Anastasia had just finished dressing up when there was a knock on the door. "come in," Anastasia responded.
Rosa pulled the door open, "My lady, the kitchen sent your breakfast, " Rosa said when she stepped in. She had a confused expression, which was expected as something like that had not happened in years.
"Then we should go and have breakfast, " Anastasia said. Although the Duches's action was unexpected, Anastasia believed the food should not be poisoned.
Rosa opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but she decided against it, seeing that her lady was happy.
She pulled the door open and walked behind Anastasia.
When they got to the dining room, Nile was arranging the food on the table.
Anastasia's eyes widened briefly when she saw the different dishes on the table. The change within the resident was unexpected.
"My lady, allow me to test the food, " Rosa said when she saw Anastasia's reaction. She was also taken aback when she saw three maids from the kitchen delivering food to the courtyard. "Let her do it, " Anastasia shook her head.
Although she doubted the Duchess would do something like poision her, she was worried that she would take things too lightly and suffer.
Nile, who had just finished arranging the food, was surprised. Rosa steps forward to serve her the food. She was not very happy when she was moved away from the main house to serve the unfavored daughter.
What future could she have when her master was no different from a maid in the residence? Only at this moment did she realize that her worry should not be remaining a poor maid in the future, but she might not get to see the future.
No matter how unhappy Nile was, she took th spoon and ate the food. She knew that if she refused to eat, she might accused of trying to poision her master. 'At least I can have a good last meal if it's poision, ' she mused.
Rosa watched her finish the food on her plate; she waited a few minutes before serving her lady.
Anastasia smiled and started eating; although she knew that not all poision would react immediately, she was fine as long as she did not die in her courtyard when the Duchess could easily cover up her death.
Rosa watched as Anastasia picked up her spoon and began to eat. She really wanted to ask what had come over the duchess, but such questions could only be asked in her mind. She did not dare voice it out.
"seat and eat. I will be going to class, " Anastasia stood up once satisfied.
"My lady, " Rosa was still worried about the food on the table. She had been planning in her heart to hit the gong should something happen to her lady later; perhaps it was a slow-action poison, but now she was asked to eat, too.
Who would get justice for her lady if something was wrong with the food?
"Don't worry, she would die first, then you can sneak out to hit the gong. The poison in your body would be the best evidence, " Anastasia said as she could guess what Rosa was thinking.
"My lady, " Rosa felt that Anastasia thought thing through but the truth was, she was taking a chance. The duke's residence was the duchess's home ground, so she would definitely not do anything that would indirectly implicate her. She was hoping that she would not make any mistake, such as poisoning her just a night after the duke offered to allow her to marry the crown prince.
After Breakfast, Anastasia left to join her sister in class. Usually, Elisabeth would be in class before she arrived, but today, when Anastasia got to class, it was empty.
She took her seat and waited gracefully. Just then, Elisabeth stepped into the class. "Good morning, sister, " she had her usual polite smile.
"Welcome, " Anastasia answered. She ignored the flick of mockery that was playing on Elisabeth's gaze. In the past five years, she had learned to ignore more. After all, there was no one to complain to.
Seeing her act like this made Elisabeth's gaze turn dark. She did not expect to see Anastasia that morning. Like everyone else, she belived the gossip around the house that the duke wanted to punish Anastasia.
"I heard Father sent for you yesterday, " Elisabeth pretended to ask out of concern. In her heart, she eagerly awaited Anastasia to lower her gaze. Anastasia raised her brows to look at her. "like mother like daughter, " a phrase came to Anastasia's mind as she looked at Elisabeth, who was faking her concern. It was a common act the duchess displayed when others were around.
"I hope Father did not blame you because of the misunderstanding yesterday, " Elisabeth continued when she did not see any reaction. She felt that it was essential to remind Anastasia of her visit to the Duke study the previous day; this way, she would not continue to pretend.
"He is my father. He would not eat me up, " Anastasia replied. She had seen that some of the servants in the house were giving her a strange look when she walked over to class. Usually, they would all pretend not to see her. She had not thought of it much before, but looking at Elisabeth's meaningful gaze, it was easy to guess that everyone must have felt she was punished by the Duke the previous evening.
When Elisabeth heard this response, she frowned, as she had not expected Anastasia to continue pretending when the previous day's incident was brought up.
"keep pretending, " Elisabeth quelled under her breath, but Anastasia, who was looking at her, read her lips.
"I have nothing to pretend about, sister, " The words sister felt bitter on Anastasia's lips, but since they would be going out together that day, she felt it would be fine to practice a little. Usually, she would have chosen to ignore Elisabeth, but at that moment, she wanted to make her uncomfortable.. "it seems you are still unaware of why Father sent for me yesterday, " Anastasia asked; she felt that it was easy to find some hints of what the duchess was planning from Elisabeth.
"tas, " Elisabeth clicked her tongue. "the whole resident knows that Father is angry at you for not managing your maid properly, " Elisabeth replied. She seemed to be in a good mood after voicing her thoughts.
Anastasia could not help but chuckle when she heard the remark. True, the Duke had never looked at her, and she had also thought that it was nothing good when he sent for her, but thinking back, the Duke never involved himself in what happens within the household, so why would everyone think he decides to punish her for something her maid did?
"What's funny, " Elisabeth frowns her brows, forgetting all that her nanny had taught her about being composed all the time.
"You, of course. Why would Father punish me because my maid spoke against the unfair treatment of the people in the kitchen? "Anastasia asked. Even if she knew the kitchen did not act without instructions, she could pretend to be ignorant.
Anastasia's question made Elisabeth feel like a bucket of cold water was poured over her. In truth, the duke was not a man to act without investigation. Over the years, her mother always acts after preparing an excuse. Elisabeth's heart shook as she suddenly became worried; after all, it would not do her any good if her father found out that she had given out instructions to harm her sister. This was a punishable offense by the custom of Nixet.
"Then why did he call you? " she asked, trying to hide her fear. It seems she was only curious, but she prayed deep down that it had nothing to do with the kitchen.
"I am of age. Father informed me of my marriage, " Anastasia answered. She has a warm smile on her lips. She finally understood how Elisabeth felt every time she made her uncomfortable.
"Marriage," Elisabeth chewed on the word. She and her mother had always planned on marrying Anastasia to an unfortunate man or perhaps making her someone's mistress. Why would her father suddenly pick a husband himself? "It is definitely nothing good, I am sure; Father needs some political alliance, and he is just using her. That's right, everyone saw her looking like someone who had met a ghost when she left Father's study, " Elisabeth comforted herself.
"Yes, my GOOD sister, " Anastasia stressed her words. "A good family has brought a proposal to Father, and he already accepted it on my behave, " Anastasia nodded her head.
Elisabeth did not like what she heard, especially since Anastasia used the word 'good family,' and she did not seem joking.
"Which family? " Elisabeth could not stop her curiosity. She prayed and hoped that her father was only fooling Anastasia to accept the marriage. Elisabeth began to consider that Anastasia's weird look yesterday might be out of excitement.
"you would find out soon enough, " Anastasia answered.