The Forgotten Princess Rose-Chapter 273

Catherine made herself scarce since the couple would want a moment to say their goodbyes. Unlike other times, she had someone else who was wary of Zayne leaving and would be around to distract her from it.

Catherine turned her back on the pair, not wanting to go far since she wanted to see Zayne up until he was out of the gates.

Zayne touched Rose’s face, taking in her warmth now as he would be without it for the next seven days.

Rose touched Zayne’s hand. "I will be well so you can go on without any worries. You will be back before you know it."

Rose tiptoed to kiss Zayne goodbye. She had gotten used to how much he kissed her during the last two days as he wanted to make up for the days when he would not see her.

She couldn’t kiss him long as it would just make it harder to say goodbye. The days leading up to this moment were fine but now that she had to say goodbye to his face, it was suddenly hard.

"You must go before you set out late," Rose whispered.

Part of her wanted to change her mind to get him to stay but the other part didn’t want to keep Zayne from doing what he enjoyed. This was the life she signed up for when she decided to marry him so she would get used to it.

"You can look now, Catherine," Rose said, wanting Catherine to get a proper goodbye as well.

"Thank you, Rose. Now, are you certain you don’t want us to go down to the docks to see you leave? There will be plenty of town and palace guards around to keep us safe. We can wave goodbye to you till you are out of sight," Catherine suggested.

"It will be too crowded there and I don’t want anyone to notice the two of you are together to then follow you here. You can come the day I am to return. Be safe until then," Zayne said, stepping to his mother to kiss her on her cheek. "I need to go."

Rose let go of Zayne’s hand not to keep him back. As soon as she let go of Zayne’s hand, she felt Catherine reach for her hand as Zayne walked down to the carriage and got in.

Rose didn’t know how Catherine was able to do this time and time again, but at the very least they had each other this time around. She tried not to pay too much mind to the way Catherine was squeezing her hand.

"So," Rose started when the carriage became out of sight. "What should we do now? Do you want my help with unpacking?"

"The maids will do that for us," Catherine replied as she wiped her eyes. "I’ve cried here more times than I cried in the palace. I need something to lift my mood. What do you like to do for fun?"

"Read," Rose answered and noticed how it didn’t sound fun. "I don’t have many hobbies. I am already done with the flower arrangements. I haven’t figured out what I want to use my time doing. I got used to working and now there is nothing to do."

"There is plenty to do here. I’m sure two smart ladies can find something to busy themselves with for the next seven days. Since everyone will be busy going to the docks to see the soldiers leave, how about we go for a ride around the town? We don’t need to get out and we will have guards," Catherine suggested.

Rose wasn’t for it right away as she felt they should have brought up leaving right away to Zayne but as long as they were with guards then it should be fine. "I will join you. The estate feels larger with Zayne out of it. We should have a ride around and be back by noon. I will have Krystle join us."

"Wonderful! I can have her collect some pastries I know you will enjoy during the ride. I can point out where all the ladies go to keep themselves busy, where parties are held, and more importantly, where to get the best dresses. We should pick a simple carriage to blend in," Catherine suggested as Zayne’s carriage stuck out too much.

"I have noticed a plain black carriage yet to be decorated with the symbols of the royal family. We can take that one. I need a moment to get someone to bring it forward and select at least two guards to come with us. How much money should I bring for the pastries-"

"No, no," Catherine stopped Rose. "This will be my treat. I still have a lot to give you as wedding gifts so this will be one of them. This day will be taken care of by me so do not worry. You only need to be there next to me. Hurry and get who you need."

"Right," Rose said, leaving the front door to find Krystle.

Catherine remained by the door to wait for Rose there. While out of the estate, she had to think of something else fun to keep Rose distracted. As Zayne said, they could not ride around the kingdom every day.

"She needs friends," said Catherine.

Rose’s days would be better if she had women around her. Having many years of watching the young women who were invited to the palace and understanding Rose’s personality along with knowing her past might turn others away from her if it got out, Catherine had a small handful of girls who would make wonderful friends for Rose.

"She cannot spend her days waiting for Zayne," Catherine said, worried Rose would find herself bored.

Catherine was able to handle her husband’s time away from the palace in the past since she had many around her to occupy her time but Rose was all alone with the servants and her tutor who only came for a few hours. There was Paige but Catherine knew from experience that it was best to have friends who weren’t relatives.

The one problem was how would Rsoe meet friends when she wasn’t ready to attend any parties, especially without Zayne at her side.

"I must plan something for them to attend when he returns," Catherine started to plot.

Whether Zayne liked it or not, Catherine thought Rose would eventually have to mingle with other women her age as she could not spend her days waiting for him.

"Krystle is going to inform the coachman and guards," Rose revealed as she returned to Catherine’s side. She was lucky Krystle stuck close to wherever she went so it didn’t take long to find her. "We will set out soon."