Chapter 23: Rose – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

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Summary

The chapter opens with Rose on a video call with Alfie, who is visibly restless. He has called to finally address the kiss they shared weeks earlier—a moment both have been avoiding. Alfie admits he's been waiting for Rose to bring it up, and Rose feels a stab of guilt, realizing she left him to dwell on the awkwardness out of cowardice rather than facing it directly. To her relief, Alfie clarifies he only wants to make sure their friendship is intact. They agree the kiss felt entirely platonic, with Alfie even joking that it wasn't very good, and Rose confesses she felt the same.

Alfie then proposes something unexpected: they should fake date. His reasoning is practical—it would give the media positive stories to run, drown out negative coverage, and let them control the narrative for once. Rose is initially surprised but sees the logic. She tells Alfie she'll need to check with Danni first, and the call ends when William, the palace's communications officer, tries to reach her.

William delivers troubling news: the palace received an anonymous tip from someone claiming to be a Bramppath student, alleging Rose is in a relationship with Danni Blythe. Rose denies it, but William sends her screenshots of online speculation. The evidence includes commenters on Molly's piano post noting Rose's