Anastasia is Enraged

"Bitttcccchhhhhh!!!!!! Lady Anastasia screamed. She reached for the nearest items she could reach and started thrashing everything in sight.

"I'm going to kill her, I swear!!!!"

Lord Benjamin Blackwell walked in to see his sister acting like a mad woman, shouting and screaming in the empty room, while throwing things around.

He walked up to her and suddenly,

Slap!

Lady Anastasia was startled by the hard slap and stumbled backwards.

When she realized it's Lord Benjamin who had slapped her, she instantly fell on her knees and cried her hearts out.

"What's the point of crying and acting like this? It's the outcome we've expected. Do you think the Queen will graciously accept you as her daughter-in-law after what you've done?"

Lord Benjamin walked to the nearby window and looked out.

"That bitch!! It's her who destroyed my plan. I swear I will not let her go!" Lady Anastasia said in anger.

Lord Benjamin only shook his head looking at his vengeful sister. 'She's targeting Melissa now, I need to keep an eye out in case she does something to Melissa.'

Lady Anastasia suddenly stood up and wiped her tears. She looked at her brother and asked with hopeful eyes, "Is there any other way I can marry the Prince?"

"No way in hell." Lord Benjamin's harsh words caused his sister to tear up again.

She ran out of the room and her loud cry could be heard from every corner of the house.

Meanwhile, at the Duke of Hurrey's manor, Melissa was alone in her art room, thinking of Benjamin, or rather Lord Benjamin.

Why would he conceal his identity to me?

The book didn't mention anything about this character, so Melissa was clueless, trying hard to decipher the real reason of his doing. 

She immediately took out the lease contract, going over the terms and conditions one more time, in case she had missed something. It's better be safe than sorry. Suddenly, Melissa's eyes caught the signature at the end of the document and found it surprisingly very familiar. Her mind thought hard and then it clicked. 

Melissa immediately took out the box containing the embroidered handkerchief and the card with the poem which she had received from her anonymous sender. Both the signature and the handwriting of the poem was the same penmanship. It was him! 

Melissa quickly took both the contract and the card back to her room and brought out the first card which she had received with the red rose. Again, the penmanship was no doubt from the same person. BB.....Benjamin Blackwell. 

Her head throbbed at this revelation. Another suitor? Dealing with two was already difficult, now with three...it'll be very challenging, especially for someone like her who had no experience in this area. Not to mention, Lord Benjamin Blackwell is now her landlord and thus, she couldn't possibly avoid him, it'll be utterly rude. 

While thinking of her days ahead, a knock was heard and Lily came in carrying with a big box in her hands. 

"My Lady, this came for you. It was delivered by the same boy." Lily informed Melissa.

"He didn't ask to meet me this time?" Surprised, Melissa asked.

"No, My Lady. Probably he's afraid of Lord Melvin. He was nearly beaten up by Lord Melvin the last time he was here." Lily replied, and left the room thereafter.

Melissa wondered what Lord Benjamin sent her this time. She opened it and inside the box laid the most exquisite burgundy organza evening gown. Melissa took out the dress and touched the fabric. Compared to the heavy velvet or brocade often used for dresses, she preferred the lightweight organza, chiffon or cotton. Curious, Melissa changed into the dress to try it on. 

When she looked at the mirror, Melissa was surprised. The gown fit her well. It was definitely her size. How did he know? 

Melissa checked the box again and true enough, there's a card inside. On the card, Lord Benjamin wrote,

'Congratulations on the completion of the art gallery. Please accept this humble gift from me. BB' 

Melissa took off the dress and carefully put it back into the box together with the card.

'Yes, that's right, my art gallery is finally done. I need to focus more on that.'

Although Melissa knew she needed to be more vigilant with the people around her, she decided to take things as they come. So far, Lord Benjamin didn't do anything bad to her, but she would be careful around him.

She now needed to concentrate more on avoiding dangers from Lady Anastasia. Her scheme against the Prince had failed, and she must be angry now. She wouldn't blame both the Prince and the Duke, so she would treat Melissa as her scapegoat.

To her surprise, Duke Kensington arrived at her manor right after lunch.

"Melissa, I heard from Andrew that you're going to inspect the art gallery today?" Duke Kensington asked innocently.

"You seem to always come at the right time. Yes, I'm going out." Melissa answered, amazed at his timing every single time.

Duke Kensington grinned and said, "Well, let's go then. I'll come with you."

"Zachary, they always say that you're a workaholic and that you are busy all the time. I'm beginning to doubt that." Melissa said while getting into his carriage.

"But I am busy. Busy taking care of you." Duke Kensington said as a matter of fact, causing Melissa to pause in her movement and turned back to glare at him.

"I don't need your care, I'm not a child." Melissa said coldly.

 "You don't know that. You might need me more than you know." The other man respond.

"I think you're actually scared of something else." Melissa mumbled to herself.

"What's that?" Duke Kensington asked her.

"Nothing. Let's go." Melissa decided not to prolong this useless conversation. No matter what, she's stuck with him today.

"How's the Prince doing?" Melissa suddenly remembered about the poor guy.

Duke Kensington looked at her and only relaxed when he saw her neutral expression. 

"He's awake and doing fine." He answered curtly.

Melissa nodded her head and looked out of the window. 

"Are you worried about him?" The moment he asked that, he regretted it. Why did I ask her that?

Melissa didn't turn but merely replied, "I'm more worried about myself, to be honest." 

Duke Kensington was surprised at this unexpected answer. 

"Did something happen?" He asked worriedly.

"I'm sure something will definitely happen, but I just don't know it yet." This time Melissa turned and looked intently at him. 

They both had a tacit understanding of what she's talking about. Duke Kensington smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll protect you." 

"I hope when the time comes, you'll appear as timely as you always do." Melissa said sarcastically. 'He declared so easily about protecting me, does he have a drone following me 24/7?!'

Not noting the sarcasm in her voice, Duke Kensington thought Melissa had finally relied on him to protect her. Proudly, he took her hands in his and said, "You can count on me, My Lady."

Melissa sighed heavily. Talk about being clueless. 

When they reached the building, Melissa was happy. The exterior of the building had been cleaned up nicely, a new coat of paint made the slightly old building appeared more majestic than ever and even the gate had been polished and looked new. 

Suddenly a voice called out to her when the carriage stopped in the courtyard. 

"Melissa, you're here!"