Chapter 116 - A Blue Rose

The next day,

In the dining hall, every one of the winter family was having their breakfast in their usual way until Bil ( Butler) suddenly came to the room along with a letter in his hand which wasn't something unfamiliar to them as it has the royal symbol entitled in it.

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"A letter from the royal that too this early, so unusual." Ash who was sitting beside Raymond said as he peeked at the letter.

"It must be something urgent., Irene said as she waited for Raymond to speak up and tell them what the letter was all about.

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"Wow...." Raymond exclaimed as he outdated the letter down and looked at Irene with an expression that was showed both excitement and anxiety.

"What is it, father?" Irene who could not understand his sudden gestures asked with an innocent smile on her face which made Raymond's expression to soften.

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"Irene...can you do something for me." 

"What is it? Father?" 

"Then can you please not agree to what is written inside this letter," Raymond asked Irene as he gave her the letter.

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"Why? And was this letter for me?" Irene asked as she took the letter and opened it and suddenly a blue rose popped out of it from nowhere.

"A Blue Rose? What does that mean?" Ash who has no idea of all this thing asked as he looked at the rose carefully.

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"Blue Rose is the most unique flower of not only solar but also other kingdoms," Raymond replied to Ash query as he looked at Irene who was now reading the letter.

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" To,

Irene Bedisa Winter

We gladly invite you as a candidate for crown Prince dance partner for his upcoming debut ball...What!!" Irene said as she stood from her seat with her eyes wide in shook.

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"His Highness Dance Partner, but why send a blue rose even though it's unique and why are so shocked?" Ash asked as he drank picked up the glass of orange juice and put it in his mouth and was about to drink it.

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"Because a Blue Rose from the royal along with being the candidate clearly means that she has the potential of being the crown Princess and if things go well she might really become one," Raymond explained to Ash who chocked off the juice as he looked at Irene who was as shocked as him.

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"Crown Princess but they are both so young!" Ash said as he slammed his hands on the table.

"Ash they will only choose her and train her. They won't directly get married." Raymond said as he shook his head.

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"But father still...sister just say 'No' to them!" Ash said as he looked at Irene who was lost deep in her thoughts.

"Irene, what are you thinking about?" Raymond asked as he held his hand.

"Sister...don't tell me are you thinking of accepting it!" Ash asked in a calm tone.

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"I am...thinking of accepting it." Irene said which made both Raymond and Ash stand from their seat with a 'What' expression on their face.

"Don't look at me with such an expression...His Highness is my friend and this way I am just helping him out so I think rejecting this would only insult him so I better accept it." Irene sang as she looked at the blue rose which turned into a blue pearl bracelet that fitted her just right.

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"Irene we indeed know that but still you know every step in the royal palace is counted and your acceptance may lead to any possibility in the future so you better think twice," Raymond said as his tone suddenly got serious.

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"Father is right, sister please think twice. Friendship and courtship is a whole two different thing." Ash said as he wiped his mouth with a tissue.

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"I understand, then I will think about this matter again. Then please excuse me." Irene said as she stood from her seat and went outside along with the letter clenched on her fists.

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"Father excuse me too," Ash said as he left along with Irene.

"...*sigh* it's just a dance but it really makes me anxious after all she is my only daughter there is no way I will be even a little careless with her." Raymond talked to himself as he left the room too.

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As he walked down the garden he came across the flower garden which was all barren just last winter were now filled with colourful flowers.

"This place is still the same or maybe because unlike other people my time has stopped the day you closed your eyes this world seems the same to me." Raymond talked to himself as he touched the flowers gently sent and the image of their first picnic along with the kids came into his mind.

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"If you were still awake I wonder what you would have done about this situation. Would you have probably supported her or appreciated her or will you also tell her to turn down the invite? I wonder as a father am I being able to provide both the parents quality." He talked to himself as he looked at the building where his wife (Freya) was kept as the sunlight feel right on his eyes.

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Meanwhile with Irene,

"My lady, here is the coffee you ordered," Hana said as she served her the coffee and she noticed how distracted she was.

"My Lady you are out of ink." 

"Huh? What?" She said as she checked her pen but it was still working.

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"No, it's not," Irene said to Hana who. was standing behind her.

"I know I was just trying to snap you out of your thoughts," Hana said as she shrugged her shoulders and right then her eyes landed on the envelope cover along with the blue rose and Hana was able to understand her sudden change.

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"I see then my lady. What are your thoughts on this?" Hana asked as she looked at Irene who was still unsure of her thoughts.

"I don't know....one side of me wants to join but is afraid of what will happen next and the other side of me is ready to face everything head-on. But after what father said I am really going crazy." Irene said. and she banged her head on the bench.

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" I understand your uneasiness but my lady, I believe the lord will be all as long as you are happy. So, follow your heart and forget about the world." Hana said as she smiled and left the room.

"Do what I like...then....I..." Irene talked to herself as she has starting writing a reply to the royal palace invite.

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"Hana, send this," Irene said as she stood from form jer seat and then she laid down on her bed with wide arms and legs tired from all the writing.

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"My lady how did you Reply to you so soon," Hana asked as she looked at Irene who didn't have anything on her mind as she was fast asleep.

"Looks like she ran her brain a lot...then please excuse me." She said and ran down along the corridors.

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But they weren't the only ones who received a blur rose but many people from all over the world including the Willson and carot family.

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"Finally my ticket to the top came!"Rose nanny said as she looked at the invitations and place the blue rose on Rose's head who sat down on the bench with an expressionless face.

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"Rose do you see this, a blue rose and an invitation. Do you what this means! It means you have been chosen as the candidate for being the crown princess which means you can even become the future empress!" That woman with greed in her eyes said as she shook Rose who was looking at her and then at the letter.

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"Nanny...Do I need to take part in it...." Rose asked and the nanny almost raised her hands against her but she stooped in between and instead she patted her head and whispered in her ears.

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"If you didn't receive this blue rose then today for sure I would have broken all the bones on your body and fed them to the dogs for saying such a word. Foolish girl, do you even have any idea about how much this opportunity means?" She said as she looked at Rose who was trembling with fear.

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"Rose, do you understand what I mean?" She asked in a manipulative way as she applied force on her shoulders.

"I understand..." Rose said as she looked towards the floor as the nanny closed the door while he left her room.

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"Crown Princess...." She whispered as she fell on the ground with a thud sound as her legs gave up from all the nervousness.

"Was this the reason I was alive till now...just how long am I going to act like her puppet....Just when in the world will I be able to break free...." Rose said as she somehow reached her bed and there she laid down and looked at the plain sky.