The Beauty Of Rose

B E T R A Y A L

XXXI

AFTER SAYING THOSE WORDS, Hector left my room. Leticia and I sat in stunned silence for a few moments before she turned to me. "You cannot leave with that man. He'll kill you."

The suggestion that my uncle would kill me seemed far-fetched at worst and cryptic at best. "I won't be living with him. Matthew's providing me just enough money to live on my own."

Leticia's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by 'just enough money?'"

I shifted uncomfortably. "I'm under the age of twenty one, which means any funds given to me are legally my uncle's. So, to bypass any extortion or financial abuse, Matthew is only giving me meager means until I'm of age."

Leticia considered this. "Smart."

"Yes, it is."

"Still...he seems intent on keeping you at Axel House. Aren't you obligated to live with him?"

"By custom, I suppose. But there is no law that says I must stay with him."

"And what type of house will this meager sum allow for?"

"Something small. A cottage, perhaps."

The mention of a cottage lit mild alarm in Leticia's eyes. "A small cottage? A cottage without an army of servants and attendants?"

"I'll survive without people to attend to my every need, Leticia."

"That wasn't my concern, Rose...not precisely. It's just...if you alone or with just one servant girl, your uncle could waltz in undeterred whenever he liked."

I could admit to not thinking of that. "But he wouldn't. Why would he?"

"He doesn't need a reason. That man is bitter and hell-bent on hating you for reasons unknown. What could prevent him from attacking you in that house?"

I tried not take her words so seriously. That would inspire panic. I didn't really have the luxury of panic these days. "Leticia, nothing is going to happen to me."

"I beg to differ and I won't let you carry yourself like some lamb to the slaughter," Leticia cried out.

I fumbled with edge of my sheet, desperate for a distraction. "What do you suggest I do then?"

"I suggest you leave this place."

"I'm already leading Ludlow soon, Leticia. There's no point in leaving prematurely."

"No, I mean leave the kingdom for a spell."

I stared at her, eyes wide in incredulity. "And go where?"

"I'm a princesses with residences across the world. You can stay in one of them."

"Leticia, I laughed, that is impossible."

"Why?"

"Because..." I trailed off, struggling to face such a ridiculous suggestion. "You're a princess. I'm sure I'm not allowed to stay at any of your castles."