Without delay, Wolf and Anastasia were shown to their chambers inside the imperial palace.
Anastasia took note of how mediocre this palace is compared to their palace.
Since Anastasia met the royal family the could not shake the feeling of depression. The look in their eyes made Anastasia's skin crawl.
As she walked through the palace she recalled snippets of the abuse she suffered there.
'Why am I remembering her memories'?
Anastasia was confused about why she recalled something that she did not go through. Yet she realized how similar their lives were.
In this memory, Anastasia was happily playing alone with her only doll. Her older sister Analeigh and her maids burst into her chambers unannounced.
Something they are not supposed to do, but since no one respected Anastasia, these types of things happened regularly.
Seeing her older sister, Anastasia stood up immediately to greet her. Doing her best to curtesy she pulled the sides of her old hand-me-down dress.
Since she was born Anastasia has not received brand new clothes, only things Analeigh has worn.
Without shame, Analeigh snatched away the doll Anastasia was playing with. Not knowing what to do Anastasia politely asked for her doll to be returned.
Only to have Analeigh pull the doll apart breaking it into pieces. Just then King James and their Queen mother approached.
As if it was all planned, Analeigh burst out in tears. She claimed that she only wanted to play with her little sister, but Anastasia threw a tantrum and ripped her own doll.
Being the one-sided family they are the King and Queen believed Analeigh without question. After that Anastasia was grounded for a month while her doll was thrown away.
Anastasia's head was dizzy from the sudden memories that overflowed into her head. She wobbled down the hall trying to go unnoticed.
Yet with the observant eyes of her husband and staff, her uneasiness did not go unnoticed. Wolf saw her state and held her shoulders for support.
"Wife, are you ill?" Wolf asked with a face laced with concern.
"I-I'm fine, I just need to eat something."
Anastasia couldn't say that she was having memories of the real Anastasia's past.
"My wife is feeling unwell, send someone to serve us in our chambers, and we will start the day again tomorrow," Wolf said to King James and the rest of the royal family as he shut the door in their faces.
The Holy Kingdom servants were shaking in fear at Wolf's dominance. As for the royal family, they all gritted their teeth at how much Wolf seemed to care for their abandoned princess.
Especially Analeigh who had turned down the marriage to Wolf because of the rumors going around in the society.
If she had known that Wolf was as handsome as this she would have married him in a heartbeat.
"Mother! How could she steal my husband!"
Analeigh whined to her mother back in her chamber.
"My darling daughter Analeigh, please don't be angry."
"Mother I can't accept this! She was supposed to be a sacrifice how is she still alive?"
"I'm not sure daughter but I'm sure she used some tricks."
"She has always been useless, what does he see in that low-life girl!"
Analeigh was beside herself with anger as she remembered Anastasia descending from the carriage.
In the eyes of the royal family, Anastasia was unrecognizable. Especially for Analeigh as she always made sure to destroy anything remotely good that Anastasia owned.
She could not fathom that Anastasia now was a Queen of the biggest and wealthiest country in the world.
Her once abused and abandoned younger sister's status is now higher than hers. She has a doting husband and loyal servants.
Analeigh felt wronged.
'I shall take back what's mine.'
*******
"W-wi-wife."
Anastasia opened her eyes slightly to the sound of noise.
"Wife, it's time to eat."
At the words "eat", Anastasia was fully awake and ready to devour breakfast.
"Do you only answer for food?" Wolf teased.
Anastasia's face blushed as she took bites of bread, she could not help it. Ever since being his wife her appetite has increased and food is her way of life.
Wolf often teased her about her large-scale appetite. He secretly loved that she ate a lot because she was cute when she was eating.
"Next time don't go so long without eating."
Anastasia knew that he was scolding her for what happened yesterday. She couldn't tell him that she felt dizzy because of the memories and not because she did not eat.
"I promise."
"Your father and I have a meeting but afterward how about you show me around the Holy Kingdom."
"S-sure but, I have never explored the towns myself. I'm afraid I won't be a good guide."
She said honestly knowing that the original Anastasia did not leave the palace frequently.
"I'll have someone help with that, don't worry just be prepared."
"Yes."
Giving Wolf a peck on the cheek she watched as his back exited the door.
Elena did her duty, bathing and styling Anastasia for the day.
For some reason, Anastasia felt that Elena went above her usual standards.
Her dress was exquisite with gems and layers of beautiful fabric. Her hair was designed to lay delicately down her back with expensive hair pieces placed perfectly along her head.
"Her Highness, Princess Analeigh, has asked for an audience with Her Majesty." A guard announced from outside.
"How rude of them to ask for an unofficial visit with Her Highness!"
Elena was ticked off by the lack of etiquette the royal family was displaying.
Anastasia raised her hand to Elena's shoulder, calming her down.
"Let her in." Anastasia agreed to the sudden visit.
"I was beginning to think you had forgotten your older sister, Anastasia."
Analeigh was the type of person to be extremely passive-aggressive. She would say and do things subtly.
Like now, she used Anastasia's real name again while knowing it's disrespectful as Anastasia is a Queen.
Even if Anastasia was a princess she could not say her name freely.
"Princess Analeigh, it's been a while."
Analeigh was taken aback by the mature and elegant manners Anastasia displayed. Before they sent her away she was a meek girl who hardly spoke and only did as she was told.
Analeigh felt wronged again.
"Don't you look beautiful, it seems the Navarros empire is treating you well."
She was hinting at the beautiful dress and jewels decorated on Anastasia. For the first time, Anastasia surpassed her in beauty.
All though Anastasia is more beautiful, Analeigh did not notice until now.
"Thank you. May I ask why the sudden visit?"
Anastasia is aware that she is not visiting with good intentions.
"I've come to ask my dear younger sister to have tea with Mother and me. We have missed you so much since you left us."
Anastasia also knew this was a lie and that they did not miss her one bit. Yet Analeigh put on airs for the servants.
The Navarros servants are not aware of the scrutiny Anastasia faced while growing up. Elena was not sure of the mistreatment, but she made sure to mentally note the disrespect displayed to her Queen.
"I will join you."
"Wonderful! Let's go, Mother is waiting in the garden."
Anastasia felt a pinch in her chest as if more emotions that are not her own are surfacing again.
"You are probably excited to see the garden for the first time right?"
Anastasia finally understood why she felt that way just now.
The original Anastasia was not allowed to see the garden. She also never drank tea with them before.
Right now Analeigh is mocking Anastasia for being abandoned.
As they approach the garden Anastasia can not help but giggle to herself.
"My gosh, isn't this garden cute Elena? The Navarros imperial palace garden is one hundred times bigger than this so it's hard to manage and keep up with the appearance."
Anastasia decided to throw some shameless remarks as well.
"Hahaha, you are too kind, dear daughter." Queen Alice said as she saw Analeigh's face harden.
"Greetings to her Majesty, the moonlight of the Navarros Empire." Anastasia was not surprised that this mother decided to be respectful. From her memory, she is an intelligent, but cruel woman.
They all sat down and awkwardness spread across the garden.
"Anastasia I was surprised to see you back in one piece."
"That's right Mom. Anastasia, don't you know that everyone thought you died?"
"Hmm. That's correct daughter, but we are happy to see that your husband is treating you well."
"It's such a shame though."
The Queen and Analeigh are attempting to press Anastasia. They want to see her cry and become the old pitiful girl they used to know.
"Why is it a shame?"
Anastasia's question surprised them because she would usually let them continue to disrespect her.
"Well of course it's because I was supposed to be your husband's bride. If it weren't for me you wouldn't be a Queen. Should you not thank your older sister?"
Analeigh is full of herself and delusional. She truly believed her own words and the words of their mother.
"As a thank you for her role in your success, you should allow her to become a concubine to your husband."
The Queen said without remorse or shame nearly causing Anastasia to spit out her hot tea.
" Preposterous!" Elena declined the suggestion immediately.
The Queen's hand-maiden took Elena's outburst as disrespect to their queen. This maid stepped into Elena's face and slapped her hard.
The atmosphere changed drastically as Anastasia stood from her seat. She rushed to Elena and examined her cheek.
Seeing her friend and loyal partner being treated in such a way tipped Anastasia over the edge.
Anastasia has a rule, and that was, anyone could mess with her, but if you come after the people she loved, she will make you pay.
Seeing Elena's redden cheek Anastasia lifted her hand and smacked the Queen.