Chapter 2

Time passed as if it had angel wings to fly with.

Cattaneo Clan’s leader Vincent was informed about Rose before he had the opportunity to worry about where his little daughter had disappeared off to and just like that evening passed and the darkness of night prevailed, not bothering that the newly bound friends were keeping each other company.

“This is the doll dad brought me from Japan, it has clothes like those of the ancient people. Although last time he traveled to Asia alone yet this time he has promised to bring me and mum along with him. We will first go to Thailand where dad promised to show me the cliff beaches and from there to India for a vacation. Have you heard about the rock temples there? It was said to be constructed thousands of years ago. I want to see what they look like. Then I might go to France to see the Palace of Versailles…I have read about that in a book. Unlike other families, we do not like to travel every year unless a problem arises in an area. I love home and Ares too likes to stay back sometimes…oh! and when he does, we play with dolls. Earlier he was kind of skeptical about it but when I threw a tantrum, he had no option hehe.”

‘Skeptical?’

Oh, skeptical…although Rose wanted to laugh out but controlled the bubbly feeling as if not wishing for Aurora to be at disadvantage.

Aurora opened up another metallic box to see what else she can show to her new friend while rambling on and on about everything and anything she could talk to Rose about.

How absurd was it to know that the prince that was known to be ruthless and brutal was this kind to his sister? Rose earlier feared even coming to the Palace because of the tales she had heard about the mafia royalty but the moment she met Aurora and Ajax so many of her emotions were in turmoil.

She soon realized that no matter how sparkling and shiny Aurora’s life looked from outside, in reality, she had no close friends thus unlike the girls in her schools who had a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, Aurora was a very simple person.

Rose gingerly picked up the doll wrapped in shiny white and yellow sewn crochet fabric which had its designs like a kimono. Her face was round and plump with eyes drawn as dots. The thing Rose liked about Aurora was that the girl despite being the mafia princess did not know how to boast her wealth and flaunt her power unless arrogance was needed to be displayed.

Was it possible to be friends?

Only time will tell.

“Here this is what Ares brought me and mum, ma likes it simple so her bracelet contained hundred blue rubies that were smaller but mine are bigger and see, it’s pink!”

A beautifully decorated bracelet made of teardrops of dangling pink rubies was what Aurora wished for Rose to see yet the girl could not move her eyes from the picture kept at the bottom of the jewelry box. An angel was smiling so devastatingly that the girl found it harder to breathe, his blue eyes looking at the camera were filled with joy as a little girl was sitting on his shoulders.

It looked like they were going to attend a wedding, that magnificent man had a violet tuxedo on while his tiny sister sitting on his shoulder was adorned with a lilac lace dress and her head embellished with tens of flowers twisted together. It looked like a fairy tale fantasy as they both laughed without a care in the world.

Rose felt her heart beating erratically. She wanted that too, who was that man that appeared to be so caring…like a god.

“Do you like it, Rose?”

“Huh- Ah n-no…I mean yes.”

“That is the photograph that we took on our parent’s 14th wedding anniversary. I became a bridesmaid and Ares was the best man and in front of the holy saint our parents took their wedding oaths once more. You must not know it because it was a very closed-off ceremony, only four of us were there and none of the clans were called.”

“That…That is your older brother?” That tiny girl had seen Ares not once but many times but dared not think that all of that would later resort to this… to this unfathomable feeling that seemed to be like a cluster of butterflies circling around her heart made up of rose petals and she could not express what she felt.

“Yes! That’s Ares. I-I am sorry Rose, next time…um when I marry, I will invite you for sure.”

“T-Then I will i-invite you too.”

***

“Rose! How many times do I have to tell you, dear? You are a lady, can’t you behave like one? Where did you disappear off to? Me and your father were worried.” Sierra Cattaneo was the wife of Vincent, the leader of the Cattaneo clan, and Rose’s father.

The woman was known to be strict and commanding discipline from each of her branch members but despite her conservative ways, there was no doubt that she loved Rose just as a mother would.

Even though the head maid had informed the couple that Rose was with Aurora yet they were not convinced. On contacting Rose on her personal cellular device she replied that she was with her friend thus they had their anxiety calm down a little.

“I was with Aurora.”

“With the princess-”

“Hello.” People parted like the red sea when an azure frilled lace elf came bouncing from in between filled with laughter followed by someone who had Sierra’s eyes widening.

The queen.