Anastasia finally went back to her room. It's been two days and the emperor ignored her like she never exist. Today it was announced that the emperor has accepted seeing each lady for an hour the entire day.
Today she got another letter from home. She didn't read it, she didn't need to. She squeezed it in frustration. "It's just for a while" She muttered.
"Guinevere" Miss Sunshine called out. Anastasia looked behind to see Miss Sunshine standing behind her. "Yes ma'am" Anastasia said with a smile. "I see you got a letter from your family"
"Yes" She replied. "Anyway, I would like to ask for your assistance on something" Miss Sunshine said. "I'd like to help you, I'm not doing anything" Anastasia said.
"Alright, there would be a gathering held in the castle tomorrow, I asked others to help with making treats but they declined the moment they found out it didn't give points" Miss Sunshine said.
"Don't fret Miss Sunshine, I got you" Anastasia said with a wink. "Thank you you're a life saver" Miss Sunshine said. They went to the kitchen, but it was empty. "Where is everyone?" Anastasia asked.
"There is no other person.... I forgot to mention you'll be making the treats yourself, enough to feed about one thousand people" Miss Sunshine said. "That many people? How am I supposed to pull that off by myself?" Anastasia asked.
"You promised to help. are you going back on your word?" Miss Sunshine asked. "Shit" Anastasia cursed underneath her breath. "I can't go back on my word" Anastasia said with a forced smile.
"Wonderful, I'll come help you later but first there's something I need to take care of" Miss Sunshine said. Anastasia was left speechless, she only agreed to this just to clear her mind from the letter. She gripped the counter so hard her palms went pale.
She brought out the letter from her pocket and burned it to ashes. "Just a little bit...." She whispered. For the entire day she prepared treats for tomorrow's ceremony. Luckily she was forced to cook and make sweets for her family.
This task was a breeze despite the fact she didn't finish everything that day. She made cookies, chocolates, cakes, donuts and lemon bars.
She did few batch the next day. By the time she was done she was exhausted, she told Miss Sunshine she was done.
"I can't believe you pulled all this by yourself" Miss Sunshine said. "It was nothing, I need to return to my room" Anastasia said.
Later in the evening. Nobles and royalty arrived to the castle. "Anastasia the count is present for this event" Hannah said. Anastasia felt her soul leave her body. There was a knock on the door, the room fell silent.
"Guinevere? Aren't you coming for the party?" Rose asked from outside. Hannah went to the door and opened it. "I'm sorry your highness but I don't feel well" Anastasia said. "This is a command from the emperor, everyone is invited no excuses" Rose said.
"I don't have something suitable to wear to the event" Anastasia said. Rose clapped twice and a maid entered the room with a beautiful pink dress. "You came prepared for this didn't you, your highness?"
"I told you it's not up for debate" Rose said. Anastasia wore the dress, a maid helped her prepare. She stares at herself in the mirror, she couldn't recognize herself.
"Are you ready?" Rose asked. "Yes" Anastasia said with a faint smile. They got to the venue, the air smelled like elegant perfumes. Expensive dress and wine but fake smiles and chuckles.
Rose left Anastasia, she went to talk to someone. Anastasia felt out of place, she silently wished she didn't see the count.
She noticed everyone commenting on the treats, she smiles in satisfaction. Few minutes later. "My beloved daughter" The voice she could recognize in her nightmares called.
She spun around to see Count Demetrius. She subconsciously stepped back from him. "Is this how you treat your father?" He asked with a wicked grin.
"F..f..f.. father" She stuttered. He closed the distance, he leans against her ear. "You think you're smart huh bitch. Let's talk outside, I wouldn't want to make a scene" Count Demetrius said.
Anastasia couldn't speak, she could only follow him silently. He took her to a quiet place, where no one was watching. He turned around and slapped her.
"Do you think that just because you're in a fancy castle sipping tea with royalty means you're safe?" Count Demetrius asked. "I didn't ask to be here" Anastasia said calmly. Count Demetrius dragged her hair and shoved her hard against the wall.
He kicked and punched her mercilessly. Anastasia didn't make a single sound, she took it silently. She's use to it, the pain, the suffering, the cruelty. Begging would only make matters worse.
Count Demetrius stopped, he wipes off the blood from his fists. "Don't forget your are worthless piece of shit. Don't think I would hesitate to kill you here and now. Next time your try to act smart with me, I would gladly put you in your place" Count Demetrius left to the ceremony.
Anastasia sat on the floor, she let tears fall from her eyes uncontrollably. She wipes the blood off her lips. She laughs bitterly.
"I never ask for this.... This fucking pathetic thing I call a life, I didn't fucking as to be here god damn it. I'm just a punching bag...." Anastasia said weakly. She looks at her reflection in the water, her hair, her dress, even her face is a mess. "I think I'll call this a day" Anastasia said.
Azriel walked outside with Luna in his arms. Anastasia didn't make eye contact, she walked pass them. She fought tears from further coming out. Her legs felt like losing it's purpose.
Miss Sunshine met Anastasia outside. "Holy cow what happened to you?" Miss Sunshine asked. "I'm fine" Was all she could say. "You don't look like you're fine... You look like you were in a fight with a beast" Miss Sunshine said.
"I think he won" Anastasia said in a silent whisper. "Seriously I'm fine" Anastasia fighting herself from falling apart. "Have you met your father?". Mrs Harper asked. Anastasia nods.
"I shall inform the emperor about your condition" Miss Sunshine said. "No.. please. I'm fine, I swear.... I just need to get some rest" Anastasia said.
They didn't push further. Anastasia went to her room, she looks at her reflection in the mirror. She hated being so weak, hated how she couldn't defend herself. Even the man who promised he'll protect her didn't even give a shit about her.
Anastasia punched the mirror causing it to shatter and blood dripping from her hand. She took off the hair ornaments and accessories, her dress and shoes. She cried her heart out, going to to a shower.
There was a gentle knock on the door. Anastasia didn't feel like entertaining visitors. "I know you're in there" Rose said. Anastasia reluctantly opened the door.
"I noticed you left the party..." Rose stopped midway. "My goodness what happened to you?" Rose asked. "Nothing" Anastasia replied. Rose saw her hand and the shattered mirror behind her. "Do you want to talk about it?" Rose asked.
Anastasia remained silent. Rose sighs. "How about I treat your wound" Rose didn't wait for a reply, she dragged Anastasia outside to her garden.
Rose helped her clean up the wound, Anastasia didn't flinch once. She felt hallow inside, she knew count Demetrius had finally broken her this time.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Rose asked again for like the hundredth time. Anastasia nods once.
Azriel was looking for Rose, he noticed she wasn't in the party. "It was your idea to host this party but yet you refuse to stay for your own party" Azriel said angrily. He paused when he saw Rose sitting with Anastasia.
"Why didn't you tell anyone where you were headed?" Azriel asked softly. "I had to take care of her.... Why don't you try to talk to her maybe she could tell you why she's like this" Rose said.
Azriel looks at Anastasia, her face looked like she had been beaten. There's a little bit of blood on her lips and her fist is bandaged. Rose stands up to leave them alone. Azriel slowly sat beside her.
"Who did this to you?" Azriel asked trying to maintain his anger. Anastasia just stared into space. "Tell me who did this to you" He said. Anastasia looks at him, she gave a bitter smile.
"Return to your party your grace" She said in a whisper. Anastasia stood up, Azriel held her back. "Don't walk away from me, I'm still the emperor. Tell me who did this to you, that is not a request" Azriel said.
"Or what?" Anastasia asked quietly. Azriel was stunned by that question. "Let me make them regret touching you" Azriel said.
"There's no need for that. I can handle my battles myself, I'm not your charity case" Anastasia said. Anastasia went to her room