Anastasia finally went back to her room. It had been two days, and the Emperor ignored her like she never existed.
Today it was announced that the Emperor would accept seeing each lady for an hour throughout the day. She received another letter from home.
She didn't read it, just squeezed it in frustration. "It's just for a while," she muttered.
"Guinevere," Miss Sunshine called out. Anastasia looked behind her to see the woman standing there.
"Yes, ma'am," Anastasia said with a smile.
"I see you got a letter from your family."
"Yes," she replied.
"Anyway, I would like to ask for your assistance on something."
"I'd like to help you, I'm not doing anything," Anastasia said.
"Alright, there would be a gathering held in the castle tomorrow. I asked others to help with making treats, but they declined the moment they found out it didn't give points," Miss Sunshine explained.
"Don't fret, Miss Sunshine, I got you," Anastasia said with a wink.
"Thank you, you're a life saver."
They went to the kitchen, but it was empty. "Where is everyone?" Anastasia asked.
"There is no other person... I forgot to mention you'll be making the treats yourself, enough to feed about one thousand people."
"That many people? How am I supposed to pull that off by myself?" Anastasia asked in disbelief.
"You promised to help. Are you going back on your word?" Miss Sunshine challenged.
Shit Anastasia cursed underneath her breath.
"I can't go back on my word," she said with a forced smile.
"Wonderful, I'll come help you later, but first there's something I need to take care of," Miss Sunshine said, leaving Anastasia speechless.
She had agreed to this to clear her mind from the letter. She gripped the counter so hard her palms went pale.
She pulled the letter from her pocket and burned it to ashes.
"Just a little bit..." she whispered.
She spent the entire day preparing treats. Luckily, her abusive family had forced her to cook for them for years.
The task was a breeze despite her not finishing everything that day.
She made cookies, chocolates, cakes, donuts, and lemon bars.
She finished the remaining batches the next day. By the time she was done, she was exhausted.
"I can't believe you pulled all this by yourself," Miss Sunshine said.
"It was nothing, I need to return to my room," Anastasia said.
Later in the evening, nobles and royalty arrived at the castle for the gathering.
"Anastasia, the Count is present for this event," Hannah said. Anastasia felt her soul leave her body.
There was a knock on the door, and the room fell silent.
"Guinevere? Aren't you coming for the party?" Rose asked from outside.
Hannah opened the door. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I don't feel well."
"This is a command from the Emperor; everyone is invited, no excuses," Rose said firmly.
"I don't have something suitable to wear to the event," Anastasia tried.
Rose clapped twice, and a maid entered the room with a beautiful pink dress.
"You came prepared for this, didn't you, Your Highness?"
"I told you it's not up for debate," Rose said. Anastasia wore the dress and a maid helped her prepare.
She couldn't recognize herself in the mirror.
"Are you ready?" Rose asked.
"Yes," Anastasia said with a faint smile.
They got to the venue. The air smelled like elegant perfumes and expensive wine, but everyone wore fake smiles and forced chuckles.
Rose left Anastasia alone, who immediately felt out of place. She noticed people commenting positively on the treats she had made, which brought a small moment of satisfaction.
Minutes later, a voice she recognized from her nightmares called out, "My beloved daughter."
She spun around to see Count Demetrius, and subconsciously stepped back.
"Is this how you treat your father?" he asked with a wicked grin.
"F...f...f...father," she stuttered. He closed the distance and leaned against her ear.
"You think you're smart, huh, bitch? Let's talk outside, I wouldn't want to make a scene," he whispered venomously.
Anastasia could only follow him silently to a quiet, deserted place.
He turned around and slapped her hard across the face.
"Do you think that just because you're in a fancy castle sipping tea with royalty means you're safe?" he asked.
"I didn't ask to be here," Anastasia said calmly, the practiced resignation in her voice infuriating him further.
Count Demetrius grabbed her hair and shoved her hard against the wall. He kicked and punched her mercilessly.
Anastasia didn't make a single sound; she took it silently. She was used to it—the pain, the suffering, the cruelty.
Begging would only make matters worse.
He stopped, wiping the blood from his fists.
"Don't forget you are a worthless piece of shit. Don't think I would hesitate to kill you here and now. Next time you try to act smart with me, I would gladly put you in your place." He left her there on the ground.
Anastasia sat on the floor, letting tears fall uncontrollably. She wiped the blood from her lips. She laughed bitterly.
"I never asked for this... This fucking pathetic thing I call a life. I didn't fucking ask to be here, god damn it. I'm just a punching bag..." she whispered weakly.
She looked at her reflection in a puddle of spilled wine and water. Her hair, dress, and face were a mess.
"I think I'll call this a day," she said, finally broken.
Azriel walked outside with Luna in his arms, Luna clinging to him possessively.
Anastasia didn't make eye contact, walking past them, fighting to keep her legs from giving out.
Miss Sunshine met Anastasia outside. "Holy cow, what happened to you?"
"I'm fine," was all she could say.
"You don't look like you're fine... You look like you were in a fight with a beast," Miss Sunshine said.
"I think he won," Anastasia whispered silently. "Seriously, I'm fine."
"Have you met your father?" Miss Sunshine asked. Anastasia nodded.
"I shall inform the Emperor about your condition," Miss Sunshine said firmly.
"No... Please. I'm fine, I swear... I just need to get some rest," Anastasia pleaded.
She didn't push further.
Anastasia returned to her room and looked at her reflection in the mirror, hating her weakness, hating that the man who promised her protection didn't even give a shit about her.
She punched the mirror, causing it to shatter, blood dripping from her hand.
She took off her ornaments, dress, and shoes, then cried her heart out while getting into the shower.
There was a gentle knock on the door. Anastasia didn't feel like entertaining visitors.
"I know you're in there," Rose's voice called out.
Anastasia reluctantly opened the door.
"I noticed you left the party..." Rose stopped midway, her eyes widening.
"My goodness, what happened to you?"
"Nothing," Anastasia replied. Rose saw the blood on her hand and the shattered mirror.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Rose asked, concern in her voice.
Anastasia remained silent. Rose sighed. "How about I treat your wound?"
Rose didn't wait for a reply, leading Anastasia outside to her garden.
Rose cleaned and treated the wound. Anastasia didn't flinch once. She felt hollow inside; Count Demetrius had finally broken her.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Rose asked again, for the hundredth time.
Anastasia nodded once, the gesture small and hesitant, a stark contrast to the swirling turmoil in her eyes.
Azriel was searching for Rose, a frown deepening on his face when he realized she wasn't among the revelers.
"It was your idea to host this party, yet you refuse to stay for your own party," Azriel said, his voice laced with annoyance.
He stopped abruptly when he spotted Rose sitting with Anastasia.
"Why didn't you tell anyone where you were headed?" Azriel asked, his tone softening as he took in Anastasia's appearance.
"I had to take care of her.... Why don't you try to talk to her, maybe she could tell you why she's like this," Rose suggested, her gaze directed towards Anastasia with a mixture of concern and frustration.
Azriel looked at Anastasia. Her face was marked, a faint trace of blood on her lips, and her fist was wrapped in a makeshift bandage.
Rose rose and quietly moved away, leaving them alone. Azriel slowly sat beside Anastasia, the air between them thick with unspoken questions.
"Who did this to you?" Azriel asked, his voice low and carefully controlled.
Anastasia remained silent, her eyes distant.
"Tell me who did this to you," he repeated, a hard edge returning to his voice.
Anastasia finally looked at him, a faint, bitter smile touching her lips.
"Return to your party, Your Grace," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Anastasia began to stand, but Azriel reached out, his hand firmly but not roughly on her arm.
"Don't walk away from me. I'm still the emperor. Tell me who did this to you. That is not a request."
"Or what?" Anastasia asked quietly, her gaze steady on his.
Azriel was momentarily taken aback by her defiance.
"Let me make them regret touching you," Azriel said, his expression hardening.
"There's no need for that. I can handle my battles myself. I'm not your charity case," Anastasia replied, pulling her arm from his grasp before turning and walking away towards her room, leaving Azriel alone with his unanswered questions.