Chapter16: Waking Up

*Rose* The room is deafeningly silent except for the rhythmic sound of my feet pattering on the floor as I walk around, lost in my thoughts. I look up and see the luxurious bedroom, adorned with flowers in every nook and corner. It is an exquisite sight; I would normally find it romantic in any other context, but right now it is suffocating me. The memories of last night’s passion that had momentarily left me fully satisfied are now evoking doubts and second thoughts. Did I please him? That’s all my mind can think about right now. My thoughts are violently interrupted by the sound of the door opening swiftly. I turn around sharply and see Vienna making her way in with a tray of bath salts in hand. She seems a bit startled to find me back in my bedroom, but I’m the one who should feel that way for being intruded upon. “Good morning,” she greets me. Is that a grin I glimpse on her face? Will everyone be looking at me like this today? The whole palace knows that last night I had a tumble