Chapter 11 :- The Wooden Box

As the midnight moon cast an ethereal glow over the magnificent Rose Palace, Rossaria found herself standing in front of her window, a sense of tranquility enveloping her. The soft whispering of her silk gown caressed the cold marble floors as she approached the grand, gilded mirror that adorned one side of the room.

Rossaria had just been transferred from the grandeur of Empress Keira's palace to the Rose Palace. Rossaria was transferred to the Rose Palace by the Empress once she recovered.

A tinge of bitterness lingered in Rossaria's mouth.

In the evening, When Empress Keira's loyal maids had escorted Rossaria out they walked the Empress Palace. Rossaria saw the halls adorned with intricate tapestries and ornate paintings. Rossaria stood in front of a giant painting where the Empress glided gracefully in her flowing white gown. The soft glow of candlelight danced upon her face, illuminating the delicate features that reflected both warmth and kindness.

She then makes her way out of the palace.

As the maids led Rossaria through the Rose Palace gate, darkness surrendered them. Not many of them display their fear on their faces.

However, Rossaria's smile is still very much present on her face.

Upon arrival, one of the maids, her voice gentle but firm, handed Rossaria a vial filled with fragrant rose-scented bath oil. "Your Highness, please immerse yourself in this bath of roses. It will invigorate your spirit and soothe your weary heart," the maid said.

"I can bath alone so no need for all of you to stand," Rossaria said.

The maids nodded appreciatively.

Rosaria felt her weariness melt away as she watched the maids withdraw from her chamber, leaving her to embrace the solitude of the night. The sound of their footsteps slowly faded, creating a lull that allowed Rossaria to immerse herself fully in the embrace of her surroundings.

As the enticing aroma of roses mingled with the steam rising from the bath, Rossaria gingerly undressed and slipped into the water, her skin tingling at the touch of the velvety petals that interwove themselves among the fragrant waves. She was surrounded by peace, which untied the knots of stress that had taken over her.

Once she emerged from the water, her spirit rejuvenated, she slipped into a new gown, the fabric soft against her skin. Its delicate design mirrored the splendor of the Rose Palace, adorned with intricate, hand-sewn rose patterns that seemed to blossom with each step she took.

Gazing out of the arched window of her chamber, Rossaria sighed contentedly, She watched as the moon's gentle glow caressed the velvety emptiness that blanketed the gardens below.

After that, lock the door to her room. Turning back towards the grand mirror, Rossaria stood before it, her fingers tracing the swirling patterns etched onto its golden frame. Every reflection revealed her porcelain complexion and the sparkle in her eyes.

She gave the mirror a close examination. Rossaria made up her mind to look into it no matter what. it.

Rossaria's heart pounded with anticipation as she again looked before the ornate golden frame mirror in her chambers. The moonlight seeped through the window, casting an ethereal glow over the room, With a trembling hand, she reached out and touched her reflection, the cool glass sending a shiver down her spine.

Her eyes were drawn to the flickering flame of a single candle nestled on the dressing table nearby. Its soft glow danced across the room, casting elongated shadows that seemed to whisper secrets in the darkness.

Rossaria knew that this moment held the key to unraveling the secret that might kill her.

Gathering her courage, she softly pushed the mirror, its frame creaking in protest. The mirror swung open, revealing a hidden space concealed within the wall. It was a space filled with possibilities and secrets waiting to be discovered.

Rossaria's breath caught in her throat as her eyes fell upon the wooden box adorned with an intricately crafted orchid flower. The delicate petals seemed to bloom under the candlelight, an enchanting sight that mirrored the depth of her excitement.

As she lifted the box from its concealed chamber, she couldn't help but reflect on the events of the previous night.

While exploring Princess Mahiriama's bedroom, Rossaria noticed a subtle difference in the mirror.

Intrigued, she had touched its surface. When she touched the mirror frame in the dark, the frame cracked open, indicating to her that this was not just any old mirror. She saw there was a hollow space behind it.

Pushing further, she discovered this hidden space, containing a locked box with an orchid motif. Her heart had urged her to find a key, which had led her to a neckpiece with a key-shaped pendant hidden among fragrances.

When Rossaria was looking for orchid fragrance, she noticed Tenth Princess Mahirama's extensive jewelry. This makes her suspicious of the tenth princess, Mahirama. All of her jewelry was worth a fortune, but among them, a key-shaped neckpiece caught her eye. Her suspicion of the neckpiece was aroused when she saw the wooden box behind the mirror. So she took the neckpiece and the box and went to Rose Palace.

With both the locket and the wooden box in her possession, Rossaria knew she had to safeguard her findings. The Rose Palace, where she currently resided is for royal prisoners, harbored countless secrets and guarded treasures. It was too dangerous for her to let the maids discover what she had found.

Carefully, Rossaria scoured her room for a suitable place to conceal the box. The Rose Palace had once been the pinnacle of royal splendor but had since become a prison for the fallen members of the royal family. Its walls held many stories, some whispered by the spirits of the past.

Finally, her searching eyes landed on her dressing table mirror. It bore a striking resemblance to the one in Princess Mahiriama's room. At first, her efforts proved futile, as nothing seemed out of place. But then, her fingers detected a subtle irregularity, a slight dent on the golden frame. Intrigued, she pressed on it, and the mirror revealed a hidden compartment within.

With breathless anticipation, she gently placed the wooden box inside the hidden space, ensuring it was secure. The orchid flower seemed to glow with a newfound life under the flickering candlelight. Rossaria couldn't help but marvel at the idea that this box held secrets that had been concealed for years, Which could provide her with information to extort Princess Mahiriama.

As she closed the mirror, Rossaria sighed, knowing the weight of risk that now rested upon her. She would tirelessly seek answers, at any cost, but for now, the wooden box would remain hidden within the sanctuary of the dressing table mirror.

Rossaria stepped back, her gaze lingering on the mirror, the reflection of her own green eyes staring back at her.

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