[color=0054a6]Adalia wasn’t sure where Chalsea had gone off too, but she had let her do what she wanted to do. She didn’t want to go after someone who seemed to want a few minutes, or more, to herself, as that would probably be rude to do. Though it still made her slightly worried that she had gone off like that, without having said a lot. However, Adalia had to forget about it for now, and enjoy the time with her soldiers. This was after all, a funeral feast and she had to make sure that the people knew she was there, both mentally and physically. She drank wine and shared stories with her soldiers, and even some of Chalsea’s men as well. To her surprise, it seemed they were quite capable of being a bit more formal than what Chalsea had made them out to be, or else they might just be playing the part to fit more in with the funeral setting. Whatever the case may be, Adalia didn’t mind at all, as she enjoyed getting to know some of the soldiers from the mercenary group. She hadn’t seen Chalsea for some time though, and she wasn’t sure that even her men knew why she had gone off like that. It could just be that she had become shyer and wanted to regain some of her tough attitude, but otherwise, Adalia wasn’t sure what it could be. 

What she knew though, was that it had been quite some time now, as people were starting to go around by themselves, either alone, with friends or with a new flirt that they would probably share the night with. Adalia and one of her female soldiers were now the only one left at the marketplace where the feast had taken place. The moonlight was shining beautifully down onto the White Stone City. [color=f6989d]“Aren’t you going to go home Milady?”[/color] the female soldier asked with a soft smile on her face. Adalia looked at her and shook her head gently [color=ed145b]“Not quite yet. I made a promise to the leader of the mercenaries that helped us; I’d like to stay for a little while longer, just to see if she comes back.”[/color] She smiled back at the soldier. [color=f6989d]“You sure she’s coming back tonight? It’s already half past midnight.”[/color] Adalia took a sip of her wine [color=ed145b]“I’m not sure, but I’ll give her another thirty minutes before I leave.”[/color] She smiled back at her. [color=ed145b]“What about you? Aren’t you going to go home?” [/color]she asked the female soldier. The female soldier looked down with a slight sadness in her eyes. [color=f6989d]“I don’t really feel like it…My brother was the only one that I lived with and had to go back too, and he was killed in the Orc attack…” [/color]Adalia felt a sharp pain shoot through her heart and she had to look down into the table herself. This was what she hated, when someone lost the ONLY person they had left to trust in. Adalia didn’t look up, but she spoke [color=ed145b]“I’m sorry I couldn’t save him. I never wanted to lose anyone in battle.”[/color] She shivered. The female soldier shook her head, turning her head to look at Adalia [color=f6989d]“Milady, it’s not your fault. He was happy to defend the city and you, as well as I am. We knew what we signed up for when we decided to become soldiers; I just don’t know what to do with myself now.”[/color] Adalia looked up from the table and turned to look at the soldier again [color=ed145b]“What’s your name sweetheart?”[/color] Adalia asked her. The female soldier looked at her [color=f6989d]“Rose Tyre, Milady.” [/color]Adalia thought she knew that name, but she wasn’t sure, it could also just be wishful thinking. [color=ed145b]“I don’t want you to be alone Rose. I’ll have a guest room in my mansion prepare as your own room. You can move in, as part of my family. You are not royal, but you will be treated like family.” [/color]She wasn’t sure why she wanted to do that for Rose, but she couldn’t think of anything else. Gold wouldn’t make the poor girl less lonely, and going home to an empty house every day and night wouldn’t help, even though she had had company the whole day. Rose looked at Adalia, surprised and stunned at the same time [color=f6989d]“I can’t possibly accept that Milady…It’s too much.” [/color]Adalia shook her head [color=ed145b]“No it’s not, if anything, it’s not even close to being enough. I will hear no protests.”[/color] She said softly. She was going to look into Rose Tyre’s serving records later on, to see how this girl had lived her life so far. 

Rose didn’t know what to do, but she had to accept that offer, and frankly, she was quite happy to do so as she didn’t feel like going home alone. [color=f6989d]“I… Thank you Milady, I can’t express my gratitude. I don’t know what I would have done if I had gone home alone tonight..”[/color] she said with a sigh. The thought of her brother now burned to ashes and scattered around on the battlefield was painful, but it was better than having him buried, at least this way, she could believe he was free and not captured by the ground and forced to stay in the same place forever in the afterlife. At least that’s what she thought, and it gave her some kind of comfort. Adalia nodded at her and gave a soft smile. [color=ed145b]“Rose, go to my mansion now and tell my household that you are allowed to sleep in the guest room tonight. Tomorrow, I will have all of your things packed and send to the mansion so that you can rearrange the room as you see fit. I want you to feel as though you are part of the family and that you won’t have to feel lonely again.”[/color] She smiled. Rose had tears in her eyes, and without thinking, she threw her arms around Adalia’s neck, leaning into her and crying. She hadn’t had anyone to cry out with the whole day, and now the Queen was the one who has offered her kindness. She couldn’t keep it inside her, and she cried and sobbed for almost five whole minutes, before she stopped again. Adalia had held her arms around Rose gently, letting her cry for as long as she wanted. When she was done, Rose gently pulled back and wiped her eyes. [color=f6989d]“I will go now, I think the wine is getting to me as well as my emotions. I’m sorry Milady, for crying like that.” [/color]She stood up, her white summer dress swirling a bit around in the night air. Adalia looked at her [color=ed145b]“Don’t apologize; I understand not having anyone to cry with. Now go and I’ll talk with you tomorrow.” [/color]She smiled. Rose gave her a small smile back [color=f6989d]“I will, and take care Milady, don’t get hurt tonight when you are alone.” [/color]Adalia nodded [color=ed145b]“I won’t, I promise you.” [/color]She said with a smile and then watched as Rose went off to the mansion. If she could at least make one soul feel happy, it would be enough for tonight, she would still wait for the last twenty minutes, until the clock would strike 1 AM, to see if Chalsea would come back though. [/color]