The Black Rose

by Diana Sweeney

  Milly blinked her eyes in confusion. Her father mounted his horse and rode away before Milly could see him cry. He could feel his heart breaking and shortly after he made it back to the palace, it shattered.

  The young girl felt lost and confused. She looked ahead of her to see a beautiful palace and began to walk towards it. She had no idea who she was or where she came from. All she knew was that her name was Milly.

  Chapter 14

  Edmund woke up in the middle of the night. He had a feeling something was wrong. Edmund, quietly, left his room and hurried to the east wing. He unlocked the door to the room that was located next to his study. The room was much smaller than his study and inside the room, on the opposite wall, was a full length mirror. There were no other items in the room, for the room only served one purpose.

  “Show me what it is that ails me,” Edmund spoke to the mirror. Fog began to swirl within the mirror, but eventually the mirror cleared and revealed what was happening in Aridale. King Wilhelm was planning an attack for tomorrow morning. They wanted him dead, but not Wilhelmina if they could help it. Edmund sighed; he knew this would happen, but never so soon.

  “I did this and so I have to end it,” He thought as he waved the image away. Once the mirror went back to being and ordinary mirror, he left the room.

  “Lord Edmund,” Magnolia spoke as he exited the room.

  “Magnolia,” Edmund said startled as he closed the door behind him and locked it.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, everything’s fine, go back to bed,” Edmund said hurrying past her. He had to put up a barrier around the castle and didn’t have time for distractions. He had till morning and he needed all the time he could get. Edmund was determined to protect them, his maids and Wilhelmina. It was his life the king was after and so it was only his life that would be lost.

  Magnolia watched as Edmund stormed off. Fear and worry crept into her heart and she hurried back to her room. She felt tears coming on and sat in sorrow and bewilderment. She had never been able to cry before nor feel sadness. Magnolia also had no idea why she felt sad, but she knew something was wrong.

  Morning arrived in Aridale, though it wasn’t a sunny one. The sky was still black as night and the only way anyone knew it was morning was by looking at the clocks. Yolande, Prince Jerome, and the guards King Wilhelm had selected were lining up for battle. They were preparing to march through Fantasme Forest to the castle of Celewyn.

  “We haven’t had much time to prepare for this,” Yolande began, “But we must go now if we wish to save the princess.” Yolande was sitting on a white horse next to Jerome, who was on a black stallion. Behind them was a small group of guards. King Wilhelm had wanted to join them, but knew he must stay and take care of his wife and daughter.

  “Wait!” Milly screamed running out toward the horses. She had dressed for the occasion. Normally girls would wear dresses, but she had managed to find a pair of pants and a white shirt that fit her. Being a maid she knew where the laundry was kept and had stolen some men’s clothes. They were a little big on her, but it would have to do.

  “Milly, you shouldn’t be out here,” Jerome said.

  “I’m coming too!”

  “Milly….” The King began but Yolande raised her hand to stop him.

  “My child, this is a dangerous mission, but I sense you have a great reason for coming. If you are still determined to come, I grant permission,” said Yolande.

  “I want to go.” Milly said firmly. She had made her decision last night when she uncovered her past. She had no intention to fight, but only wished to know the truth. Milly knew she would be risking her life, but at the same time, she somehow knew she was going to be alright.

  “Get the girl a horse,” King Wilhelm commanded. There was no use going against Yolande’s command. One of the guards nodded and hopped off his horse. He ran off toward the stables.

  “You can’t be serious,” Jerome said looking at Yolande and then the king, “She could get hurt!”

  “This is her decision,” said Yolande, “She knows the danger.”

  “What reason do you have to go?” King Wilhelm asked looking at Milly.

  “It is a secret I intend to take to the grave,” Milly said as the guard arrived with a horse for her. She climbed onto the brown mare’s back.

  “Be careful,” King Wilhelm said and Milly nodded. It was then she realized how much the king and queen cared for her. Though she was not their child, they took her in and cared for her. She owed them for that.

  “Let’s go!” Jerome shouted and the troop headed off toward Fantasme Forest, which was still creeping towards Aridale. Despite being dark out, the forest was well lit. The lumairas were glowing. There were also other strange plants that hung off of the trees that glowed. Occasionally a ball of light would flicker by, which Milly assumed were fairies or forest sprites.

  Yolande acted as their guide through the forest. She knew the way and also knew how to avoid danger if there would be any. Fantasme Forest was still a huge mystery since few ever ventured into it. Yolande would later act as their decoy while Jerome prepared to kill Lord Melanthius.

  “I will end this.” Jerome thought as they marched through the forest.

  “Rose! Rose!” Magnolia panicked as she tried to wake Wilhelmina.

  “Wake up!” Hibiscus urged. All the maids were around her trying to shake her awake. Eventually Wilhelmina opened her eyes.

  “What’s going on?” Wilhelmina asked as she stared at all the maids.

  “Get dressed,” Orchid urged helping Wilhelmina to her feet.

  “It’s terrible, we have to hurry!” Lily was jumping up in down along with Marigold. Both girls were very anxious and their anxiety was being transferred to Wilhelmina.

  “What’s happening?” Wilhelmina asked as the maids rushed her out of her room, down the stairs, and to the front of the castle.

  “Lord Edmund….” Violet began, but couldn’t finish due to tears.

  “He’s going to,” Lobelia continued, speaking between sobs, “sacrifice himself.”

  “What!” Wilhelmina exclaimed, “What do you mean?’

  “The King ordered for him to be killed, there’s a whole army coming; he’s going to let them….” Orchid said solemnly.

  “No, he can’t….” Wilhelmina felt her heart breaking, she ran at the door, but it wouldn’t open.

  “He’s made it so we can’t interfere, we are stuck in here,” Amaryllis spoke, tears falling down her face.

  Wilhelmina wouldn’t give up, she ran from door to door, but none would budge, there was a window though by the main doors and she ran to it. Edmund was standing outside. He was drenched from the rain, a sign that he had been outside for awhile. Wilhelmina pounded on the window, but even that wouldn’t budge and he didn’t seem to hear her pounding.

  “Edmund!” She tried screaming, but he didn’t turn to look at her.

  “His magic is strong,” Marigold said coming up behind Wilhelmina. The other girls soon were standing around her.

  “Why? Why would he….” Wilhelmina began to cry.

  “Because to him, you’re more important,” Lotus said sweetly placing her hand on Wilhelmina’s, “He also knows this is his fault and so he wants to take the blame. He doesn’t want you to.”

  “It’s not fair!” Wilhelmina exclaimed and Orchid pulled her into her arms. All the other girls began to sob, even Lotus, the calmest of them all, had tears now trickling down her rosy cheeks.

  Outside in the rain, Edmund awaited his death. He had managed to seal the castle in time. He did not want Wilhelmina or his maids involved in what is to come. He even sound proofed it so he couldn’t hear their cries. He didn’t want to be influenced by them. Edmund had accepted his fate and would not fight back. This was his decision.

  Edmund’s heart was once lonely and full of hate, but it had been warmed by Wilhelmina. She had allowed him to find happiness and even love, an emotion he thought he would never feel ag
ain after his mother had left. Edmund now had something he had to protect and if that meant his life, then it was worth it.

  Though it was only a short time, Edmund had watched over Wilhelmina through the magic mirror since her birth. He had watched her grow and had seen her cry. Then, he had only cared about the curse, but now he realized that he had been watching her for another reason. He was attracted to her and the night at the ball had proven it.

  A noise in the forest caught Edmund’s attentions. They were coming. He listened intently as the horses hooves drew nearer as the sun rose. Soon he would die. “So this is my fate,” He thought as he looked in the direction the sound was coming from.

  Yolande was the first to exit the forest and appear in front of Edmund. Prince Jerome soon appeared by her side and then the rest of the small army the king had sent. Among them was a girl that Edmund recognized from all his years of spying on Wilhelmina. She was Wilhelmina’s friend, Milly, but what was a girl doing in battle? He looked at her and noticed that she was looking at him as well. There was something odd about her that he hadn’t noticed before. His focus had always been on Wilhelmina, never on Milly.

  Milly locked eyes with Lord Melanthius. Though they did not look alike, she knew he was her brother. There slight similarities in facial features, the nose being the most prominent. Milly felt a strange mixture of anger and sorrow. She hated him for taking Wilhelmina, but another part of her wanted to get to know him, her long lost brother. However, she knew that wouldn’t happen. He had to die in order to save Wilhelmina and to end the horrid curse.

  “Lord Endymion Melanthius,” Yolande began to speak and everyone became silent. All that could be heard was the sound of the rain, “You have manipulated nature and used it as a tool of destruction, for that you must pay the price.”

  “I accept,” Edmund said. There was no fear in his voice for he had already come to terms with his fate. Today he would die.

  “You what…” Jerome began, but Yolande held him back.

  “It could be a trap,” She said.

  “I accept that what I have done is wrong. You may kill me. I only ask you spare the maidens that reside with the castle,” Edmund spoke. He opened his arms to reveal he was serious.

  “It doesn’t seem right,” Milly spoke up. She had a very strange feeling. The anger inside of her left and a strong desire to save Edmund took over. Was it because he was her brother or was it something else?

  “We have no choice, but to kill him, if he’s willing, then it just makes it easier for us,” Jerome said before hopping off his horse. He placed one hand on the hilt of his sword and began to walk forward. Yolande watched in the background for any sign of it being a trap. Everyone was focused on Edmund and Jerome, that no one noticed the maidens at the window.

  Milly remained frozen sitting on her horse. She was confused and was not sure what to do. Her heart told her to stop Jerome, but she couldn’t find the voice to shout. Plus, there was no other option. Edmund had to die to end the curse. Milly kept her eyes locked on Jerome and Edmund.

  Wilhelmina screamed and pounded on the window. At first the other girls had tried to calm her, but at Orchid’s command, they let her be. They cried for Edmund, but mostly for Wilhelmina. None had ever seen so much sorrow in their life.

  “Edmund! Edmund! Don’t do it!” Wilhelmina shouted as she pounded on the glass. Her fear intensified when she saw him open his arms as if to welcome death. “Stop it! Don’t do it! It’s not worth it!”

  She pounded harder when Jerome began to walk but it was no use. “I’m not worth it…” Wilhelmina stood back finally feeling defeated. She remained standing and though tears ran down her face, she did not take her eyes off the scene before her.

  Jerome walked up to Edmund and stopped when he was just a few feet away from him. He drew his sword. Edmund did not move. “This was a lot easier than I had expected,” Jerome thought.

  “Why? It’s not fair! It’s my fault, not his! I’m the cursed one! I should be the one to die!” Wilhelmina thought wishing there was something she could do. She felt a strong power within her and when Jerome was just inches away from Edmund, she screamed, “No!” A bright light erupted around Wilhelmina and she felt her body being pulled apart and then back together. The next thing she felt was a sharp, agonizing, pain in her chest.

  “No!” Edmund screamed as he held Wilhelmina.

  “You!” Jerome pointed at Edmund as he pulled the sword that had stabbed Wilhelmina, “You planned this!”

  Edmund ignored Jerome and looked down at Wilhelmina, “Mina, don’t! Don’t! Wake up, please, open your eyes!” He shouted and shook her. Her eyes opened.

  “Edmund,” Her voice was faint. She touched his cheek with her hand.

  Jerome was about to stab Edmund as well, but Yolande held him back. “Let them be!” She ordered holding off the others with her magic. She hadn’t expected this one bit and wanted to the scene to play out so she could get some answers.

  Milly had started running as soon as she saw Wilhelmina, but now could not move. Yolande had made it so they couldn’t move. She watched in horror as her best friend lay dying.

  “Why? Why would she?”Milly thought as tears streamed down her face.

  Inside the castle the maids were in shock. Many had fallen to their knees, even Lotus and Orchid had burst into tears. They hugged one another and wept at the loss of their friend that had granted them life.

  “Why?” Edmund sobbed.

  Wilhelmina smiled as tears fell from her eyes as well, “I’m just a flower after all….”

  “No,” Edmund shook his head, “No, you were much more than that.” He stroked her hair.

  “Edmund, I….” Wilhelmina felt herself fading away, “I love you.” Her eyes closed and her hand fell limp.

  At that moment the rain stopped pouring, the sun appeared in Aridale and the people rejoiced. Edolie, who was so close to death, had healed and King Wilhelm held his daughter close to him. The only one not rejoicing was Queen Henrietta. Though she was glad Edolie was alright, her heart was breaking. She knew that she had lost a daughter, a daughter she loved dearly...

  “I loved you too” Edmund buried his faced in Wilhelmina’s chest. He had wanted to prevent this. How did this happen?

  Milly could feel Yolande’s magic wearing off, but she couldn’t move. She stood in tears knowing that her best friend was dead. The only friend she had was gone, but then her eyes widened. Edmund and Wilhelmina’s bodies began to glow and beneath them appeared a giant image of the sun.

  “The sign of the sun,” Jerome gasped as Yolande let him go.

  Edmund felt a strange power surround him and he looked down to see that Wilhelmina’s wound had healed. He stared in shock and when her eyes opened, he hugged her. His surprise was quickly replaced with relief, she was alive. Wilhelmina smiled and allowed him to help her to her feet.

  Edmund’s plain white shirt and black slacks and been replaced with a green and bronze uniform, on top of his head sat a gold crown. Wilhelmina’s plain, black dress had transformed into a green and bronze gown. On her head sat a gold tiara. She looked at Edmund and he too gave her a puzzled look. They both then looked down to see the giant sun symbol beneath their feet.

  “The sign of the sun,” Wilhelmina said, “Does that mean…”

  “You have been chosen to be king and queen of Celewyn,” Yolande said and curtsied as was the custom for any new king and queen. Milly, Jerome and the rest of the army followed suit.

  The sun continued to expand until it occupied all of Celewyn and then a voice spoke within Wilhelmina and Edmund’s mind. “Wilhelmina Diamante, Edmund Melanthius, do you accept your new titles as Queen and King of Celewyn?”

  Wilhelmina and Edmund exchanged a glance and said in unison, “Yes.”

  “Then swear on it.”

  Edmund was confused for a moment and so was Wilhelmina, but then she understood. In order for them to be king and queen they had to be married. She smiled and leaned in close
r to Edmund. He got the hint and they kissed. The sun beneath them emitted a bright light and then it was gone.

  Yolande gasped and the others turned to see what she was seeing. Fantasme Forest was beginning to recede. Celewyn was being reborn.

  “So…”Wilhelmina began.

  “We start over,” Edmund smiled.

  She returned the smile, “We start over.”

  Chapter 15

  1 year later

  “Mina, this was delivered to you,” Magnolia said handing Wilhelmina an envelope. She along with Milly and Edmund were sitting together in the family room having afternoon tea.

  “What is it?” Milly asked. She had chosen to stay with Wilhelmina and Edmund in Celewyn. She wanted to get to know her brother and she also didn’t want to leave her best friend. Things were awkward at first between Milly and Edmund. It’s not every day you find out you have a sibling you never knew about. Wilhelmina had worked as a median between the two in the beginning, but now they all got along well.

  “An invitation to Edolie and Jerome’s wedding,” Wilhelmina said.

  “Not another one,” Milly joked.

  “Well let’s just hope this one ends better than the last one,” Wilhelmina teased as she read the invitation,

  Princess Edolie Marcelle of Aridale

  &

  Prince Jerome Alexander of Vanica

  request your presence at their marriage

  at noon tomorrow

  Queen Wilhelmina Diamante

  King Edmund Melanthius

  Lady Millicent Lucia

  She read over the names a few times before finally speaking, “They’ve invited you.” She looked at Edmund.

  King Wilhelm had refused to allow Edmund into the Kingdom of Aridale. He was still sentenced to exile. The fact he was invited to the wedding was quite a shock.

  “Let me see,” Milly said taking the invitation from Wilhelmina. “Yes, your name is indeed on the list.”