{Make Sacrifices To Keep Her Safe}
The next morning, there was a commotion outside the castle. A carriage stopped Infront of the gate, causing everyone to pause whatever they were doing. A beautiful lady, stepped out with a young girl.
"Who is that?" Anastasia asked Gabriela. "That is princess Rose, the stepsister of the emperor" Gabriela replied. "I didn't know she was so beautiful up close" Luna exclaimed.
"People say princess Rose is so precious to her brothers. They killed every man that just glance at her" Gabriela said. "How did she have her child then?" Luna asked.
"She finally talked some sense into them. She told them she loved the man, after so many months of convincing both brothers, they finally agreed" Gabriela said.
"But he died fighting for his country leaving her alone to care for their one year old at the time" Another lady said. Anastasia watched how Rose walked gracefully inside. She held her head up high, like she knew she was the embodiment of beauty and power.
"Alright ladies, today we will be learning more about magic" Mr George the magic teacher said. Everyone went back to their seats.
Rose went to the throne room. She jumped on Azriel in excitement. "Big bro... I've missed you" Rose said in excitement. "You still haven't grown up" Azriel said. "Don't tell me you didn't miss me" Rose said rolling her eyes.
Azriel gently pushed her. "Where is my favorite niece?" Azriel asked. "I'm here uncle" she replied. "Adeline, come over and give your uncle a hug" Azriel said. Adeline hugged Azriel, he twirled her around.
Charles walked in, to see Azriel holding Adeline. "I guess I missed the grand reunion" Charles said in disappointment. Adeline ran to Charles and hugged him. "I miss you, you know you're my favorite uncle" Adeline whispers in Charles' ear.
"I heard that" Azriel yelled softly. "I hope you've settled into your castle" Charles said with Adeline in his arm. "Yes. It was like I never left. By the way why did I see a lot of girls outside?" Rose asked.
"Azriel is searching for a wife" Charles said. "Like that? Aren't you going to fall in love with a woman before you marry her? You just want women to fight for you?" Rose asked. "Love takes time, this is easier" Azriel said.
"That's sick. Anyway why am I here?" Rose asked. "I didn't send for you" Azriel said flatly. "I did" Charles said. Rose sat close to Azriel. "I'm listening"
"Well Azriel is lovestruck" Charles said. "Wait... I wouldn't call it lovestruck" Azriel said. "He just heard a girls voice and now he can't get her out of his head. His demons has finally accepted a lady but she's nowhere to be found. It's almost like she's a ghost" Charles said.
"There's no such thing as ghosts" Azriel said. "Why am I dragged into this?" Rose asked. "I've searched everywhere but there's no one by that name" Charles said. "You want me to find a girl who may or may not be real?" Rose asked.
"Both of you act like I don't exist, trying to scheme this plan of yours" Azriel said. "So sis what do you say? Would you help your helpless big brother?" Charles said ignoring Azriel. "I'll try. What's her name" Rose looking at Azriel. "Well..." Rose stopped Charles. "I was talking to Azriel"
"Anastasia" Azriel replied. "Have you fallen for her?" Adeline asked. "No" Azriel replied. "You're a liar uncle" Adeline said. "Hmm... I'll see what I can do" Rose said. "Uncle I want to go to my room" Adeline said.
It's been two weeks since Rose arrived to the castle. She has been awfully close to Luna. They do almost everything today. Unfortunately Luna isn't close to Adeline.
Adeline went for a walk, she saw a lady sitting by herself with a letter in her hand. She was trembling in fear. "What's the matter?" Adeline asked. Anastasia looks at the little girl.
"Nothing" Anastasia replied cleaning her tears. "You're lying" Adeline said. "I'm not lying" Anastasia said with a bright smile. "I have powers that tells me when a person lies" Adeline said.
"Is that so?" Anastasia muttered. "May I join you?" Adeline asked. "Sure" Anastasia replied. Adeline sat beside her quietly.
"Why are you here? Are you lost?" Anastasia asked. "You don't know who I am?" Adeline asked. Anastasia tilted her head with her hand on her chin. "I don't think so. Are you here with your mom? Or dad?" Anastasia asked.
"I'm here to see my uncle" Adeline replied. "Your uncle... Is your uncle one of the knights?" Anastasia asked. Adeline stares at Anastasia genuinely curious. She knows Anastasia is telling the truth about not knowing who she is but why does she feel safe around her?
"What is your name?" Adeline asked. "My name is Guinevere, you?" Anastasia said. "I'm Adeline" she replied. "Nice to meet you Adeline. Why are you here by yourself?" Anastasia asked.
"I wanted to explore the castle. You know it's not every time you get to be in a castle" Adeline said. "I know what you mean, It still feels like a dream to me. Each morning I wake up and walk around the castle there's this constant reminder that I don't belong" Anastasia said.
"Why are you here Guinevere?" Adeline asked. "I'm a contestant.... Honestly I don't want to be here but there's this constant pressure... If I don't do it.... I'll..... I don't want this" Anastasia said as she sobbed silently.
"Why don't you leave the competition? I mean if you aren't happy here, why stay?" Adeline asked. "It's not that easy. If I leave I might not..... I might not...." Anastasia couldn't get the word out of her mouth.
"What would happen Anastasia?" Adeline asked genuinely concerned. "They'll kill me.... If I stay here I might die as well.... I'm torn between two destiny, either way I lose my life" Anastasia said. "I might help you" Adeline said.
"How?" Anastasia asked with a slight chuckle. "I might ask my uncle for help, he might be willing to help you" Adeline said. "No... No please... Don't involve anyone into this. This is my mess, my cross"
"You don't have to carry this cross on your own, especially when it involves you losing your life" Adeline said. "Please this should be kept between us, please I don't want anyone to get involved. Please" Anastasia said. "Alright, you have my word" Adeline said.
Anastasia went to her room. She doesn't know why she blurted everything out to a child. What happens if she tells someone? Shit Anastasia you couldn't just hold yourself. "But with this constant threat from home is keeping me off balance" Anastasia said to herself.
In the dining room, everyone was seated for dinner. Rose invited Luna, Adeline sat close to Charles so she could avoid Luna using her to get to Azriel. "Adeline how has your stay here been?" Azriel asked. Adeline sighs. "I dread every minute here..." Adeline was cut off by her mother.
"Adeline what is the matter with you? Do you have to ruin such a beautiful dinner?" Rose asked. "Let me talk" Adeline demanded. She calmly continues. "Until today when I met someone who peeked my interest" Adeline said.
"Who could this be?" Luna asked with a fake smile thinking she was the one Adeline was referring to. "A beautiful lady, who even looks beautiful while crying. Her smile could blind even the angels in heaven" Adeline said.
"Please Adeline, stop with the praise and say who she is" Charles said. "Her name is Guinevere, she was crying today. She seemed afraid of someone, because I caught her with a letter. She kept.... Nevermind" Adeline said.
"Maybe she just did that to draw your attention" Luna said. "She didn't do it to get anyone's attention. If anything she didn't want anyone to see her, I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time" Adeline said.
"That's new, you have never spoken highly of anyone Adeline. Is there more to this story" Rose asked. Adeline turns to Azriel.
"Uncle can I ask a favor? I know I promised her I wouldn't interfere and there's a lot I want to tell you but the oath compels me not to. But uncle I want you to help me protect her. She's handling a lot of things. She seems drained, she kept telling me she was fine but it was all a lie" Adeline said.
"What you ask is impossible" Azriel replied. "It's not impossible uncle, please.... Please help me protect her. I'd sacrifice anything to keep her safe" Adeline said. "How can you sacrifice anything for someone you just met? She could be lying" Luna said.
Adeline hits her hands hard against the table in anger. "I have had enough of you. This is a family matter, you have no right to speak when royal families are discussing. You are invited as a guest. DO NOT OVERSTEP!!" Adeline said enraged.
"Adeline relax, I'll do as you've request. Sit down and have dinner" Azriel said. "I've lost my appetite, there's a leach here. It's disgusting" Adeline left, she went to her room.
Anastasia and Adeline became close friends as days go by. Anastasia still doesn't know who Adeline really is. "Your highness, your mother sends for you" A maid said. "Your highness?" Anastasia muttered.
Adeline knew this isn't going to end well. "You're royalty?" She finally asked. "I can explain. I'm sorry I didn't mean to lie to you" Adeline said. "All this time you said you were the daughter of Zain... You... Are... Who are you?" Adeline asked.
"I am Adeline, niece of the emperor" Adeline said. Anastasia's world shattered in an instant. The emperor's niece, which means she must have told him everything. He must know, it's only a matter of time before he sends for me. Anastasia took few steps backwards.
"Anastasia" Adeline said in a whisper. "Does this change everything?" Adeline asked again. "No" Anastasia said. But Adeline knew that was also a lie, she noticed Anastasia tensed with fear and she's stepping backwards.
"I have to go now... I have to do something" Anastasia said. "Anastasia wait" Adeline called out but she didn't stop.
Adeline ran after her regardless of the maid constantly reminding her about her mother's summons. She was finally able to grab Anastasia's hand. "Why are you running?" Adeline asked. "Nothing" Anastasia replied.
"Why won't you look at me?" Adeline asked. "Nothing" Anastasia replied. "Do you hate me now you know who I truly am?" Adeline asked. "No" Anastasia replied. "You're lying" Adeline said.
"You don't even want to look at me...." Tears began to fall down as Adeline spoke. "I thought you were different, others will be happy to know I'm related to the emperor but you look at me in disgust" Adeline said.
Anastasia wanted to tell her that she isn't disgusting, that she doesn't hate her right now. It's just that she's scared Adeline must have told the emperor everything.
"I'm not like everyone" Anastasia said. Adeline finally let's go of Anastasia. "I hate you" Adeline said. Anastasia tried to hold her but stopped midway. She eventually left.
Anastasia went to her room, packing her dresses, her shoes. Hannah enters the room, she noticed Anastasia with her luggage.
"Anastasia where are you going?" Hannah asked. "I've messed up.... It's only a matter of time before" Anastasia placed her fingers around her neck, making sure her head was still there. "Tell me everything that happened" Hannah said.
Anastasia explained the whole thing to Hannah. "That doesn't mean she told him, you might be over reacting" Hannah said. "Maybe you're right" Anastasia said with a sigh. "Now go back and arrange the cloths back where they belong" Hannah said.