The Forgotten Princess Rose-Chapter 305

Catherine knew Paige had it in her to make silly mistakes but she didn’t expect Paige to do something so silly today of all days. If she knew why it was a bad idea to bring Faith to Rose’s first social gathering then Paige should know it too. It wasn’t a good idea to bring a woman in love with Zayne here.

"Lady Catherine," Faith curtsied.

"Faith, it is lovely to see you today but you must know this gathering is only for ladies invited. I had a hand in the invitations so I don’t recall putting your name on the list. It is to be three ladies so can one of you explain why you are here?" Catherine asked, looking to Paige for an answer.

Paige held Faith’s hand. "She arrived at the palace right as I was leaving and said she was bored. Her father is busy in the palace so she would be there without anyone to speak to. I would have asked you if she could join us but you were out of the palace all morning."

"I cannot help that I have other arrangements to get to so I cannot be at your side. Still, had I been in the palace I would have told you it is invite only. Rose has prepared for three ladies, the two of us and her friend. Now is not the time to be bringing a guest. I’m afraid to ask that you should leave, Faith. I can have my carriage escort you anywhere," Catherine offered.

"But mother," Paige whined. She invited Faith to come along since she knew Rose would be kind to not turn Faith away. "Faith would make a good friend for Rose. Is that not why we are here today? You know Faith well so I do not understand why you did not invite her."

Catherine wished Paige would stop talking. She finally understood how Paige annoyed her brothers. Paige needed to think more instead of speaking so fast. "Faith, are you still in love with my son? I heard of your father questioning why you weren’t the one to wed Zayne. Do you think you should be here?"

"That is my father’s doing-"

"I want to hear what you think," Catherine spoke over Faith. She tried not to let her voice get too loud since Rose was close by. "Do you think you should be here? When Paige told you where she was going, did you not think for a second you shouldn’t show?"

"Faith is still not in love with Zayne. He is married and she has been meeting with suitors for a husband. Isn’t that right?" Paige looked to Faith to prove her mother wrong.

"I have been looking for suitors, Lady Catherine. I did not think it would be wrong for me to join the princess since she invited me to make a new friend. What you are hearing about the marriage between Zayne and me is my father’s doing. I simply wanted to enjoy a day with ladies," Faith replied.

Faith looked at Catherine but her gaze kept going to Rose. This was the first time seeing the woman who seduced Zayne and while Rose was pretty, Faith found her to be boring. What about this woman made Zayne change his mind?

"This is not my first gathering with women. Her guests are arriving so I ask that you leave quickly. I will not have her day ruined by someone still in love with her husband. I can see it. You can’t hide that look from me. Seeing either one of them will not change anything," Catherine said, knowing Faith came to judge Rose.

Catherine didn’t like that this was interrupting her introducing Rose to the women who had arrived. "Take my carriage and return to your father. Inform him that I am seeking an audience with him so he should see me soon. Your chance has passed and I will not have you ruin my son’s marriage. Go."

Paige let go of Faith’s hand since she couldn’t go against what her mother wanted.

Faith wasn’t ready to go when she didn’t get to speak to Rose. She was so close to getting answers yet she had to leave.

Faith walked to Catherine’s carriage which gave her the chance to get a better look at Rose. Rose smiled, completely unaware of how much Faith wanted her gone so she could be the one standing there. There was something good which came out of her visit since Faith knew the kingdom wasn’t going to be impressed.

"Do not approach yet," Catherine ordered the three young women who were already out of their carriages. She had to introduce them since Rose did not know who was who but first she needed to have a word with Paige. "What were you thinking? You know of her feelings for your brother."

"I thought they had passed. We have been speaking of suitors for a few days now and she had not brought up Zayne. Well, only once because it was surprising that he had gotten married. I would not have brought her here if I knew she still had feelings for him. I wasn’t trying to ruin Rose’s day,’ Paige said, hoping her mother didn’t think she would do such a thing.

"She would not reveal she holds interest in a married man so you must think. Why do you think I was careful about who I invited here? I invited ladies who did not show interest in marrying Zayne and they are already married. It is to avoid any conflict yet you bring a woman whose father is going to Gage about Zayne’s marriage," Catherine said, her voice raising slightly as she spoke.

"I wasn’t thinking about-"

"You always think little and speak too fast. Had I not decided to come give Rose a helping hand you might have ruined this day for her. You just think more and speak less. Pay attention to what is happening around you so you do not make careless mistakes like this. It appears I must pay more attention to you," Catherine said, worried Paige might not grow out of her childish ways.

Catherine looked at the women standing afar. "I have kept you waiting long enough. Let me introduce you to the host. Send Faith off now," she instructed Paige.

Paige couldn’t believe Faith came along when she still had feelings for Zayne. What was she planning to do when she came here?

Paige headed to her mother’s carriage and opened the door. "Were you planning to use me?"

Faith was still fixated on Rose. "I was and it was disappointing that you weren’t so quick to speak as you always are. Are you trying to hold your tongue more since you are looking to wed now? It will not change since you are known as the mouthy princess."

"And here I was caring for you, hoping that you would find yourself a good husband. I wasted my time caring for you. I don’t know what you think of me but I will make you regret trying to use me. I am glad that my brother found Rose. I wouldn’t want him to end up with someone like you," said Paige, plotting to get back at Faith.

Paige looked to where Rose greeted her guests. "You can keep staring and trying to understand why her but you will never be able to be better than Rose or replace her. Have a safe trip back to your father who you will disappoint."