Chapter 35: One step near the quicksand
Anastasia’s brown eyes widened as she stared back at Prince Dante. She had only seen Prince Aiden and hadn’t heard Dante’s voice to be aware of the unknown trouble that had walked alongside her on the other side of the rack.
Holding a random book close to her chest, Anastasia offered a bow to him.
So far, none of the other members of the royal family had realised that she was the same person who had disappeared two days ago. There was no way Dante would recognise her; after all, the version of herself she was right now was that of a bland and lowly maid.
Dante didn’t respond to her action, and instead, he turned his gaze away as if ignoring her presence, and returned to where his siblings stood in the library.
Anastasia released the air she didn’t know she had been holding, exhaling it before her face scrunched, and she questioned herself, ’He didn’t recognise me. It should be okay, right?! He didn’t know it was me...’
She dragged her feet near the end of the rack and peeked out from behind it, noticing Prince Dante, Princess Emily, Prince Aiden, and Lady Amara standing not too far from where she was. Even though Dante didn’t recognise her, that didn’t mean Aiden didn’t know how she looked in her maid attire. She closed her eyes, wondering what to do, when she heard footsteps receding, and she leaned forward again. Her eyes fell on Prince Aiden and Lady Amara, who exited the library.
"Anna, come here. What are you doing standing there?" Princess Emily called her, her voice gentle and sweet.
When Dante turned to look at her, Anastasia quickly stepped away from the rack she had been hiding behind. Princess Emily introduced her, "Brother Dante, this is my new maid. Anna."
"Looks like she picked a book for you to read," Dante remarked, his eyes falling on the book Anastasia held, and the maid’s shoulders stiffened with every second that passed.
"I asked her to pick a book. To surprise me," Princess Emily laughed to lighten the atmosphere as her brother scrutinised her new maid. She then asked, "I heard our troops are going to attack Brovia soon. When will you be leaving?"
Dante finally released Anastasia from the hold of his gaze by looking back at his sister. He replied, "Within two weeks. Aiden and Maxwell will be joining me." On noticing Emily frown, he added, "They will be safe. I will make sure to bring them back alive."