17 Chapter 17: A Bit of the Past

-In the year 24942-

Rosetta could feel the chains around her body tighten as she was let outside. How long had it been since she had seen the sunlight.

-In the year 2488-

Rosetta ran around happily as her brother chased after her in a game of tag. Rosetta giggled uncontrollably as she and her brother ran around the mansion.

"You two, this is not how children of the Galaxious family should behave", sighed Sophia. "But I guess it is good to have fun once in a while. Do you two mind if I join this game?"

Sophia crouched down to match her children's height and they both beamed happily. "Sure! But you have to be it!" Shouted Claude.

"Of course", smiled their mother.

She then started to count to ten and the kids ran together further into the mansion. Once Sophia had finished counting she ran after the kids and the three of them smiled happily as they dodged furniture and ran from each other.

"I always find it interesting how different they are when they are with friends and family", said Brian Addington, the father of Adrian, the Red Rose.

"Well there is no need to keep wearing a mask when you're in front of those you can trust", said Alfred Galaxious.

"Imagine if others saw this. The professional Sophia running around, the cold Claude smiling uncontrollably and the shy Ariana boldly laughing and giggling. Truly is a sight isn't it", smiled Brian.

"Only to others", replied Alfred.

"Now that I think about it, Ariana doesn't have any friends her age now does she. Actually many people don't even know what the girl looks like".

"Well she doesn't debut until she is nine so no need to show everyone now".

"Are you going to introduce her to the Prince? He is the same age as her", suggested Brian.

"And risk having them engaged, no thank you. For now Ariana only needs to see his and her majesty", said Alfred firmly.

"Then what about my son? Ariana really needs to find friends close to her own age, she can't only play with her family forever", argued Brian.

"I guess you're right. If it's Adrian it's fine but only him for now. As for the Prince, he can wait until she debuts".

"Of course, but are you sure? What if people doubt your close relationship to the Royal Family?"

"We can use her shyness as an excuse. Plus the King and Queen will understand, after all they do know how much we treasure our daughter and I don't want to subject her to someone who might take advantage of her".

"Is it really a good idea to say that about the Crown Prince?" Said Brian with an amazed face.

"Oh well".

Alfred looked at his children and wife affectionately as they played together. These are precious moments which could go away at any moment so he had to treasure them well. Especially his daughter. A delicate girl like her who is also the daughter of the Galaxious Family is easily targeted. He needed to do everything possible in order to protect her, her brother and her mother. As they are the most important people in his life.

Alfred was smart to treasure those moments as they became much more precious in the future, and he could not do anything to stop it.

-Three months after-

"Good morning, I am Adrian Addington. A pleasure to meet you".

Adrian took Rosetta's hand and kissed it which made Rosetta blush. Who knew a six year old could act like this.

"I-I, a-am R-Rosetta G-Galaxious", said Rosetta timidly.

"No need to get nervous now Rose, this is my son. If you can trust me then you can trust him", said Brian as he crouched next to her.

"Yeah Rosy, this guy is my best friend so no need to worry. And even if he does hurt you I will get revenge for you", said Claude proudly.

"Wow, throwing me under the carriage already. Come on, we've been friends for over two years now!" Argued Adrian.

"Compared to my sister you are nothing!" Said Claude as he hugged Rosetta.

Sophia and Alfred smiled when seeing Claude's love for his sister and soon all of the adults laughed as the three kids talked to each other.

-Two months later-

"See! I am a person you can trust", said Adrian as he ate with Rosetta in a gazebo.

Rosetta smiled and said in a cute voice, "I know, I was just nervous since I was meeting someone new",

"Well you're gonna have to get used to it in the future", said Adrian while sipping his tea.

"I know... But promise you will be there for me when that happens!" Shouted Rosetta.

Adrian blushed and said, "of course I will, my father and I and your family, will always be there for you".

"Thank you!"

Rosetta got up and made her way to Adrian to hug him when Claude intercepted the hug. "My cute sister and best friend, what are you two doing?" Asked Claude.

"Well we are just having tea and food", said Rosetta innocently.

"Is that all?" Said Claude as he looked at Adrian suspiciously.

"What in the world are you thinking? I am a six year old", said Adrian.

"Your brain doesn't think like one", argued Claude.

"Neither does yours, Rosetta is the only one who acts her age here", replied Adrian.

Rosetta giggled at the sight and continued to eat happily as Claude and Adrian kept on arguing.

-Another two months later-

"Your majesty, are you always busy like this?" Asked Rosetta.

At that time Rosetta was at the castle while her father was working. Sophia and Claude were busy and Alfred always wanted Rosetta to be with one of the family members so he brought her with him to the palace while he some worked.

"Yes Rosetta, his majesty is always busy as he is the King but that still doesn't stop him from doing what he likes", smiled Teresa Celeste, the Queen of Celeste and the mother of Josh, the Prince.

"But that is what got me here today now isn't it?" Said the King.

"It sure is", giggled Teresa.

Soon a knock came from the door and Arthur said, "you may come in".

A messenger came in, bowed and said, "your majesties, the Prince has returned from his visit to the Duke house Roland, Alfred Galaxious also wishes for Miss Galaxious to come back now".

"I really wish that guy would at least let Josh meet Rosetta so they know each other", frowned Arthur.

"You know how Alfred acts, I understand his decision as a doting parent", said Teresa.

"Why does my dad not want me to meet the prince?" Asked Rosetta innocently.

"Reasons", said the majesties in union.

Before it was to prevent an engagement, now it is also for something else.

-5 months later-

"Hey what is that?" Questioned Adrian.

At that time Adrian and Claude were in one of the libraries in the Galaxious mansion and were reading a book on forbidden objects.

"It is the Wand of Theft. The wand is very powerful and steals magic from anyone and anything, and it is one of the main reasons why Adler has the best non-magical people", answered Claude.

"Why?" Asked Adrian.

"Honestly can't you read. The book says that it was created by Troy Adler and that he used it to steal magic from his people. That was all until Bern Faye stole it and the other kingdoms took over".

"What did they do with the wand afterwards?"

"They dismantled it into six pieces since at that time they were too weak to destroy it and also because they weren't sure of what might happen if they did destroy it. The pieces were hidden in different, dangerous places and many have died trying to get them. It is considered to be one of the most evil magical objects to have ever existed".

"Wow, that's crazy!"

"Shh, I don't want my little sister to hear us. There is no need for her to know of such a thing".

Little did they know at that time Rosetta heard everything and that the clocks of fate were slowly turning as she started to realise more about the wicked world.

-1 week afterwards-

Rosetta walked around the garden and looked at the roses, her most favorite flower. What her brother said was still stuck in her head and she started to wonder more about what the world is really like. She decided to ask her brother about it so she made her way to the drawing room and found her family sitting there while reading.

"Brother?" Asked Rosetta.

"Yes", replied Claude.

"Can you tell me more about the Wand of Theft?"

Silence came after that and everyone in the room, including the butler had a shocked face.

"Sorry but could you please repeat that?" Asked Claude with nervousness showing on his face.

"Can you tell me more about the Wand of Theft? You know the one you talked about when you with Adrian in the library".

"Wait you heard us!"

"Um yeah".

"W-well..."

"It is okay Claude. She was bound to find out in the future. She just happened to hear of it at a younger age", frowned Alfred.

Alfred was hoping he could protect Rosetta from the dark side of the world until she debut but it looks like she found out way before. Now she was bound to be more curious so for now he could only limit how much she could find out about.

"My dear, lets talk about all of this in the future. For now why don't you read with us", said Sophia.

Rosetta accepted the invitation innocently, still unaware of the true nature of their world.

-2 months later-

"Adrian!"

"Rosy!"

Adrian and Rosetta ran into a hug which Claude stopped two seconds later.

"Ahem, don't you have business with my father Adrian", said Claude coldly.

"Right, sorry Rosy. I can't play with you today", said Adrian with a frown.

"Fine. But play with me next time okay!" Shouted Rosetta.

"I sure will", said Adrian as he left with Claude.

"Rose my dear, won't you play with mommy today?"

Rosetta turned around to see her mother waiting patiently for a hug. "Sure!" Replied Rosetta cheerfully.

That day Adrian had something incredibly important to discuss with Alfred so they along with Sophia and Claude came up with a plan to prevent Rosetta from hearing. While Sophia was playing with Rosetta the others would go deeper into the magical side of the mansion when discussing.

However while Sophia was playing with Rosetta Sophia had to go to the bathroom and when she left a black fairy appeared and tapped Rosetta on the shoulder.

Suddenly Rosetta was transported to a room and in there was Adrian who was being whipped. Rosetta looked at the sight in horror and she was soon brought to the room where Alfred, Claude and Adrian were.

"Are you okay?" Asked Alfred to Adrian.

"Yes. Thanks to Sophia's healing skills I am absolutely better now", replied Adrian.

"To think such a thing could happen", sighed Alfred.

"Well it is better to get kidnapped than killed right?"

"But if you didn't escape you definitely would have been killed".

Rosetta couldn't believe her ears and suddenly the black fairy disappeared and the others noticed Rosetta's presence. Suddenly Sophia quickly appeared and saw Rosetta with Alfred, Claude and Adrian.

"Oh no, looks like I was too late", said Sophia.

"Mother, father, brother, Adrian, what is going on?" Asked a scared and confused Rosetta.

"Uh... We'll tell you later, come on, lets all play a game!" Shouted Adrian.

Once again the question was left unanswered and Rosetta felt more uneasy about everything.

-Rosetta's 6th birthday-

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Rosetta, happy birthday to you", sang Rosetta's family and friends.

Inside the mansion everyone was joyous as it was Rosetta's birthday. Decorations filled the dining room as everyone ate a piece of cake.

That day Rosetta forgot about everything and just had fun as everyone showered her with love and gifts.

"Rosy, what do you think of the gift I got you?" Asked Claude.

"I love it!" Answered Rosetta.

Claude had given her a heart shaped locket with a rose on the front. On the inside was a picture of her family and on the other side was her friends. On the back of the locket there was a quote which said, 'We shall never wither, but grow stronger'.

"Where did you get the quote from?" Asked Michael to Claude.

"I dreamed of it last night", said Claude.

"Is that so..."

"You doubt me?"

"Well..."

As Claude and Michael were chatting Rosetta decided to go outside and look at the stars. The light breeze brushed her face and suddenly out of no where a gift appeared in front of her.

It was a birthday gift to Rosetta and when she unwrapped it she found a book, a book on forbidden spells. Rosetta remembered what her family did the last time she talked about stuff like that so she hid the book in her bedroom and returned to the party. Claude was suspicious when he saw his sister return but he decided it was nothing and continued to have fun.

Later at night when she was supposed to be asleep Rosetta got the book of forbidden spells out and in it she found very detailed paragraphs on forbidden spells and how to use them. Only very few had books like these since you need a license to own one so Rosetta was confused about why someone gave an instruction book on forbidden spells to her.

One thing was for sure though, Rosetta became more alert about the real world.

-1 year and nine months later-

"Help!" Screamed Rosetta.

Kidnapped.

-One month later-

"It is so cold, so hard, so unbearable", cried Rosetta as she sat in a concrete cell.

-Two months later-

"Mother, father, brother, Adrian, where are you", wept Rosetta.

-Three months later-

"Magic?"

-Back to 2498, four years later-

Rosetta woke up from her dream of the past. She looked around frightened and realised she was at the Galaxious mansion in her room.

Rosetta got up and made her way to a little hiding place and got a book out of it. "This thing sure got me into a lot of trouble, but it helped me wake up".

A no longer innocent girl stood in the moonlight and stared at a book, wondering of what might've happened if she never got it as a gift.