Sudden Attention

Anastasia's Courtyard

"My lady, my lady," Rosa stood by the bed and woke Anastasia from her sleep.

"What is it?" Anastasia opened her eyes. She had only intended to nap for an hour after lunch but had not expected to sleep so long. It seemed the nightmare from the previous night had left her restless.

"My lady, Steward Muman is here," Rosa said, disbelief written across her face. Anastasia furrowed her brows for a few seconds before realizing whom Rosa was referring to.

Steward Muman was her father's trusted aide. In her memory, she had met him fewer than five times.

"Why is he here?" Anastasia felt suddenly alert, her mind racing with a million thoughts.

"He said His Grace asked to see you," Rosa answered, her voice cautious. She wouldn't dare question Steward Muman's intentions.

"My father?" Anastasia felt as though she were still dreaming. She quietly pinched herself to be sure. The man rarely acknowledged her presence, even when she stood before him. Why would he suddenly send his trusted aide to summon her?

Rosa nodded, her expression anxious. After all, the Duke suddenly remembering her mistress was unlikely to bode well—especially since she(Rosa) had created a scene in the kitchen earlier.

"Help me change," Anastasia said. She couldn't guess her father's intentions, but she had no choice but to find out. Refusing wasn't an option.

After changing, Anastasia stepped out of the courtyard and was shocked to see Steward Muman still waiting for her outside. Never in her wildest imagination had she thought her father's aide would show her such respect.

"My lady," Steward Muman stood as soon as she appeared. His gesture surprised Anastasia, but she managed a nod in response.

Steward Muman, who always followed her father like a shadow, had never once acknowledged her presence. He treated her as he would any maid or servant he passed by.

Seeing her reaction, Steward Muman felt a pang of guilt, but he knew firsthand that the winds within the Duke's household were about to change, hence he adjusted his behavior.

Anastasia said nothing and simply followed behind him.

Rosa, worried, trailed after Anastasia. As her handmaid, it wasn't inappropriate for her to do so.

The group of three walked toward the main building in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

When the few maids they passed noticed the unusual sight, their curiosity piqued. The air was thick with the scent of gossip, and many wished they could abandon their duties to follow the group and uncover the story.

"Do you think she's in trouble?" one maid whispered to her friend. Her tone held more amusement than concern.

"How would I know?" the second maid replied, shaking her head. While she sensed trouble, she didn't voice her thoughts.

"I bet she is," a third maid chimed in, a smug smile curling on her lips.

"Hazel?" the first two called out, turning to her.

"How do you know?" the second maid asked, her tone skeptical. She disliked Hazel, who was infamous for always being the first to spread gossip.

"I heard her maid challenged Her Grace's arrangements in the kitchen earlier today," Hazel declared, feigning ignorance of the second maid's disdain.

"How bold!" The first maid's jaw dropped. Everyone in the household knew the Duchess was in charge. Challenging her authority spelled trouble.

"I don't believe it," the second maid said, shaking her head. "How could a maid who defied the Duchess still be walking around freely?" She was certain Hazel was spreading baseless rumors again.

"What's there not to believe? My source witnessed it firsthand. And look—her lady is being summoned by His Grace. Surely, you don't think the Duke suddenly remembered her out of affection?" Hazel pointed toward the three figures in the distance.

"What does His Grace have to do with it? He never interferes in household matters," the second maid countered, still unconvinced.

"There are situations where it would be improper for Her Grace to act directly. Just wait and see," Hazel replied smugly before walking away.

Anastasia, unaware of the rumors, followed Steward Muman to the Duke's study, oblivious to the curious stares around her.

"Your Grace, Lady Anastasia has arrived," Steward Muman announced, knocking lightly on the door.

"Come in," came the Duke's reply.

Steward Muman opened the door and gestured for Anastasia to enter.

"Thank you," she said, stepping inside. It was her first time entering her father's study. As the door closed behind her, she took in the large, intimidating space.

The Duke sat behind his desk at the far end of the room, his eyes fixed on her. Anastasia wasn't afraid. She walked forward confidently, her steps measured under his watchful gaze.

For the first time, Anastasia had her father's undivided attention. A part of her felt happy, though she suspected this meeting wasn't for anything good.

"Father," Anastasia said, stopping two steps from the desk and bowing respectfully. Her every move was poised and elegant.

"Sit," Duke Thomason said with a warm smile. He had never looked at this 'daughter' of his because of guilt.

Anastasia obeyed, sitting upright as she faced him. She wasn't sure what to feel.

The Duke, aware of the strained relationship between them, got straight to the point. "I owe you and your mother a great deal," he began with a kind smile, the kind a father might give his child. "I know I've turned a blind eye to you for many years. But now, the favor of Adonia has shone on our family. The royal family wishes to choose the next Empress from our household."

He paused, searching her face for a reaction, but Anastasia's expression remained neutral. It seemed she was only focused on hearing him out.

"You are my eldest daughter, and I've agreed with the Emperor that you will marry the Crown Prince," he announced, his tone implying that the decision had been entirely his.

Anastasia froze. Her body went stiff, and the room seemed to spin around her. Even sitting, she felt as though her legs might give way.

Though her teachers had often mistaken her silence in class as a lack of attentiveness, the truth was that Anastasia never forgot what she heard or saw.So even if it had been a dream, she could remember very well that the words he just spoke to her were the exact same as her dream.

She wanted to open her mouth and say something, but her throat felt dry. In that dream, she had been excited about this news, but she was frightened this time.