In the morning, Rosalie left home without speaking to Cole. She stared out the window, thinking of how not speaking to Cole wouldn’t last.

The truth was staring her right in the face, and she couldn’t ignore it any longer.

Rosalie wished Damien were near so she could ask what else he had noticed. Perhaps he could solve if Cole was involved in the recent death.

"I’m a fool," Rosalie muttered, her eyes on the verge of spilling tears.

Rosalie tilted her head back, not wanting to cry over Cole. Now wasn’t the time for tears. She had questions she needed the answers to.

If she couldn’t get an answer out of Cole, she would get it out of Victoria.

Rosalie looked ahead, at Victoria’s family home in the distance. She patted her eyes with her handkerchief, removing all evidence of her emotional state, and held her head up high.

When the carriage came to a stop, Victoria’s mother was present by the front door, walking out to her own carriage.

"My second daughter is here," said Leonora Williams, Victoria’s mother. "I didn’t know you were coming today, or I would have changed my plans."

"It wasn’t planned. I have come to visit Victoria in secret and ask about her suitors. I have come to offer invitations to balls my family will be attending," Rosalie said, approaching Leonora to embrace her.

Leonora wrapped her arms around Rosalie. "It is good to see that you are well. You had us worry for a moment. I thank you for putting so much care into helping Victoria find a husband."

"I would not be a good friend if I didn’t help. I won’t be here for long, and I promise not to get her into any mischief," Rosalie promised as she pulled away.

"Rosalie, who are you trying to fool? You’ll be here when I return from my outing. Just remember, you have a husband who will send the town guards out to search for you if you do not go home in time for dinner. I’ll bring treats back on my return," Leonora said, pinching Rosalie’s cheek.

Rosalie stepped to the side, letting Leonora continue to her carriage.

Seeing how good Leonora treated her, Victoria’s betrayal stung even more. A good relationship between two families was going to be lost all because of two people who didn’t know how not to cross a line.

Rosalie turned her attention to the home, walking up to the front door still held open by a maid. The further she walked into the home, the more betrayal weighed down on her shoulders.

Victoria’s family had become a second family to Rosalie. She had spent countless days here, running around like it was her home.

Remembering the fun they had here and elsewhere, Rosalie’s sadness turned to anger.

Why Victoria of all ladies?

Rosalie made her way to Victoria’s chamber and opened the door, not interested in pleasantries.

Victoria gasped, startled by the sudden arrival. She lowered her dress, her hand no longer caressing her belly.

"Why look so flustered, Victoria? We used to have baths together," Rosalie said, closing the door behind her. "What were you doing? Checking to see if you have a scar? Your future husband won’t mind."

"No," Victoria said, smoothing down the front of her dress with her hands. "An old dress couldn’t fit me, so I wondered if I had gained weight. You don’t realise until you look in the mirror."

"Hmm. You look the same to me, so don’t get into your head about it. I am the one who needs to worry about gaining weight," Rosalie said, walking towards the bed.

Victoria laughed since it was absurd that Rosalie needed to watch her weight. "What do you mean? You look splendid as always. You have a talent for eating and never gaining weight."

"I wasn’t meant to tell anyone, but Cole and I are finally trying for a child. It is his idea," Rosalie said, gushing over the news. "I have never seen him more excited. He spoke of our future and wanting to see me be a mother."

Victoria stared at Rosalie, too stunned to react.

The same Cole who approached her in the palace garden was eager to have a child with Rosalie?

His actions didn’t match his words, but then again, Victoria knew from the start that he wouldn’t leave Rosalie. He would be foolish to leave Rosalie for her.

"Victoria? You are quite delayed with your reaction. Are you not happy for us?" Rosalie questioned, gripping the blanket beneath her. "I have always wanted to have a child with Cole. I’ve told you before."

"Oh, my apologies. I am thrilled that you are working towards it. I am just surprised that I might soon have a little one running around calling me aunty," Victoria said as the shock slowly wore off.

Victoria walked to the bed to sit beside Rosalie.

"Don’t get too excited just yet. I am not pregnant at the moment. I do look forward to the day I share a child with my husband, and you will always be there as family," Rosalie said, reaching for Victoria’s hand. "I don’t know what I would do without you and Cole. You two treat me so well."

"That is because you are kind," Victoria replied, her eyes fluttering as tears threatened to fall.

"Don’t cry, Victoria. I am certain that soon you will also have what I have. A loving husband and a child who will be dear to you," Rosalie said, watching Victoria’s expression. "You will have your own. We have not spoken in days. Is there anything you must share with me?"

Victoria stared at Rosalie before lowering her gaze. "No. My life has been uneventful. My parents have been focused on finding me a suitor. What about you?"

"Hmm. I’ve been realising that no matter how good you treat someone, they might still stab you in the back. There was a lady at the ball who upset me. I was going to let the matter go, but I am tired of playing nice. I’m going to speak to my father about it, and you know how he is," said Rosalie.

Victoria raised her head, surprised by Rosalie’s plans. "You will turn to your father? You know he would go to great lengths to ruin her life. Did this woman upset you so much? Why didn’t I know about this?"

"You were missing for the first part of the ball, and why can’t I turn to my father? Anyone who crosses a line with me shall face consequences. You mustn’t worry about it," Rosalie said, raising her right hand to fix Victoria’s hair. "You would never betray me, right?"

"No," Victoria softly replied.

"Good. So we never have to worry about your father’s work not doing so well," Rosalie said, followed by laughter.

Victoria bit her tongue. Rosalie’s behaviour was odd. "Rosalie-"

"I am not serious, Victoria. You should see your face," Rosalie snorted and playfully tapped Victoria’s hand. "I am only now realising that you are so easy to toy with."