{Illegitimate child? / The emperor wants a bride}
A pale looking girl laid on the ground. "You disgusting brat, how dare you speak back to my mother? You're just an illegitimate child'' Gwen said.
"Anastasia apologize to mother this minute and all would be forgiven" James the eldest son said with a whip in his hand. Anastasia laid down silent, she knew no matter what happened he wouldn't believe her. "James please there's no need for violence" Mrs Fiona wife of the count remarked.
"You have a good heart mother. She doesn't deserve your kindness" James said. "She isn't allowed to eat anything tonight" Gwen said.
James looked at Anastasia in disgust. "She can not eat anything for a week" James said. They left the room.
Anastasia is an illegitimate child of the Count and has been treated like a maid for the past twenty three years. No one has ever considered her part of the family. She slowly sat up straight. She wiped the blood off her lips.
Her legs felt numb, she couldn't remember how long James had whipped her. The door slowly swung open Hannah entered the room. She came in with a bucket of water and a towel.
"It took longer than usual, I wonder who made him upset" Anastasia thought to herself.
"You must be out of your mind. That man almost killed you and you wonder who made him upset?" Hannah asked. "I know James doesn't hate me, he's just stressed" Anastasia said with a weak smile.
"You are more delusional than I had anticipated" Hannah said as she helped Anastasia wipe her wounds.
"I'm not allowed to eat for a weak" Anastasia said. Hannah could only remain silent, she knew she wanted to help but she's just a maid and even if they were to escaped they would be found by the Count.
"You need to get dressed the count would be home soon" Hannah said. Anastasia got dressed, she didn't have decent clothes just woren out rags.
A horse stopped in front of the house. "Father, you're back" James said as he approached his father, count Demetrius. He slowly got down from the horse. "Lad you look like you crashed into a pigs farm. What seems to be the matter?" Count Demetrius asked.
"It's Anastasia, she insulted mother. I had to deal with her myself" James calmly stated. "Anastasia" Count Demetrius said trying to weigh her importance to him. "You make her feel entitled father that's why she doesn't know her place" James said.
"Since you have handled the issue then I shall not interfere" He said. "Mother has prepared dinner" James said. They both got inside, Countess Fiona served dinner. "Father, I need some money" Gwen said.
"What do you need more money for Gwen darling?" Count Demetrius asked. "Well Lady Genevieve, the most famous designer in the entire world, just created a master piece and all my friends got theirs and now I feel left out. It doesn't look good for your reputation. I heard people are spreading rumors that since I didn't get mine that means the count can't afford it" Gwen said.
The Count slammed his hands on the table in anger. "How dare they? For that you can have three of her most expensive collections" Demetrius said. "Alright father, I'll do that first thing tomorrow" Gwen said. "Ahem, honey how did the meeting with the Emperor go?" Fiona asked.
Demetrius sat up straight. "The Emperor has decided to get a bride" He said. "Really?" Fiona asked in surprise. "Yes... He wants a female from each noble family to attend a contest for the position of his Empress"
"That's shameless, why would he do such a ridiculous thing? I thought the emperor has someone he's interested in? Why would he then host a contest to find a bride?" James asked.
"It's all an act, at the end of the day he is going to pick Luna. Everyone knows that the emperor is obsessed with her" Gwen said. "You can't be too sure about that. You might just stand a chance in winning his heart" Fiona said.
"I'm not attending that stupid contest. Why should I waste my time playing make believe? when I know I don't have a single chance of winning the Emperor. Beside I have someone I love and I plan to spend the rest of my life with him" Gwen said.
"Do you mean that idiot from Montaubana?" James asked. "Damien isn't an idiot. His the son of the Marquis of Montaubana and we are madly in love" Gwen said. "If you don't go the Emperor would have us punished" Demetrius said.
"I don't care, I am not going anywhere. Rumors has it that the Emperor eats every woman he ends up with. Do you want me to end up like them or do you want me to be alive and happy?" Gwen asked.
"Think about it father, if Gwen marries this guy from Montaubana it would do us good. I heard that his father is so close to the King of Montaubana that the King listens to his every advice. Imagine having that power, being able to manipulate his kingdom" James said.
"Who would represent the family? If we don't present someone on behalf of the family then we would all be dead" Fiona said. "I have an idea, How about Anastasia go in Gwen's place. They both look identical after all" James said.
"Really? I haven't seen the resemblance before" Fiona said. "If Gwen can teach her how to be.... You know... Gwen... then we'll be safe" James said. "What if she ends up with the Emperor?" Demetrius asked.
"Please, you don't actually believe that the Emperor would fall for her? This isn't some romantic novel from the library. As Gwen had said, the Emperor is in love with Luna, daughter of the Duke of Giadaville. If it so happens that he fall for Anastasia then Gwen would come back to take over" James said.
"That is a wonderful idea. Gwen, you can start teaching her how to become you." Fiona said. "But mother do I have to?" She asked. "Yes, we can't afford to have a single mistake. Besides who better to teach her than the master herself" Fiona said praising her daughter. "Fine" Gwen said in disgust.
Hannah heard everything, she returned to Anastasia's room. "I don't predict leftovers tonight" Anastasia said. "We have bigger problems than that" Hannah said in worry. "Hannah? Is everything alright? You look panicked" Anastasia said.
"They are planning to make you take Gwen's place" Hannah said. "I don't understand" Anastasia said. "The Emperor's hosting a contest for a female from each noble family to become his wife" Hannah said. "What does that have to do with me?" Anastasia asked.
"Gwen has refused to attend, now the count wants you to go on her behalf" Hannah said. "Is that so?" She replied calmly. "What do you mean by that? Aren't you suppose to be fricking out?" Hannah asked.
"It's quite the contrary, I'm happy actually. I've finally gotten the break I so desperately needed. Don't you see? If I go to the castle, I'll be free. No one would be able to torture me anymore. I'll be able to eat decent meals and wear decent clothes" Anastasia said. "What if the Emperor finds out the truth?" Hannah asked.
"What's there to find out about? He requested a girl from each noble home right? He didn't say, first or second or even an illegitimate child, he just asked for a girl so I don't think I'll be in trouble" Anastasia said. "But you would be impersonating your sister" Hannah said.
"{Sigh} How about we worry about that one later? Right now we need to celebrate the great news?" Anastasia said.