Chapter 186: The Rightful Heir of Ardel
Anna’s heart weighed heavy as she woke up the next day, the previous night’s events still fresh in her mind. The revelation of her true parentage to the nobles and the accompanying sadness lingered within her, threatening to overshadow her resolve.
However, she remained steadfast in her decision not to let regret consume her. It no longer mattered to her as long as she could reclaim a sense of normalcy and ensure the safety of those she cared about.
As Anna prepared for the day, Rosalie entered the room, surprised to find her already washed up and in the process of getting dressed. Concern etched on her face, Rosalie expressed her worry.
"Oh, my lady! Why didn’t you call me? I thought you were still asleep. Luckily, I came to check on you!"
Anna reassured the chief maid with a smile, appreciating her dedication.
"No need to worry, Rosalie. I can manage on my own. Besides, we returned so late last night. You must be tired and have many other tasks to attend to."
Rosalie replied earnestly, "My priority is always you, my lady. His Highness has instructed me to take good care of you. If you keep doing everything yourself, I might lose my job soon," adding a touch of humour.
Anna chuckled, enjoying the mood.
"All right, next time, I’ll make sure to call on you more frequently, so you’ll be busy with me. Then, you can ask His Highness for a salary raise," she teased, eliciting a genuine laugh from Rosalie. "Now, come and help me with these strings. I can’t quite reach them myself."
The chief maid gladly stepped forward, her hands deftly manoeuvring the strings into place as she secured Anna’s attire.
Rosalie was relieved to see the changes in the princess’s demeanour and grateful that Anna had not succumbed to overwhelming sadness. She admired the princess’s endurance, finding herself amazed by Anna’s strength.