{The visit from the orphanage / fly in the sky without getting burned}
The next morning Anastasia had a lot of classes to attend. She had to be punctual, she felt bad when she heard the emperor say she doesn't have any magical powers. Mrs Harper said a lady without her powers is like a duck without it's head.
Anastasia was in the middle of history class when it all happened. "GUINEVERE!!!" Charles yelled as he entered the class. "JESUS HOLY CHRIST!!!" Anastasia yells in shock. Charles walks up to her. "How did you know?" He asked.
"What are you talking about?" Anastasia asked utterly confused. "Don't play coy with me" He said in a low growl. "I don't understand what you're saying" Anastasia replied.
He grabs her hard by the arm pulling her outside. Everyone stares at them in both surprise and confusion.
"Your... Highness.... I... Am... In... The... Middle.... Of..... Class" Anastasia tried to plead but her words was caught in her throat. He pulls her outside the castle. "Start talking" He said. "About what? Did I do something wrong? Did Hannah take the wrong blanket off again?" She asked.
"How did you know Luke would kill himself?" Charles asked. "Who in the Lords name is Luke?" She asked. Charles grabbed her neck tightly, Anastasia tried to break free. She touched his hands and that feeling was back again.
"You did save him didn't you? I thought you would listen to your brother and let the wizard die. Clever little prince in love with his wizard. I wonder if he knows how you feel or will he feel disgusted by it. Hmmm time will tell, although I would like to see how it ends" Anastasia said.
Charles let's go of her. She fell to the ground gasping hard for air. "Is this the way things are being done here in this castle? A prince tries to kill someone for something they know nothing about and no one has the fucking guts to do anything? God damn it" Anastasia said in anger.
"You don't remember everything you say after a vision do you?" Charles asked. "Vision? What vision? His grace clearly stated that I don't have any magical powers. So what are you talking about" Anastasia said.
"Interesting" Charles said. He knelt down before her on one knee. "What the hell are you doing? Stand up before they kill me" Anastasia said. "For helping me save the person I love I would forever be in your debt. I will forever protect you from danger, you have my word" Charles said.
"Dude I don't even know this person you are talking about" She said. Charles stood up, kissed her hand and left.
Anastasia walked to her room in a daze. She flopped on the bed. "My lady, I just got a letter from the bank" Hannah said. "Bank? But I don't have an account" Anastasia said In surprise.
"I got you one, a personal and private one. The count wouldn't know you had one to begin with" Hannah said. "{Sigh} what did they want?" Anastasia asked in exhaustion. "Well a huge sum of money was placed there" Hannah said. "How huge?" Anastasia asked.
"A million gold coin huge" Hannah said. "Gold? Like real gold? And a million of them?" She asked in bewilderment. Hannah nodded. "But who made such huge amount to this account of mine?" Anastasia asked in worry. "The emperor"
"What? Why?" She asked again. "I don't know for certain" Hannah said. "Fuck me" Anastasia whispers in frustration.
She decided to meet the emperor. She met him sitting under a tree with a book in his hand. "Good morning your grace" Anastasia's said. "What do you want?" He asked without glancing at her. "I was informed that you sent a huge sum to my account" Anastasia said.
Azriel read his book calmly, he patiently waited for her to demand for more. "I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything but I don't want your money" Azriel hands paused midway trying to flip the page.
Anastasia continued. "I don't know why you did it, perhaps it was an accident but I won't sleep well knowing that such amount is in my account. So I am here to tell you that I will return every coin back to you tomorrow morning" Anastasia said.
Azriel was amused and fascinated. "If this is some kind of game to make me fall for you then you had better look for another tactics" Azriel said. "What the hell are you..." She paused remembering he is the emperor.
"Your grace I am not some charity case you can throw money at. You might do this to other princesses or noble ladies but I am not like them. And you speaking about making you fall for me? Please don't flatter yourself, I don't intend on marrying you, your grace. I was taught how to read the hand writings on the wall, I am only here because I don't have a freaking choice. It's either this or...." Anastasia paused mid sentence.
Azriel looks at her, he noticed she was suppressing the tears from her eyes. "All I want is to coexist in your castle, I'll pass every exam but I don't wish to get married to you. So your grace, I don't want your money, I'm not your charity case. Excuse me" Anastasia left.
Azriel closed his book in frustration. "How dare she talk to me like that? If it wasn't for the promise I made to Charles concerning that vision, does she think I'll pay any attention to her?" Azriel asked.
The next day Azriel attended a meeting with the royal knights concerning the recent attacks in the country. "Your Majesty, we all know who is behind this" Zain the strongest knight said. "Why don't we bring the war to their doorstep" Daniel said.
"That's exactly what he would want. Daniel aren't you a royal knight, you ought to have studied your opponent by now" Liam said. Azriel raised his hand.
"Andrew would want us to attack immediately, let's keep him guessing. In the main time, double the guards. I don't want my guests to feel uncomfortable about this" Azriel said.
"Yes your Majesty" Everyone said. Azriel stood up and left the room. "Your Majesty how about we send spies to sayllie?" Zain asked as he follows him from behind. "Sending my subjects to sayllie?, the heart of the enemy, is out of the question. I don't wish to repeat this topic Zain" Azriel said with a slight anger in his tone.
Zain stood behind watching Azriel walk out. Azriel return to his study, going through some paperwork. There was a knock on the door, it slowly opened. Azriel saw Caleb the treasurer, pushing a wheelbarrow containing bags.
"Your Majesty, this came for you" Caleb said. "What is that?" Azriel asked. "This is for you. A lady met me this morning saying I need to give this to you, that it's urgent" Caleb said. "Open it" Was all Azriel could say.
Caleb opened it and gasped. "It's gold coins your Majesty and there's a note" Caleb pick up the paper and read.
"I see you must have been bored yesterday to give this to me. I don't want your money or your attention, if you don't have something better to do with your money then donate it to the orphanage. At least your people can benefit from your kind heart" Caleb went silent waiting for the emperor's reaction.
Azriel sat down with his expression unreadable. "Caleb take it to the orphanage, make sure they receive it. Let them know it's from Guinevere whitestone" Azriel said. "As you wish" Caleb left.
Anastasia was in another garden with the other ladies learning proper table etiquette. She poured tea without spilling a drop. Passing plate to her neighbor gracefully and maintaining good posture.
There was a commotion outside the garden. Children screaming and running. "What is that dreadful noise?" Mrs Harper asked. "It's children Mrs Harper" miss Sunshine said. The children got to the garden, their teachers trying to coordinate them.
"Alright, what is the meaning of this?" Mrs Harper asked furiously. "We are terribly sorry but if someone make a donation it's customary for us to personally thank them" A teacher said.
"Who could have possibly made a donation here?" Miss Sunshine asked. "Why cause commotion for just a little amount of money?" Mrs Harper asked. "It's not a little amount, it's one million gold coins" another teacher replied.
Anastasia felt her pulse drop. She knew this doesn't sound good, all she wanted to do is coexist like a ghost. {Why is fate laughing at me? All I did was send a harmless letter to the emperor and now he does this to me? Why am I so unlucky?}
"Go on then who made the donation? We don't have all day" Mrs Harper said. Anastasia stood up, she muttered something about going to the bathroom. Honestly she just wanted to disappear, didn't want to draw attention to herself.
"Lady Guinevere whitestone" A teacher announced. That made Anastasia to freeze on the spot. Everyone stares at her. "You? You donated such amount to the orphanage?" Miss Sunshine asked.
She faced them, slowly backing away. "It's just a small sum, I do it all the time to other orphanage, I didn't expect them to come here" Anastasia said. A teacher approached Anastasia. "The children would like to sing for you"
"There's no need for that, I'll appreciate it if you just leave" Anastasia is now pink from the embarrassment. "Come on now they came all this way, don't chase them away" Miss Sunshine said.
Anastasia ran her fingers through her hair. "How about we do this some place else, as you can see we are in the middle of class" Anastasia said awkwardly. "Alright" the teacher said.
"Children lets go look for a more spacious place so we don't disturb their lectures" Another said. "Okay" All of them replied. The children left the garden. "If you're looking for a better place then go to the west wings, it's just opposite the main castle" Mrs Harper whispered.
"Someone kill me please" Anastasia muttered to herself. She eventually took them to the west wing of the castle. It was spacious, beautiful. It even had a lake beside it.
"Alright children, let's take our places" The teacher yells sightly. Anastasia sat down awkwardly waiting for them to sing and get it over with.
"We thank you for helping us through this hardship. We pray that the Lord keeps you safe and sound. We never knew someone thought about us today. We wish you long life and prosperity, we hope you get whatever you desire. And find someone to love you the same way you loved ussssss"
Anastasia couldn't hold back the tears. She knows what it's like to be rejected by everyone. The children hugged her tightly, she couldn't help crying uncontrollably.
"Are you alright" A girl asked. "Yes" she said in a whisper. "Why are you crying?" A boy asked. "Because your song was beautiful" Anastasia replied.
"You know the children would love to spend sometime with you" A teacher said. "Is that so?" Anastasia asked. "Yeah" The children screamed in excitement.
"Alright, I'll have the kitchen prepare treats while we play" Anastasia said. She called a maid and ask her to bring treats for the children and the teachers. After eating they all played till their hearts content.
Hannah came to check up on Anastasia, since she was informed about todays event. She was dumbfounded to see Anastasia playing in mud. "My lady what are you doing?" Hannah asked in horror. "Playing" Anastasia said with a laugh.
"You aren't suppose to be playing in mud my lady. What about the people watching?" Hannah asked. "Come on Hannah live a little. I don't care what people think or say. This is the best time I've had in my entire life" Anastasia said. "Get out of the mud or else I'll make you" Hannah said coldly.
Anastasia pulled Hannah into the mud. "Attack!!" She said to the children and they all dragged Hannah through the mud. She screamed and begged for them to stop but no one paid attention to her. "Lady Guinevere who is this lady to you?" A boy asked. "I am her hand maiden" Hannah replied.
"What does that mean?" A girl asked. "I am her maid" Hannah said. "She's not just my maid, she is my best friend even if she denies it. She like the sister I never had" Anastasia hugged Hannah tightly. Hannah secretly picked up mud and rubbed in on Anastasia's face.
"I'm gonna get you for that you traitor" Anastasia chased Hannah down. She completely forgot about everything, about the count, the emperor, the marriage, even thesacrifice, all that mattered was this moment.
Azriel stood by his window observing the view from down below. "I see you are enjoying the show?" Mrs Harper asked as she walks into to room with Miss Sunshine.
"So it was your idea for her to be here?" Azriel asked. "I wanted to know if she was faking the donation just to be recognized but looking at this now I have my doubts" Mrs Harper said.
Azriel stood quietly, he has been observing Anastasia from the moment the children sang for her. Her every reaction intrigued him, she didn't mind the fact that she's of noble blood like Luna, she just played with them like a child who has finally been given the freedom to be herself. She even dragged her maid into the chaos.
"She brought herself down and played with them in the dirt" Mrs Harper said. "It's impressive" Miss Sunshine said. "I guess we know who's staying this week" Azriel said as he left the room.
The children left the castle. Anastasia hugged all seventeen of them, promising them that she would stop by for a visit. Anastasia looks at Hannah, she laughed out so loud. "This isn't funny" Hannah said.
"Says the person who played with dirt" Anastasia said with a giggle. "Stop giggling" Hannah said. "I'm sorry I can't help it. You're just so adorable" Anastasia said. Hannah storms out in anger. "Okay, okay, I wouldn't giggle anymore" Anastasia said trying to catch up to her.
Luna and three other girls appeared from nowhere. "Who are you trying to impress Guinevere?" Luna asked. Anastasia stayed silent. "You think the emperor would notice you with this fake appearance of yours?" Luna asked.
"Fake? I'm not the one who's fake. You're the one who's fake, with your fake relationship with the emperor, the fake life style. Look Luna, I don't want trouble okay?" Anastasia said. "The emperor is mine" Luna stated.
"Yours?" Anastasia muttered the word, it tasted like trash. "If he was yours he wouldn't have called for a competition to find a bride. If he was yours you wouldn't be begging for his attention. I know you too well, I know how clingy you can be. Unlike you I have something called dignity and self respect. Now I have more important things to do than to exchange words with a fly who thinks she can fly into the sky without getting burned" Anastasia left with Hannah.