《Rose of the Frosted Garden》 Prologue : Twilight of an Era The vast and majestic throne room, once adorned with opulent gold and rich red velvet steeped in centuries of history, now lay desolate and ravaged. Its awe-inspiring architecture, once a symbol of absolute rule and wealth, now crumbled pathetically under the weight of destruction. The massive royal crest, depicting a roaring golden lion, lay crushed on the ground, mirroring the state of the throne room. The fierce clash between the two men had rent the once-grand space asunder, leaving half of the room in tragic ruins. Through the shattered walls, the outside world beckoned¡ªa twilight panorama of untouched garden courts sprawled below outside, a stark contrast to the chaos within. The ethereal glow of the twilight seemed like a blessing from the heavens upon the battlefield with the end in it''s clear sight. And he knew¡ªthe black haired man standing tall despite the wounds that marred his flesh, knew that this moment would go down the history as a blessed end. An end with a divine victory. For this was the night the tyrannical grip of the Demon Rule would be shattered, bringing an end to an era of bloodshed and oppression. With eyes hardened with determination, the man tightened his grip on his sword, steeling himself to deliver the final blow to the Demon King. Before him, the once fearsome ruler remained still, bloodied and defeated. The said Demon was now in his two knees on the cold dusty floor, bloodied with his head hanging low, yet still emanating a powerful aura befitting an Emperor. After all, the Demon, was in fact not a Demon, but a human. None other than the current Emperor of the Evigheden Empire, whose reign was coming to an end on this blessed night. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. His blood soaked iron-fisted rule, which held the entire empire in its suffocating grip, had earned him the moniker of ''Demon'' from nobles and commoners likewise. The black-haired man stalked forward with purpose, coming to a halt before the fallen and disgraceful Emperor. His voice cut through the tense silence like a blade as he spoke in a hard tone, "Any final words?" The silence prevailed as the Emperor kept his mouth shut, his disheveled seafoam green hair shielding his downcast eyes. The crimson eyes blazed with restrained anger as he spoke again in a mocking voice, "You do have a lot to regret for, don''t you?" A mirage of a woman came before his eyes. A woman with deep pink wavy hair and apathetic coral eyes. A formidable and cold woman, known to the Empire as the Dark Blooded Witch, yet was a young soul with a human heart so warm and tender. As her visage flashed before him, the weight of his own sword, poised to deliver the final blow to behead the Emperor, suddenly felt heavier in his grasp. The man gritted his teeth and spoke through clenched jaws, "You''d better apologize and beg for her forgiveness on your knees." Then, a low laugh escaped the lips of the defeated demon before him. And just then, in that moment, fueled by a mix of emotions, the man drove his sword through the Demon''s heart. She would have been sad. Despite how everything came to such a tragic end, she would have still grieved for the Demon. So, instead of giving him a disgraceful end¡ªbeheaded and his head displayed before the populace as the entire Empire had desired¡ªthe black-haired man pierced the Demon''s rotten heart. ''This is the only thing I could do for you,'' the man silently conveyed to the fading mirage of the once untouchable woman, her tears shimmering in the rising sun rays. As the Demon Emperor drew his final breath and his golden eyes dimmed, a faint, sorrowful smile, no creature would think him capable of, graced his lips, as the man''s cold voice pierced his fading consciousness, "But then, even after you die, you won''t meet her." Right. That was true. The Demon was destined for hell. He couldn''t go to where she had gone. And she, the woman who was known as a Witch, and who had once been his Empress, was the only regret of the Demon Emperor''s life. Chapter 1 : Beginning after the End In the luxurious dressing chamber of the royal palace, beneath the radiant glow of the chandelier, Rosalia stood upon the pedestal before the mirror wall. The maids she had brought from her estate, along with the palace maid assigned to her, diligently worked to their best of ability to prepare her for the banquet. Rosalia was fully aware of the maids'' dissatisfaction with her choice of dress and her subtle makeup. Her two personal maids, Merida and Cassy, did ask her with puppy eyes if this dress was her final choice hoping she would reconsider. However, Rosalia remained steadfast in her decision, rejecting the idea outright. They wished for their lady to dazzle in the spotlight with extravagance, but Rosalia''s firm refusal put an end to any further pleas. On the other hand, the palace maids maintained their professionalism, refraining from offering any comments on her choice. After all, today was her sixteenth birthday, and her official debutante as a young adult, an occasion most ladies of nobility waited with eagerness. Most of the noble ladies spared no expense to stand out, adorning themselves in the most extravagant attire imaginable. In an attempt to stand out the most on their debutante, some went to great lengths to make a memorable impression, arriving in costumes adorned with enormous wings and halos, some chose to embody ethereal beings like elves, while others attempted to emulate nymphs and fairies. However, a few unfortunate souls found themselves on the brink of a disastrous outfit malfunction, turning what was meant to be a whimsical entrance into a moment of potential embarrassment. More so, as the betrothed of the Crown Prince of the Empire, one might have expected Rosalia to dress up in a manner befitting her prestigious status, like a majestic peacock displaying its splendor. However, the dress she chose for her debutante defied these extravagant expectations, radiating elegance with a delicate subtlety. She donned an open shoulder dress, its soft sweetheart neckline accentuated the graceful curve of her collarbones and the flowing sleeves extending nearly to the base of the skirt had slit to allow ease of movement for her hands. Rosalia couldn''t resist a slight twirl atop her pedestal, her dress swirling around her in a dreamy gleam. The back of her gown, elegantly cut to an empire waistline, seamlessly merged with the skirt, which cascaded down like liquid silk. Fashioned from a pinkish-white fabric of silky smoothness and lustrous sheen, with a thin outer layer of shimmering tulle, the dress exuded a delicate and ethereal charm. Unlike the voluminous, space-consuming gowns favored by the noble ladies, as if they were maintaining a social distance, Rosalia had always preferred to adorn herself in light and airy dresses. With the assistance of her maids, Rosalia slipped into her diamond-studded heels and adorned her ears with diamond tassel earrings. Parting her straight bangs and sweeping them gently aside, Rosalia watched as the maids meticulously secured a silvery diamond headpiece amidst her sleek locks. The shimmering diamonds contrasted beautifully with the deep raspberry pink strands cascading past her hips. As a palace maid approached, bearing a jewelry box containing a diamond necklace so sizable it appeared capable of straining Rosalia''s delicate neck, she spoke up with firm resolve, "No need." "Pardon?" The palace maid seemed unsure of what Rosalia wanted, but her personal maids were accustomed to her preferences and sighed internally. The necklace, part of a set including her headpiece, earrings, and heels, had been sent by the Crown Prince as a birthday gift for the banquet. While she couldn''t refuse to wear all of them, she chose to forgo the necklace, opting instead to wear the other pieces of jewelry. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Her personal maids, accustomed to her customary omission of the necklace, exchanged knowing glances with the palace maids, who appeared slightly uncertain about her decision. Since her maids seemed to have gotten along well enough with the palace maids, Rosalia trusted them to handle any necessary explanations or excuses for her decision. In their noble society, the gift of a necklace from a man to a woman was considered a tangible expression and confession of romantic love. Every time, the Crown Prince sent her a necklace as a gift, and every time, the necklace went directly to her wardrobe without a second glance. She never wore any necklaces, he never questioned it. A miracle if he even knew that a necklace, a symbol of love and affection, was being sent to his fianc¨¦e from his Palace by his attendants in his name. Rosalia was, after all, well aware of the fact that the Crown Prince delegated the task of sending her occasional gifts to his close attendants, never bothering to inspect them of what it was himself. As she stepped off the pedestal, her calm coral eyes cast a final glance at her reflection in the mirror. Satisfied with the outcome, she headed towards the door, where a royal knight awaited outside to escort her to the Crown Prince. "My Lady!" Cassy called out to her as she hurried towards Rosalia with the engagement ring placed on a silver tray. "..Oh, right. Thank you," Slipping the diamond ring on her finger, Rosalia sighed inwardly. She would have been in quite a predicament if she had proceeded without wearing the ring. "No one will be able to look away from My Lady!" Cassy exclaimed with starry eyes. "His Imperial Highness is so lucky to have you!" Merida chimed in from behind Cassy. Rosalia let out a laugh as she stepped outside through the double doors opened by the other maids. To the maids, it sounded like a laugh of bashfulness, but they couldn''t have been more wrong. Rosalia La Rouge, the sole child of Duke Richard La Rouge and the Fianc¨¦e of the Crown Prince of Evigheden Empire. Her neck remained devoid of any accessory, yet nothing felt lacking. Rosalia didn''t really require any additional adornments to enhance her beauty. Famed as the ''Rose of the Frosted Garden'' in the Empire of Evigheden, Rosalia La Rouge didn''t need any effort to outshine anyone. **** From her vantage point atop the stairs, Rosalia stared at the Crown Prince lost in his own world, his golden eyes, piercing yet distant, gazing vacantly into the air. Escorted by the royal knight to the threshold of the grand hall, Rosalia stepped inside, her gaze drawn to the Crown Prince positioned below the stairs. He stood before the towering golden double doors, which would open onto a golden balcony flanked by twin golden staircases, framing the banquet hall below. The elevated platform served as the stage for royal entrances, commanding attention and reverence. It was due to the Emperor''s wishes, that instead of her family estate in the capital or the Duchy of La Rouge in the North of the Empire, Rosalia was granted the early birthday gift of holding her debutante birthday ball in the Imperial Banquet Hall reserved solely for the Imperial Family. The echo of her high heels reverberated through the hall as Rosalia descended the stairs with deliberate grace. If the Crown Prince was gentleman enough, he would have been above the stairs, ready to escort her down the troubling stairs instead of staring off into space even as he heard her enter. The same as always. ''But at least...'' Rosalia observed the Crown Prince. At least, for today he was dressed up to his title of the Crown Prince. His usual tousled seafoam green hair was styled in a side swept style. His slightly wavy locks that cascaded with a natural, effortless charm, gleamed in the chandelier''s glow, and the sides were neatly trimmed, while the back retained a bit of length. His attire was impeccably regal ensemble of gold and white with a silken white cape draped over his shoulders and fastened by an emblematic brooch, a roaring golden lion, the crest of the royal family. He was dressed extravagantly today, far from his usual loose attire which always seemed too careless and easy going even for a mere prince, let alone the Crown Prince of the Empire. Rosalia knew that the Crown Prince''s ability to pull off his carefree attire on ordinary days was largely due to his blindingly handsome face. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Rosalia called out to the Crown Prince with a graceful curtsy. "Good evening, Your Imperial Highness." The Crown Prince''s golden gaze shifted towards her, and his usual indifferent tone reached her ears. "Let us proceed," he said, extending his gloved hand to escort her. Rosalia accepted his hand, standing beside him in front of the towering door. That was all. He didn''t even bother wishing her happy birthday. Their customary silence enveloped them as the grand door slowly swung open to reveal the banquet hall, accompanied by the magical fanfare of the herald announcing their entrance. "His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Luverian Lorath Von Evigheden and Her Ladyship, Rosalia La Rouge!" Chapter 2 : The Royal Rat The tedious exchange of pleasantries and expressing gratitude for the birthday blessings and gifts had Rosalia sighing inwardly with exhaustion, yet her calm face didn''t betray any emotion. Even after years of experience, dealing and conversing with nobles still remained an exhausting endeavor for her. The nobles adorned themselves in attire as resplendent as the setting itself. Figures draped with jewels and ornaments, catching the light with every movement, the air was alive with the murmur of polite conversation and the soft rustle of fine fabrics, and the melodious strains of the orchestra resonated enchantingly in the hall. Yet, amidst the symphonic beauty, the eyes of the nobles keenly darted like hawks, ever vigilant for morsels of gossip and intrigue to sate their insatiable appetite for social intrigue. Concealed behind delicate fans, obscuring half the painted visages of noblewomen, polite laughter concealed whispered exchanges and knowing glances, each guest eager to uncover the latest tidbits of scandal and courtly drama. No matter how many times Rosalia attended such fancy banquets, she could never get used to this jewel studded gilded cage. Having exchanged pleasantries with the most influential nobles, Rosalia now stood beside Luverian as he engaged in a hushed conversation with his two personal knights, Laura and Kyle. Sipping her fruit juice, Rosalia glanced at the huge golden clock, longing for the banquet to conclude, yet time seemed to crawl at a sloth pace. Her wandering gaze fell upon her father, Duke La Rogue, who stood tall, exuding his customary aura of arrogant dominance. Despite the nobles around casting glances in his direction, eager to engage him in flattering conversation, none dared to approach him directly. Her father dearest, standing tall and powerful as ever, as expected, didn''t deem it necessary to come over and wish her a simple ''happy birthday'', despite their week-long separation due to her stay in the Royal Palace for the preparation of the birthday banquet. Thousand year old glaciers would melt, but never the Duke who happened to be her father. From the corner of her eye, Rosalia caught the sight of the Empress, confidently approaching her father with a regal gait, her presence commanding attention. The Emperor, after giving her his blessings, had already retired to his palace due to his recurring health issues. Rosalia was touched by his kindness that despite rarely making an appearance in banquets, he was present today to bless her. The Emperor, Esvador Lorainne Von Evigheden, bore the wear of his mid 60s with a frailty exacerbated by his declining health. In contrast, the current Empress, his third and only living wife, was a 24-year-old, second child of the Verdant County. Rosalia swirled her wine, her gaze discreetly fixed on her father and the Empress, and she couldn''t help but be struck once again by the captivating presence of the Empress, finding herself in awe of her grace and charisma. Theresa Von Evigheden, the current Empress, had entered into marriage with the Emperor at the tender age of 20, and assumed a significant portion of the responsibilities typically shouldered by the Emperor, given his ailing health. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Despite the outward show of respect from the nobles, they didn''t restrain themselves from indulging in cruel gossips, labeling her with derogatory names and accusing her of marrying solely for wealth and power, to someone old enough to be her grandfather. Yet, to Rosalia, the Empress remained a figure deserving of respect, a woman of dignity and grace amidst the venomous whispers of the court. With her voluminous wavy moss green hair cascading around her, complemented by bold red lipstick and red eye shadows that accentuated her confident black eyes, the Empress exuded an aura of undeniable charisma. Always adorned in regally dark, voluminous dresses, she commanded attention and respect wherever she went, and wielded power generously. Now, she stood beside Duke La Rogue, conversing with confidence and power without a sign of intimidation against the man who was 13 years her elder. Even for Rosalia, whose only time together with her father was dinning together back in the Capital estate, she felt like walking on eggshells around her imposing father. Her dining etiquette she perfected ages ago always nearly failing her as she struggled to hold herself confidently around her father. Despite rare interaction of brief greeting with the Empress, Rosalia held great respect for her, as even though her stern father didn''t openly show it, Rosalia, as his daughter, could see that he genuinely respected the Empress. Rosalia looked down at the fruit juice on her hand, and a flashback of strong red wine flooded her mind, nearly causing her to wince outwardly. As she swirled the glass in an attempt to forget about the wine she would never make the mistake of touching again, the double doors to the banquet hall swung open, and the herald announced the arrival of a distinguished guest. "His Imperial Highness, Carussius Leucos Von Evigheden!" Rosalia brought her glass to her lips. She was sure no one would be entering the banquet hall now and this late, and more so an Imperial memb¡ª ''Wait...who?'' Rosalia set her glass down with deliberate care, slowly turning her gaze towards the double doors from where the unexpected guest had entered. Despite her practiced poise, her eyes widened ever so slightly, betraying a hint of surprise. With confident strides and his regal red velvet cape billowing behind him with each step, a young man entered the hall, emanating an undeniable aura of royalty. As he stepped into the hall, the bustling chatter of the banquet fell silent, and even the orchestra''s melody softened to a mere whisper. Every eye in the room seemed to be fixed on him, and a palpable tension and astonishment filled the air as the boy made his unexpected entrance. Even the Empress and Duke La Rouge ceased their conversation, their expressions betraying their surprise at the unexpected arrival. The Crown Prince and his knights observed the newcomer with a keen silence, their eyes assessing him with a mix of curiosity and vigilance. The striking prince with black hair and crimson eyes wore a confident smile as he strode purposefully towards Rosalia, who stood beside Luverian. His regal attire of black had intricate silver embroidery while his stark red cape matching his eyes fluttered gracefully with each step. A ruby-studded black tassel adorned one ear, and a black choker with tiny embellished rubies peeked from beneath his collar. His stride came to a graceful halt before Rosalia, and a dazzling smile spread across his face as his eyes narrowed charmingly. With elegant poise, he extended his hand to kiss hers, and Rosalia accepted the gesture with practiced normalcy, even as warning signs flashed through her mind. Rosalia keenly felt the weight of all eyes upon them, the intensity of their gazes burning into her skin. From the corner of her periphery, she sensed Luverian silently assessing the unfolding situation with calm eyes. With a respectful kiss on the back of her hand, Carussius spoke with a lovely smile, loud and clear, "May the blessings of Stellaris shine upon you, my Rose Lady. Happiest of birthdays, Lia." Gasps echoed simultaneously from the lips of the assembled nobles at the prince''s words. And not only the onlookers; even Rosalia herself gasped internally, utterly stupefied by the unexpected turn of events, and more so by the prince''s words. Why the hell was the second prince, known as the Royal Rat, whom she had only met once before, here? Why was he calling her by a nickname in front of everyone? And why the hell was he acting like he was close with her!? As Rosalia froze, her slightly shaking coral eyes met the crimson ones nearly hidden by black fringes. Her breath stilled as an amused smile tugged at the lips hovering near the skin of her hand and the crimson eyes glowed with mischief. Chapter 3 : Sober Regrets "Oh my, did you hear that?" "Of course. What is happening?" "He called Lady La Rouge by a nickname." "They seem close." "Too close." "I haven''t seen the Second Prince in ages." "He seems fine and in good condition." "He doesn''t match the rumors." "The Lady seem closer to the Second Prince than the Crown Prince." "You know, about the recent rumor about the two together in the Holy Temple?" "Oh, of course, they seem to have known each other since long." Despite the orchestra playing in full volume again, Rosalia couldn''t hear it but could feel the low whispers floating through the air of the banquet hall. It wouldn''t be long before the nobles concocted their own delusional stories. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would become part of the delicious gossip material of today''s banquet. ''All because of...'' Rosalia glanced up at Carussius, with whom she was now sharing the first dance of her new age. Since the Crown Prince was her escort for today, and also her fianc¨¦, it was only natural for him to be her partner for her first dance at her official debutante. However, when Carussius grinned and asked if he could take her first dance, the Crown Prince, Luverian, accepted without showing any sign of displeasure. Even when he called her by a nickname while asking the Crown Prince''s permission, Luverian seemed as indifferent as ever. ''My Rose Lady? Lia?...What the hell was that!?'' Nicknames were reserved for the closest of friends or family, and mostly for lovey-dovey couples fond of PDA in upper society. No one had ever called her by a nickname before. ''So why the hell is he referring to me by a nickname in front of this vulture-like crowd!?'' Rosalia struggled to maintain her composure, barely holding onto her calm facade. As the lady celebrating her official debutante ball, it was a tradition for the lady to perform the first dance alone with her escort, drawing the gaze of all the nobles in attendance. "You''ll trip if you don''t focus on the dance," the Second Prince remarked, snapping Rosalia out of her messy thoughts, and gazed up directly at the Second Prince who was a head taller than her. ''Is this really the Second Prince known as the Royal Rat?'' "You''re wondering if I''m really the Prince known as the Royal Rat." The blunt yet mischievous tone of the Second Prince hit the bullseye, causing Rosalia to visibly flinch, much to Carussius''s amusement, who let out a chuckle. Rosalia took in a deep breath to calm her nerves, and the scent of strong, fresh jasmine entered her nostrils, the cologne of the Second Prince. As they performed their elegant dance, Rosalia observed Carussius closely. The weak and pathetic Second Prince, who secluded himself within his shabby palace. The worthless prince, who flinched at the sight of nobles and couldn''t even meet the eyes of the servants. The Prince who possessed Dark Power instead of the Light Power traditionally passed down through generations of the Royal Family. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. A demonic child rumored to have killed his own mother with his Dark Power. The Royal Rat. That''s what everyone said. But as Rosalia took in the boy leading the dance, who exuded charm and confidence, a playful smile constantly gracing his youthful face, she reaffirmed her belief that the words spread by the haughty nobles were never to be taken seriously. "I''m good at leading the dance, am I not? I''m glad I can dance for the first time with theory knowledge alone," Carussius remarked amusedly to himself, prompting Rosalia to slightly tilt her head in disbelief. "You''ve never danced before?" "Well, there needs to be a partner for a ball dance. And if I start dancing by myself in my lonely palace, the walls might start screaming that the Royal Rat has finally lost it," Carussius chuckled, poking fun at himself. Rosalia held down her lips that tipped upwards by pressing it together. Rosalia was curious about the Second Prince, rumored to be three years younger than the 19-year-old Crown Prince. Unlike the Crown Prince, who appeared disinterested in any thing and every thing, the Second Prince seemed genuinely friendly and approachable. Rosalia shook herself inwardly, reprimanding her own thoughts. She couldn''t allow the Second Prince to charm his way out of the predicament he had put her in by acting all close and friendly to her in front of everyone. Rosalia maintained the best calm expression she could muster and spoke up, "What are you trying to do, your Royal Highness?" Carussius cocked his head with a smile that suggested he didn''t understand the question. Who was he kidding? "Why are you acting like this out of nowhere?" "Acting like what?" he asked, his expression innocent, nearly tearing apart Rosalia''s patience. Rosalia took in another long breath, the scent of jasmine calming her nerves a little. "Acting like you are close with me." "But I am close with you." Rosalia calm face crumpled, and she shot Carussius an incredulous look. ''The Second Prince has really lost it,'' she thought to herself. "Now, you''re thinking that I''ve really lost it," Carussius smirked, taking in Rosalia''s surprised face. "I''m good at reading thoughts, am I not?" With each dance step, Rosalia''s anxiety crept up an inch. "Please be serious, Your Imperial Highness." "You don''t have to call me by such a title. You can call me by my name, you know," Carussius suggested, tilting his head in thought. "A nickname would be nice." "No, thank you. Please don''t change the subject," Rosalia declined firmly. "Well, I''m the Royal Rat who wields dark power. If you just say you don''t know me and I''m making things up, the nobles will believe you, don''t you think? At this moment, I''ve got the worst reputation in all of the Royal Family''s history, haven''t I?" Carussius gave a light-hearted laugh. "..It''s no laughing matter, Your Imperial Highness. It is true that you''re making things up, but I wouldn''t say that about you to others," Rosalia said, her eyes meeting his crimson ones. "Both Light and Dark Power are Divine Powers granted by the Stellaris himself. Why should you be judged for that?" Stellaris, the Divine God worshipped by most of the populace in the Evigheden Empire, was the one who granted Divine Power to the humans he chose to bless. Though the Royal Family was the sole recipient of hereditary Light Power, Dark power was also a Divine Power and by no means a demonic sign. These nobles loved to believe what they wanted and forced their own opinions without logical backing, while most of the population had the wrong idea and feared and abhorred dark power. For a moment, Carussius remained silent, a soft and sincere smile gracing his lips as he gazed at Rosalia with softened eyes. "Well, I''m not making things up about us being close now, am I?" the sincere expression faded, and a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "Have you forgotten our drunken conversation bonding in the temple last week?" Just as those words left his mouth, the memory of the strong taste of red wine seemed to appear on Rosalia''s tongue, and she nearly stopped dancing. If it wasn''t for him calmly pulling and leading her, she would have embarrassed herself in front of the whole nobility. "Oh wow, don''t forget to breathe." With his words, Rosalia became aware that she had been holding her breath. Her slightly shaking eyes looked up at Carussius who smiled mischievously at her. "I-I cannot hold my liquor," Rosalia declared in a low voice. "I know." "And..I...I don''t remember anything that happened that day.." "I can see," Carussius chuckled. "Um..w-what..like..did I speak of anything with you?" "Oh, you sure did," Carussius shrugged lightly, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "We talked our hearts out, and I can say that I know you better than anyone in this whole world." The floor seemed to slip from beneath Rosalia''s feet as the Second Prince grinned like a mischievous trickster, making a mess out of her mind. The smiling crimson eyes gazing at the Rose Lady, who barely held herself together, seemed to glow as the boyish face drew closer to her. Then, he whispered in her ear, "I know your biggest secret too." Just then, he twirled Rosalia into the ending pose and glanced over her shoulder. Far away, the Crown Prince stood with his signature bored look, as if he''d rather be anywhere but here. Carussius smiled brightly at Rosalia, who understood exactly what he meant. Rosalia felt her face burn with embarrassment, turning red, which made Carussius laugh in a boyishly charming way. ''He knows...he knows!'' Rosalia realized that in her drunken stupor, she had revealed the one thing she never wanted a soul to know. "You are, in simplest words," Carussius continued with a smile, gazing at the ''Rose of the Frosted Garden'' who looked anything but frosty at the moment, blushing as she understood that her secret was no more a secret, "hopelessly, and unimaginably, in love with the Crown Prince." The ''Rose of the Frosted Garden,'' who always had an unreadably calm face and an unapproachable aura, who carried herself with cold dignity and acted as if nothing fazed her, at the end of the day, was just a young girl trying her best to hide her vulnerable and true self from the world. Chapter 4 : Metamorphosis Gasps erupted among the nobles, clapping some beats late as they struggled to believe what was unfolding before their eyes. The nobles were like sharks, and right now, they had caught the scent of a single drop of blood in the ocean. "Did you see that!?" "My eyes must be failing me!" "The lady...'' "The ''Rose of the Frosted Garden''... just now she..." "She''s blushing!!" A wistful smile played on the Empress''s amused face as she watched Rosalia being gracefully escorted out of the banquet hall''s center by Carussius after their first dance. Since Rosalia had very fair skin, even a slight blush stood out prominently. And at this moment, her blushing cheeks and ears nearly seemed to match the shade of her hair. "Your daughter is going to be under strong scrutiny, Your Excellency," she remarked, casting a sideway glance at Duke La Rouge, who remained as stern-faced as ever. Rosalia La Rouge, who hailed from the Northern Duchy of the Empire, where snow was a constant companion, was famed as the ''Rose of the Frosted Garden'', not only due to her appearance, as lovely and captivating as a rose, and her origin from one of the frostiest region of the Empire, but also because of her cold aura that never seemed to melt. She always showcased herself as a perfect lady, never letting anyone get a read on her, like a rose with thorns that kept others from plucking it. As the sole child in the long-standing La Rouge Duchy, which had existed since the founding of the Evigheden Empire, Rosalia garnered both admiration and envy from all the nobles. The nobles loved observing the La Rouge family like hawks, and just now, the nobles had finally found a feast for their eyes. Displaying a close bond with the Second Prince, who arrived unexpectedly and fashionably late, the nobles could see Rosalia acting all lovely and chatting with him, as well as performing the first dance with him instead of her fianc¨¦, the Crown Prince. And to top it all off, for the first time, the Frosty Rose Lady displayed an expression other than her usual distant, polite smile¡ªblushing bashfully, a sight no noble had ever imagined her capable of. "When did the Second Prince get close to Rosalia?" The Duke''s calm yet authoritative voice elicited a chuckle from the Empress. "I could ask the same to you, Your Excellency. As the father of the lady, shouldn''t you be aware?" The Empress continued, her gaze shifting to Rosalia and Carussius, who had taken a secluded spot away from the prying ears of the surrounding nobles. "I haven''t encountered the Second Prince since our coincidental meeting months ago, and he only comes out of his palace on rare occasion of visiting the temple." The Empress reminisced about the time she had coincidentally crossed paths with the Second Prince at the temple, only for him to hastily run away with a frightened expression upon noticing her presence. The Duke''s forest-green eyes narrowed as he silently contemplated. Recently, a rumor had surfaced, originating from a noble who attended the temple for their usual prayer session. According to her account, she had caught a glimpse of the Second Prince and the Young Lady of La Rouge Duchy together in the temple. Even the gossip-loving nobles dismissed such rumors without a second thought. The idea of the distinguished Lady La Rouge being seen with the seemingly insignificant stain of a royal figure, more so in the temple of all place, was simply inconceivable. ''The Rose Lady'' and ''The Rat Prince'' were perceived as beings from different realms¡ªlike creatures of the sky and the earth. Even the most avid gossip enthusiasts couldn''t entertain such a notion. Now, however, all the nobles present were likely concocting various theories in their minds. "The Second Prince had remained quiet until now," the Duke murmured. Having met the Second Prince only twice, he remembered a timid child who couldn''t even lift his gaze from the ground. This confident young man was not the Second Prince he knew. "Except that he brought an orphan boy from the temple yesterday and declared him a personal attendant, yes, he has remain quiet," The Empress words caught the Duke''s attention, causing him to frown. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. The Empress had eyes and ears in all the palaces, so there was no way she could have been mistaken. Duke La Rouge recalled the rumor about Rosalia and Carussius being seen together in the temple and wondered if it might be true after all. Yet, even if it were true, there wasn''t anything inherently wrong with it. It was questionable why Rosalia would have been in the temple, but just because she hailed from the La Rouge Duchy, which never associated itself with the Holy God Stellaris and the Holy Temple, her visit wasn''t a controversial act. If Rosalia and Carussius were indeed close and on good terms, the Duke had no objections. But matters didn''t seem that simple. Rosalia was, after all, his daughter, raised under the strict regimen he had enforced so she could be strong enough to uphold the family name. He knew his daughter wasn''t as aloof and perfect as she presented herself to be, and long as she didn''t make an ineradicable blunder, that was fine. She needed to be strong enough to maintain her stance as the formidable child of the La Rouge Duchy in the snake-infested Royal Court. The Duke was one person who could read Rosalia like an open book. Despite the charming scene the Second Prince presented, he knew that Rosalia was just as clueless as the onlookers and was walking on thin ice. The Empress glanced at the Duke, who seemed unfazed, but she couldn''t help but wonder if that was truly the case. After all, the sudden active presence of the Second Prince was sure to cause a stir in the Royal Court. ''What happened to the pitiful kid I know? What changed?'' The Empress pondered to herself, narrowing her eyes as she focused on the far opposite wall of the banquet hall, where both Carussius and Rosalia stood. Except for Rosalia, who spoke discreetly with a face that nearly betrayed her waning patience, the Second Prince chatted with a bright grin on his face. As if he was an entirely different person. The Empress couldn''t discern even a shadow of Carussius''s old self, yet she couldn''t be entirely certain. After all, the Second Prince, who had closed himself off in his palace, was someone nobody knew closely enough to truly understand him and his personality. ''Was he hiding his true personality all this time while he secluded himself? Why come out now?'' The Empress''s gaze shifted to the Crown Prince on the other side of the banquet hall, who stood conversing with his personal knights, appearing as indifferent as ever. That child was never too cold nor overbearing; only pure indifference emanated from him. Always diligent in his duties as the Crown Prince, yet he always carried an air that suggested he couldn''t care less about anything. Even now, as an unexpected situation unfolded and his fianc¨¦e was swept away from his side, he didn''t seem affected by it at all. But now that the Second Prince had made a captivating and confident official appearance at one of the grandest banquets held in the Royal Banquet Hall, would the Crown Prince still remain as nonchalant as ever? The Second Prince''s newfound activity was bound to bring about changes in the Royal Court. Theresa tapped her moss green painted nails on her crossed arm and opened her fan to cover half her face as she glanced at the overbearing Duke standing beside her. The Duke, nearing his 40s, had brick red hair streaked with gray, and his green eyes were as piercing and arrogant as ever. Despite the Duke''s position on the administrative side of the Royal Court, he exuded the aura and physique of a full-fledged knight. He was one man whom Theresa took great pains to avoid angering and remained ever vigilant around. Duke Richard La Rouge was the primary royal strategist of the Royal Court and one of the Emperor''s most trusted men, to the extent that the Emperor arranged an engagement between the Royal Family and the La Rouge Duchy. At first, Theresa had assumed the engagement was a means to keep the La Rouge Duchy in check, considering its formidable power and reputation. However, over time, she came to realize that the engagement was simply a result of the Emperor''s trust and favoritism towards Duke La Rouge. The La Rouge Duchy was one prominent family that diverged from worshiping the Holy God Stellaris from its inception, instead embracing magic, which lay on the opposite spectrum of Divine Powers. Their land was the wealthiest in magic resources and the birthplace of many mages. Despite the Duke maintaining a neutral stance in the Royal Court, his daughter''s engagement to the Crown Prince made him the Crown Prince''s most significant ally. It was a smooth path to the throne for the Crown Prince, as there were no other contenders for the throne, with the only other Royal Prince being an infamous lost cause. But now, the situation seems to have changed. The Second Prince had returned, appearing more confident and interesting than anyone would have anticipated. "Is there something you would like to say, Your Majesty?" the Duke asked curtly, sensing Theresa''s gaze, while maintaining a straight face as he observed the pair of his daughter and the Second Prince. Theresa let out a small laugh and glanced ahead. "I wonder if a change is about to occur," she remarked. Theresa gazed at the two main stars of today''s gossip and caught sight of Rosalia discreetly yet firmly stepping on Carussius''s feet with her pointed heels, making him wince. Theresa mused at the sight of Rosalia, whose face now seemed genuinely annoyed¡ªan expression new to Rosalia''s demeanor. Carussius limped slightly, a grin still playing on his face, seemingly enjoying the act of annoying Rosalia. Just then, both the Empress and the Duke''s eyes widened ever so slightly, caught in surprise, as the Second Prince, who seemed to be enjoying his time, stared directly at them. The carefree, boyish face lost its hearty smile, suddenly seeming to transform into something different as he slightly narrowed his crimson eyes, the air around him changing entirely. A slow smile appeared on his face, a cocky, almost challenging smile. Then, with a slight, polite bow of his head, he turned his attention to Rosalia, who walked away from him with a tired expression. Adopting an easygoing and carefree demeanor, unlike the one he had just directed at them, he followed after Rosalia. The Duke La Rouge''s calm voice reached the Empress''s ears, "A change is about to occur."