The morning after Isabella's grand birthday celebration, life on the estate resumed as it always had. Servants bustled through the halls, cleaning up the remnants of last night's festivities. The sound of laughter still echoed faintly in the air, but Anna was already back to her routine.
The scratches from the animals that morning had been deeper than usual. She winced as she carried a bucket of water to the stable, her hands trembling from exhaustion. The horses had kicked at her again, one of them managing to land a sharp hoof against her shin. Her legs ached with every step, but she pushed through, determined not to spill the precious water.
The memory of the boy lingered in her mind, his emerald eyes a spark of light in her otherwise dim world. She wondered if he remembered her, if he'd thought of her at all after their brief meeting.
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Another Morning, Another Pain
As Anna reached the stable, a familiar dread settled over her. The animals were restless, their low growls and sharp neighs echoing through the space. She set the bucket down, careful not to make too much noise, and began distributing feed.
It didn't take long for the attacks to begin.
A dog snapped at her hand as she tried to place food in its bowl, its sharp teeth grazing her knuckles. She yelped and pulled her hand back, clutching it to her chest as blood welled from the wound.
"It's okay," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I probably startled you."
The horses weren't any kinder. One lashed out with its head, striking her shoulder and sending her stumbling backward into the wall. She gasped, clutching her shoulder as tears threatened to spill over.
She had tried everything—feeding them extra portions, speaking softly, keeping her movements slow—but nothing seemed to work.
"Maybe it's because I didn't bring enough water," she muttered to herself, dragging the bucket closer to the trough. "Maybe tomorrow I'll try harder."
Her body screamed in protest as she finished her chores, but she forced herself to move. The estate needed her, even if no one wanted her.
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Inside the manor, Isabella was the picture of perfection. The morning sun streamed through the grand windows, casting a golden glow over the dining hall. The Duke and Duchess sat at the head of the table, their smiles radiant as Isabella recounted the events of her party.
"Did you see how many gifts I received?" Isabella said, her voice bright and cheerful. "The jewelry from the Marquess of Fentyl was especially beautiful!"
"And you deserved every one of them," the Duchess said warmly. "You were the star of the night, my darling."
Anna stood at the far end of the hall, clutching a tray of empty glasses. No one had asked her to help clear the table, but she did it anyway. It gave her something to focus on besides the gnawing ache in her stomach.
"I wish I could have met the young duke again," Isabella continued, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush. "He was so polite, wasn't he?"
The Duke chuckled. "A fine match for you in the future, perhaps."
Anna froze, her breath catching in her throat. She bit her lip, quickly lowering her gaze to the tray. Of course, a boy like him would be destined for someone like Isabella.
"I'm happy for her," Anna whispered to herself, even as a sharp pang of jealousy twisted in her chest.
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Later that afternoon, Anna slipped away to the garden. It was her sanctuary, despite the biting branches and uneven ground. She found the same tree she always sat beneath and leaned against its trunk, her eyes scanning the estate grounds.
Her fingers brushed over the fresh scratches on her arms, the sting a constant reminder of her morning. The bandages she'd wrapped were already soaked through, but she didn't have the supplies to replace them.
As she sat there, she noticed a shadow moving across the grass. Her heart leapt as she turned, half-expecting the boy from last night.
Instead, it was one of the servants—a young maid named Lila.
"What are you doing here?" Lila asked sharply, her eyes narrowing.
Anna quickly scrambled to her feet, brushing dirt from her dress. "I-I was just taking a moment—"
"You're not supposed to be here," Lila snapped, her tone cold. "The Duchess doesn't want you ruining the view. Go back to your room."
Anna nodded quickly, keeping her head down. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"Just go," Lila said, waving her away.
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A Glimmer in the Shadows
As Anna trudged back toward the servant's quarters, her thoughts were a whirlwind of self-doubt.
"I must have done something wrong again," she murmured. "Maybe I sat in the wrong spot, or I stayed too long..."
Her footsteps faltered as she approached the stable. There, leaning casually against the fence, was the boy. The young duke.
Her breath caught in her throat. He wasn't dressed as formally as the night before, but his posture was still effortlessly regal. His emerald-green eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.
"You're Anna, right?" he asked, his voice calm and steady.
She nodded, her cheeks burning.
"I wanted to thank you," he said, taking a step closer.
Anna blinked in confusion. "T-Thank me? For what?"
"For last night," he said. "You didn't say much, but... I could tell you're different from the others."
Different. The word echoed in her mind, not as an insult this time, but as something... softer.
"I hope we can talk again," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Before Anna could respond, a sharp voice called out from the manor. "Young Master Caius, the carriage is ready!"
The boy—Caius—glanced over his shoulder, then back at Anna. "Until next time," he said, giving her a small wave before walking away.
Anna watched him go, her heart pounding in her chest. For the first time in years, she felt something unfamiliar bloom inside her.
Hope.