Chapter Eighteen: Rosaline:

In her human life, she was named Rosaline. She was a beauty from New Orleans, Louisiana. Many men wanted her, but Rosaline never paid them any attention. Why would she? Her daddy would give her anything she wanted. The girl’s mother died in childbirth. Because of that, her father would only give her the finer things in life.

Rosaline grew up like a princess. Everything had to be the best for her. Education, housing, clothes, and lifestyle. Her father laid it out for her in a big bow. Granted, she gracious accepted her gifts. Rosaline never acted spoiled at all. To be with her father was all she really wanted. She didn’t expect much to change in her life.

That was until she meant Doyle.

Rosaline was only nineteen at the time. She had just started college. Life was going the way her father wanted it to go. But, something inside of his daughter had changed. She seemed to be looking for something or someone. Her friends tried to help her search, but Rosaline didn’t seem to know how to answer herself.

“I’ll know when I find it,” she told them. Unfortunately, she would end up finding the wrong answer.

It happened during Mardi Gras. In her town, her family was a centerpiece in the celebrations. Rosaline was going to be the princess of her hometown again this year. Her friends dolled her up as the best a princess should be. She looked so beautiful in her green and pink dress. Her father just had to have another picture of her. The whole time, Rosaline forced herself to smile.

She just felt… numb. It was going to be the same thing every year. Same parade. Same ball. Same feast. Same night home.

The parade was the same. The feast was the same.

The ball began at seven that night. Many young men wanted to dance with Princess Rosaline. Once again, she turned them down. They all looked the same to her. The numbness took over her head.

When do we get to go home?

“May I have this dance?” a man’s voice asked. Rosaline froze and slowly lifted her head. Those deep grey eyes had her attention. This man gave her a little smirk. His black suit made him look really sharp. His black feather mask made her blush.

“Oh…” Rosaline said. “Sure!” He took her into his arms and swept her into his dance. The whole Rosaline blushed. All eyes of shock fell on her. How did a gentleman win over the Princess of Mardi Gras so easily? Many would be asking that question for many years. It took one night for him to make her his. But, he didn’t take it right away. No. His method was to draw in the pretty young thing and then sink his teeth in. And Rosaline was the perfect target for him: young, pretty, rich, and bored.

Today, Rosaline is bitter and fallen. Sure, she saw got her wealth back. She was still beautiful and looked young. But, Doyle had to pay.

She’s already on the way too.