Garden Of Poison

In Princess Emily’s bedroom, Anastasia helped the lady get into her bed and pulled the blanket over her. Most of the candlelights had been blown out, except for the two stands next to the bedside and one placed on the table.

Anastasia was about to leave when Princess Emily asked, "Anna, will you stay the night with me? You can take the couch," a slight longing appeared in her eyes.

The only place the servants were allowed to sleep in the presence of royal family members, on the inner side of the palace, was on the ground. For the princess to offer the maid her couch came from the goodness of her heart.

Even if Princess Emily had asked Anastasia to sleep on the bed, Anastasia would never cross that line, knowing where they stood. The princess’s maids had fallen into her kindness and had lost their lives more than once before.

Anastasia nodded, and a look of relief passed over the princess’s face. Princess Emily then took a spare pillow from her bed and handed it to her, saying,

"Use this. You know where to find the bedsheets."

’That is fine. Just the pillow is good,’ Anastasia responded before heading towards the couch, which wasn’t far from the bed. Princess Emily turned so that she could see the maid clearly, and she said,

"You must wonder why a grown woman sleeps with the candles lit."

Anastasia lay down on the couch, placing her head on the pillow. She heard the princess say,

"Many years ago, when I was a little girl, a strange woman kidnapped me. I don’t remember much of it, but it was dark and I heard screams of other children, which was painful. Thankfully, my father found me and brought me back to the palace. Ever since then, I have never wanted to step foot outside, unlike my courageous, yet foolish, younger brother."

It seemed that no one’s life was better than another’s, Anastasia thought to herself. She gestured with her hand, which made Princess Emily smile. She said,