The room was draped in silk and shadow, golden light filtering through embroidered screens of cranes and lotuses. It softened everything, from the crimson and jade cushions scattered around a low rosewood table to the delicate porcelain teacups set between them. A faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air, curling from an incense holder shaped like a lotus, and beneath it all was the subtle warmth of sandalwood.
Seated on the cushions, the concubine laughed—a clear, melodic sound that echoed through the high-ceilinged chamber, dancing through the space as though it had been waiting for her alone. Her Pink hair, pinned with pearls, fell loose over her shoulder as she leaned forward, her laughter warm and unguarded.
"Can you believe That?"
The sweet Aroma of the candle went through the room and through The Concubine's nose, as it slightly flickered gently.
Beside her, the lady-in-waiting smiled, watching her mistress carefully, like she was weary of her own world and the twisted thoughts and deception that was known to deeply cover The Imperial Palace.
The concubine stated as she looked at the lady-in-waiting, who had quite a drawn expression on her face. Unmoving To the world around her.
"No - I really can't, Lady Rosette"
"What are you talking about, Miss?" The Lady-in-waiting questioned as she looked at the person she was assigned to guide and care for in the palace.
"What?'
"I'm talking About the banquet of course!"
"The one that Sister, never went to, or even attended"
"I really and truly thought she would have known better!"
"Her Highness?"
The lady-in-waiting With a quite puzzled and confused expression on her face as she looked at Rosette.
"The Crown Princess?" The lady-in-waiting said as she looked at her
"I thought it was known why she hadn't attended…?"
Rosette, taking her time to consider the lady-in-waiting's words, before then curtly replying with a harsh and brazen tone of voice. Ridiculing And mocking the Crown Princess for her decision to not attend something that had been worked on quite hard to still go ahead.
"No – Ellie Didn't even bother attending"
"Ellie?" The lady-in-waiting murmured, wondering why the Concubine was calling The Crown Princesses nickname so casually. Like they weren't rivals.
"Yes! Her Highness!'
"Did she not attend because of me being there?"
"Does she really hate… Myself, Rosette.. this much?"
The lady-in-waiting, a younger woman in her mid-twenties with golden coloured hair and deep Hazel eyes had a confused expression on her face. Before she then quickly went to the Concubine and comforted her with her words.
"Oh no! I'm sure that Her Highness"
"I'm sure she doesn't hate Miss Rosette"
"I just heard -"
Rosette, Raising an eyebrow as she looked at the lady-in-waiting.
"What? – What did you hear about…sister…?"
"Ah, nothing"
"TELL ME WHAT YOU'VE HEARD!"
The concubine demanded out of her frustrations and anger, she needed leverage… She needed and required something to use against the Crown Princess?
What was a simple Mistress to an heir, if she didn't have any power…any or any authority… no, i can't
"I need something to hold onto, something I can Use against Ellie"
"I need- I need to surpass her position in this wretched place"
The concubine murmured under her breath, her voice inaudible as she narrowed Her eyes when she was looking at the lady-in-waiting, with a harsh scowl present across her face. The lines on her forehead, Visible because of the anger And pent-up frustration that she had Been feeling all these months, especially when The Crown Prince had promised no matter what happened that she would be his Empress… and not just his side piece.
"What!" The concubine shouted as she looked at the lady-in-waiting who had volunteered herself to serve her.
"She was Ill?"
"Who? – Who would even believe that!…?"
Rosette, questioned angrily as she looked at the lady-in-waiting. Feeling her mind slightly wandering as all she wanted to do, was pick up the nearest object And throw it at the lady-in-waiting… until her face and The floor was a bloody and distant mess.
"That? It's True!"
"My lady!"
"You know I Would Never lie to you! … The Royal Physician, He also said she was ill With a fever"
The lady-in-waiting Said Quickly and politely, not wanting to anger and annoy The Concubine Any longer… as from the rumours in the palace about Rosette? She wouldn't show any mercy to someone who she believed had deceived Her… feeding her lies.
"The Royal Physician?"
"The old man?"
The Concubine, questioned as she glared daggers at the concubine.
"I will assure you that if I find a trace of your deception, Lady Rhaena… i will not hesitate to take it up with His Highness"
"You Know?" The Concubine taunted as she glared at the lady-in-waiting, who now was seeming to regret her decision of serving and educating this mere Concubine, who only desired one thing.
Power…, Fame…, and? Glory.
"– The Crown prince! Im sure he would be delighted to hear of your sins"
The Concubine, Explained gleefully as she glared at the Lady-in-waiting, a stark contrast to the kind and loving demeanour that she shows around the Imperial Palace and only to Leonardo – His Highness, The Crown Prince of Rodwine..
"Leave!'
"Get out of my sight!"
Rosette said curtly as she watched the maid scurry out of her room… turning back to the Mirror in front of her vanity, as she muttered some dark and treasonous words underneath her breath.
"Oh Sister?"
She taunted the mirror as she twirled her pink hair around one of her fingers gently, feeling the soft strands Beneath her touch.
"Sister? My dear husband-sharer!"
Letting out a loud maniacal Laughter As it filled And echoed loudly throughout The Concubine's room.
"How naive – How stupid of you?"
"Do you really think you got ill on your own?"
Rosette, letting out a low chuckle To herself as she brought her fingers up to her lips, finding the situation quite funny and amusing… like playing with someone's life was easy for her to do… All like she was used to it
"Ellie? I'll always be two steps ahead of you"
The concubine, taking a moment to pause in her sentence midway as she gathered her dark and sinister thoughts: that would certainly push her family Name into slavery or an execution. The price she would pay for her own words? It might be humbling… but as long as The Crown Prince was on her side and believed her?
"There is nothing to worry about"
"Haha!" Another maniacal Laugh left her thin pink lips as she chuckled to herself
"How else —?"
"How else should I destroy the name And reputation? That you've built for yourself?"
"..."
Rosette let out a final Chuckle, as she stood up from her vanity… Walking out of her chambers and in the direction of the Crown Prince's. One thing she had to secure in this wretched Place? An heir, a claim to the throne and with the fact that His Highness is neglecting and barely spending any time with Her Highness… it left her room for herself in this marriage…
This marriage of convenience? It was now a three-way marriage.