Chapter 10 :- Orchid Palace

As Oslena approached the door, she couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness. It had been a long and eventful evening at the banquet, and she was eager to report back to Rossaira.

Knocking gently on the door, Oslena adjusted her uniform and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. After a few seconds, the door swung open to reveal Rossaira sitting on a plush chair, her expression was calm and cold hard to read.

"Oslena, come in," Rossaira said coldly, motioning for her to enter. As Oslena stepped into the room, she noticed the air was filled with a medicine aroma of incense, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.

Rossaira gestured towards a nearby seat, indicating for Oslena to sit down. "Tell me everything. I've been eager to hear about tonight's events," Rossaira said, leaning forward with genuine interest.

Oslena cleared her throat, her voice reflecting a blend of excitement and slight exhaustion. "The banquet was truly magnificent. The grand hall was adorned with elegant decorations, and the tables were filled with delectable dishes from various regions."

She continued, vividly describing the vibrant ambiance, the melodic tunes of the musicians, and the lively conversations that filled the room. "Politics and current affairs were the topics of lively discussions among the guests."

Rossaira listened intently, nodding occasionally, her eyes reflecting a cold abyss. "And what about the distinguished guest, Oslena? Did you have the chance to interact with any of them?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Oslena's cold countenance grew even more so. "No, Your Highness, they are seated alongside the royal family. However, I listen in on the discussions of multiple aristocratic families. Then she handed over Rossaria a notebook "Your Highness I wrote every detail about them and as well of a few noble families."

"Furthermore," Oslena continued, "And also the royal family honor the Lady Eleanor, a celebrated artist whose paintings have captivated the hearts of His Majesty and Her Majesty. She shared with everyone the creative process and the inspiration behind her latest masterpiece, all while exuding grace and elegance."

Rossaira's eyes sparkled with fury, her lips curling into a smirk. "It sounds like you did excellent work there, Oslena, I appreciate your work."

Though Oslena kept her composure, the words of Rossaira caused her heart to race with fear and rage inside. "Thank you, your highness. Your guidance and mentorship have been invaluable," Oslena replied humbly.

She knew deep down that Lady Eleanor was who she was and what she accomplished because of her. Rossaria and she will forever be trapped here unless they die.

"Oslena don't you think today's night is way too dark," Rossaira's cold green eyes remain still at the balcony. Despite being shocked, Onlena keeps her head down.

"Oslena, how many rooms do we have here?"

"Your Highness four rooms we have here. There are two rooms upstairs: this one and the dressing room. There is also a servant room and a storage room next to the servant room."

The rose palace is meant for amercement for royals. And, they were only allowed to bring one servant with them.

"Rest well now, Oslena. We are all going to have a busy day tomorrow. And remember don't get the empress wrong side show her your loyalty until my maid selection. And inform Dark that we will discuss further plans based on the information you have gathered."

"Understood Your Highness," Oslena bid Rossaira goodnight and left the room.

Present time.

Rossaria observes in silence as the wood is flickering with fire.

Thud!

"Your Highness are you alright." Oslena swung open the door of the room and ran inside the room.

"You can come out now Dark," Rossaria waved her hand toward Oslena.

Dark was sitting outside on a window frame, when he was cleaning the vase at hall he heard from maids gossiping that Rossaria collapsed on the breakfast table.

He was worried about her but he didn't dare to enter on her resting room, so he sat at the window frame outside.

He quietly enters the room and sits beside Oslena.

"I am fine; my collapse was only caused by an allergic reaction." Rossaria sat on the other side of the couch.

Concern showed up in Oslena's eyes "Your Highness why suddenly did your allergy show up?"

Although Oslena was aware that not everyone in the palace seems to like Rossaria, but how could they find out what exactly she was allergic to?

Rossaria smirks, "It's not the food it's the dress and veil they prepared for me to wear."

With a frowned Oslena said, "I beg your pardon, but how do they exactly know what you are allergic to?"

"No, they don't; they just pulled a haphazard dress out of the tenth princess closet, and that is what caused the reaction."

"Your Highness, does that mean you did not touch any of the food on the table?" Dark brow furrowed as he posed the question to Rossaria. Due to her coma, Rossaria had not eaten for the previous three days; however, after waking up from her sleep she has not had any food since in the morning.

Dark grinds his teeth, he is aware of the royal family, but he does not anticipate that Empress Keira will use Rossaria's illness as an excuse to torment her.

"I will go bring something for you to eat Your Highness. you already collapsed and you need proper nutrition." Oslena reaches out to take his hand as Dark gets up off the couch.

"Don't rush I will go and bring something for her so stay here and guard her highness." Without waiting for Rossaria's permission, Oslena bowed to her and turned to leave.

Dark takes a seat quietly on the couch.

With a sigh, Rossaria directed her glare towards the fireplace.

Late last night,

When Dark and Oslena left the room Rossaria was standing on her balcony watching the palace, Howover a little commotion between a few maids caught her attention.

She left the balcony and followed them, they led her to a beautiful place which is different from Rose Palace.

"Is Her Majesty not fond of the new princess?" remarked one of the maids.

"Be mindful of your words. And why wouldn't she be that princess is her missing daughter."

"Then why did Her Majesty choose her Highness tenth Princess Mahirma's dress for her Highness and?"

The maid was interrupted before she could say anything more by a harsh voice that said, "Everyone done your work instead gossiping."

Rossaria hides behind the window door. Through the window, she was snooping on them.

"Close the window glass," the old women yell again.

After leaving the window, Rossaria proceeded to a nearby room, whereupon she realized that it was tenth Princess Mahirma's resting place.

Upon entering the room, she experienced itching throughout her entire body. The tenth Princess Mahirma loves orchids and Rossaria is allergic to orchids.

Suddenly the maids gossiping flash in her mind. Rossaria moves in the direction of her makeup station.

If I am lucky the fragrance might be here.

Rossaria opened the drawers on the table, but she only found jewelry in those boxes.

She noticed other boxes on the other side of the table, and when she opened them, she discovered that some of them contained empty bottles and pearls. On the last box she came across with fragrance bottles most of them are almost empty.

Rossaria took the few almost empty bottles of fragrance. Then she looks at her reflection and fixes the mirror.

Princess Mahirma was the emperor's beloved daughter; even after she left the Orchid Palace, it was always maintained by maids, and there was never a trace of dust in the Orchid Palace.

Rossaria takes the bottles and sprays orchid fragrance on the dresses and veils in the closet.

She leaves the dressing room and puts those bottles exactly in the same place.

Early in the morning,

After the bath, she saw Lady Beatrice bring one of the dresses from that closet.

Rossaria puts on the veil and dress in silence. She ensures the pain with a smile, she doesn't let them understand that she is allergic to orchid fragrance.

(***)