"What are you doing in the office of your father?" asked Diana as she had never seen Ana reading that much.
She could not point but something had changed in her daughter from the day Garrison had come to meet her. Ana did not go shopping anymore, she did not go to parties anymore. She did not take interest in gossip and even maids told that she kept reading all the time.
As if her old daughter had returned. But still the shine in her eyes was lost as if she had suffered a lot of pain. For some reason, Diana wanted to hug Ana and tell her everything would be fine but at the same time, Diana was afraid. What if this was another tactic of her daughter.
But her heart weep every time she look at her daughter's soulless and lost gaze.
"Is there something that is worrying you?" Diana asked cautiously when deep lines formed on Ana's face but she shook her head.
"Of course not, mother. I was just reading a nice story and it took my attention. Do you know about the division of the empire into two countries?" she asked as she closed the book she was reading when Diana stared at the cover and nodded her head.
"Yes, a long time ago, the empire was divided between two brothers to avoid war. The deceased majesty, Charles, took a big decision because he loved both of his children equally. And thanks to that, war never happened.
Other empires, who thought that it was the time for them to earn power tried to launch an attack but both empires always supported each other. For five decades, they have been giving their backs to each other, making both of them stronger than others. But why are you reading it? I thought you were going to do your major on the art of lemuria?" Ana smiled as she kept the book away.
"I am only reading it, mother. Of course, I will end my book on the art of Lemuria only. Do you want to see my latest painting?" Diana gives her daughter a deep and hard look before nodding her head.
"I will bring that in your chamber tonight after dinner. Have a good day, mother." Ana hugged the woman as she left her there in bewilderment.
She knew that her mother had doubts but she could not care about them. She had to find a way to convince his majesty that she was not the right person for the marriage before that fateful day arrived.
"My lady, you are finally here!" Ana paused at the door as she looked at Martha with bafflement.
"Why do I feel that you say the same line each day you see me!" with a sarcastic look on her face Ana entered when she saw Martha taking some deep breath to control her anger.
"My lady, do you have any idea what it meant to be betrothed to the duke? And it is only one month until your marriage. Yet you live like a free woman! Do you know how much pressure I bear these days." Ana stared as how Martha took out a bunch of letters and spread it on the table in front of her.
"These are the letters from all the noble families. They wanted to have either tea with you or invite you for shopping together. Everyone thinks that you are busy with the preparation of your marriage but look at the room, my lady!
There are no new clothes, jewels or shoes. You even returned the traders your father had sent for you. I wonder if we are going to go empty handed in the palace of the duke and humiliate our family." she looked exasperated and worried to the core but Ana looked away.
She looked at the letters in pink and lavender envelopes. She remembers going there in her past life. She had thought that they wanted to meet her and be part of her happiness but these are the cold and mean relatives of Garrison who will insult her by comparing her again and again with his first wife.
In the end, she had thrown a fit and fought with lady Lavia creating a stain on her image that had gone with her for a decade.
"Tell them that I am busy with my studies and I regret not meeting them." she pushed the letter away when Martha gasped.
"My lady, these are your sister in laws and the vassal family of the lord. It is going to leave a bad impression on you." she warned but Ana had already decided.
"One more thing! You will soon receive a letter from the family of the duke that they want me to attend a two week training program to make sure that I will be a good duchess." she looked at smiling Martha who was finally relaxing, "when you receive it, refuse them. I do not think that I will need any training." and the smile stiffened and her face turned pale.
"Jesus! How in the world did you expect me to refuse the family of the duke! My lady, I would rather give resignation and leave for my hometown." Martha declared with an aghast face when Ana nodded as if she understood.
"Then do that. But before that, do not forget the new assigned maid about my instructions. Now I will be working on my painting. So you can leave and do not let anyone enter my room."