Whispers came from around the room as she sat on the left of her father, The Emperor. Zackary Carlos Lycoris or in other words, Zackary the third. A warm-hearted Emperor to his people yet cold and stern with his daughter. Though the crown princess, Rosalia Hemera Lycoris, did not blame his father for his ignorance as she was the cause of death someone he cherished and loved, the late empress. Hemera Vallery Lycoris. A diligent, kind, beautiful, elegant, and caring woman to her people, and a loving wife to the emperor. The crown princess was no different from the late empress. She had the same personality as her, but only a different appearance. She was the spitting image of the emperor, but with lighter eye color. The white hair, a symbol of the royal family, just like the moon.
Today was the day her engagement was announced publicly, to the people and the nobles who attend. Her father had thrown a small party, but for her, this feels more like a court room than a party because of the tense atmosphere between her father, her, and her fiancé. Callius Roche Asterio, who will soon be Callius Roche Lycoris. This was a political marriage set up by her father to gain support from the Asterio dukedom. But for Rose, as she had feelings for her fiancé, this marriage felt like a blessing. She gets to marry someone who occupies her heart. Though it wasn't the same for Callius. He felt suffocated, his relationship with the emperor itself wasn't horrible, and you could say they were great.
"Rosalia," when her father called she immediately tensed up. Slowly she turned her head towards her father, with eyes low and head down. "Yes father," her voice was quiet like a mouse cornered. "I will announce your engagement after this, stand up and hold Callius' hand." His words were sharp and cold as they entered her ear. She nod and slowly stood up, her spouse soon followed after, already aware of the emperor's actions.
Soon the emperor gathered the whole ballrooms attention. "Hear me! Today I will announce the engagement between my lovely daughter and the second son of Duke! I hope you all will give your blessings and support to the lovely couple!" Soon cheers from the room and praises came out of the nobles mouth as they show support towards the couple. Rosalia who was smiling, held Callius' hand tighter making him flinch and visibly uncomfortable, but he endured it. "Not so tight," he harshly whispered in her ear making her heart ache.
'Don't worry, he'll love me soon.'
---
"F-father, w-why did you re-establish the law for allowing concubines?" Her voice stammered as she watched her father sign documents in his office. She stood in front of his desk like an invisible being, ignored. She was used to this treatment from her father, but she couldn't figure out why he was doing this. "T-That law was erased by grandfather, yet you re-establish it." Her shaky hands gripped her dress as she tried to contain her tears.
"It's for the sake of the empire. Callius must bring concubines in to strengthen the royal family's power. Your powers alone aren't enough," his father's words were the last straw. Suddenly she broke down and screamed at her father, "Are you doing this because I killed mother??!!" her words came to a regret a few moments later as she covered her mouth. But soon she realized she was not wrong. So she continued her words, "Had I known I'd live miserably, I would've chosen death inside her womb, so you won't have to lose her, and I won't have to suffer such indifference and misery." She mumbled as she exits the office, walking back to her room.
On the way, she saw the love of her life, Callius, walk beside a woman with bright blonde hair and shining green eyes. The exact copy of the late empress, her mother. The way they were playing around and talking to each other, she envied her. That woman gets all the love from the person she devoted her heart to. The way his smiles and his expression soften. Ah, jealousy is truly ugly. She's a princess; she has everything, but love and the affection she craved.
One night, the three were having dinner. It was quiet; none were talking to each other, only the clanking of the utensils was heard. She looked around, from her food, her husband across her, and lastly, her father. When she sat with them, she felt like the odd one. Though the emperor is her father, she felt like Callius was his child instead of her.
'So this is my fate…'
A pitiful child who receives no love.
Soon a maid came and served them drinks. After Rose finished her meal, she decided to take a sip of her wine, to at least help her sleep. It turned out to be a disaster for her. The moment that red aromatic liquid entered her throat, she felt the stinging pain in her heart and she coughed blood. The last thing she remembered before losing conscious was the panic expressions of her father and husband.
When she woke up, she felt a spinning headache. She tried to get out of bed but her legs didn't work. No matter how much she moved them, they wouldn't move. She touched her legs, she scratched them, she pinched them, yet she felt no pain or sensation. She screamed a bloody murder, as she thrashed around her bed. Crying and mumbling like a person gone crazy.
After this, the princess went silent and also mad. The two people, who she only had left, didn't once visit her. She gave up. Every day she prayed to the goddess above, why was her fate so miserable. She only wished, just once, that her father would come in and held her in his arms as he lovingly comforts his daughter who was in distress and pain. And her lover, husband, he'd come in and give her kisses and stroke her hair, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. At least those two small and simple wish would come true.
And yet, till her dying state, none came true. Rose smiled sadly as she faced the ceiling above her. Tears soon poured out as they wet her pillows and neck. "Marie," she called her loyal maid who stayed by her side. "Y-your highness, please hang on, the emperor is looking for a cure!" that maid begged on her knees and she too cried. Rose wouldn't believe her words. The emperor looking for a cure? Impossible. She laughed at the possibility of it. "Shh, don't cry Marie, once I close my eyes, my suffering will end, and I'll see my mother. I won't be surprised if she despised me as well for taking her life." Rose's throat felt heavy and clumped.
No one in this world would love her. That's what she concluded. Twenty twop years of living with nothing but pain, sadness, misery, and longing for love, will soon end. She'll be free. "No! Your highness, hold on please!!"
"Don't worry Marie, once I die, you'll soon serve another princess and forget about me." A sudden sharp pain from her heart made her gasp for air and another pain struck her head. She no longer could form words, nor can she sense her surroundings.
'This is it, it's time.'
The struggles of putting air inside your lungs as your heart won't pump oxygen made her lose consciousness but not dead yet. She was just on the verge of death. The door to her room slammed open and two men came in, it was the emperor and Callius. "Rosalia!!" Both screamed in panic as they saw she had closed her eyes. "No no please not again.." the emperor whispered.
"Your majesty she's still alive! Please save her!" Marie begged on her knees. Callius was quick to take action and sprint from the door to her bed.
As if a miracle appeared, Rose opens her eyes, her blurry vision made it hard for her to recognize the man who was within her vision. "I'm sorry, for not being a lady, princess, and wife you all desired. I hope my passing will bring the people joy and happiness." That was the last thing she said, Callius who was distracted was too late to give her the medicine and so she passed away. Yet again.
---
A grand funeral was held for the princess. She laid inside a white coffin, covered in rose petals and lilies. The emperor, who was devastated, knelt before his daughter's coffin as he begged her to open her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rosalia, I was just trying to save you, yet I drove you to your end again." Callius who stood behind the emperor also shed a single tear.
'My Rose withered before my eyes yet again, this time her death became even more painful than before.'
"Callius, do you have the last stone?" The emperor asked, without hesitation he pulled out a shiny midnight blue stone from his jacket pocket. "This… is our last chance." He whispered as he stared at the shining stone. The emperor stood up and nodded.
They muttered up ancient spells and light formed, surrounding them before time was yet turned again. But this time not just the emperor and Callius remembers, Rosalia had mysteriously gained her previous life memories. This time… how will their relationship mend?