Garden Of Poison

Anastasia wanted to bury herself in the ground, but that would happen soon, thanks to Prince Aiden recognising her. Her heart was beating so loudly that it numbed every other sound in her ears, and she felt her palms sweat.

As a maid, she had hoped that the third prince wouldn’t bother sparing a glance at her when there were women who wore lavish gowns and adorned themselves with jewels around their necks or ears.

"Where?!" The Mother Queen exclaimed, turning to look in the opposite direction with the others.

Anastasia quickly shook her head at Prince Aiden with a look of horror flashing over her face. She wanted him to stay quiet so that she could keep her neck.

"I do not see her," Princess Niyasa murmured before looking back at her brother with a question in her eyes. "Where is she?"

Even the Mother Queen turned to look at her grandson, waiting for him to explain. Prince Aiden laughed, waving his hand, before he said,

"I was trying to recollect the woman’s name. It was Tasia, wasn’t it?"

Princess Niyasa rolled her eyes, remembering that this brother of hers was a jester.

"Don’t you dare bring up her name, Aiden." The Mother Queen glowered slightly, her lips set into a thin line. The old woman said, "I am very upset with what she did and have not forgiven her. To think she dared hurt my and Dante’s feelings," and she clicked her tongue before her eyes narrowed.

"I will keep that in mind, Grandmother." Aiden bowed before his eyes sneakily met Anastasia’s, who slightly bowed at him from where she stood. The third prince was curious about what was going on and decided to question her later.

Anastasia’s shoulders remained stiff and alert, and she was thankful that Prince Aiden hadn’t blown her cover. When her eyes moved to look at Prince Dante, he seemed unruffled and was drinking something from a glass that a passing servant had offered him. Then suddenly, his eyes moved to look at her, and she quickly looked down.