One day, not more than a month after Rose left the capital, Lady Delphine received a letter. From the seal, she had known it was from His Royal Highness.
Arriving with the letter was a scroll, equally bound and sealed with the crown prince's personal mark. Lady Delphine noticed this scroll had dirt stains, and she couldn't understand why the crown prince would send her something like that.
She would have doubted the authenticity of the items if his seal wasn't boldly on them. Lady Delphine started with the scroll, and as she began to untie it, she was immediately filled with dread. Even before fully opening it, Lady Delphine recognized it.
She spread it apart, and her dread changed to terror as she saw the map she had given to Rose. She quickly read through the letter, and its contents were enough to make her bedridden for days. And now, here Rose was, making the same request the crown prince had anticipated months ago.
