Chapter 173

The Next Day In Eryndor

When afternoon arrived, Rosalind made her way across the palace grounds toward the barn area. Along the way, she encountered several nobles and council members who greeted her respectfully, and she returned their greetings in kind.

Since yesterday, they had begun to show her a more open respect, and after today’s successful discussion in court, Rosalind felt a quiet sense of confidence settling within her. She was handling this well and proving herself a capable representative of Merovia.

Before long, she spotted the reason she was heading toward the barn in the first place. Rowan stood not far away beside a magnificent steed, gently running a hand through its mane. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched him.

As she drew closer, Rowan sensed her presence and glanced in her direction.

For a brief moment, he simply stared. The afternoon sun seemed to wrap around her, making her appear even brighter than before. She wore an orange dress that fitted neatly around the upper part of her body before ending at her waist, where a flowing patterned skirt spread beneath it in the style of Merovia. The gentle wind played with the loose waves of her hair, and Rowan found himself thinking, not for the first time, that Rosalind somehow seemed to grow prettier every day.

Rosalind glanced behind herself before turning back to him in confusion.

“What are you looking at?” she asked because she saw no one behind her and his lips were slightly parted.

“His Majesty was admiring you.”

The voice came from nearby, and only then did Rosalind notice the royal attendant standing there. They exchanged brief bows.

Rowan immediately cleared his throat.

The royal attendant lowered his head, seemingly realizing he had spoken out of turn, and hurried away from them.

After he was gone, Rowan looked back at Rosalind. “If you have something to say, you should just say it,” she told him.

“Your dress looks wonderful,” he replied after a pause.

Rosalind narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. “And you look beautiful, as usual.”

Something pleased flickered across her face at those words. “I was skeptical about this at first,” she admitted. “I wasn’t sure what to wear since I didn’t know where we were going.” Her voice trailed off before she added, “I hope I didn’t overdress.”

“No, Rosalind,” Rowan answered immediately. “In fact, it suits you perfectly.”

She nodded slowly, accepting the compliment.

Meanwhile, Rowan was dressed in one of his usual dark outfits. His hair had been tied loosely behind his head, although several dark strands had escaped and fallen across his forehead.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear lighter colors,” Rosalind suddenly remarked as he moved to untie the horse.

“Really?” Rowan asked.

She nodded.

He always wore black, and although it suited him exceptionally well against his fair complexion, she still thought he would look good in something different.

“You could try white, blue, or even gray,” she suggested. “If you’re looking for something subtle while still looking like yourself.”

His lips curled as he responded, “Noted.”

Then he glanced toward her. “We should leave.”

Rosalind nodded.

They weren’t taking a carriage, which became obvious the moment she realized the horse had been prepared for the journey instead. Rowan gestured for her to mount first.

She stepped onto the small ladder beside the horse because the steed stood considerably taller than she expected. As she climbed, Rowan placed his hands around her waist to steady her until she settled comfortably in the saddle.

Once she was seated, Rowan mounted behind her with practiced ease, needing no ladder at all. One smooth movement was all it took before he swung himself onto the horse.

Rosalind swallowed.

The awareness of his presence immediately settled over her.

He was so close.

Then she felt his arms come around her as he reached for the reins, and her breath nearly caught in her throat.

At that moment, Rosalind found herself wondering why he had chosen this instead of a carriage.

Surely a carriage would have been easier.

Yet here she was with Rowan sitting directly behind her, close enough that she could feel his warmth through her dress.

A second later, he flicked the reins gently, and the horse began moving forward at an easy pace.

Soon they passed through the palace gates and headed beyond the castle walls.

Nathan happened to witness them leaving.

His gaze lingered longer than necessary on the sight.

Since yesterday, when Rosalind had told him she would never feel the same way about him, something inside him had changed. The disappointment still lingered, and although he tried not to dwell on it, the hurt remained. Even so, he knew he wanted what was best for her.

And Rosalind clearly cared for the king.

Marek appeared beside him and gave his shoulder a firm pat.

No words were spoken.

After that, Marek continued walking while Nathan remained where he was for a few moments longer before eventually turning away.

Meanwhile, Rosalind watched as the palace gradually faded into the distance behind them.

The familiar structures became smaller and smaller until they were little more than silhouettes against the horizon.

They rode through parts of Eryndor she had never seen before, and although she tried to pay attention to the scenery around them, she found her focus slipping repeatedly.

Rowan guided the horse confidently along the path. The steed moved quickly, yet she could tell he was deliberately holding back because of her. Something told her this wasn’t even close to the speed he usually rode at.

Still, the wind rushed past them and carried the scent of grass and earth through the air.

And through it all, Rosalind remained aware that Rowan was right behind her.

His arms occasionally brushed against her as he controlled the horse, and every time it happened her heart seemed to beat a little faster.

As they continued riding farther from the palace and deeper into unfamiliar lands, Rosalind found herself smiling despite her best efforts not to.

For the first time since arriving in Eryndor, she wasn’t thinking about treaties, council meetings, or expectations.

She was simply enjoying the journey… And somehow, that felt dangerous.

The horse gradually slow beneath them until it finally came to a stop in front of a large glass structure. Even from where she sat, she could already see through the glass walls and make out what lay inside.

A greenhouse.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Rowan came down first and then held out his hand to help her dismount. As soon as they were on the ground, servants hurried forward to tend to the horse while the guards stationed nearby bowed immediately. The steed was taken away and secured, leaving Rowan and Rosalind standing before the magnificent structure.

“The greenhouse,” Rosalind muttered as they began walking toward it. She glanced at him and smiled. “I’m surprised.”

“It used to be abandoned and in terrible condition,” Rowan explained as they walked. “We rebuilt it.”

Rosalind nodded slowly, and for some reason those words warmed her heart. Perhaps it was because he had chosen to restore something instead of letting it remain broken. There was something comforting about knowing Rowan had nurtured something back to life.

As they stepped inside side by side, her lips parted in genuine surprise.

The place was enormous.

Sunlight filtered through the glass ceiling, casting golden patterns across the pathways below while butterflies drifted lazily through the air. Instantly, a smile spread across her face because the greenhouse reminded her so much of home. In Merovia, flowers were everywhere, and being surrounded by them again brought a familiar comfort she hadn’t realized she missed