Chapter 58: Ghost of the old palace
When Dante finished securing the horse’s reins, his eyes still hadn’t moved away from his younger brother and the maid, who stood on the other side of the brown horse. With Emily gone, who had already walked ahead of them, Aiden said to Anastasia,
"It is good to start with a horse because you will learn to balance yourself. I have ridden camels before, and boy, did I fall off the first time."
Dante noticed the maid smile at her brother’s words, and his lips twitched. He remarked,
"Try to help her run away again and she will be punished twice as hard as usual. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your sister, who believes that she brings bad luck to her maids."
Anastasia’s and Aiden’s smiles fell right away. A look of guilt appeared on Aiden’s face, and he quickly said,
"I was just telling her about the camels and h—"
"She’s Emily’s maid and is supposed to be by her side, not standing here and chatting," Dante’s words were cold, and his gaze held a glint of glare directed at the brown-eyed woman. He said, "There’s no need to discuss unnecessary things, as when we return, she will be travelling by foot."
Anastasia felt her heart sink upon hearing this. But then again, she was a maid, and she was expected to travel by foot. When Prince Dante walked past them, heading towards the entrance of the old palace, Prince Aiden and Anastasia quickly followed him.
Prince Aiden said in a low voice as they began to walk, "I think I’d better not speak about horses and camels with you, at least not in front of him. I am sorry, Anna," he apologised. "If I didn’t escape from the palace with you, he wouldn’t be glaring at you now."
Anastasia whispered, her feet moving quickly, "I think it’s better than being dead."
"I like your positive approach. Brother Dante hates people who break the rules, and when someone does that, it doesn’t take long for him to punish them. It must be because of my sister that he hasn’t punished you," Prince Aiden whispered back as they stepped inside the old palace.