"Your Majesty, are you nervous?" While brushing Anastasia's hair Elena could see how distracted she was.
"A little," she admitted looking at Elena through the mirror.
"Your Majesty, I'm sure everything will be fine have positive thoughts," Elena said smiling.
"Yes, I will," Anastasia said giving a small smile in return.
She wanted to feel happy and excited about meeting her mother, but she only felt nervous and anxious.
When Wolf informed her that he found her mother and would bring her to Navarros she was filled with mixed emotions.
After waiting for what felt like years the day of her arrival came. The palace bustled in preparation for the Queen's mother. A beautiful room was prepared for her stay, and a large feast was made.
Wolf entered the chamber offering his hand to Anastasia who stood there beautifully ready to depart. With a few steps, Anastasia would meet the woman who is her mother in this world.
Wolf, Anastasia, and palace staff stood outside in front of the palace awaiting the carriage she would arrive in. Anastasia fiddled with her fingertips unable to hide her anxiety.
"Don't worry, if she shows any signs of bad intentions I will kick her out immediately," Wolf reassured her.
He could tell she was feeling complicated ever since the day she found out about her biological mother. He hated to see her worried and scared so he would be the first person to kill this woman if she hurt Anastasia.
Anastasia could not take her eyes off the road ahead. She looked and looked, stretching her neck out trying to see any carriage coming by.
Finally, in the distance, she could see a pair of horses tugging a white and gold carriage. The empire's crest on the side of the carriage indicated that it was indeed her, and she was coming in their direction.
The coachmen stopped the carriage in front of the palace. The carriage door opened revealing a Navarro's knight in armor. He stepped down from the carriage and extended his hand.
A small frail-looking hand clasped his hand, and a woman with silver almost white hair descended from the carriage. Though she was older her beauty was still impressive.
One look at her and anyone could see the resemblance between the two. Her beauty was not diminished by her tattered clothes, unkempt hair, and dirt-smudged face.
Coming from the countryside she smelled of animals and mud. Looking at her small hands one could tell that she worked them to the bone.
The beautiful middle-aged woman stood in perfect position staying completely silent. She held her head down in an oppressive manner as if waiting for directions.
"You must be tired, yes?" Anastasia said.
Looking at the woman Anastasia could see herself within her. Not because of their striking resemblance, but because of her timidness. She could tell that this woman has been through tough times in life.
Without raising her head or speaking the woman shook her head no. Anastasia felt pain in her heart looking at the pitiful woman.
"The Queen spoke to you, answer her," Wolf said. He felt that the woman might be putting on a farce to gain attention. He could not put anything past anyone when it concerned his wife.
Her body became tense at his words, and sweat formed across her forehead.
"Honey!" Anastasia pinched his side scolding him for being rude. Wolf winced in pain rubbing his side while pouting.
"It's okay, don't be afraid. Come inside please," Anastasia said gesturing to follow her inside the palace.
Carl directed them to a private room where they would be able to sit down and discuss everything. On one couch sat Wolf and Anastasia while the woman sat on another.
"You don't have to do that, please, you can raise your head," Anastasia said in a soft tone. She could tell the woman felt scared and uncomfortable.
She has not once looked up Anastasia wondered if she knew why she was even here.
"Do you know why you are here?" Anastasia asked.
"A Navarros knight came to my cottage he said that his King found my daughter and that I was to come with him immediately," she said still looking down.
Of course, Wolf did not explain things properly to the poor woman. Dragging her hundreds of miles to another country without telling her exactly what was happening is something he would do.
"I apologize for that but your daughter is indeed here," Anastasia said.
"I'm not sure why my daughter would be here, in Navarros," she said.
"Because she is the Queen of this country," Wolf said.
The woman could not hide her confusion and curiosity anymore. Her head shot up finally being able to see clearly, she saw Anastasia, the daughter she had to leave behind all those years ago.
Tears pooled in her eyes as she stared at Anastasia.
"Ana?" She whispered out in disbelief.
She covered her mouth with both hands trying to suppress the sound of her cries. Anastasia could see the hurt and pain in her eyes. She felt the love pouring from this woman, a woman who thought she would never see her child again.
"H-How?" The woman choked out.
"Father offered me as a bride to the Navaross King, thus I became his wife and Queen. Recently during a visit to the Holy Kingdom, I found out about you," Anastasia said.
The woman simply nodded indicating that she understood.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Can you tell me what happened? How did you meet father?" Anastasia asked.
"My name is Catherine Barnes, a commoner who lived with my parents since birth. When my parents died I had no means of income and soon had to find a way to survive," she said becoming choked up again.
"I was told that the palace was hiring maids and they would pay well. I decided to apply and eventually got the job. At first, things were good I had not run into the royal family. Until one night the King stumbled around the castle drunk. I was cleaning when he dragged me into his bed," she sniffled and dried her tears with a handkerchief Wolf provided.
"After that I became pregnant and when the Queen found out she immediately hated me. After I gave birth to you she snatched you from my arms claiming that she would raise you in my stead. The same night I was kicked out of the palace and forced back into the country. I never saw you again," she said.
Anastasia already felt hatred toward the royal family, but now it has intensified. How could someone be so cruel?
"I never wanted to leave you in that place alone. I'm sorry," she cried more.
Anastasia got up from her seat and walked over to the couch Catherine sat on. She placed her arms around her and hugged her. Catherine did the same and cried in her daughter's arms.
"It's okay, I forgive you," Anastasia said as she hugged Catherine.
After a while, Catherine finally gathered herself and stopped the tears. She felt extremely embarrassed.
"Elena, come help my mother get changed," Anastasia said helping Catherine stand.
"I-I can handle it myself," Catherine said.
"Let Elena take care of you, she'll have you sleeping like a baby," Anastasia insisted.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Catherine said.
"Please call me as you did before,"
"Yes, okay, Ana," Catherine said finally smiling.
Anastasia lay in bed as Wolf made his way from the bathroom into their bed. He climbed in attaching his body to her immediately. He snuggled closer to her wanting to feel her warmth.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I feel relieved that I know the truth," she said.
"That's good I hope you two get along,". He said.
"Do you think she's alright? She is sleeping somewhere unfamiliar," Anastasia worried that Catherine might be having a hard time adjusting to the new environment.
"I'm sure she is fine, if she needs something a servant can handle it," Wolf said snuggling into Anastasia more wanting to sleep.
"I should check," she said pealing him off her and hopping out of bed.
"Wait," he said missing her warmth as soon as she left his side.
Anastasia walked down the hall to the room Catherine would be staying in and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" A small voice was heard from the other side indicating that she was still awake.
Anastasia pushed the door open and slid inside quietly.
"I figured you would have a hard time sleeping," she said.
Catherine giggled a little at how Anastasia figured her out easily.
"Yes, it's a little different from how I usually sleep," she said.
"I'll keep you company until you fall asleep," Anastasia said climbing into bed with Catherine.
"Your Majesty! Is this appropriate? I mean wouldn't people gossip?" She asked.
"Hahaha, of course not now lay down and relax I'll tell you a story," Anastasia said pulling Catherine down and tucking her in.
Catherine looked at Anastasia as if she were an angel sent from above. Listening to Anastasia's stories she drifted off to sleep. Seeing Catherine sleeping soundly caused Anastasia to close her eyes as well.
In the other chamber, Wolf waited impatiently for Anastasia to come back to bed. Having waited enough he jumped from bed and headed down the hallway.
He knocked but when no one answered he got worried and opened the door. His worries were for not as he looked at the mother and daughter pair sleeping sounding holding each other. Not being able to break the Union he kissed Anastasia good night and retreated back to their chamber alone.
Tonight would make it the first night he would sleep without Anastasia.