Anastasia was not the only one who could not sleep. Duchess Anita paced her room, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. She clenched her fists, biting her middle finger, a nervous habit she couldn't shake whenever frustration overwhelmed her.
"How dare he threaten me!" she thought, her rage directed squarely at the Duke.
"What should I do?" she continues to bit her middle finger.
"Should I get her killed?" The Duchess wondered. After thinking this, she shook her head. She knew she would be the first suspect once something happened to Anastasia. Moreover, her husband had just warned her not to act carelessly.
In the years she had been married to the Duke, he had never been as firm as he was this time. Even if he disagreed with her decision, he would at least promise to think about it.
"Leah!!" the Duchess snapped, calling for her trusted aide..
"Yes, Your Grace," Leah rushed inside as soon as she was called. Since they left the study, the Duchess had made her stand outside her door. No matter how tired she was, she did not dare leave.
"Have you investigated what happened in the house while we were away?" Duchess Anita asked. She felt she might find a breakthrough. She was unconvinced that the King would specifically request to marry the daughter of a mistress to his favorite prince.
The only explanation was that something had happened earlier that had made her husband decide to allow that woman's daughter to marry the Crown Prince.
"Your Grace, Miss Maria is attending a friend's party tomorrow. I heard she invited Lady Elisabeth and that girl to come along. My lady must have hated the idea and wanted to stop it. Who would have expected that maid not to play along and instead threaten to hit the gong, accusing the kitchen of poisoning their master? The kitchen women were scared of losing their heads. Those fools! Instead of beating up that maid and locking her up, they let her go free. The news spread around the residence. When His Grace returned, the news must have reached his ears, so he sent for that girl. Nobody is sure of the content of their discussion, but that girl or her stupid maid has not stepped out of her courtyard since," Leah answered.
As the right hand of the Duchess, it was easy for her to find out the ins and outs of the situation.
"I also tried to get the news out of Steward Munan; he only warned that the wind of the residence was about to change," Leah added after a pause.
The Duchess was furious after hearing this. "That stupid maid, she must pay," she roared angrily. She knew she had her way all this while because the Duke looked the other way. Duchess Anita also felt that her husband's decision to marry Anastasia to the Crown Prince was because of the rumors. After all, Anastasia was still his daughter.
How could he sit and do nothing if he heard that she was almost poisoned? "I want you to accompany my daughter tomorrow when she goes out with her teacher," a cold glint flashed across her eyes.
Leah nodded. Although she did not know what decision the Duke had made, from Steward Munan's words and the Duchess's actions, she could guess that Anastasia was now under the Duke's protection.
"At the party tomorrow…" Duchess Anita lowered her voice as she instructed Leah. If she could not make her husband change his mind, then she would ruin Anastasia's reputation. If she was ruined, how would she still be fit for the royal family?
---
Anastasia woke to the sound of impatient knocking.
Knock. Knock.
She groaned, already knowing who it was. Leah had always been rude and overbearing.
Anastasia sighed as she got out of bed, her father's words from the previous night replaying in her mind. Would my life here change if I'm engaged to the Crown Prince? she wondered, though her heart told her the answer was no.
Anastasia shook her head as she got up to change her clothes. She knew the Duchess and her daughter would not let her marry the Prince. "I better stop daydreaming," Anastasia sighed as she kissed her mother's portrait, once again pushing her dream to the back of her mind.
"My lady," Leah's impatient voice came from outside the door. Anastasia was accustomed to it, so she ignored it and finished changing.
Crack.
Anastasia pulled the door open when Leah was about to knock on it again. She expected her to hit or scold her, but Leah dropped her hand and smile, a strange, forced expression that put Anastasia on edge.
"Good morning, my lady," the tone of her voice sounded humble, taking Anastasia by surprise again.
What is she up to? Anastasia wondered, but she nodded in response, not showing any fear or discomfort in her gaze.
"My lady, Her Grace realized you would become a woman in a few days. She feels that Rosa alone might not be able to serve you. So these two maids were assigned to your courtyard," Leah said. She did not act superior like she always did. Her gaze seemed clear, but Anastasia felt her body tense up more.
Her father told her about his plans to marry her to the Crown Prince the previous evening. If anything, the Duchess should be angry with her and looking for a way to get back at her.
It did not make sense for her to suddenly start acting like a caring mother unless these maids were sent to murder her, not serve her. Anastasia looked at the two maids that were standing behind Leah. She had not paid attention to them earlier. The two maids looked to be around her age, but they were skinny, proof of their lack of nutrition.
"I appreciate Her Grace's favor," Anastasia said. She pretended to be genuinely happy. After all, only when the Duchess lowered her guard would Anastasia be able to pick up flaws and protect herself.
When Leah saw her happiness, she mocked her in her heart. "Fool."
"I will tell Her Grace how pleased you are," Leah said before turning around and walking away. Anastasia was surprised she did not mention anything about Elisabeth's bathing spices.
"What are your names?" Anastasia asked the two maids that were left behind.
"I am Dorata. I turned eighteen this month," one of the maids answered. She looked pretty confident and the opposite of her weak appearance. Anastasia could tell from her small gestures that this maid did not take her as her master. She had omitted courtesy when she answered the question.
"My name is Nile, and I am seventeen, my lady," the second maid sounded humble; she lowered her head when she spoke.
"Are you new to the Duke's residence?" Anastasia asked. Her question was directed at both maids, but her gaze was fixed on Nile. Although she acted appropriately, Anastasia was worried that she might be good at pretending. After all, with two maids, it was easy for them to play the game of angel and demon.
"My lady, I used to serve at the main building. I washed Her Grace's and my lady's clothes," Nile answered. There was no change in expression; she looked honest.
Anastasia did not believe her honest gaze. The fact that she served the Duchess and her daughter, even if she had no significant role, made her uncomfortable.