Chapter 8 :- Mask of Shadows

As the last member of the imperial royal family exited the room, the heavy doors closed behind them with a resounding thud.

Rossaria, the astute princess, stood in the center of the room, half laid on her bed, The warm smile she had adorned for the royal family remained painted on her face until the very moment they turned their backs. But as the doors sealed shut, her expression shifted drastically.

Gone was the warmth that graced Rossaria's features mere seconds ago. Her once sparkling eyes lost their luster, replaced now by a cold glint, revealing a different side to her. The smile that had captured the hearts of many disappeared, leaving behind an unfamiliar stoicism.

Rossaria's slender fingers traced the intricate embroidery on her gown as her mind worked tirelessly to devise a plan. The imperial royal family had been a challenge to manage, they were good at disguise.

Stepping away from the bed, Rossaria proceeded towards the opulent fireplace before pausing. Its dancing flames cast an eerie glow upon her face, accentuating her resolute expression. She had a plan in motion, one that required meticulous execution and secrecy.

A voice whispered in her ear, barely audible above the crackling fire. "Rose don't think about others only think for yourself first, don't worry I will always be there for you."

Rossaria turned to face the source of the voice, she found herself alone in the room.

Even after so many days had gone by without you, you continue to occupy my thoughts.

Rossaria moves in the direction of the hearthrug.

The previous evening,

Clark! Clark!

"Tell me Dark didn't I tell you when you present yourself in a women's room try to make a sound." Rossaria stops rolling her chair.

"Dark crouched on the chilly ground and said, "My Apologies Your Royal Highness."

"What you got"

"I ain't get much, but there seems to be strong imperial protocol around the palace and all imperial first-division knights are on duty,"

"I see is this all," Rossaria stood up from her chair and went to her balcony, "After you moved from here, I saw a maid leave this palace and go towards the beautiful garden," she said coldly instead of telling Dark to rise from the cold ground.

Dark shook his head because he had not seen anyone, but Dark sensed someone else approaching Rossaria's room and was about to warn her.

She turns her head and gives him a nod, Dark takes the hints and then hides himself behind the curtains properly.

However, Rossaria remained motionless as though she was awaiting that person's approval.

"Pardon me for intruding Your Royal Highness," the imperial physician Callias said as polity entered the room.

"Welcome imperial physician Callias,"

Her lip curled as her green, glowing, cold eyes gazed off into the distance as if she were not a part of this world.

Imperial physician Callias stood frozen in astonishment at the sight of Rossaria's changed appearance.

His heart skipped a beat as he took in her majestic yet haunting presence. Her cold smile sent shivers down his spine as if she held secrets unknown to mortal beings. Callias approached cautiously, his steps echoing softly in the silence of the night.

The large full moon glow illuminated Rossaria, revealing her silky night-like black hair cascading down her back like a nightingale.

The imperial physician Callias gasped in terror upon seeing Rossaria's icy gaze.

Rossaria appeared as an emerald-eyed beast that devoured humans under the moonlight.

With a mixture of curiosity and concern, Callias takes another few steps toward Rossaria as he approaches her, he clearly perceives an incomprehensible depth inside.

Her mouth twisted upward, the icy grin remaining. "Imperial physician Callias," she said, the night chill in her voice. "Thanks to your efforts, I have managed to wake up, but as you can see, I am experiencing some difficulties."

"Your Royal Highness, you just woke up. Let me check your pulse and then call the others," Callias answered, blotting perspiration from his brow.

Callias understood that Rossaria was intentionally pretending all these days, without anyone serving her around she recognized him, and without anyone telling her she called his name as soon as she was awake.

Callias had no intention of becoming involved in the royal family's feud.

So he tries to ignore Rossaria and wants to inform Prince Philip about her awakening as soon as possible so he can leave the palace.

But Rossaria has a different plan on her mind, she can read Callias thoughts because right now he appears just like her, a few years ago she also was like that.

"Imperial physician Callias, I am not interested in talking with my dear brother right now," her voice sounded like a needle pricking Callias's ears,

Callias tried to step back and run away from Rossaria, "Do not even think about it, if you think of running away, the imperial family will haunt you and your daughter even if it is meant for the end of the world, because I will give them the reason even if it means to hurting or killing me."

Smirks across Rossaria's red rose lips, Callias found a bottomless pit of the abyss on that cruel smile.

At first Callias thought of running away from Rossaria, but upon listening to her he stopped.

His leg becomes heavy which neither can hold his weight nor can run, his beloved daughter will suffer for his selfishness again. But he gathered his thoughts and said bravely "If I scream that Princess Rossaria is awake everyone will gather here."

Even though Callias was aware that those threats were baseless, he still had to take a chance on anything involving his daughter because he could not risk anything.

Rossaria's smirks got bigger as she heard him, "Do you think anyone will come here when the full Rose Palace is empty,"

In a mockery tone, Rossaria said "Or do you think your prince charming came here for his beloved father-in-law to rescue physician Callias,"

Rossaria came closer to the imperial physician Callias, she stood in front of him and looked at his incisive eyes "Looks like nowadays people don't appreciate a nice way of talk aren't they."

Rossaria sigh! And turned toward the table, then she took the knife from the table, which she had stolen a few hours ago from the Orchid Palace kitchen.

Rosaria gave a devilish grin and pointed the knife at her throat, imperial physician Callias screamed out of fear but held his mouth and sat on his knees on the ground. Fear causes tears to well up in his eyes as he gazes at Rossaria.

Rossaria put the knife and carried the chair in front of Callias then she sat on the chair gracefully,

"You know physician Callias I don't like this look on your face, but as you can see, you didn't leave any other option for me besides this," the smile on her face turned cold.

"As they said every person has a weakness which is their beloved family, you don't like to join the imperial family but for your medical specialty they don't leave you any other choices,"

Rossaria poured tea onto the cup and then gave Callias to drink, but Callias refused to drink the tea, he looked at Rossaria with sharp eyes, and Rossaria put the teacup onto the table.

"Your beloved daughter got married to the Crown Prince because of imperial order, you can run away but what about her and don't forget she is still the Crown Princess. And a few days ago she was slapped by the Crown Prince himself in front of palace maids,"

"Your Highness, please forgive my daughter; I will do exactly what you told me to do; but please do not play tricks on my daughter," the imperial physician began pleading in front of Rossaria.

"All right, tomorrow I will wake up and you will say I lost all of my memory in front of my dear brother"

Trembling Callias rose from the ground.

Rossaria's gaze turned toward the moon outside and she started playing with the knife edge of her bare hand, "And one more thing don't forget your daughter's life is in my hands." she warned him without moving her gaze from outside.

Physician Callias's face became stern then he polity bowed to Rossaria before exiting the room.

"Your Highness, how could you trust a guy like him?" Rossaria is approached by Dark, who gives her an incredulous look.

(***)