Chapter 74: Midnight eyes that follows her
Upon entering the dimly lit room, Anastasia quickly placed the tray on the side table before walking to each window and drawing the curtains apart. She then opened the windows to let fresh air inside the room.
"It is morning already," murmured Princess Emily, still in bed, her voice laced with sleep.
"Good morning, Princess Emily," Anastasia greeted her. Returning to the bedside, she offered the glass of juice to the princess. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did," Princess Emily smiled, and she returned the question, "How about you, Anna?" Caught off guard and unsure what to say, Anastasia simply nodded while the princess consumed half of the glass of juice before resting it on her lap.
Anastasia quickly walked to the bathtub and began to draw a warm bath for the princess while hearing Princess Emily remark,
"You look pretty today, Anna. You should always let your hair down like this. It makes you look younger."
Anastasia bowed, returning to her side and said, "Thank you, Princess, but I will be pinning it back up into a bun."
"Why so? I think you look rather lovely like this," Princess Emily asked Anastasia, who pulled the blanket away from her before assisting her out of bed. The princess’s hazel eyes then fell on the darker patch of skin on her maid’s neck, prompting her to ask, "Did you hurt your neck, Anna?"
"T—That, yes," Anastasia stammered in response to the princess’s perceptive eyes. She assured her with a smile, "But I am fine now."
Princess Emily looked at her suspiciously before saying, "It doesn’t look fine. The skin underneath looks bruised. Did someone hit you? You know you must inform me if Mr. Gilbert punishes you, okay?"
Anastasia smiled at Princess Emily’s protectiveness and replied, "I do, Princess." She then led the princess to the bathtub, helping her out of her nightdress.