Rose Monster: Rosenrot Part 2 (special preview)

“Oh,” I gasp. “I...I hadn’t thought about it on those terms.”

Rosenrot gives me the eye. “What terms were you thinking?” They scoff.

I bow my head and laugh. “You know? I’m not certain. I really don’t understand what I was thinking.”

Rosenrot brings me into a hug, wrapping their long arms around me. I feel safe with them, more so than anyone in the world. I lay my head on their chest and, in that moment, everything is clear to me.

“I want a family with you,” I murmur.

Rosenrot squeezes me tighter. “Are you sure? You’re not just saying things to me now?”

“No,” I shake my head. “I want this. I know I do. It’s like Primrose said, as long as I have you, I think everything will be ok.”

Rosenrot pulls back and clasps my face in their hands. “I won’t be budding again for a few more months. We’ll have time then to plan and prepare ourselves.”

I nod. “That’s perfect.”

Rosenrot hugs me close again. “Yves, you’re the one who is perfect.”

Before Rosenrot can bud, the new prince is born. Primrose gives birth during the evening and I am woken from my slumber by one of the royal guards. Dragged to the castle, I stand with Rosso and Bianco, who are pacing feverishly after having been chased from the royal bedchambers.

“But why can I not be with her?” Rosso roars brazenly. 

“It isn’t proper,” one of the nurses says.

Bianco’s eyes narrow into a look I have rarely seen on his face. “Proper?” He scoffs. “We are out here because of proper? Not because our wife, our love, is at a health risk? Not because of something that could be harmful?”

I quickly take Rosso’s sword from him because any harm could happen. “It would be best if you just let them in. Who cares about proper and manners at a time like this?” Before I can even coerce the nurses from the door, Rosso and Bianco shove past them, barging their way into the bedroom.

I sigh. “At least I took his sword in time.” I scoff. I set the blade aside then stand near the window. Outside, the skyline is fading from dusk to dawn. Everything is purple and pink, washing out as far as the eye can see.

I hear the squaw of the baby and the cheer from Rosso and Bianco. I sigh in relief and slouch down into the bench under the window.

“It sounds like the new heir is here.” My sister walks up beside me, holding her painting supplies in hand.

“Have you come to paint the moment?” I yawn.

“I was instructed to, but all I need to do is see a quick glimpse of the baby and then I can make a dramatic rendering at home.” Alise sits down beside me and I rest my head on her shoulder.