Claimed By The Tyrant King

Beth had come to look for Rosalind, all by herself without the support of anyone, and Rosalind was just returning from where she had spoken with Rowan.

She was shocked at that moment, seeing Beth standing, and she couldn’t understand how it was possible.

Although the woman was still trembling and found it difficult to walk like a normal person, she was doing far better than before. "Mother...?" Rosalind hurried over to her at once.

"When did you start walking?... How did this happen?" she asked in disbelief as her eyes ran over the woman.

"After you left that day, I collapsed. Mallory came to help me, but then I thought about you leaving and had to go see the carriage before it disappeared. It happened then, and I still don’t know how," Beth explained. It felt like some sort of miracle, and Rosalind couldn’t hide the joy in her eyes because she had been waiting for this for years.

"This is truly good news," she said with a smile.

"What is even better," Beth trailed off, "is that you’re still calling me mother." Her voice softened, and Rosalind looked at her before swallowing. "I’m sorry I hurt you, Rosalind, but I want you to know that I’ll always love you, and you’ll always be my daughter no matter what," she said with tears gathering in her eyes.

Silence lingered between them before Rosalind parted her lips to speak, "Even though we aren’t family by blood, you treated me like your own daughter and raised me all these years, and for that I’ll always be grateful to you,"

Beth smiled at her and they shared a warm embrace.

"Now that you won’t be marrying the king anymore, what do you plan to do?" Beth asked her.

"I think I’ll go back home" Rosalind said quietly.

Beth looked at her with sadness in her eyes. She already knew their time together had come to an end because Rosalind had found her real family, and now she would return home to them.

"I understand what you mean, Rosalind, and whatever you decide to do, I’ll always support you," she said.

Rosalind smiled at her. "You should come meet the Queen as well. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you," she suggested.

Beth blinked. "Are you sure that’s alright? I wouldn’t want to cause any problems," she replied.

"You don’t have to worry about anything, just come along," Rosalind said as she gently pulled the woman with her so she could introduce her as the person who had cared for her since childhood.

Everything felt like one large reunion as people met and greeted one another, and because the threat that had hung over them for so long was finally gone with Alaric’s death, people openly shared warmth that had once been impossible inside the palace.

"Where will you go after this?" Rosalind asked both Verity and Thalia.

"I’m definitely going home," Thalia answered. It had been one hell of a ride inside the palace, and she had never truly believed she would make it back. She could already imagine the look on her father’s face when she returned.

"What about you, Verity?" Rosalind asked when she noticed her silence.

"I’ll go home too," Verity replied.

Although, she knew returning would remind her of the things she wanted to forget, especially the memories of her lover. Going back there would bring all of it rushing back.

"I’ll be going to Merovia as well," Rosalind said, and neither of them looked surprised.

"What’s shocking is that you were actually a princess all this time. We still can’t believe it," Thalia said.

"Even I was shocked...," Rosalind admitted, her voice trailing off.

"If you leave now, what about him?" Verity found herself asking.

Rosalind took a steadying breath before answering. "We’ve agreed to take some time away from everything, and I really need to clear my head after all that’s happened. I think a fresh start might help me figure things out" she explained.

Thalia and Verity exchanged glances.

Of course it wasn’t easy, they both thought inwardly.

"What about the betrothal? Aren’t you both still supposed to get married since it technically still stands?" Thalia asked as she couldn’t help being curious.

Meanwhile, Rowan was having a similar conversation with Marek.

"She doesn’t seem to want the betrothal right now," Rowan said.

He tried to come to terms with the fact that Rosalind was leaving. The last thing he wanted was to force her into something she wouldn’t want.

She was already hurting because of him, and he refused to add to that pain.If distance was what it took to heal the damage between them, then he hoped it would be enough.

More than anything, he understood that Rosalind was not someone who could be controlled or pushed into making decisions she wasn’t ready for. If freedom was what she needed, then he would give it to her.

That was the least he could do for her.

Even though her choice did not really matter in a political situation like this, it mattered to Rowan, which was why he said, "We can agree on other solutions to the problem, but this is off the list."

"Thank you for being considerate, Your Majesty," Marek said. "I’ll have this relayed to the Queen and the Merovian council so that we may determine the best way to negotiate."

With Merovia in a far better condition than it had been before, Marek believed they would be able to repay their debt to Eryndor without having to immediately offer his sister’s hand in marriage.

"Of course," Rowan replied.

"We could come visit you in Merovia..." Thalia continued as their conversation carried on.

"I’ll welcome you all when you do," Rosalind said with a smile.

****

Several days later, when arrangements had been completed... Everyone was preparing to depart, and their final moments together were filled with waves, smiles, embraces and farewells.

Thalia left first, followed shortly by Verity. Even Sabine and Claire made their departure without announcing it to anyone as there was no reason for them to remain any longer.

Sabine did not really have anywhere to return to, and this time she chose to follow Claire. Finally, Rosalind prepared to leave with her newfound family.

Rowan had come to watch them depart, and a heavy silence lingered between him and Rosalind as she sat inside the carriage.

Rosalind felt as though she had countless things to say and yet nothing at all, and Rowan felt much the same.

Still, he said nothing because he didn’t want to do anything that might stand in the way of her happiness. If this was the choice she had made, then he would respect it no matter how much it hurt.

They shared one final look while that silence stretched between them, and then the carriage slowly began to move away.

Rosalind averted her gaze. It suddenly became difficult to breathe knowing that Rowan was still standing there watching her leave.

It’s alright, she thought inwardly. She was doing this for herself.

Her fingers tightened in her lap and she wanted to turn back and see him one last time, but instead she closed her eyes and looked away toward the other side of the carriage.

After they departed, Rowan began taking control of the kingdom’s affairs while preparations were being made for his formal coronation.

Because of the crimes that had been exposed before everyone, no royal funeral was held for Alaric.

Rowan also chose not to bury him in the same mausoleum as their parents.

Instead, Rowan stood quietly and watched as a grave was dug in Alaric’s favorite place. When the pit was ready, they lowered Alaric’s body into it and covered it with earth until nothing remained visible.

The place was sealed afterward and would no longer be used for anything else. It would simply remain there, serving as Alaric’s final resting place.