A new reality

Lady Lucinda woke up the next morning worried about her mistress. She walked into her lady's chambers and found her sitting up in bed brushing through her long red hair. “How are you feeling, M’Lady?” Lucinda asked as she closed the chamber door. “I am very well. At first I was frightened but after sleeping I am very happy and ready to face what they believe they can accomplish.” Rosalina answered confidently. “You know they are ambitious and feel that they cannot be touched. That makes them very dangerous. They will do what they must, to get that power that they seek. You are nothing but an obstacle in their way to them. They have no love for you and they have no compassion for your life. You should really be careful.” Lucinda warned. “I know how dangerous they are, Luci. I cannot live my life afraid of them. In a royal court there are always those that want power and believe that they can use any means necessary. The Ivrae believe that since the King is infatuated with Josephina that they can stamp out anyone in their way. They are counting on the fact that her sister was able to give the King two living illegitimate children that the King will see Josephina as a better match than Aunt Rosette. This dependency on an ignorant tradition is their main argument.

 I have done nothing to get in their way I am just living my life as I normally would in any other place and I do not plan on changing myself out of fear they believe that they have instilled in me. They have this power because everyone fears them and no one will stand up to them. I am not going to go out of my way to antagonize them but I will also not fear them. The only thing that I fear right now is telling the King.” Rosalina responded. “Why are you afraid to tell the King?” Lucinda asked. “I do not know how he will react. I do not know if he will believe it or just defend them. He may think that the Queen has concocted the story to try and turn him against them and is using me to make it more believable. I have no evidence that proves what really happened. If Edmund does confront Lionel and he denies the events and then I look like a liar. Then it would start a fight with Aunt Rosette. They have fought many times since I came to live in the palace and I am sure that it has been happening for a while now. I can hear them sometimes from my chambers. He is so angry with her and I know that she loves him but still fights back.” Rosalina explained. “I see, hearing them fight is bring back memories from your parents.” Lucinda commented. “Yes, it is. When Aunt Rosette and Edmund fight I start hearing my parents again and I feel the same pain and helplessness that I felt then.” Rosalina admitted. “Well, do what you have to but please do not anger Lionel Ivrea or the rest of his family too much. I know that you want harmony in your home and with your family but you also have to think of what position that is putting you in and the dangers that come with it.” Lucinda said.

 “I will watch my back but I will also do what I can to keep the dark clouds that are at the edge threatening to engulf us all.” Rosalina said. “I just had a wonderful idea.” Rosalina smiled broadly. “What is it?” Lucinda questioned. “Do you remember when I was younger and Mamma would pick the flowers in the gardens and weave them in my hair?” Rosalina asked. “I do remember. It always made you happy not matter how sad or sick you may have been at the time.” Lucinda reminisced. “I do believe that the Queen and the other Ladies would enjoy it as well.” Rosalina said. “I think that you may be right. Let us go and get the flowers before the rest of them awake.” Lucinda suggested. “This will be such a absolute surprise.” Rosalina hopped out of bed and started getting dressed. Lucinda helped her dress and the pair left the apartments. They went to Rosalina and Lucinda's chambers to grab some baskets. They walked around the gardens picking the most beautiful flowers there. When they returned the ladies were preparing for the queen to wake. Lady Lucilla saw the pair loaded down with baskets of flowers. “What are you ladies up to this morning?” she asked. “Well, I thought that maybe you all would enjoy and activity that I loved when I was a child. When I was younger my mother used to weave flowers in my hair when I was sick, upset or she just felt like it.” Rosalina explained. “That sounds like fun.” Lady Maria gushed. The rest of the ladies agreed and started to help each other pull their hair down and brush through it. Lucinda and Rosalina set the baskets on the table and went to help the ladies. When the Queen finally entered the sitting room, she was surprised to see her ladies weaving flowers in each other’s hair. 

She also found her niece smiling and happily helping the ladies with their flower designs. She smiled knowing that she would be just fine and would not allow a threat to dampen her spirits. She walked into the sitting room. The ladies noticed her, stopped what they were doing and bowed. Several flowers fell onto the floor. “Please, continue what you were doing. What is all this?” she asked looking around at the ladies. “Lady Rosalina thought that we could all use a little cheer.” Lady Lucilla answered picking up the fallen flowers. “Oh, she did?” Rosette questioned looking at her niece. “When I was younger my mother would weave flowers in my hair when I was sick, upset, or just because she saw a single pretty flower in the garden.” Rosalina responded, “Would you like to join us?” she asked. “I would love to.” Rosette smiled and sat in a chair. Lady Maria brushed through the Queen's hair while Rosette picked out the flowers she thought would look the best. Then Rosalina started braiding her hair and placing flowers in the braids. She created a crown of roses on top of the Queen's head then cascaded roses down the length of her hair. She made sure everything was in the right spot and Lady Maria held up a mirror for the Queen. Rosette turned her head inspecting her hair. “Rosalina, it looks beautiful. I love it, thank you.” she gushed. “I am glad that you like it, Aunt Rosette.” Rosalina smiled. Rosette got out of her chair and turned to Rosalina, “Sit, it is your turn.” she commanded. Rosalina smiled and obeyed. Lady Lucinda and the Queen affixed a small rose crown that matched the Queen's into Rosalina's hair. When they were finished they held the mirror up so that she could view it. It was then that the King arrived at the apartments but no one noticed his presence.

 He stood there smiling and watching the Ladies and the Queen smiling and laughing while they cleaned up the flowers that were scattered around the tables and floor. “Aunt Rosette, I was just thinking that we should show off our hair and spend the day in the gardens.” Rosalina called over the crowd. “That is a splendid idea.” agreed the Queen. At that moment the missing but unmissed member of the ladies walked through the door. “Good morning your majesty.” She bowed to the King. The others in the room finally noticed the King. They all stopped and bowed to his majesty. “Good morning, Lady Josephina.” he acknowledged the young woman. Then he turned his attentions back to the Queen and her other ladies-in-waiting. “Your Majesty, I apologize. I did not know that you were visiting this morning.” Rosette said as she bowed. “No need to apologize. I did not announce myself nor did I allow anyone else to do so. You all looked so happy and the flowers are beautiful. You, my love, look especially in good spirts.” he smiled and approached his wife. He took her hand and kissed it, then he studied those beautiful blue eyes. He was mesmerized as he had been all of those years ago.