Chapter 6
Anita could not help but let a smile grace her lips slightly, the sight before her was indeed something to behold. The sleazy pest that had evaded her life, was most probably not going to make it out of here alive. She looked towards her parents slightly, her father, looking as though his anger was about to explode at any moment. It just needed a little trigger.
The banquet hall silent. Winter was indeed in a situation she couldn't get herself out of. The person she dared to disrespect was none other than the crown prince of the empire, Prince Zachary. The rumours around him would be sure to either have Winter punished or even better, dead. Poor girl.
Footsteps rushed towards the scenario, anna satisfied by what she was seeing. This would be the solution to all their problems. Getting rid of her was going to be easy.
"Your majesty, please forgive her." her husband spoke up next to her.
She couldn't believe her ears. Was he really going to defend this girl? After everything she had put their family through. This couldn't go on any longer. To Anna, her status and reputation was everything that mattered to her. She couldn't live knowing that her perfect family, that she had worked so hard to construct over the last 24 years, was ruined by a flimsy maid and her bastard child.
An attendant rushed towards the prince's side with a towel to help dry him off slightly. Zachary said nothing as he took the towel, wiping the soaking parts of his attire. His mood was already bad as it was being compelled to attend this so-called congratulatory event. He slightly glanced at the nuisance that seemed to have caused this ruckus, only to be taken back by surprise. There she was. The woman that he nearly trampled over in the town upon his entry. Was she the kind of woman to cause a problem everywhere she went? Thinking about it left a sense of distaste in his mouth. It did not seem like it.
"Your highness are you okay?" a voice spoke out, regaining his attention.
A woman stood before him, her concern insincere. He simply nodded not uttering a word.
"I apologize on my sister's behalf, your highness, it seems there are still traces of her commoner ways. We have not taught her well." the woman spoke.
'did she say sister?' Zachary thought. They did not look alike enough to be sisters.
Zachary simply glanced at her, her hands tightening on the shards of glass that seemed to have shattered in her grip when she fell. An unsatisfactory expression made its way on his face, as he looked at the situation that was unfolding.
"stop looking down on me," he heard her mutter as everyone turned to face her.
"Winter, that's enough." The marquis of Monique spoke.
"Why do I have to hear such words? Especially from someone like her."
The look in her eyes seemed to catch Zachary's attention. Pain, sadness, regret. It all flashed in her eyes. Her expression as though she had faced an enormous amount of hardship in her life.
"WINTER!" the marquis shouted, making her flinch.
Anita became satisfied by what was happening and decided to add fuel to the fire yet again. She just needed to do enough to get rid of her. Anita walked to her mother's side, brimming tears in her eyes.
"I didn't mean to say anything that was hurtful, mother, I didn't mean it." She spoke with a crack in her voice.
"You did nothing wrong my dear. She just does not seem to know her place, though we have treated her with kindness, this is how she repays us."
Well this was something unheard of. The marquis' family was truly a sight for all. The marquis, seeing that things were getting out of proportion, his anger hit its limit. With or without winter the family was going to be fine.
"Dear, end this. We don't need this kind of defamation. Especially not from the likes of this. Oh, how will I hold my head up in the future." Anna said as she fell to her knees in tears. Anita sat by her side soothing her.
"Are you happy with what you have done, Winter?" the marquis looked at her quite flustered, trying to soothe his wife who cried in tears.
"I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG!" she yelled out towards him.
She looked at him, her tear brimmed eyes, "The only thing I have ever done wrong, was allow myself to be wronged."
"WINTER THAT IS ENOUGH."
The marquis yelled in absolute rage as he pulled a sword from the sheathe of the prince's attendant holding it to her neck.
"With all due respect, are you really going to kill me, Father?" she spat out with bitterness.
Death seemed to be the last thing worrying her mind as she looked directly in the eye of the marquis, daring him to even do so. She was definitely… different.
"I think that's about enough, Sir Monroe," Zachary spoke out.
Handing back the towel that was still in his hand to his attendant, he walked towards Winter, taking her hand in his, helping her stand up.
"Follow me."
Zachary turned his back making his way out of sight, winter following close behind him. The crowd seemed shocked at the sudden turn of events. Robin looked as though he had just witnessed something, he would never have thought of even imagining. He glanced towards Anthony, a smile perking upon his face. Well, this was interesting.
Anita bit her finger, as bitterness filled her. this was not how it was meant to go. If the prince was anything like he was made out to be, or if the prince she had witnessed four years ago was still the same, her plans would have fallen into place. What could have happened to have made Prince Zachary react the way he did? From what she knew, It was out of his character. She could not figure out the answer.
well, it was no worry; Winter was still naïve as it was. She must have missed something. She had to be patient. She was going to make her suffer.