Chapter 156: Not here forever
If Maxwell were allowed to follow his dreams, he would have married Stella, making it impossible for him to set his gaze on anyone else, including Marianne. Anastasia contemplated it, recognising how individuals’ choices led them to their current circumstances.
"What about you, Anna?" her mother asked with curiosity. "You talk as if you and Mary didn’t spend time together."
Anastasia didn’t want to lie to her parents when they had only reunited. And despite the bitterness she had carried in the past, some of the dynamics had changed. It would be a lie if she said she didn’t dread her parents opposing her return to Versailles after the things the people there had done.
Before she could respond, her father spoke up, "Did they make you a maid?"
Anastasia turned to see her father’s sombre expression. Once he came to stand beside her, he said, "I can tell by the look in your eyes that things have been hard, Anna. And our prayers weren’t enough to shield you from the hardships you had to endure and from losing Marianne, who was always the one closest to you. Those of high status have always been willing to inflict suffering on others without caring what people like us feel. Because we are poor, our opinions carry little weight. All I can say is that I am grateful to God for bringing you back to us."
In this instance, it was Viktor who had sent her here. Ultimately, she and Dante had intended to visit Hawkshead one day.
"Papa, there is something I need to discuss with you and Mama," Anastasia informed him before her gaze shifted to her mother.
"What is it?" her father asked, his worry evident as he noticed her nervously fiddling with her hands before retracting them to her sides.
"I will not be staying in Hawkshead indefinitely, because I will need to return to Versailles." Anastasia dropped the news, eager to get it off her chest before the discomfort became unbearable. She observed her parents’ mouths hanging wide open in shock at what she was saying. She continued, "I know it sounds strange, but there’s a reason for it. The man you saw yesterda—"