Even the Duke was surprised by the Queen's actions. He wondered what was so special about Anastasia that she would receive such a blessing.
"Her Majesty is kind," Duke Thompson said, concealing his doubts perfectly.
"I will not disappoint Her Majesty's grace," Anastasia said, bowing her head. Although she was speaking to a lady-in-waiting, the woman represented the Queen, so proper etiquette had to be followed.
The lady-in-waiting nodded, satisfied with Anastasia's manners. She was not someone who judged others based on rumors, and seeing Anastasia's demeanor, she felt the rumors about her might be false.
Elisabeth watched in dismay. How had her sister, who had been locked up in the house, become engaged to the crown prince? As the daughter of a duke, she had had a few chances to meet the prince; he was handsome and intelligent.
Many noble ladies had their eyes on him, and Elisabeth was no exception. She had been captivated by his gentle personality, and becoming his bride would mean everything to her.
Why would the King choose Anastasia, who had a bad reply to become his wife? She was not even worthy of being his mistress.
"Father," Elisabeth murmured, convinced that her father was behind this decision. The thought fueled her anger she had always been a good daughter to him.
Elisabeth dug her fingers into her palm. The pain helped her stay clear-headed and keep her emotions in check. After all there would be no benefit if she threw a tantrum.
---
"Miss Magdalena, let Leah take you around the residence so you can familiarize yourself with it," Duchess Anita offered as soon as her husband had seen their guest out.
After careful consideration, Duchess Anita believed she could win Miss Magdalena over to her side and proceed with her plan.
"That won't be necessary; I would rather spend time getting to know Lady Anastasia," Miss Magdalena declined. Having lived in the palace all her life, she could easily see through the duchess's little tricks. What stepmother would willingly allow good fortune to fall upon her stepchild?
"Miss Magdalena, Lady Anastasia has to attend her lessons. Why not take this opportunity to explore the residence instead?" Duchess Anita suggested. She hated that an unknown lady at court was acting so high and mighty, but she couldn't voice her displeasure. After all, to strike a servant, one must first consider the master.
"I appreciate the Duchess's concern, but I am here to teach the young lady. Accompanying her to class would be the best way to assess her progress," Miss Magdalena refused once again. The Queen had sent her to the duke's residence to determine whether there was anything noteworthy about a mistress's daughter. She had no time to waste on trivial matters. She was not there to make acquaintances.
The Duchess wanted to say more, but Elisabeth spoke first.
"Mother, I have to leave with my sister now. Miss Brice does not like to be kept waiting. I believe it's a good idea for Miss Magdalena to observe my sister's studies more closely." She said with a harmless smile.
Duchess Anita frowned at first, thinking her daughter was trying to ruin her plans. But after careful consideration, she understood Elisabeth's intentions. The Queen was a mother, no woman would willingly allow her son to marry a girl with no talents. Although she didn't know what her husband had done to convince the King, if the Queen saw Anastasia as an embarrassment, the marriage arrangement might change.
"Lady Anastasia, you should ask your maid to have the gifts from the palace sent to your courtyard," Miss Magdalena reminded her. She managed palace affairs, so she had not forgotten the gifts in the receiving hall.
Duchess Anita stiffened. As the daughter of a duke, Anastasia should have at least one maid accompanying her at all times.
"You there, move the gifts to Anastasia's courtyard," Duchess Anita instructed a maid before Anastasia could respond.
Everyone in the duke's residence was under Duchess Anita's control, so she did as she pleased. However, the same could not be said for Miss Magdalena. Until she was certain she had Miss Magdalena on her side, she was unwilling to reveal too much. After all, she could not afford to tarnish her own reputation.
Anastasia agreed and left the hall with Miss Magdalena. It was not the first time the Duchess had covered up her actions. Besides, there was no point in exposing her at the moment.
"Get that girl's courtyard cleaned up," Duchess Anita ordered Leah as soon as Anastasia and the others had left the hall. She was unsure of Miss Magdalena's true character. Until she figured her out, she would not expose any weaknesses.
Leah felt her head spinning. Anastasia's courtyard had been decently furnished, but she had taken everything and pocketed the valuables for herself.
Over the past five years, she had given away many of the items she had stolen, some had been sold, and the money funneled to her relatives. She had never imagined that she would be forced to return everything so soon.
Last night, when Steward Manum had warned her, she had dismissed it, thinking that as long as she remained loyal to the Duchess, she had nothing to fear.
"What should I do?" Leah broke out in a cold sweat. She did not have enough money to replace everything, and there was not enough time to gather the necessary funds.
"I am done for," Leah murmured sorrowfully as she made her way to Anastasia's courtyard.
---
Anastasia was deep in thought as she walked to her lesson. Her sudden engagement frightened her. She could tell that Elisabeth was envious, but she had no idea why her father had chosen her to become the crown prince's bride.
The Duke of Thompson's residence was not the most influential in the royal capital. Furthermore, as the daughter of a mistress, she was the least qualified to marry the crown prince.
If she had been the only daughter in the household, it might have made sense. But Elisabeth was of age and equally capable of marrying the prince.
'So why had this prestigious marriage been given to her? Why did it's seems like the duchess was not fighting to steal it for Elizlsabeth?'
She couldn't stop thinking about her dream. The lonely old woman who had died without respect or dignity terrified her. Was the dream a warning from God not to marry into the royal family?
"What should I do?" Anastasia fell into a dilemma.
On one hand, her marriage to the crown prince was an opportunity to escape the duchess's cruelty. But on the other, the dream had filled her with fear. What if it came true? What if her life in the palace was even worse than living under Duchess Anita?
When they arrived at the classroom, Miss Brice was already seated. She had a stern expression on her face. A servant had informed her that Anastasia had been summoned to the receiving hall.
Seeing the girls return, Miss Brice cast them a questioning look. She had heard the rumors that Anastasia was to be sent to a monastery to become a nun.
Honestly, she had thought that would be a breath of fresh air for the Duke's residence but it's seems the rumors are not true m