1.3: The Black Rose"Mother, I don't know about this."
"Nonsense, son. This is our family's chance! You could be King!"
Lord Adrian Rosa stood up. He had known when his mother had summoned him to her chambers that it couldn't be good news for him. It rarely was where his mother was concerned. And no matter what his own feelings on the matter, arguing with her wouldn't do any good.
"Yes, Mother." He walked out of her room, a smile plastered on his face.
Once he got away, Adrian let out a sigh. A letter from the King should have been an honor. Especially one addressed to him. He supposed it
was an honor, or at least it would be if it was what he wanted. Others would jump at the chance. His mother sure as Watcher was. He groaned. Once his mother got an idea in her head, there was no changing her mind.
This couldn't have come up at a worst time. His mother had already brought up the subject of marriage. It wasn't as if he didn't know what was expected of him. It had only been beat into his head since he could remember. Still, it all seemed way too sudden. It was bad enough having to be head of the illustrious Rosa family. He was proud of his family; he loved his mother and he even loved his family's history. But it was a hard legacy to live up to.
The only saving grace was that the letter came late. So he could use retiring as an excuse. Of course, it would only delay the inevitable discussion, but at least it was a reprieve.
The next morning, Adrian looked at himself in the mirror.
The thought of sneaking out of the house to avoid his mother entered his mind. He dismissed it just as quickly, bracing both hands on either side of the sink. He sighed. He remembered little of the father who had passed when he'd been a child. What he did remember was him frequently saying, "Might as well get the unpleasant over with. Then you can just concentrate on the pleasant." Then he'd laugh. Adrian remembered that great booming laugh. He sighed again. Best to get it over with.
He padded down to the family room. While the rest of Rosa Manor was a testament to the soirees they loved to throw, the family room was just that: it was a private room for them. His mother was already there, watching the news. When he came in, she turned the TV off and smiled at him. "Good morning, my boy."
"Mother." He sat down next to her.
"Son, I know you aren't thrilled with this. But think of the opportunity! You are a smart, wonderful young man. You have what it takes to be a great King!"
He managed a half-smile for her. "You're my mother. You're biased."
"Well, of course I am! But that doesn't make it less true!"
Adrian laughed. It faded quickly enough, however. "Mother, I-I'm proud of being a Rosa. You know that. But- King?" He held up a hand to forstall her. "I know what happened with you. I know you were meant to wed Marcus. But you didn't. I know you wanted to become Queen. I-I don't know what kind of ruler I'd make. And the thing is, I'm competing with two other people! Both are older and have more accomplishments than I do."
Rather than the argument he expected, Ferina was silent for a moment. "I loved your father, Adrian. He was a good man. But we were better friends than man and wife. We did our duty for the family line." She looked at him, unshed tears in her eyes. "Marcus- he was the love of my life. We met as children. It had been agreed we'd wed upon coming of age. It was a day we both looked forward to. At first, we hated one another, as children often do. But it grew. First into friendship. Then into something more. After-after the accident, both Marcus and my older brother were dead. I-I wanted to be Queen, Adrian, to be with Marcus."
He swallowed. "Mother-"
She shook her head. "No, it's alright. I know I can be difficult. I don't want you to be King for me, Adrian. I want you to be King because I believe that you can do it. This kingdom will need a strong ruler. Yes, I know the other two families involved. And yes, they each have more experience. But I
know you and know what you are capable of, Adrian. I just hope that you can see your own worth. Even should you not win, if you can gain that, I would be more than happy."
Adrian could only look at his mother for a moment. He couldn't seem to speak past the lump in his throat. She bumped his shoulder with hers. "Go on now. Get ready for school. I will see you when you return home."
He just nodded and made his escape.
Lady Ferina watched her son walk out the door. Only after he was gone did she get up. After dressing for the day, she, too, left the Manor. She was proud of her son. But it didn't mean she wouldn't give him a nudge in the right direction. She had spent a lot of time looking for his perfect match. It was time to go nudge that along.
Windenburg was a pretty place, though Newcrest's beauty couldn't be replicated, in her opinion. The Island had potentional, certainly. She looked up at the house, nodding appreciatively. The Lighthouse didn't have quite the penache or old world charm of Rosa Manor, but it was a nice house. She appreciated the large windows that took advantage of the view.
She knocked on the door. A butler led her inside. "Lady Ferina! It's wonderful to see you." The handsome gentleman took his hands in hers and kissed her knuckles.
"Lord Donovan. It has been too long."
"Aye, that it has. Please, sit, please."
Lady Ferina did so, Lord Donovan joining her.
"How's your lovely wife? I heard she's expecting again."
Lord Donovan laughed. "Aye. We thought the twins would be it. But the Watcher saw fit to bless us once more."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you." Lord Donovan's expression became cagey. "Now, if I understand your letter, you wished to speak with me about my sister?"
Ferina nodded. "Yes. I realize it must seem old-fashioned now. To discuss such matters. But I think it is safe to say that we want what is best for those we love, wouldn't you agree?"
Donovan inclined his head. "Aye, I would say so. But as you pointed out, it
is rather old fashioned. Arranged marriages are becoming a thing of the past."
"Yes, yes I know. I am not here to force anyone. I would never force my child to marry someone he didn't wish to. I am simply here to discuss them meeting, to see where things go. If things go well, which I think it will, then I think it would be beneficial for both of our families. But first things first. I would like to invite you and your lovely family to our home for dinner soon. We would be honored for you to join us. My son can meet your sister."
Lord Donovan sat back for a moment, pondering the invitation. Slowly, he nodded. "I accept your kind invitation. Thank you. We would be delighted to join you. But- I will say that. I will not force my sister into anything."
"No, of course not! This is just for them to meet, get to know one another."
As the small talk continued, Ferina gave herself a mental pat on the back. Her plan was set into motion.
"Ah, here she is! Marisa, I would like you to meet Lady Ferina Rosa." Donovan stood up, introducing his sister to Ferina.
"Hello, m'Lady."
She was polite and breathtaking. Ferina smiled serenly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my dear." She looked at the two toddlers that had followed the young woman into the living room. "My, look at how cute they are!"
"They're cute, but a terror."
"Lady Ayla! My, you look radiant! My congratulations."
The heavily pregnant woman smiled. "Thank you, truly." She reached down (Ferina wasn't sure how she managed it) to pick up her son.
The two conversed for a while, talking of children and the joys- and tribulations- of raising them. "I apologize, but I must get this one upstairs and changed. Donovan told me of your invition. I hope we can make it work." She patted her stomach for a moment. "It will just depend upon this little one."
Lady Ferina nodded. "Of course. Of course. I will be sure you get the invitation. Should you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I will take my leave of you all now."
*****
The day had been a rough one. All through school, Adrian hadn't been able to get this so-called competition out of his mind. He was tense. He'd avoided his mother as much as possible after he'd completed his homework. He could only dodge her questions for so long.
Using the excuse of going for a jog, he headed outside. It was getting dark, but that was alright. He enjoyed it more that way.
He hadn't lied to his mother. He did enjoy running. But there was more to this excursion. He went to the one place he felt really at home: the tavern. Most there knew him, but they didn't treat him any differently than anyone else. He loved that about the place. His mother would be horrified if she knew he went to such a common place. But it was the one place where he felt like he belonged.
"If'n it wasn't the Lord of Rosa Manor! Haven't seen you in a spell, Adrian."
Adrian grinned at the man at the bar as he slid onto the stool.
"Haven't been able to get away, Antonio. How's life treating you?"
Antonio waggled his eyebrows. "Pretty well, pretty well." He eyed his friend sideways. "You ok?"
Adrian had it on the tip of his tongue to pass it off, but he found himself saying, "I don't know. There's this- thing going on here. Mother's hammering me on it. Just- not sure I can do it."
Antonio pursed his lips, sipping at his drink. He didn't get a chance to comment as more of the regular patrons flooded the barroom.
Adrian found himself surrounded. He grinned, cracking jokes with those around him.
After a while, when some of the others had thinned out, Antonio stood there, sipping on his drink as he looked down at his younger friend. "You and me, we got the kind of mothers that drive us nuts." It was certainly true. It was how they had bounded from the first. "But ya know," Antonio continued, swirling his drink thoughtfully, "regardless, they love us. They want what's best for us, even if we don't agree. Maybe there's a way for both of ya to get what you want."
Adrian thought about that all the way home and as he crept into the house. He was going to head up to his room when he saw the light shinging under the door of the family room. He grimaced. Sighing, he opened the door and stepped in. The TV was on and his mother sat on the couch, but he could tell she wasn't really watching it.
"Hello Mother."
She looked up at him, smiling. Though he didn't miss the sheen of tears in her eyes. "Mama..."
"Don't mind me, baby." She patted the couch. "C'mon, join your old mama."
He did so, sitting down on the edge. "Look, mother, I-"
"You don't need to explain, Adrian. I do understand."
"Do you? Mother, I-I am proud of being a Rosa. But- there are times it feels as if I don't belong."
"Belong? Adrian, what nonsense is that?"
He waved his hands around in frustration. "It's- hard to explain. I want to do you proud. But- I don't know about this being King. I don't know if I'm cut out for it. I like being with people. But leading them?" He shook his head. "I-I just don't know."
"Son." He had never heard his mother's voice be so- gentle. His mother was a force to be reckoned with. Her maternal side tended toward the brusque. "My boy. I would never force you to do something you didn't wish to do. That goes for anything. I know our conversation the other day about marriage didn't sit well with you. I'm your mother, Adrian. I want to see my boy happy. I also see your potential. I believe that you make a great king. Your way with people is one of the very reasons why I think that."
Adrian frowned. "Really?"
"Yes, really." Ferina pursed her lips. "As far as marriage. Again, I would never force you to accept someone you couldn't care about. That doesn't mean I won't try to help in that regard. I have invited someone to dinner." She held up a hand. "The Xaviers. They are an aristocratic family from Windenburg. Lord Donovan has a sister, Lady Marisa." She smacked his shoulder lightly. "Don't give me that look. They are all coming for dinner. I just want you to meet the girl. That and we haven't entertained in far too long."
That was true. Since his father had passed, the soirees and events that Rosa Manor had been known had been few and far between. "No pressure?"
"No, no pressure. Just meet her. If you don't hit it off, that's the end of it. And as far as the competition, hold off on making a decision on that. We have an appointment tomorrow morning. At the castle."
Adrian winced. "The castle? Oh..."
Ferina chuckled. "Don't worry. I think you will enjoy the King. King Darian is a good man. Now, go on, go get some sleep, son."
*****
Adrian looked up at the castle walls, a slight feeling of awe coming over him. Castle Newcrest had been a beacon on the horizon since he could remember. He had been to it before, but only once that he could remember. He'd been very young then. He thought that maybe, being older, it wouldn't affect him so. That certainly wasn't the case.
A very prim butler, even primer than their own, led them through the castle, up several flights of stairs, directly to the King's personal chambers! Adrian looked around it for a moment, awe-struck once again. "Your Majesty." His mother smiled at the man that sat upon the couch in the center.
King Darian stood up, inclining his head at Lady Ferina with a smile. "Ferina, you know better than to stand on that kind of ceremony with me." He turned his smile onto Adrian. "My, I can't believe this is your son. The last that I saw of him, he only reached my waist." He put out his hand and Adrian gripped it tightly. "Please, sit, my dear Lady."
Ferina inclined her head, glided to the sofa and sat down.
"Both of you, make yourself at home." He put a gentle hand on Ferina's shoulder. "It's good to see you. We shouldn't let so much time go by in between visits."
"You have a good point there. Time just seems to- slip by."
"It does, too quickly, no matter what we do."
Ferina looked at the King. "Why don't I leave you too to talk."
"Thank you. Your room is prepared. If you would like to freshen up, relax while I talk with young Adrian."
"I think I'll do that." She went to the King, kissed his cheek, then she was gone, leaving the two of them alone.
Adrian sat on the sofa, the King stood. They two men eyed one another. Adrian wasn't sure what to say.
King Darian smiled. "I understand you have some questions."
"Yes sir, I do. The first one being: why me?" Adrian surprised himself at how blunt he was. He had everything he could do to control the wince.
The King grinned. "Why you, hm? Well, there are many reasons, but chief among them is: your family has always been loyal to the Bulwarks and more importantly, to this kingdom. But as to why you, personally? You have a charm and charisma about you. What's more is, you have an understanding, not just of the nobility, but the common people." There was a knowing look in his eyes that had Adrian shifting uncomfortably. Did he know about his trips to the tavern?
"Um, sire-"
The King shook his head. "Please, call me Darian. And you don't have to justify yourself to me. The truth of the matter is, I believe your connection with our people would be a true assett to our kingdom. I know you have doubts. Any sane man would. So I would say you more than qualified." The King motioned to the chairs by the fire. "Come, join me over there. My old bones get chilled too easily of late."
Adrian followed him over and sat. He wore a frown for a moment as he looked into the fire. "Si-Darian, can I ask you something? Why this competition?"
The King sat back in his chair, steepling his hands in front of his face. "It's true, I could have chosen one of you and named them heir. It would be the same result, I suppose. But I chose this way for two reasons: the first and most important one was to give everyone a fair shot. The second reason is that it is an indication of each of your devotion to this kingdom. It may not be fair to do this. I made the choice not to marry again. But I made that decision. Now, I have to make sure my decision of heir will carry on protecting this kingdom. This was the only way I could ensure those who competed were sincere."
The King laughed at the look on Adrian's face. "Yes, I know. What if any of you- or all of you- say no? Well, let's just say that there is a reason I chose the three of you. If any of you choose not to participate, that's fine. But I believe I know you all well enough to know you will at least try. Am I wrong?"
Adrian sighed. "No, no you aren't. Even if I have my doubts, I don't want to let you, my mother- anyone down."
"That's admirable. Perhaps along the way, you'll find your own way there."
Adrian sat back, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps."
