บท 54: Being A Commodity

The two large iron gates of Rose Manor slowly opened, and Katheran and I alighted from the carriage. The steward of the manor stood on either side of the gate with all the servants, waiting for our arrival. I looked into the crowd, but Princess Madeleine was nowhere to be seen.

It was only when we entered the hall of the manor, led by the steward that we saw the belated arrival of Princess Madeleine. She came right up to us, and the golden roses embroidered on her red dress stood out. Princess Madeleine's face was flushed, and she bowed respectfully to Queen Katheran and said, "Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness. There were too many things in the manor for me to attend to personally, so I was delayed. I have not been back for too long, and many places in the manor need to be repaired." Madeleine glanced at me as she spoke and then put on a deliberately surprised expression. "Miss Annie, what are you doing here? "