Chapter 36
803 Words
{Anya}
"Anastasia, dear, how time has passed," Lucia exclaimed cheerfully as they pulled her out of the servant quarters and out into the palace main hall.
They had caught her by surprise in Oliver's room as she struggled to contain the ice that threatened to escape her. Hydreich remained silent as House Hydra piled around them, taking peeks at Anya.
"Just look at how the King treated our heir, she's practically in rags! Her hair..." Lucia began to poke and prod Anya. "What happened to your hair?"
"King Vulca chopped it off," Anya responded feeling her short hair. It was unevenly cut.
"We'll settle matters with the King. This maid has the proper attire for you to wear and will cut your hair properly," Hydreich was already pushing the maid and Anya to a separate room. Anya hated how whatever he ordered had to take place. She had no choice but to follow along. With nothing to care for or anybody who cares for her, she'll just succumb to House Hydra.
Her heart ached to think about Oliver so she let the maid tighten her corset and place a yellow solid color dress. She let the maid restore her to the heiress of House Hydra. With her hair evenly cut, it fell only a couple of inches below her shoulder. When they came out of the room she dizzily greeted all the members.
"Anastasia, the High Houses is reinstating the Royal Guard," Hydriech announced. "One warrior per house and you'll be our representative in the Royal Guard. Your duty will be to protect the Royal family and the palace."
"But-" Anya tried speaking.
"I knew you'd make us proud, Anastasia. You'll be moving to the Royal Guard sleeping Quarters today. Tomorrow we'll have Ryoko and Rochelle's funeral, your creation as top warrior, and the new Royal Guard ceremony of Honor," Lucia clapped happily. "We shall go now to your room. The rest of the Royal Guard is already in the Royal Guard Wing."
"No," Anya said. "First, I have a couple of belongings I'd like to collect from the servant quarters."
"What belongings?"
"My House Hydra Locket."
"Very well, you may go," she dismissed Anya but not happily. Her face was serious as she watched Anya walk away. Anya finally felt that the air wasn't dense anymore. They had put too much pressure on her and she felt that she was crumbling.
Upon entering she grabbed her House Hydra that was on the bedside table, next to Oliver's note that read "Freya". She flinched as the metal locket felt cold against her neck. She collected her vials of potions that she made during her stay. They would come in handy someday- maybe never.
She grabbed her pouch and began to put the vials in the bag but stomping feet interrupted her as Oliver ran into the room. His eye scanned the other pouch on the bed that contained Anya's potions notes and the few pieces of jewelry she had all packed up. She felt like she was caught red-handed as she continued to pack her potion vials.
He quickly wrote down, "Anya, we need to talk."
His letters reflected his anxiousness. Anya was quick to interrupt him from apologizing. She didn't want or needed his pity. Nor his false apologies. "Lucia and Hydreich are back. I'm not moving out because of what happened so don't get the wrong idea. I'm a part of the Royal Guard."
His eyes widened and shook his head repeatedly before writing down, "No, you can't be a part of the Royal Guard."
"Oliver, we knew this day was going to come. I don't belong here. Besides, there is nothing here that ties me down," she reasoned and tied up her pouches, collecting them in her arms. "Goodbye, Oliver."
He was quick to block the doorway, shaking his head furiously. "Oliver..." Anya warned. "Move out of the way."
He continued to shake his head 'no'. Anya refused to meet his eyes because he was making her departure too complicated. She couldn't understand why he wouldn't let her leave. He had made himself clear earlier.
"Anastasia?" Lucia's voice echoed from down the hall. This time, Anya wasn't playing around. She'd rather be caught dead than caught in this state with a servant. She couldn't support another punishment. Roughly, Anya shoved Oliver out of the way and came face to face with Lucia. "Who is that young man?"
Anya didn't even spare Oliver a glance, "No one, he's just a servant that wanders around."
"Okay.." Lucia trailed off and leaned in close to whisper, "Anastasia, remember your duties now. You're are destined for greater things than...you know...that."
Anya laughed heartlessly. "Lucia, you really believe I'm involved with a servant?"
Lucia was taken back and flushed in embarrassment.
"Only in my nightmares."
- Writer
