They sat in the sitting room by the fire. “ Rosette, explain to me what has been happening around here.” The King commanded. “ Edmund, I am sorry you were not told sooner. When I found her that night she was curled up on the floor in a dark corner of the nursemaid's chambers crying. It took me a bit to get her to tell me what happened. She told me what happened and when I told her that we had to inform you her eyes grew and she begged me not to say anything because she was worried it would start a fight, considering who was involved. She does not want us fighting. I told her that I would keep it a secret for the time being and protect her as best as I could without giving it away. But I made her promise if she was threatened or harmed again that I would give her no choice but to tell you. That was when I noticed that she had been cut on her neck. I wanted to send for the doctor but

The festivities continued and everyone started dancing as the musicians began to play. The King took the Queen's hand and led her to the floor. Edric asked the Princess to dance. A surprise visitor asked Rosalina to dance, “Papa?” she questioned with a smile and gave him her hand. “ That was an impressive speech.” he said as they circled around the dance floor. “ thank you, Papa. When did you arrive?” she questioned. “ Not long before the feast I spoke with the King and he told me what has been happening. You have been very brave in the face of danger. I am very proud of you. It warms my heart to know how much you have grown these past four years. You are growing into the woman your mother always knew you would. It pains me to know that she is not here to see this.” he said with a sad look in his eyes. “ Oh, Papa, Do not be sad. Mamma is always with me and sees everything. I know she is proud of me

The next few months passed uneventfully. They long refused to send aide either Jutland or Thuringia stating that he could not spare resources for a petty squabble. The Kings of both countries were furious. Edmund concentrated on making his subjects happy and focused much attention on Rosette, Bethany and Rosalina. In the middle of the night the castle came alive. A doctor, the healers and midwives were rushed in. Rosalina directed and made sure the process was completed with military precision.  The Queen was in labor and the court held their breath. Before the sun rose in the sky the Queen delivered a healthy baby girl. The child was quickly taken behind curtains hung around the bathing tubs Rosalina had set up. The new princess was thoroughly cleaned and wrapped. The sun began to peek over the hills and second child was born to the Queen, this time it was the male they had sought for s

 The following evening Rosalina received a letter from her betrothed. He told her that the war campaign would take quite some time and he asked her to stay faithful and wait for him. She did not know how to respond. She could not bring herself to tell him that she was looking forward to the marriage and that she would be willing to wait as long as it would take. She actually hoped that this would make her father change his mind and find her someone closer to where she was happy. Instead he encouraged her to respond to the letter and start looking forward to marrying this man. Edmund and Maximo tried to intervene on her behalf over the next few days but Fenris would not budge. Rosalina's emerald eyes grew dull and more and more the shadowed as the days and weeks passed. Few things brought her joy. She spent all of her time with the children. Maximo and Bethany had great concern for the young lady

Rosalina was praised for such a moving speech and solidified her place among the elite. Just after the speech Edmund announced her official status as an adviser to the King and named her Duchess of Cardiff along with three estates. Rosalina and Rosette presented plans for hospitals, orphanages, almshouses and homeless shelters to the King. He agreed to all of the plans and demanded the nobility to contribute to the cost. At first they grumbled and complained, that was until the King said either they volunteer or they will be stripped of the titles and wealth to fund the improvements of the Kingdom. They became a lot more generous.  Together, the two women and the King chose unused estates for the hospitals and shelters and old unused churches for the alms houses. The constructions projects created jobs for the locals and helped the business owners in the area increase their incomes. The