Fated to the Beast

Chapter 8: Enjoy the Day

Saturday had arrived, and I found myself standing in front of the mirror, awaiting the woman who had promised to take me out of the palace. Yet, as time passed, doubts began to creep in.

Would she ever come?

I changed into the dress the Queen had given me. The fabric clung to my form, accentuating my every curve. It was a stark contrast to the modest garments I was accustomed to wearing, a reminder that I was stepping into unfamiliar territory. I scrutinized my reflection afterwards, still feeling uneasy in the extravagant clothing.

I twirled and examined every angle, feeling that it didn't suit me. But I had no one to consult for a second opinion. The gown I wore resembled a ball gown, but it was not. It was a golden dress with an excessively long train. I lacked suitable shoes to match, so I settled for my worn-out and undersized shoes. At least they wouldn't be easily visible beneath the dress.

"Anastasia!" someone suddenly shouted, bursting into my room. It was Alexandra, finally arriving with something in her hands. However, she paused at the doorway when our eyes met.

"What is that?" she asked, giving me a strange look.

Is there something wrong with me?

"No," she then uttered.

"You shouldn't be wearing that," Alexandra asserted firmly, quickly making her way toward me and placing the box she carried on a nearby table.

"This won't do. Take it off. I brought another dress that will fit you better," she insisted, her face creased with a frown. I complied, as I didn't particularly like how I looked in the current dress anyway. Alexandra swiftly moved to the table, pulling out the new dress from the box. I was in awe at its beauty compared to the one I had been wearing. Don't get me wrong; the previous dress was also pretty, but it felt overwhelming. I would have preferred to see it in Anastasia's hands.

"Am I going to wear that?" I asked Alexandra, seeking confirmation. She nodded and approached me, holding the dress in her hands.

"This will suit you more," she said, smiling, and helped me put it on. Once I had it on, I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. The dress was a dark green gown with long sleeves, adorned with exquisite yet subtle details.

"Do you like it?" Alexandra inquired, examining my reflection in the mirror. I nodded in response.

"It's good that you like it. Now, put these on," she said, handing me a pair of shoes.

"You are not going to wear those, are you?" she asked, referring to my current footwear. It was the first time someone had ever given me shoes. I felt both grateful and burdened. I didn't want her to give me all these things as if she were trying to bribe me for what happened last night. I was jolted back to reality when Alexandra grasped my shoulders, turning me toward her. As I looked at her, I noticed she held something in her hand.

"A slight touch of makeup to make you look lively in front of people," Alexandra stated, without waiting for my consent, as she applied powders and creams to my face. I no longer complained and allowed her to proceed. When she finished, she guided me back to the mirror to examine my transformed appearance. I was taken aback. I looked like a different person.

"Now that you are ready, let us head to town," she declared, setting aside the cosmetics she used.

"Will they recognize us?" I asked Alexandra, causing her to look at me.

"The people, I mean," I clarified, and she smiled.

"No, they won't. The people in this kingdom only recognize the king's face and the next in line, Lucius. Other than that, they have grown tired of memorizing our faces, as each of us tends to perish so easily," Alexandra explained, leaving me numb.

"Let us go now, or the day will end before we even realize it," she urged, pulling me out of the room and leading me toward the main door of the palace, where a carriage awaited us.

"Princess Alexandra and Princess Anastasia, I will be your coachman for today. My name is William," the man introduced himself, standing next to the carriage. We both curtsied in response.

"Let's go," Alexandra said, and we quickly entered the carriage, eager to leave the palace behind and embrace the day, even if only for a short while.

But would I be able to enjoy it?

My mind was preoccupied with thoughts about Alexandra and Lucius, and I realized it was essential to address them while she was present. Besides, I needed to warn Alexandra about the potential dangers arising from her involvement with Lucius. The Queen was known to be unstable, a fact widely acknowledged. Thus, the news of the Queen orchestrating Alexandra's assassination would not come as a surprise. Even Father might overlook it, despite the Queen not being part of the game.

Only we, the children, were allowed to harm one another. The Queen's participation was a separate matter, but Father might approve of it, considering his favor toward the Queen and Lucius above all else. Lucius would likely escape unscathed because he was the Queen's son, while Alexandra, being the daughter of a lowly concubine, held no such protection.

~

Throughout the journey, we remained silent. I pondered over what I would say to her and how to broach the subject without offending her. But before I could gather the courage to speak, the carriage came to a halt, and the bustling sounds from outside drew my attention. We were finally outside the palace.

"Let's go," Alexandra said as William opened the carriage door. We stepped out slowly, and as soon as my feet touched the ground, my heart raced. I was overwhelmed with a profound sense of happiness that was difficult to put into words.

"I will park in the usual spot, Princess," William informed Alexandra, to which she nodded. Then she turned to me and began pulling me toward the crowd where various stalls were set up, offering food, antiques, clothing, and more. I had no money with me, so I tried not to linger too much, fearing I would be tempted. However, I was taken aback when Alexandra started buying food from a stall and handed everything to me without even asking if I liked it.

"I..." I began to speak, but she pulled me toward another stall, continuing her purchases, leaving me little opportunity to react. Before I knew it, I found myself eating all the food she had bought as she kept adding more to the pile.

"Don't worry about money or anything else. I wanted to bring you here so you could have fun, alright, Anastasia?" she asked, looking at me, and I nodded in response. She seemed to sense my sudden awkwardness, thankfully. As she had stated, she brought me here to have fun, so I let go of the heavy feelings weighing me down. For hours on end, I embraced the day and enjoyed myself with her.

I wish it could last forever. But such wishful thinking could only come true if I began to understand the dynamics between Lucius and Alexandra. If their interactions were merely for amusement, they could easily be stopped. However, if that wasn't the case, it was time for me to intervene and warn her about the Queen's intentions. The question remained: how would I approach this conversation today?

~

As the day progressed and we immersed ourselves in the bustling crowd, I searched for the right moment to broach the topic that weighed heavily on my mind. Alexandra's infectious laughter and carefree demeanor made it difficult to bring up something as serious as her involvement with Lucius, but I knew I had to find a way.

We strolled through the market, admiring the various wares and sampling delectable treats. The vibrant colors and lively atmosphere provided a temporary respite from the palace's stifling confines. The scent of freshly baked bread and the sound of merchants hawking their goods filled the air, creating a tapestry of sensory delights.

As we paused near a small vendor selling delicate trinkets, I seized the opportunity to address the matter that had been consuming my thoughts. Taking a deep breath, I turned to Alexandra and spoke softly, careful not to let the surrounding crowd eavesdrop.

"Alexandra, there is something important I need to discuss with you," I began, my voice quivering slightly with apprehension.

She turned toward me, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of concern.

"What is it, Anastasia? You seem troubled." I took a moment to gather my thoughts, choosing my words with care.

"It's about Lucius," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I have seen the two of you together, and I fear for your safety." A flicker of surprise flashed across her face, quickly replaced by a guarded expression.

"What do you mean, Anastasia? You didn't see anything," she said, sounding like she wanted me to act like I didn't see anything. I pressed on, determined to convey the gravity of the situation.

"The Queen, she... won't tolerate your relationship with Lucius. She is capable of unspeakable acts, and I worry that she may harm you." Alexandra's brows furrowed, and she glanced around, as if suddenly aware of the eyes that may be watching.

"Anastasia, you must understand that my relationship with Lucius is complicated. We are aware of the risks involved, but we cannot deny our feelings." Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. I felt a pang of sympathy for Alexandra, trapped in a forbidden love that posed a threat to her very existence. But I couldn't let my empathy cloud my judgment; her safety was paramount.

"I understand that love can be a powerful force, but you must consider the consequences," I pleaded, my voice tinged with urgency. "The Queen is not one to be trifled with. She will stop at nothing to protect her power and reputation." A mixture of emotions played across Alexandra's face—conflict, fear, and a trace of defiance.

"I appreciate your concern, Anastasia, but I won't let fear dictate my choices. We will be cautious, but I won't give up on our love."

Her determination caught me off guard, but I couldn't fault her for wanting to follow her heart. Yet, I couldn't shake off the unease that gnawed at me.

"Please, Alexandra, I beg you to reconsider," I implored, my voice laden with desperation.

"Your life is at stake. There must be a way for us to protect you, to find a solution that doesn't involve risking everything." She sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve.

"Anastasia, I value your concern, but I can't turn my back on love. I won't abandon Lucius, even if it means facing the Queen's wrath." Her words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the difficult choices we all faced in a world governed by power and politics. I knew I couldn't change her mind, but I couldn't simply stand by and do nothing. But right then, my mind paused for a second after hearing her words. Entirely surprised, I am concerned... with my sister, who just begun to have a close relationship with me. I smiled athough briefly from the realization.

"I won't abandon you either, Alexandra," I said, my voice tinged with determination.

"I'll do everything in my power to protect you both, even if it means defying the Queen." A mix of gratitude and worry crossed her face.

"Anastasia, I appreciate your loyalty, but you must be careful. The path ahead is treacherous, and the consequences of defying the Queen can be dire." I nodded, acknowledging the risks we faced.

"I understand, Alexandra, but I can't stand idly by while danger lurks around you. We'll find a way to navigate this labyrinth of secrets and ensure your safety," I replied, but I was stunned when she suddenly scoffed.

"You might have forgotten about the fact that I am stronger than you," she stated, which made me smile. Yes, she might be stronger than me, but I already promised myself that I would protect her, just like she has done to me these past few days.

As the day wore on, our conversation faded into the background, temporarily overshadowed by the joyous moments we shared. We laughed, explored, and forgot the weight of our burdens, if only for a fleeting moment. But deep within me, the resolve to protect my friend burned brighter than ever. In the days to come, I would delve deeper into the palace's mysteries, seeking allies and strategies to shield Alexandra and Lucius from harm.

For now, as we immersed ourselves in the vibrant tapestry of the town, I held onto the hope that our bond would withstand the trials that lay ahead. The path we had chosen was fraught with danger, but together, we would face it head-on, unwavering in our commitment to love.