Later in the evening, James pulled Anastasia to a quiet place. He hit her across the face. "What have you done? What are these marks? Do you have any idea how difficult it would be for Guinevere to replace you now?" He asked.
"I never meant for this to happen" Anastasia said. James grabbed her by the neck, squeezing her like a rubber duck. "I saw you in the emperor's arms.... At least you aren't entirely useless" James said.
"You just said it yourself... Guinevere will never take my place, now that I have these on my body so your plans failed" Anastasia said. James let's go of her neck, he pulls out a knife and stabs her on the leg. Anastasia screams in pain.
"Don't act smart bitch... I could kill you here and now" James said. "Do it but I doubt the emperor would let you live" Anastasia said. "So my toy has learnt how to challenge me"
"I'm not your toy you fucking psychopath" Guinevere said. James pushed the knife deeper into her leg causing her to grunt in pain. "You forget that he would kill you if he knew exactly who you are.... Don't think you are safe here, remember brave rabbits end up as road kill"
James left the knife in Anastasia's legs. "A gift from me to you" He said before leaving. Anastasia placed her dress in her mouth to prevent sounds from coming out when she pulled the knife out from her thigh.
She summoned courage and pulled it out causing tears to fall from her eyes. "For how long?" She whispered.
The next morning Anastasia was assigned to practice with swords together with Luna. Anastasia tried to walk without limping so no one would notice.
Azriel kept massaging his thighs out of instinct. "What's the problem brother?" Rose asked. "She feels pain on her legs" Azriel said. Rose looks at Anastasia. "But Guinevere is fine... It's your mind playing tricks on you" Rose said.
Anastasia began the training but she couldn't keep up because of her leg. During the process Luna kicked her on her leg.
Anastasia fell to the ground screaming in pain. People rushed to her, she didn't want anyone to know the truth. "I'm fine" She winced in pain as she stood up. "Sunshine call the royal physician" Mrs Harper said.
"No, no, no. There's no need for that I'm fine. I just need a cold bath" Anastasia insisted. "What if you had a dislocation?" Miss Sunshine asked. "No dislocations... I'm fine don't worry. I'll be in my room" Anastasia said leaving for her room.
Three days later, James continuously made her life a living hell. Today they were asked to join the emperor in the throne room so they could learn how judgment is being passed out.
Anastasia sat Infront so she could see everything, which wasn't intentional it was how Mrs Harper asked them to sit. Azriel sat on his throne looking at a woman kneeling before him.
Anastasia noticed this isn't the person she knew, this wasn't the man that problem to protect her, this man sitting on the throne has this calculating and evil look in his eyes. This moment confirms everything she had heard about the emperor being the devil in the flesh.
"What is the crime?" Azriel asked. "She was found leaking court information to the enemy" Williams said. "Olivia... You were my closet align in the court but everyone can not be trusted" Azriel said.
"Your Majesty please forgive me... They could have killed my son if I didn't do it" Olivia pleaded. "Betraying me is worst than death" Azriel said. Anastasia understands that this man doesn't show mercy.
Azriel signals a soldier, a boy about seventeen was dragged out. "NO, NO, not my son your Majesty. Anything but him" Olivia said. Azriel gave a wicked smile. "I don't forgive traitors" Azriel said, he gave a nod.
In a second the boys head fell from his body. The ladies present screams in horror. Anastasia gripped her dress like a life line. Would this be my fate if he found out the truth?
"Olivia would be whipped to death before the members of the court" Azriel announced.
Olivia's dress was ripped exposing her back. She was flogged mercilessly each, stroke reminded Anastasia of how the count would whip her till she became unconscious.
Memories came flooding in. She found James giving her wicked grin from the side. Olivia screams echoed inside the room.
Anastasia couldn't take it any longer, each strike opens the old scars from her past. She stood up abruptly walking towards the exit. Azriel could see light weakly glowing from a distance.
He saw Anastasia walking towards the door. "Who dares to leave without my permission?" Azriel asked. Anastasia froze, her fingers were inches away from the doornob.
She turns around slowly. The moment Azriel saw her, tears rolled down her cheeks. She's scared again... I didn't know she would be coming here. "I.... Pardon me your grace but I can't watch this" Anastasia said trying to control herself from shaking.
Azriel's anger melted when he saw her tears. He lets out a silent sigh. "You may leave" He said to Anastasia. Anastasia bolted out of the room.
"This would be my fate if he found out the truth?" Anastasia asked herself. She made her was to the lake sitting down quietly observing the view. "You look terrified in there" Luke said.
"I've never seen an execution before... I'm shaken up so badly" Anastasia said. "May I" Luke asked. "Sure" She replied. Luke sat down beside her.
It was silent for a while but Luke spoke first. "I know your brother hurt you that night. I know he has been hurting you for a while now" Luke said honestly. "I couldn't do anything that night because I didn't want to overstep" Anastasia felt cold from fear.
"Don't worry I didn't tell anyone but my question still remains what did he mean by Guinevere taking your place?" Luke asked. Anastasia sighs, she knew already. Denying it would only make things worse.
She explained everything to him. "I see, so you are the Anastasia we've been looking for..." Luke simply said. "Please don't tell anyone about this" Anastasia said. "Your secret is safe with me beside I owe you my life. I never knew count Demetrius had two daughters" Luke said.
"He did.... Anastasia and Guinevere. I'm the oldest but I've been treated worst than a maid in the mansion" Anastasia said. "So you are here to replace Guinevere while she is with her lover? What a wonderful change of events" Luke said.
Anastasia couldn't speak, she sat there fidgeting with her fingers. "You left there because it triggered some memories and how the emperor would react am I correct?"
"Yes" She replied. "Alright... I would help get rid of James for you" Luke said. "How?" Anastasia asked in curiosity. "Don't worry I have my ways, he'll be gone before sunset tomorrow" Luke said in assurance.
"Luke thank you" she said. "Anastasia don't hesitate to tell me next time something as big as this happens" Luke said. Anastasia smiles.