This Life Will Be My Last

Chapter 5 - The Imperial Palace {Part 2}

Taking a stroll in the gardens quite early; It's just a habit I suppose. . .
As, I was walking i heard a gentle like voice come from behind me

"Sister!"

"Your Highness! Is it alright if i call you that"

"Sister" - is Rosette insane? I thought to myself as I glanced behind me as I heard her running towards me quite quickly, her heels Tapping onto the ground.

"Who are you? To ask me to call You 'Sister' Like that. My lady? That would be some sort of scandal in High Society; You shouldnt risk your reputation for such nonsense" I said sternly as I looked at her, trying to figure out if she had ulterior motives. I knew one of them was to make my downfall happen - Or in other words to simply Kill me by using whatever methods she could get her hands on. Even if it would have meant making my own husband do this, as he could be excused for those crimes . . . Very easily.

A Countess doesn't have a lot of power, she can't do shit even if she wanted to. . . plus her family status makes her a bit weaker - No one should look or acknowledge her presence, considering her family history.

"Princess then? Would that be more appropriate" Rosette said as she looked at me. That Cunning smile still plastered across her face, as her eyes stared deeply into my soul.

I quickly removed her hand from my dress, as I shoved her away dismissively - Not wanting to cause a scene or make a well-known scandal in high-society as I knew it wouldn't end well, for someone of my status.
I turned to my Lady-In Waiting and good friend Audreyn; Who glared at the Countess, before then walking up to her and insulting the Countess. Somehow The Crown Prince, hearing this from nearby as he was out, quite early in the morning showing the advisors what he plans to change about The grounds of the Imperial Palace, when he takes over the throne.

"You have no right to speak to the Princess like that!"

"Your just some lowly Countess from a fallen name"

Hearing the commotion from across the garden, that my Lady-In Waiting, Audreyn Ellia Carail was causing with The Crown Prince's Lover, Rosette Toussaint- Mostly known as the Countess of Jina all throughout the realm. Leonardo quickly came over, as he ran to the defence of The Countess.

"Goodness."
Audreyn, and the other ladies-in-waiting quickly lifted their skirts to bow to him, but he gave them a hellish glare, One that made the hairs crawl on my arms as my spine felt like it wanted to collapse on itself.
I had already seen Leonardo a few times earlier in the palace, and I stared at him quietly instead of greeting him again. Leonardo looked at Audreyn Ellia; Before he then turned to Rosette.

Leonardo sighed. Rossette's eyes were wet, probably out of surprise, and the wide look she gave him made her look like a poor frightened animal.

"Don't cry."

Despite his attempt to soothe her, tears began to drip down her face.

quite sympathetic for someone who always had a weak facade around Leonardo. Angry in private with anyone who tried to interfere between her and her relationship with the Crown Prince, While also being too soft to gain his sympathy and favour when she's with him

No wonder? I always felt so Goddamn inferior against everything that went on, there was no order in The Imperial Palace, and I'm sure there never will be at this point. As I've assured myself before that - There was never any room for me in this marriage? All I was, was a political tool he could use to gain power.

" . . . '

"I said don't cry."

Despite the unsympathetic tone in his voice, Rossette did not stop. She seemed unafraid of his infamous cold attitude, and the bloodshed that she knew he spread fighting with the empire against various wars and times of difficulty for the citizens. I kept staring at her. When Rossette continued to cry, to my surprise, Leonardo pulled out a gold embroidered handkerchief and held it out to her. Her tears didn't cease even when offered the handkerchief, and he sighed and wiped her face himself.