The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 67: Derelict Princess

Chapter 67: Derelict Princess

With a piece of food still gracing her lips, Rosalie nodded gently, her mouth curling into a modest imitation of a smile. It was a comforting sentiment to recognize that the princess continued to hold dear the memory of her as a benevolent childhood companion. Nonetheless, the Rosalie of today possessed no recollections of her past conduct as a young girl. Thus, all she could do was nod in quiet agreement, ardently hoping that Angelica would not see through her pretense.

After the last and somewhat stubborn piece of meat was finally dispatched, the girl discreetly cleared her throat, took a generous sip of water, and finally began to speak,

"I’ve noticed your rather restrained appetite. Is everything alright? Was there a reason beyond breakfast for our meeting this morning?"

Angelica momentarily diverted her gaze, her eyes carrying a tinge of melancholy, as they settled upon the vibrant expanse of the garden beyond the restaurant window. After a brief hesitation, she mustered an awkward shoulder shrug and gently answered,

"Truthfully, I found myself longing to escape the confines of the palace, if only for a few fleeting hours. Living akin to a dove, locked inside a gold cage, evokes a certain despondency. And, to be completely honest... Neither the Emperor nor my brother is aware of my departure today."

Lady Ashter’s brows swiftly arched in a gesture of astonishment.

"But they might be worried about you! What if His Highness is looking for you and you are nowhere to be found?"

The Princess cast her gaze upon the array of untouched sandwiches, a somber shadow casting over her countenance, hinting at a poignant mixture of sorrow and a touch of disappointment. Her tone, now tinged with a faint chill, resounded with a reserved detachment.

"My frail constitution has rendered me a derelict princess, dear Rosalie. My ailing state led to my exile within the Temple’s confines, transforming my existence into an unending succession of waiting... A ceaseless anticipation for a presence that never graced me."

With a moment’s pause, Angelica delicately rested her slender, pallid hands upon the table, her fingers intertwining as if summoning the resolve to unburden her heart further.

"Their absence within those hallowed Temple walls became a stark revelation – my purpose to Rische had waned. A princess enfeebled by maladies, deemed incapable of birthing an heir for a strategic union, becomes a useless asset. And if that potential disappears, what, then, is her worth? I... have returned from the Temple because I could not bear to be alone anymore. I see no meaning in my life. Sometimes... I wish I was not born at all."

Rosalie’s eyes widened, her cutlery nearly escaping her grasp as the weight of such a somber response echoed in her ears. An acute pang of ache seemed to tighten around her heart, its grip intensifying and causing the air in her already taut chest to thin, all while the realization of a disheartening truth settled upon her consciousness – the profound loneliness that enveloped Angelica was a burden born solely by her.

Despite the esteemed status befitting the Imperial Princess, Angelica’s ailing state confined her to the periphery of social interactions, metamorphosing her into, perhaps, one of the loneliest princesses the world had ever borne witness to.

Her friendship with Rosalie was molded by accident – in their early years, at a distinguished Imperial banquet dedicated to the Crown Prince’s Birthday, the two young girls serendipitously crossed paths, their shared affinity for strawberry desserts forging an immediate bond. This connection ripened into a significant companionship, nurtured by mutual interests, only to be abruptly disrupted by Angelica’s impending exile to the Holy Temple.

Initially, Rosalie’s eagerness to pay her friend visits was undeniable. However, the passage of time, as dictated by fate, cast a diminishing frequency upon those visits, inadvertently erecting a barrier that further distanced the two companions. Thus, even though the notion of Angelica nurturing their friendship across these many years might have appeared heartening to others, to Lady Ashter, it served as a poignant testament to heartbreak.

She slowly extended her arm, enveloping Angelica’s clasped hands within her own, a tender smile graced her countenance, one that bore the warmth and empathy she herself would have sought in the embrace of a dear friend.

"Angelica, just because someone has such a low opinion of you, does not mean your life is worthless. Your worth is not something that can be defined by others and definitely not something that you have to prove, especially to the people who do not appreciate you as you are.

So you were born with a weak body, and? What truly matters is that your family’s role is one of care and unwavering affection, irrespective of your physical state. In truth, they are duty-bound to provide even greater care due to your unique condition. This responsibility extends regardless of their societal standing. So please, do not permit yourself to be demeaned by such harsh statements. The cruelty of these words breaks my heart."

The unexpectedly earnest encouragement seemed to wield transformative effects upon the princess. Glistening tears gathered on the edge of her eyes, and yet, she managed to curve her lips into a fragile smile, her head nodding gently in acknowledgment. She embraced both the tender solace of her friend’s hands and the soothing balm of her words.

"Thank you, dear Rosalie. You can’t fathom how desperately I needed that."

Angelica’s trembling voice nearly urged Lady Aster to cry as well, yet she made an inner effort to compose her emotions and continued in a confident tone,

"And... I am truly sorry, Angelica. For my inadvertent contribution to your solitude and the pangs of abandonment. I sincerely hope that we can mend our friendship in the future."

"I share your hope in that endeavor. Why not commence with a shared breakfast? Let’s indulge heartily!"

Finally, a perceptible lift in the princess’s mood surfaced as she readily reengaged with her meal, displaying an invigorated appetite. Rosalie watched the girl eat and could not help but wonder,

’Could this be the perfect timing for both of us?’

Once more, the silver cutlery was gently set aside, as Lady Ashter posed a question brimming with certainty and resolve,

"Angelica, what is it that you really want to do with your life to make it meaningful?"

Angelica’s delicate blonde eyebrows arched slightly, a contemplative hum escaping her lips as she weighed her words.

"Well, having observed the High Priest working with others, I’ve come to realize that my own desire is to cultivate usefulness... I yearn to extend aid to those grappling with adversity."

Upon receiving such a response, Rosalie found contentment in the sentiment expressed. She leaned closer to the princess, her arms folding on the table in a demeanor marked by seriousness and pragmatism.

"Perfect. In light of that, it occurs to me that our paths may intertwine in a mutually beneficial manner."