Chapter 6 :- A Mysterious Guest

The early morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the grand dining hall, illuminating the opulent furnishings and reflecting off the crystal chandeliers. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and delicate pastries wafted through the room, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The imperial garden, just beyond the large French doors, beckoned with its vibrant blooms and lush greenery.

As the doors swung open, revealing the majestic breakfast table, the sight mesmerized Princess Rossaria. The polished surface of the table gleamed under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers, reflecting the magnificent spread of delectable delicacies laid out for the royal family.

Side by side, Princess Rossaria and Prince Philip made their way into the dining hall. Rossaria's face was concealed beneath a delicate veil, her green eyes sparkling with anticipation. As they made their way toward the breakfast table, a hush fell upon the room, and all eyes turned towards the young siblings.

Emperor Callisto sat at the head of the table, a man in his middle age, exuded an air of regal authority.

His chiseled features were accentuated by his golden blonde hair, cascading in waves that seemed to catch the sunlight and reflect a warm, radiant glow.

His piercing blue eyes were reminiscent of an endless summer sky.

Beside him, Empress Keira, a woman of equal stature and beauty, sat gracefully.

Her night-like black hair cascaded down her slender frame, framing a face as delicate as porcelain.

Her enchanting emerald green eyes shimmered with intelligence and kindness. Middle-aged, she possessed a timeless beauty that seemed to defy the passage of years.

Prince Philip approached the Emperor and the Empress who were seated at the head of the table after entering the imperial dining hall.

"Greeting your majesties, please excuse me for being late. I had some business that ran long," Rushing to the table Prince Philip bowed deeply.

"No need to worry. It's an auspicious occasion," the Emperor said.

Following him to the table, his companion Rossaria was at a loss for what to do.

"It's okay, the two of you go and sit down." The emperor smiled at her.

"Thank you, your majesty." Prince Philip said.

However, Rossaria sand still nervous.

"I told you it was alright."

"Your majesty, this is her first time here, she's nervous." The Empress grinned and said

"I understand. Well then Rossaria go and have a seat next to the Royal consort, she's been looking forward to this. She was quite lonely go and accompany her," The emperor waved his hand toward Rossaria.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Rossaria bowed once more before proceeding to take her position. beside the Royal Consort Greece who is sitting beside the Emperor.

Royal Consort Greece let out a soft sigh as she adjusted herself on the plush velvet seat beside the emperor,

With her bright silver hair cascading down her back and her black eyes flickering with an otherworldly charm, Her youthful appearance belied her true age, making it hard for anyone to believe that she was the same age as Empress Keira,

Rossaria's eyes met Royal Consort Greece, and a genuine warmth spread across Royal Consort Greece's face, mirroring the kind smiles often worn by the empress.

Rossaria's lips curved into a gentle smile.

Rossaria, who was seated next to her, inhaled the delightful aroma emanating from Greece, the Royal Consort.

As she leaned against the chair beside her, Greece turned to Rossaria, her inquisitive eyes searching for something. "Tell me how you are feeling right now, Rossaria. How anxious were Her Majesty and him, do you know? Your elder brother, the Crown Prince, is still engaged in battle with the barbarians, and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager continues to pray for you in the temple."

Alright, so she is telling me that I am to blame for the suffering of the Royal family, which explains why that person is here. Rossaria inhaled deeply.

Her green eyes glittered with understanding and filled with tears "Your grace, the royal consort Greece I understand my ignorance." Her emerald eyes began to well up with tears as she turned to face the Emperor and Empress. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she said, "Your majesties please forgive your ignorance daughter."

The Empress rose from her chair, approached Rossaria, and took her by the arm. "Child do not cry you are safe and sound all thanks to the Goddess of Sothoarbil, she heard our endless prayer," the Empress said to Rossaria as tears welled up in her eyes.

The Empress releases her arm from Rossaria's head and holds her veil-covered face tenderly.

Prince Philip stood up from his chair and then walked toward the mother and daughter pair he held the crying Empress, "Mother don't cry, you will get sick if you cry like this."

The Empress wipes her tears, and Prince Philip wipes Rossaria's tears.

As Rossaria glanced softly at Prince Philip, her attention was captured by a murderous glare from the other side of the table, As she locked in that direction her eyes met with Mariana's pairs of eyes which were the color of fading summer sky.

Mariana, with her exquisite beauty, possessed light blonde locks cascading down her shoulders and she had fading summer sky-like eyes. Her delicate features often drew comparisons of Rossaria, Mariana dressed in a stunning crimson gown.

Yet, while Rossaria's tears seemed to evoke sympathy from Philip, Mariana's heart harbored a storm of conflicting emotions,

Her eyes were fixed on her husband, Prince Philip, who was standing by Princess Rossaria's side as they entered the dining hall. Mariana's heart skipped a beat as she witnessed a tender moment between Philip and Rossaria.

And when Mariana saw Philip gently wipe away a tear from Rossaria's cheek with a smile on his face. Her stomach twisted with a mix of emotions, a pang of jealousy mixed with rage.

As the anger grew within her, Mariana felt her nails dig into her palms. Struggling to maintain her composure, Mariana took a deep breath and said "Husband the Empress is standing can you help her to settle down at first."

While walking the Empress to her seat, Prince Philip pays no attention to Mariana.

Haa, Seeing a face like that is pleasant. I am impressed by how well she manages her composition but do not hold it against me because you will not stop here. Beneath the veil, Rossaria grinning

The breakfast table was quite quiet.

Emperor Callisto lifted his crystal goblet, which was filled with wine made from grapes. "Let us continue our breakfast," was spoken in a deep, authoritative voice that reverberated throughout the hallway.

It was just the sound of chewing.

A soft smile graced the faces of the Emperor, the Empress, the royal consort, and every imperial concubine.

Rossaria couldn't take off her veil and Royal Consort Greece noticed Rossaria and her impoliteness, a mocking smile across the Royal Consort Greece's lips, she said, "You look beautiful with a veil. Something like that in your mouth while you are eating has to be uncomfortable."

Rossaria sensed that the Royal consort was making fun of her and calling her rude.

Come to think of it I once faced the same thing before, that woman also from Quiltoba, so I needed to follow the same custom but a maid tricked me, and made a prank and the noble around me laughed at me.

Her thoughts were racing as the silence continued.

Even though Rossaria can feel everyone staring at her with mockery, she chooses to remain silent.

Mock me all you can, but I won't fall for such a trick that my dear mother has prepared for me.

She made such a nice opportunity for me, So how could I let it go, I was aware of this mockery when Lady Beatrice put this veil on my face.

The veil can be done by both lifted up or down or such as removed. It must be removed from one side of the face according to royal etiquette, but I am unable to do so because this veil can only be taken off by a lady in waiting from behind.

And besides the Empress, there aren't any women present here from Quiltoba.

So if I tell them, I will admit that I am pretending, I have to keep quiet because I need to do exactly what my dear mother the Empress plans for me to do.

Rossaria was not able to answer, which made the royal consort Greece smile even more and the Emperor frowned at her actions. "Royal consort, Greece. You must remember, that Princess Rossaria is still a minor and her speech is very important. It is rude to say such a thing."

"Your majesty! You know that I was only joking, right?" Royal Consort Greece asked the emperor in surprise.

"Well, that's fine, but please refrain from making jokes in the future. It's inappropriate."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I'm sorry," Royal Consort Greece looked at Rossaria with a sneer.

The Empress gestured with her hand to the woman who was standing behind her, ready to assist Rossaria with the veil. "Please don't, sister. My daughter just woke up today, and I called everyone without thinking because I was so happy about the news."

"It was my fault for getting too attached and enthusiastic without first considering her manners," she said with a tear in her eyes a mother's heart couldn't take the excitement about her daughter waking up that's why the Empress gathered everyone at the breakfast table,

"Your majesty, please rest assured I will find the best etiquette teachers will teach our daughter traditions and customs from both of our empires." the Empress said with a gentle voice toward the Emperor.

She receives a firm nod from the Emperor.

Thud!

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