Chapter 20 Silent Conversations

Nate was leading us into the castle. Fred was still beside me, not looking nor talking to me. He was just looking straight. 

I still can't get my mind off of what happened earlier. How was he able to heal my foot?

I swear it was pretty swollen and it hurts to walk. Wheels were turning inside my head until we came to a stop in front of the entrance of the castle. I noticed that Nate had also stopped. He took a deep breath before he let it out. Something was bothering him.

As if reading my mind, Nate looked back at us and smiled at me. "You go on ahead, Rose. I have to speak with Prince Fred first. The Queen and the others are expecting you at the dining area. I assume that you know your way there?" he asked. 

I looked from Nate then to Fred, who only gave me a nod. "Um...sure. But don't take too long guys." I said uncertainty. 

That made Nate smirk. "Miss me already? Don't worry. I'll be sure to sit by your side later." Nate then winked. Hearing his flirty self again made me relax a little, but it didn't stop me from frowning at him, which made Fred laugh at our exchange.

"That's great. I'll be sure to reserve you a seat beside me." I said sarcastically and stuck my tongue out childishly at him before I left. It's obvious that those two have some important matters to discuss. Might as well leave those two to settle it here.

***MEANWHILE***

Prince Nathniel waited for Rose to leave and out of earshot before facing Prince Fred. He wasn't even bothered by the look that Nathaniel was giving him. Nathaniel knows and he saw what he did a while back and he wasn't happy about it.

"Fred, did you just use your magic?" He asked him. The blonde haired prince didn't give him a response immediately, which only made him furious. Of all the things that he hates is when they ignore him especially when they are the ones who did something. "Fred answer me!"

Fred seemed to have sensed his mood because he let out a sigh before answering. "Yes."

"Why? Didn't we talk about this? We wouldn't reveal anything until we are certain that she won't freak out." 

"It's not like I revealed who I was to her. Besides, she already knows that the Queen is a Fae. What makes us so different?" he asks.

"You know why. She's only a human. Their kind has a different image with our kind. She has to be ready before we can expose our true identity. You of all people should have known that!" He nearly yelled at him, but then lowered his voice in case Rose was still nearby.

Fred didn't seem to appreciate his outburst because his fist started to clench. Sparks running along his arms. "I know that! But she was hurt. What do you want me to do? Let her walk in while limping? It looked like she was in pain. She even tried to hide it." He looked away as he whispered the last part as if he was recalling a memory.

"You could have called us first!" He argued. 

"Well I'm sorry but what's done is done. We couldn't take that back anymore. Unless you want me to erase her memory of it."

Nathaniel suddenly tense at what he said and couldn't help but let out a warning hiss at him. "Don't you dare." He wouldn't let him use his magic to erase Rose's memory. Magic is unpredictable if you are not experienced in using it. It could wipe out all of your memory. Even worse, you'll go crazy. They all know that.

The spark on Fred's arm died. He shook his head tiredly. When he looked up, Nate saw that he had a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Don't worry about it. I wouldn't do that to her." he said and walked past him and into the castle. Nate could only star at his back for a few seconds before he followed the other prince.

Everyone was already seated when Fred and Nate arrived. They seemed to be awfully quiet as they sat on the chair opposite of Rose.

Ren and Dan were beside her while Ace was sitting beside Ren. Once everyone was all settled, the Queen started to talk. "Now that we are all here, I would like to make some announcements. A week from now, we will be having a ball." 

Why will there be a ball? Is there a tournament here? And what kind of ball? A basketball or a volleyball ball? Rose wondered.

As if hearing her thoughts, Nate was the one who asked. "Pardon me, your highness. But may I ask what the ball is for?"

The Queen smiled approvingly at him. "We are celebrating the arrival of our new family in this castle." Her eyes then landed on Rose. As well as the others. Now they were all looking at her. "It would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to the other rulers of other kingdoms and to officially introduce the king candidates."

The twins, Nate, and Fred all tense when the Queen said this.

"B-But your majesty-" Ren stopped when he saw Rose looking at him. Instead, he only focused his eyes on the Queen as if having a silent conversation with her. Ren moved his face so Rose couldn't see how his eyes glowered and locked gazes with the queen

'She's a human, your majesty. What would the others do if they find out about this?' Being a new generation of wolves, who was blessed by the lunar light, the twins can telepathically communicate with other supernatural races. As long as they have eye contact with the opposite party that is. 

The Queen sighed. "So you already knew? All of you?" She asked and looked at each and every one of the princes. They all nodded at her. The queen only smiled. "Oh well, this makes it easier for me then. Perhaps if you guys help her understand then I might give you an explanation." Every second that passes, Rose becomes more and more confused.

What the heck are they talking about? She wondered.

There was a slight pressure on her shoulder. She looked to her right and saw Dan giving her an apologetic smile. "Don't mind them. They're having crazy people conversation." he whispered the last part so only the two of them could hear. She couldn't help but giggle.

He reached out and placed several meals on her plate. "Eat up while Nate isn't looking." he whispered and she gave him a smile. He knows that she couldn't stuff her plate like what she's doing now when Nate is nearby.

Dan really doesn't like where this conversation is going. Rose doesn't even know what they are and here goes the Queen, throwing a ball full of other supernatural beings.

Ren, Fred, Nate, Ace, and Dan all agreed that they wouldn't reveal who and what they are to Rose yet. Even though she acts as if she's alright, Ren and Dan could still smell her fear and uncertainty. They know that Fred and Nate know of that too. As for Ace, they think he can read it through her face. Dan can tell that she's still freaked out of all this magic and fairies. She doesn't need to add them to add to her bucket list.

Looking at Ren, he could tell that he's talking to the Queen through his mind. He doesn't want Rose to hear anything of what he's saying. And neither does he.

He couldn't help but notice the puzzled look on Rose's face right now. She looked so confused and left out that he decided to entertain her so she couldn't listen to the conversation that they were having.

"Hey. How's the training going with you and Fred?" He asked her. She nearly choked on her food. He panicked and slapped her back gently. He grabbed his glass of water and offered it to her. All the while, listening to the conversation as Rose took the water from him.

"I don't want to be rude, your highness. But don't you think that it's too early to throw a ball? Knowing that Rose -" Fred was cut off when the Queen waved her hand. I looked at the King at the End of the table. No one seems to mind him though.

"Nonsense. It will be the perfect time for a ball. I trust that all of you will be able to explain all of this to her before the time comes. Consider this as a part of the test for the throne. Plus, we don't have much of a choice. The other factions are demanding the official king candidates to be announced. If we don't have a ball, then the factions will get restless and might spread unwanted rumors. Having a ball will reduce that risk and avoid unwanted visitors, who would use that excuse to visit." said the Queen. He couldn't help but feel anger towards her. He knows that she's the Queen but she acts as if this was all a game. Especially when Rose is involved. The queen sighed tiredly. "If only I could do more, but it seems that we are being pushed to a corner. I never expected things to get out of hand this fast. The least I could do is also announce my adoption of Rose. At least a fake adoption to filter out the rumors of her."

Of course the princes knows that rumors aren't easily dismissed with her adoption. But at least it can potentially avoid most of the bad rumors.

"Thanks." He snapped my attention back to Rose. who seemed to have recovered. He took the glass of water from her and set it down on the table. He rubs her back just in case.

For his brother, he'll take care of Rose.

‘Ren, please be careful of your choice of words. Remember that I only have Rose distracted, but it doesn't prevent her from hearing things. Knowing her, she'll jump to conclusions.’ He spoke through our link.

‘I know that!’ Ren snapped. ‘Why do you think that I use the Alpha link on the Queen to tell her this?!’

‘Chill out. I'm just reminding you.’

Dan looked around the table to see that all of them, except Rose who kept on eating, seemed a bit tense. After a moment of silence, the Queen had finally spoken.

"Well now that it is settled, I want everyone's attention now. Including you, Rose." Said the Queen.

Rose stopped eating. When she looked up, Dan couldn't suppress his grin. Her mouth was stuffed with food making her look like a chipmunk. Nate glared at her in disapproval.

"Hmmff?" Was all she managed to say.

"Starting tomorrow, your training will be intense. You'll train with the five of them. You'll spend the morning with Ace, Spend lunch with Nate, And divide the afternoon with the twins and Fred." the Queen said gleefully as if the idea excited her. 

Rose swallowed her food and stared agape at the Queen.

Dan silently counted.

3

2

1

"YOU WANT ME TO WHAT!?" Rose yelled and stood up while slamming the table with such force that it caused it to rattle.

Oh well. There goes our fun dinner night.

"Rose be reasona-" 

"You should be the one who's reasonable!" Rose cut the Queen off before she could even manage to say anything. Of all the people that Dan knows, he thinks that Rose is the only one who could do that. "One day for each of them is already enough! Now you want me to spend each day with all of them?! This is..." She paused and rubbed her eyes. Ren looked up at her. They could smell the tears that she's desperately hiding. "Aren't you controlling my life too much?" She whispered.

Ouch. Does that mean that she doesn't want to spend any day with us? Dan thought

"No offense to the princes." She added quickly before facing the Queen once again. The Queen only shook her head. "I'm going to let your insult pass because I can understand that you are upset."

"Upset is an understatement. I'm furious, thanks for asking." Rose had her head down the entire time as she spoke. She took a deep breath before her eyes met the Queen. "I'm done eating." she said and made a mocking curtsy at the Queen before stomping out.

The Queen sighed sadly. "At least she now knows how to curtsy."

***ROSE***

Who does she think she is?! My mom?! I would rather have a cow as a mom. Why does she always control my life? It's not like I'm from this world or anything. Nor do I intend on staying.

After dinner, I stomped towards my room and slammed the door shut behind me. I walk towards my vanity table and watch the magical ball that the Queen gave me. The white mist has increased but it's still not close to being full yet. I cursed.

How long will it be until it's full?

I looked at it sadly. I sighed and laid down on my bed for a few minutes. After that, I decided to take a shower first and put on some clean clothes. I tried to fall asleep but my brain wouldn't let me. 

I decided to visit the library to look for books that I could read. When I got there, I started to search the shelves. The library was huge and full of books so it took me some time to actually find something interesting to read. I settle for an old leather bound book with golden details at the side. I didn't bother to read the title. In my situation you wouldn't be so picky about books. And somehow, the smell of it was comforting.

After I got what I needed, I headed back to my room and laid there with the book on my lap. I started to read the words but my mind couldn't seem to process anything. I was still pissed at the Queen. The bubbling rage of emotion was disrupting my concentration.

I read the same line over and over again, trying to make something out of it but it was no use. Finally deciding that reading wouldn't help, I just closed my eyes. I didn't even notice that I had already gone to sleep.