The White Mask & The Red Rose
Page 16
"You mean---?"
"It's time." Rosabelle stood up and rubbed her belly in comfort, soothing it.
"I love you." Lucas kissed her and carried his son out to look for Miranda.
She smiled, content in her love from her family and from the people around her. The magical rose never grew again after that fateful night. It was replanted but it never bloomed again. Its power probably had served its purpose and had simply extinguished itself. The white mask that slipped off Lucas' face was nowhere to be found as if it vanished into thin air like the people the curse claimed before. The magic compass was still with them and had helped them numerous more times. It would be an heirloom to be passed from one generation to the next.
She had good news from her friends Blanca, Ella and Heidi and she was glad they had their own happy ending. Mark, though, she did not hear from, but it was most probably because he had changed his name and had gone under an alias. She always wondered if Robin Hood and Mark was one and the same because the former was legendary in his archery skills. Steal from the rich and give to the poor was the bandit's motive. It could be Mark, she thought. The name fit him perfectly.
She would hear rumors from the court's troubadours and minstrel about a green enchantress in the land of Oz and she would think of Esmeralda. She had never seen her again but sometimes she can feel her presence nearby.
Rosabelle walked towards their chambers as she prepared for the birth of their second child. A girl, she could sense. She already had a name in mind. If her daughter's hair was as golden as the sun then her name will be Rapunzel. Princess Rapunzel. Rosabelle smiled at that name. Lucas will approve, she knew in her heart. She heard the door open and saw Miranda and one of the other chamber maids bring in their things for the birthing.
"Rosabelle, your highness, you are supposed to be in bed! We would not want your son or daughter delivered on his head!"
Miranda was promoted to the castle's housekeeper/lady's maid but she was mainly Rosabelle's companion and dear friend. From time to time, Miranda would cook Rosabelle's or Lucas' favorite foods in the kitchen occasionally. Her time was more devoted to the castle's running and her son Chip who was growing to be a strapping young man. Chip was apprenticing under Pedro in the gardens. He also had a knack for herbal remedies that Rosabelle was imparting to him. She taught what little she knew from her own mother and Chip would pore over books Pedro lent him about different kinds of herbal plants. He might become a healer and a master gardener, Rosabelle thought.
Miranda started clucking like a mother hen which broke Rosabelle's daydreaming.
"We have lots of things to prepare, Galinda. Come on." Miranda ordered the chambermaid who was young and shy but eager to please Rosabelle. Miranda turned her attention to Rosabelle. "You, to bed!"
Rosabelle smiled sheepishly and complied. She could not complain. She was living in her happy ending and loving it!
———--THE END---------
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
P. Rose Weaver is a pen-name for K.C. Albas. She loves to read books and at a tender age of nine started to write stories that would fill her imagination. Her first reader was her mom who had encouraged her to pursue her dream of being a novelist although not as a full-time career. While she’s not working on her current novel, she is helping save lives in the Emergency Room in one of the hospitals in the Bay Area. She would love to hear from you. Email her at proseweaver12@gmail.com.