Princess Rose

By Harle Quinn

~Prologue~

There is one author in North America whose books sell out faster than J.K. Rowling; whose words reach to those of young and old. She came out with her first book of the title “Lady’s Melody”. It was released when she was just 14. Critics were amazed on how she captured the discrimination in religious practices that happen right under our noses.

After that, she wrote a trilogy that made the public want more of her. She written her stories from a fresh point of view and that was something the people needed after books after books of tortuous geniuses. She was a personality that people wondered how she wrote. Rumors rose that she didn’t write the books herself. She proved them wrong by taking a reporter on her journey of writing a book.

In the August of her 5^th year, she released a book that shocked the nations across the globe. The book, in itself, looked simple and plain on the outside. It was a ghostly white with a spiral binding; with one word that stood out and caused enragement and solace to a lot of people. “Diana.” sold 22 million copies around the globe.

She overcame her critics’ fear of enraging the Parliament and Royal Family. She calmly explained that she wanted to do the book for a long time. Many argued that she had no right to say such things that were mentioned in the book. She held her head high and stepped through the cold fire that they had set aflame.

All of her books had a signature rose in the corner. Everything from star profile biographies to books that would take you on a whirlwind adventure would have a rose colored rose somewhere on the cover. She identified herself as Sydney Maxwell of California but to the world, she was Princess Rose of America.

She was at a ball held in honor of the Queen Mother’s birthday. As usual, she was dressed like something out of a fairytale and at a corner sipping punch. After 8 years of being called Princess Rose, you would think at an elegant function, they would call her by her real name. ‘So boring’ she thought. She glanced around the room, hoping to find something interesting to catch her eye. She saw a pair of hazel eyes stare back at her from across the room. She threw him a small smile. ‘Prince Harry of the Windsors, how cute’ she laughed to herself.

He was startled and turned away. His face became as red as the hair on top of his head. His older brother leaned over. “Who is she?”

“Princess Rose.” Harry murmured. His brother grinned and whispered to his guard. Harry watched in horror as Princess Rose walked over. He got up and ran out, tripping over a cord then scrambling out of sight.

He sat at a fountain, nursing his cut lip. He nearly jumped 20 feet in the air when he felt a gentle gloved hand hold his head up. “Don’t talk. Let me clean off some of the blood.” She took out a handkerchief and dabbed softly so as not to hurt him. He looked at her. She smiled. “I’m Sydney Maxwell.”

“I thought you were Princess Rose.” Harry blurt out.

She frowned and sat next to him. He liked it better when she was smiling. She had a beautiful smile. “And I thought you were the spare?” she replied coldly.

“I apologize. I didn’t know--”

“It’s alright.”

She shivered a bit. Harry took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. “It’s nice to meet you, Sydney Maxwell. Are you having fun in this great city they call London? Or as I like to call it Rainy Place Where It’s Very Slippery?”

Her laughter sounded like the tinkling of bells to his ears. “If you call being cooped up in a hotel fun, I’d rather see Big Ben, the Tower of London.” She grinned. “Sherwood Forest? Camelot?”

Harry laughed as well. Obviously, someone had watched Robin Hood one too many times. “Well, I can take you to Big Ben or the Tower of London. Maybe a few other places? Like Versailles?”

“Of all things, I know Versailles is in France. I’ve traveled enough to know the big marks in the world. But I would like to see the first two.”

“Are you busy tomorrow? Because my schedule’s free.” Harry offered.

“Yeah, I’m free.” Sydney replied. “9 tomorrow morning. I’m at the Hyatt 129. Or should I go to your place?”

“I can come by the Hyatt.” he stuttered. Music floated out from the party. He stood up and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?” She smiled and took his hand as they waltzed into the night under the moon. At midnight, she left with a kiss on his cheek.

Prince Charles approached his youngest son. “Harry, you have a press conference tomorrow. There are some rumors that need to be put to rest.”

He stared out into the night after the Princess. “Just let me call my backup.” Harry searched for his older brother. “Oh, Wills…”

~9:00 the next morning~

William knocked on door 129 with flowers in one hand and chocolates he purchased on behalf of his brother in the other. The door opened to a dressed in black pleather Sydney Maxwell. She smiled. “Are those for me? Or is this a special delivery?”

“Harry can’t make it to the sight-seeing today.” Will explained. “These are for you.” he coughed and held out the candy and flowers. She took them and motioned him to come in. she fixed the flowers in a vase and set the candy aside. “We can still go see London, if you’d like.”

“I’d like that. Let me go dye my hair first.” Sydney disappeared into the rest room.

“Why do you have to dye your hair?” he asked skeptically.

“My form of disguise.” Sydney replied with a low British accent.

He leaned back on the sofa and supported his head with his hands. “I don’t need a disguise.”

She stuck out her now-green head. Her silver eyes bore into his and her lips, painted black, curved into a smirk. “You wanna bet, Prince-y boy?” she asked.

“Yeah, what do you have?” he asked.

“I always wanted an Etonian uniform.” Sydney dealt slyly. “Not used either. Brand new. I can tailor it into something fashionable. And if you win the bet, I overheard how that girl you had eyes for all last night wanted a pair of leopard skin loafers. I can get those easy.”

“That’s it?” he asked. She nodded. “Alright, you’re on.” They shook hands to seal the deal. “Where are we off to?”

“The Kensington Palace.” Sydney dared. William stiffened then conceded. They went downstairs into the waiting BMW. Before long, they arrived at the ghostly palace where no one had really set foot in since the August of 1997. They took a quick tour and William actually felt better than before. Seeing his mum’s things released a heavy weight that settled on his heart a long time ago. They went back outside.

“I’m going to tell the guards to close the gates. It takes a while so are you going to be ok by yourself?” he asked. She nodded, for she was too cold to answer.

She spotted a lone figure about her age sitting on a bench, looking heartbroken. She made her way over. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“My date stood me up. She told me to get a life and set my phaser on loser. I’m Yubasen.” He sniffed at his loss. Sydney sat down next to him and touched his arm. He looked at her and he reminded her of Harry Potter. “You’re Princess Rose.”

“Promise to keep it a secret?” she winked. “I’ll tell you what. I can’t offer dinner or anything because my schedule keeps me on my toes but here’s my SN. Don’t hesitate to use it. Anytime you want to chat, I’ll probably be online. So you know you won’t be alone.”

“I just want to throw myself in the Thames.” Yubasen replied.

“If you do, this world will be deprived of a very smart person. Love is nothing. Life is everything.” Sydney soothed. He seemed to understand what she said and was about to reply when the tall man she was with returned. “Well, I’ll see you soon.” She bid farewell and gave Yubasen a kiss on the cheek.

She didn’t see his blush or that lust look in his eyes. She didn’t see his adoration grow with each step she took or the feeling of love warming his veins. She didn’t hear the vow he silently made to himself or the declaration of love he had silently shouted.

William and Sydney visited a few more sites before Sydney had to hit the mall to buy some souvenirs for her friends back home. A group of girls spotted William and a group of guys saw Sydney so it wasn’t long before both were running for their lives. They kept running until they flew into the BMW and raced off back to Buckingham.

“Ok, ok, you win.” William panted as they coasted through the front door.

She laughed and took off her sunglasses, placing them on top of her head. “What’d I tell you, baby cakes? You’re more recognizable than I am.”

Harry came running towards them and picked up Sydney, spinning her around. “I hope my brother hasn’t swept you off your feet before I had a chance.” he laughed. “I’m so sorry for not showing up this morning. But I hope I can make it up tonight with a picnic dinner.” He led her to the back yard where a white horse waited.

“Oh wow, Harry. I forgive you, of course. I can’t stay mad at anyone for long.” She turned towards Will. “I had so much fun, Willsby. I hope we can do it again.”

It continued like that for two years. William would take her out during the day and Harry always made up for his absences at night.

25-year-old William paced like a caged lion in his room. “How could I do this?! She’s my brother’s girl!” he growled. He had counted on becoming fonder of Sydney but he didn’t expect to fall in love with her. And Sydney was loyal to Harry to a fault. He couldn’t do this to his brother. How could he just shy away from her gentle touch? It was almost impossible.

He swallowed his pride and went downstairs to dinner. He took his seat across from Harry and Sydney. Small conversation passed through the dining hall as diner progressed. “So Aussie, how are things?” asked Prince Charles. He had begun to affectionately call her Aussie ever since he found out her name was Sydney.

“Things are good, Chucky.” Sydney laughed.

Harry held onto Sydney’s hand tight. “Everyone, I have an announcement to make.” He got out of his chair and turned Sydney towards him. He got down on one knee and held her hand. “Sydney Rose Maxwell, you have made me the happiest person alive because you treated me as if you would treat anyone else. You treasured our friendship when we weren’t together and you were still there when I had my little episodes. I ask for your hand in marriage.” He presented a simple sapphire and diamond ring to her.

Everyone held their breath for her answer.

She looked around then into his shining eyes. tears pricked her eyes. She bit her lip and nodded.

He let out a whoop of joy and slipped the ring on her finger. He pulled her close as they shared a kiss. “Ahem.” coughed Charles. They pulled apart.

“I think I’ll go grab some fresh air outside.” Sydney smiled. she walked in the vast garden, smiling at the ring on her finger. She heard a rustle in the bushes. “Who’s there?”

Yubasen leaped out of the bushes and clumsily landed on one knee. He held out the same ring that Harry had given her. “Princess, I could not stop thinking about you ever since we met. You are sweet, caring, and kind. Please by my wife.”

Sydney thought he looked a bit ridiculous but sweet. “I’m sorry, Yubasen. I’m getting married to Harry.”

He got up dejectedly and left. “I really do love you, you know.” She walked back into the palace to be welcomed by her new family.

Dr. Yubasen Smith set forth to create a machine to destroy the Windsors. They had taken Diana and now they will take dear Princess Rose too. He had studied enough black magic to know what to do. He wanted to create a weapon. Yes, one that would not kill but mutate the Windsors and all mankind who had laughed at him. Once she saw her precious Harry as a beast, she would surely run to him.

Yes, a machine to turn all into mutants, all sorts of creatures from fairytales and nightmares.

He passed by a cherry blossom tree, not knowing a small cherub was spying on him.

End.