. Rose felt the pressure, aware of the hopes tied to her reaction, the way a smile or a polite word from her could change their standing within the court.
This, too, was part of the position she was stepping into—a queen not only ruled, but shaped alliances through the smallest gestures, and right now, every gaze upon her was evaluating her worthiness for the role. She handled it as best as she could, her mind balancing the need to be approachable yet discerning, letting each noble feel acknowledged but carefully guarding the intimacy they sought.
Some of them even mentioned Cley and Claire. They mentioned how lucky they were and hoped their child also got the same blessing from Rose. Despite Claire, who tried to mask her cringe, Rose knew what they were talking about. Angel had blessed them with more than just close proximity; he had entrusted them with lands, a mansion, and a promising future within the court.
On the other hand, Rose noticed that the nobles might try to use the twins as an avenue to extract information, to gauge Angel’s decisions, or to subtly influence events within the palace. Rose knew, however, that Angel had never been blind to this. He kept the twins close not only because he trusted them, but to protect them from the court’s pressures and manipulations. They were young, especially Cley, whose innocent curiosity and sometimes childish nature would make him an easy target. Claire, more grounded, could have handled much on her own, but the strain of it all would have been overwhelming.
Angel’s protective instinct had always been clear, and Rose respected it even more now, seeing firsthand how the court worked tirelessly to find cracks and opportunities. She had no doubt that if an assassin couldn’t reach Angel, they would target the twins without hesitation, hoping their influence could be used against him.
When the evening finally wound down, the guests began to thin, and the torches around the estate dimmed as families called their carriages. Rose felt relief as she and Claire made their way toward the exit, slipping out as quietly as they had arrived. The evening air was cool and as they approached the royal carriage, Rose allowed herself a long, steadying breath.
The journey back to the castle was silent. Claire sat beside her. Rose leaned back and replayed the interactions, the subtle shifts in tone, the gazes that lingered a second too long. It was as though the entire noble circle had banded together, seizing the chance to evaluate her worth.
“I never thought it would be this late,” Claire said suddenly, breaking the silence with a huff. Her voice carried an edge of exasperation that made Rose smile softly.
“They really pushed you around too much,” Claire added with a frown, her expression mirrored by Rose’s weary sigh. Rose knew that for all of Claire’s calm and supportive nature, the evening had worn on her as well.
