44: Terror of the dagger

Terror of the dagger

Anastasia softly gulped.  2

She walked to where Princess Emily was and offered a deep bow before pointing at the palace. Princess Emily asked, "What is it, Anna? Are we going inside?" 

Anastasia shook her head before pointing at herself and then at the palace. Prince Aiden helped by saying, "I think she needs to go inside for something?" She quickly nodded. 

"Alright. Bring back my coat when you return. I would like to sit here and relax a little bit longer." Princess Emily smiled and saw her maid disappear into the palace. 

Inside the palace, Anastasia reached the corridor where Dante hadn't moved since the last time she had seen him. Walking to where he was, she bowed. 

"You wanted to see me, Prince Dante?" Anastasia asked with her eyes fixed on his black shoes. 

"You must dislike your neck to be speaking openly where one can see you. Ready to die," Dante remarked, his eyes as steady as the sea. He questioned, "What were you and my brother talking about?" 

Anastasia answered, "Prince Aiden was curious about the rumour that has been going around about you and me. I was only explaining that nothing like that happened and it is just a misunderstanding." 

"That was quite a long explanation. Considering he was the one speaking," Dante's words had Anastasia curse him in her mind. Damn this man's eyes and astuteness!

Forgive me, Prince Aiden; Anastasia's face scrunched as she stared at the ground. She answered, "He was telling me about the celebration in the town that he likes to attend. About the food and the drinks."

"The night the rumour sparked," Dante's lips twisted. He usually turned a blind eye to his brother's little adventures out of the palace, but given that his brother was to assume the throne, it was time to exercise some control over his behaviour. He said, "Stay away from my brother."

Anastasia raised her head and met his eyes. 

"I know it isn't you who approaches him, but the other way around. But it would be better if you draw lines that he won't cross, unless you have other motives," Dante said, narrowing his eyes with suspicion. 

"I will be careful next time," Anastasia obliged. As kind as Prince Aiden had been, she didn't want  anything more from him than the camel to ride away from here. 

"You should be, especially if you want to see your sister, who has moved to the inner palace now," Dante stated, and this had her eyes widen. He knew. "You aren't as stealthy as you think you are. Your eyes give away most of the answers." 

His words reminded her of the night they had danced with each other. Almost as equals. When he turned around, Anastasia stopped him. 

"Prince Dante, wait! About my sister… Is there a way to free her from her current situation? I mean… from being an 'exclusive concubine'." 

Dante turned, his midnight eyes reflecting her concern, and he asked, "What do you expect her to do after being freed from her new position? Go back to sleeping with other men until she is pushed to the very bottom in the palace?" 

Anastasia clenched her hands, and her eyes hardened. She said, "Maybe she will be chosen by someone else who doesn't have a soulmate. Someone who will love her." 

She knew life wasn't fair, and she could complain all she wanted, but this was what had become of her and her sister. They had grown up here. But that didn't reduce their hope of having a better future. In the worst-case scenario, if they couldn't escape, she wanted her sister to be happy. 

"Do you know how many courtesans have married in the last four decades?" Dante asked her, his voice barely raising. 

"None?" Anastasia guessed. 

"Right. Not a single one because many of them spend all their time serving. And most prefer that life once they get accustomed to it instead of settling down as they enjoy the lavish life, surrounded by nobles who praise them, because they eventually come to depend on it," Dante explained to her. "Her current position is the most respectable a courtesan can aspire to be than the one you have in mind."

"She would be living a far more respectable life if she wasn't stolen from her family. Instead of hoping or wishing to be s—" 

Anastasia heard the sharp sound of a dagger being unsheathed before her eyes fell on the sharp blade approaching her. She moved back to dodge it and closed her eyes to hear it screech against the wall beside her head. 

Anastasia's body turned stiff and frozen; her eyes closed, and her breath laboured in fright. She had been so engrossed in the flow of her thoughts that she had forgotten who she was talking to. Her nails dug into the palms of her hands. 

Dante's eyes flared in anger, like the calmness of the sea had vanished, giving way to a brewing storm. 

"Another word of defiance, and you will find this dagger lodged in your throat," he spoke to her in a low voice that made goosebumps rise on her skin as he towered above her. "I am not particularly fond of courtesans or concubines, but some things are out of our control as they were enforced many years ago, and there are rules to be followed here. Which I believe you are aware of."

"Coming back to your sister. She is safe and will be respected. It is only unfortunate that some people don't get the love they deserve." As those words left Dante's lips, Anastasia noticed a flicker of red in his eyes before they turned dark. 

Consumed with terror and worry, Anastasia failed to register what she saw. When she heard the blade screech, she closed her eyes because of the uncomfortable sound. She didn't utter a word, not wanting him to shift the dagger's tip from the wall to sink it into her throat. 

Finally, when she opened her eyes, she found Dante missing in front of her. She looked around in time to catch the prince disappearing at the end of the corridor. Not registering how scared she was, her knees gave way, and she slid against the wall to fall to the ground. 

"Stupid Anna!" Anastasia reprimanded herself for playing with fire. 

Just because the first prince knew her secret and hadn't told anyone didn't mean he would keep it. Nor could she speak her mind when she knew the reputation he held. She patted her racing heart to calm it down. 

Once she gathered herself, she stood up and made her way to the princess's room to find her coat. 

As the sun set, slowly stealing the light away from the sky, Anastasia stood far behind Princess Emily, who was sitting on one of the garden benches. Remembering the screeching sound of the blade still gave her shivers. 

"Are you ill, Anna?" Princess Emily asked when the young woman turned to see what her maid was up to. 

Anastasia shook her head and noticed the princess's smile. 

"Then what are you doing standing that far away?" Princess Emily waved her hand for Anastasia to come forward. "It feels as if your mind is elsewhere. Is it the rumour about you that is weighing on your mind?" 

Anastasia came to stand next to the princess. Maybe her sister did the right thing by lying and saying she was mute. If not, she would have been dead long ago. 

"Don't pay heed to what people are saying. Once the guests leave, everyone will forget about it, and it might be replaced by other news," Princess Emily tried to console her quiet maid before adding, "I can tell you don't want to be a courtesan or a concubine." 

Anastasia, who wasn't aware of what was being discussed by the royal women of the Blackthorn family, didn't know why the princess was telling her this. Did she know that Marianne was her sister too?

"Usually, most people of lower status like to elevate themselves. I believe you will be doted on and adored, showered with riches that one can only dream about. You would have access to books. Not to mention you would be free of any hard labour and get to learn many things." Princess Emily listed the advantages of the possible outcome. As if remembering something, she turned to the maid and said, "Let me take a look at your hands." 

Anastasia brought her hands forward and opened her palms for the princess to see. Unlike Lady Amara, who had caused a fit over it, the princess leaned forward and went to touch her palm when she jerked away. 

"Does it hurt?" Princess Emily innocently asked Anastasia, not knowing what calloused hands were. 

Anastasia shook her head. She was ashamed of her calloused palms, and the look on her face said it all. She heard the princess say, "If it doesn't hurt, then it should be okay," and she felt the rough hands under her softer fingertips. "I think this can be fixed, Anna. Though it will take time." 

This caught Anastasia's attention, as, like anyone, she had hoped to have smooth hands. But such velvety hands belonged to the daughters and wives of high-status men. Not people like her. She tried to ask the princess, 

'You have magic?'

A chuckle escaped Princess Emily's lips, and she replied, "No, I don't have magic, not yet, at least. Sadly, Blackthorn women, even though we are meant to have a Crux, our abilities come forward only when we meet our soulmates. Your hands must be used to a lot of work, which is why they have hardened, but I know just the trick. Follow me!" 

Stepping back inside the palace, Anastasia followed an excited Princess Emily, who walked like a passing breeze because of her quick footsteps. Once they reached the princess's room, she watched the young lady walk to one of the cupboards and pull out a jar. 

"Bring your hands forward," Princess Emily ordered, and once Anastasia did what she was told, the princess tilted the jar for the white liquid to fall on the maid's rough hands. "Now rub them together. The beginning will take time; I don't know how long, but if you repeat this every day, I am sure it will get better. I heard oils work too, but I am not sure of their smell." She scrunched her nose a little. 

Anastasia raised her hands and smelt the scent of flowers. 

"From now on, every morning when you come to my room to wake me, and before leaving, apply it to your palms without fail," Princess Emily instructed, receiving a nod and a bow from Anastasia. 

On one side, Prince Dante had scared her soul out of her body. And on the other side, Anastasia was touched by Princess Emily's kindness and Prince Aiden's help, which she leaned against. 

Anastasia looked up to Princess Emily and gestured, 'Thank you. I am glad to be able to serve you.'

Princess Emily blinked, not knowing what Anastasia was trying to say. She said, "I am guessing you are feeling thankful; don't be until your hands are all smooth."

Anastasia smiled until the princess turned to put the jar back. After tomorrow, she would be far away from here. She hoped the princess would find a good maid to serve her after she was gone. 

The next day when Anastasia followed behind Princess Emily inside the palace, she noticed her sister walking behind Lady Maya and Lady Noor on the opposite side of the corridor. She quickly moved her hands for her sister to see, 

'Be ready at seven today.' 

But when they were about to pass by each other, Marianne's hand slipped out of her dress pocket, and she handed a small piece of paper into her sister's hand. When no one was looking, Anastasia opened the paper and read—I will meet you at the Bazaar. Wait for me.

pqdm.com