princess Rosanna 7

Rosanna shuddered, if the guard was this angry with her how would her parents react. King Derrick dismounted and ordered one of his men to take care of the horses Then he helped Rosanna down and led her by the arm into the castle. The castle was empty of all its usual busyness and Rosanna had the feeling that something was indeed wrong. As they continued down the long passages, they did not meet one person. Rosanna's eyes darted around; she was determined not to miss any chance of gaining help. Suddenly Derrick stopped and turned to look at her with a big smile. Rosanna's eyebrows came together in puzzlement and Derrick, becoming irritated with her obvious ignorance, frowned deeply. “This” Derrick swiped an open palm in the air, “-Is where you discovered who I really was.” Even though she was fearful Rosanna did not give King Derrick the satisfaction of seeing it, she instead continued to look puzzled. “Impossible!” King Derrick yelled in frustration than slapped his forehead with great force. “I will make it easy for you. I felt it best to reschedule the wedding so that we do not come in to any more delays. I brought you here because I wanted to give you a chance to forget all that has happened and allow us to begin again.” Rosanna scrunched up her nose. “What makes you so sure that we will be married at all?” Before this, Derrick had actually believed that Rosanna would go along with his plan, but when she spoke with defiance he gripped her arm until he saw her eyes watering. “I will persuade my parents you just see if I don't. I would sooner kill myself than marry you.” Rosanna said through gritted teeth. Derrick, whose pride had been injured, slapped Rosanna across the face. “Guard!” The loud voice which Derrick had acquired at that moment made Rosanna jump. “Guard, hurry yourself along.” Up until this point Rosanna was sure that they were alone but apparently they were not because a guard came running to do Derrick’s bidding. “Yes, your majesty.” The man was out of breath as he bowed in submission. “Seize her!” Derrick ordered the guard. When the guard stood to an upright position, he focused on the person he was to seize, and then after realizing who it was he bowed again but this time it was directed to the princess. “I do not understand.” The guard innocently said. Derrick slapped his forehead and blew air out of his nose like a dragon. “Really, I think you are as simple minded as she is.” Then Derrick gritted his teeth and pushed Rosanna against the guard, the ropes attached to her wrists made it very difficult to keep her balance. “I said seize her. That does not mean bow to her.” The guard was red with anger by this point but he bowed reverently to the King and spoke with a commendable calmness. “Pardon, your majesty, I am just a little puzzled at why I am to do this deed.” Derrick narrowed his eyes until it looked as if he closed them. “I do not have to explain myself now do I sir?” The guard shook his head as he whispered. “No, you do not your majesty.” Derrick heard this and smiled with pleasure. “Then I say seize her or lose your job.” This was warning enough for the guard. He grabbed hold of the rope that was hanging from Rosanna's wrist and gently pulled her through the passage. Rosanna had never gone this far into the castle walls. Suddenly she scrunched her face up in discussed of the smell that came down the current hall they were in. The guard did not speak but he slowed his pace and allowed Rosanna to cover her nose. The passage came to a narrow place and was blocked by a large brass door; this was where the guard stopped and took a large key from hook on the wall. Rosanna knew that this would be her only chance. “Please, you cannot do this to me. You must get my father.” The guard would not look her in the eye, for he knew that he could not. “I have nothing to do with this, please do not hold me responsible; without this job me and my family will be homeless.” Rosanna closed her eyes, trying to focus on a plan, than she opened them again. “You must understand that King Derrick does not have control of your job, he is only using that to frighten you. Please get my father for me and then everything will work out.” The guard turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open. “I am well aware of the fact that the king is trying to frighten me with the loss of my job, but I also know that while you have been away there have been some changes around here.” Rosanna pulled her hand away from her nose. “Look me in the face, sir.” The guard obeyed but very slowly. “What do you mean, there have been changes? What has happened?” The guard dipped his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “King Derrick is now wearing your fathers royal ring.” © Copyright 2012 By Valencia Shove