ROSE WALKED TOWARDS THE DINING ROOM FEELING ANXIOUS. She was still skeptical as to why she needed to be there. She patted her dress nervously and took shaky breaths.

"Don't worry Rose." Aria assured her, "You'll be fine, I promise." She said. "I have to go to the kitchen since I'm needed there. Good luck!" Aria whispered and scurried to the kitchen.

Rose sighed, refusing to move. She glanced towards the dining. The King and Queen were already seated with Jared and his mother. Rose also saw some unknown faces.

Those should be the Whittaker's. Rose thought.

Rose noticed a young beautiful woman sitting beside Jared. She looked around as if searching for someone, although she was engaged in a conversation with Jared, whose eyes were focused on her bosoms. Her face was overcooked with make-up and turned into a scowl. Her dress looked too tight for her; her breast almost spilling out of it. Rose shook her head.

And that should be Sophia. She thought.

Rose looked at the empty seat beside the woman. Where's Alex?

"Are you going to keep standing there?" Rose jumped and turned around to see Alex and Tyler right beside her. Her eyes trailed down his attire. He looked like a real Prince Charming with emblems and badges decorating his suit. His blonde hair was sleeked back perfectly, no strand out of place. Her eyes trailed back to his and she felt blood rush to her cheeks. He too, was checking her out. She suddenly felt self-conscious and she rubbed her neck with her fingers. His eyes went to the action and they darkened, his face pinched up in a frown.

"Your Highness." Rose bowed her head shyly. She looked up to still see his burning gaze on her. His lips thinned to a straight line.

"Rose, you look beautiful." Tyler said, smiling at her.

"Thank you Tyler." Rose's blush deepened. She was not used to getting compliments.

"Let's go." Alex grumbled and walked past Rose to the dining. Rose huffed. He didn't have to be rude all the time.
Rose followed him and Tyler to the dining.

"Finally, my son has arrived!" The King's voice boomed.

"Alex!" Rose heard Sophia squeal. She stood up quickly and ran to Alex, jumping on him. "I've missed you so much!" She said.

Alex tensed, not hugging her back. He quickly removed her arms around him and backed away. Sophia's face fell a bit. Rose was slightly glad he did that.

Sophia looked behind Alex and finally noticed her. "And who is this with you?" She scowled at Rose. She walked in front of Alex, eyeing her over. Her perfume suffocated Rose from where she stood.

Jesus! Who sprays that much perfume?! Rose silently coughed.

"Sophia, please settle down. Alex." The King ordered.

Sophia huffed and took Alex by his hand, dragging him to his seat, which was beside her. Rose rolled her eyes.

"Ah! The cursed servant! I see you've prepared well." The King smirked. "Although I see no point to it." He added.

Rose frowned, taken aback.

"She's a servant?" Sophia laughed. "Oh the effrontery! What did you think, servant? That you were going to dine with us? Ha!" She continued to mock her.

Rose's heart beat rapidly. Her chest rose and fell. Her legs shook as she stood. She knew this was a bad idea.
The kitchen door opened and maids came out, carrying trolleys of food. Rose spotted Aria who looked up at her. Aria's face morphed into concern but she quickly diverted her gaze.

"Finally you slugs! I'm starving!" Jared exclaimed.

"Shut up Jared." His mother scolded.

They brought the trolley towards the table. "Leave it and scram." The King ordered. The maids bowed their heads and left. The King looked up at Rose. He tilted his head. "What are you waiting for?" He asked.

Rose stared at the King. He wanted her to serve them?

"The idiot! Don't waste our time and start serving!" Sophia growled at her.

"Sophia! Behave." An old man, Sophia's father she assumed, scolded her, "My King, I'm sorry for my daughter's behavior." She bowed her head.

The king waved him off. "No problem, my friend. Your daughter is right." He looked up at Rose. "Just get on with it." He seethed.

Rose took deep breaths and went towards the trolley. She picked up a plates and began to serve, trying to steady her shaky hands.

As she reached Jared's side, she stood beside him. She was about to drop his plate when she felt his hands creep up her dress. She gasped and the plate fell to ground, shattering into pieces. Some of the food fell on Sophia, staining her dress.

"You bitch! Look at what you've done to my dress!" Sophia stood up, screeching.

"I- he-" Rose stuttered, pointing to Jared.

"Shut up!" She yelled, her face red. "Clean up the mess." She seethed.

Rose looked around. They all stared blankly at her. Alex looked down, his jaw ticked. Sophia grabbed her hair, yanking it back. Rose winced.

"I said clean it up servant." She let go, pushing her to the floor. The broken pieces pierced through her palms and she whimpered in pain.

Tears brimmed the corner of her eyes as she tried to hold it in. Blood dripped from her palms as she picked up the pieces of the shattered plate.

A chair scraped the ground and someone stood up. Rose felt the person's presence in front of her.

"Stand up." Rose heard Alex hiss and she looked up. His face was neutral but his clenched jaw showed he was close to bursting out.

"Alex, no need to-" Sophia was cut off, "Shut the fuck up." He seethed at her.

Alex bent down and grabbed Rose's wrist, bringing her up to her feet. He dragged her away from the dining table but he stopped at his Father's voice.

"Where do you think you're going, Son?" The King hissed. "That's not how to treat your guests, is it?"

Rose stayed behind Alex as he addressed his Father. "My apologies, Father but I have more pressing matters to attend to." He raised Rose's injured arm in the air.

"Alex." The King warned.

"If you recall Father, she is my servant and she serves only me." Alex emphasized, "I can't have her injured and incapable to do so. I'm quite demanding you know."

"She's just a fucking servant, Alex! What is wrong with you?!" Sophia whined, glaring daggers at Rose.

Rose hid more behind Alex, blocking away the glares.

"And you're just a spoilt brat, Sophia. Grow up." Alex said, blankly.

Sophia gasped, her mouth hung open."Father, Mother, do something!" She urged her parents.

The Father looked up at Alex, his face anything but fierce. "D-don't speak to my daughter like that! She is your fiancée and your future wife!" He stood up from his seat.

Alex scoffed. "Then teach your daughter proper manners Brad. If I may be excused."

Alex bowed his head before dragging Rose out of the dining room.

****

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