61: Looking outside the window

Looking outside the window

A super long chapter ^.~ Though I do would like to know if you prefer the long chapters or broken ones to read.

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By the time Anastasia and Dante passed by the village, she didn't have to be embarrassed about her dress being transparent, as it had dried. The distance she had kept between herself and the first prince while they travelled through the forest had begun to close, and she was now only two steps away from him. 

As they walked away from the village, heading back to the old palace, Dante's gaze moved to the corner of his vision where he could hear Anastasia's footsteps. He questioned her, 

"What happened last night?" 

Anastasia's eyes looked at Prince Dante, and she asked in a whisper, "What?" 

"You ran out of the room to end up being the ghost Aziel saw," Dante reminded her, and his footsteps briefly slowed down, and he caught the look of surprise on Anastasia's face.

"T—That, you touched my hand. Forgive me for rushing away like that without saying a word!" Anastasia offered him a bow. The fringes of her hair had come loose from her bun, which now hovered around the sides of her temples. 

"Do you hate being touched, or is it that you felt repulsed because it was me?" Dante questioned her, while he looked ahead. Many people avoided being touched by his bare hands as if a curse would befall them. It was one of the reasons he wore gloves. And yesterday, this woman's actions had left him irritated the entire night, because it wasn't the first time she had done that. 

Anastasia answered, "I thought you were disgusted…My hands," as if it were obvious, and she raised her hands before turning her palms upwards, facing the sky. 

Dante turned to look at the brown-eyed woman, and when his eyes fell on her palms, he asked, "What about them?" 

Anastasia's eyebrows furrowed, and she looked at her calloused palms. Her hands had developed hardened uneven patches where the skin had toughened and turned discoloured, with some of the spots darker than the smoother parts of her skin. With doubt in her voice, she addressed him, "They are rough, Prince Dante. I am sorry!" She quickly apologised, remembering that he asked her not to call him by his name. She then said, "They aren't smooth or soft, and people don't like to have their skin grazed or touched by them…" Her voice trailed when she caught him staring at her. 

"How foolish," Dante remarked, slightly rolling his eyes, and he looked ahead again. 

"But last night… when you touched my hand, you sounded disapproving," Anastasia squeezed the fingers of the hand she held with the other. 

Dante turned to give her a slight glare, as if her words held an incorrect assumption. His footsteps paused, and so did hers. He then requested, "Let me see them again." When she opened her palms for him, his eyes raked over them before he said, "I don't see anything wrong with them."

"They are unpleasant to the touch…" Anastasia said softly. Though they were getting better little by little, thanks to Princess Emily. 

"Isn't that because you worked hard as a lower maid before turning into a princess's personal maid?" Dante's head tilted to the side as he questioned her. "The marks on your body hold a story, or a tale of struggle. They speak of your hard work. There's nothing to be ashamed of," and he started to walk ahead.

Anastasia followed him, staring at her palms before dropping them to her side. Maybe it wasn't a big deal to the first prince. To switch the subject, she asked him, "How is your wound today, Prince?" 

"The stitches want to undo themselves against my skin, but better," Dante said curtly, before returning to the previous subject and adding, "Does the condition of your hands bother you?" 

"Yes, it does. I believe it is because soft hands are expected of a woman, " Anastasia responded. "Every time someone touches my hands, they feel disgusted and have something to say about them, as well as me. Though I should have gotten used to it by now. It reminds me of my station and the circumstances of being far from home…" she bit the inside of her cheek when Dante's eyes moved to look at her. 

Feeling Dante's eyes on her, Anastasia walked on awkwardly. She then heard him question her, "What were your plans after you thought you could successfully run away from Versailles?" 

'Thought' Anastasia's ears picked up on the word, as if he was sure she wouldn't be able to get away in the future. As their eyes locked, they stared at each other as if challenging the other, and it was fortunate that the street they were walking on was deserted, so that no one would notice that the maid was being given leave to stare back at the royal prince. 

As if realising what she was doing, Anastasia was the first to look away, because the first prince's eyes were too intense for her to handle. She said, 

"My sister and I planned to reunite with our parents. We hoped that they were still alive and to meet the sibling we never got the opportunity to know before we were kidnapped from the village and brought to Versailles…"

"And," Dante prompted her to continue. 

Anastasia wondered if Prince Dante found amusement in her feeble attempt at a plan in his mind. She said, "Apart from the freedom to be our own person and not be owned by anyone, my sister and I would find decent prospects to marry. We would have husbands that we wouldn't have to share with other women, and children to dote on. A simple life of working on a farm."

Once they arrived at the old palace, Anastasia went to thank Prince Dante, but he didn't stop and continued to walk inside the palace. 

"Thank you for today, Prince Dante," Anastasia whispered, even though he had disappeared from her sight and couldn't hear her. 

'I will kill you!' 

Anastasia could still hear the prince's threat echo in her ears. And as harsh as his words were, he had shielded her from the lewd gazes of any other people by having her walk away from the village until her dress was no longer transparent. 

She had heard enough about Prince Dante's harshness from the other maids and Marianne, which was why she was thankful towards him for protecting her chasteness like he protected Princess Emily. 

When Anastasia walked through the halls, heading towards the kitchen, she heard someone whisper to her, 

"Anna! Here!" It was Prince Aiden who had called her, and behind him stood Princess Emily. Wondering what the siblings were up to, she made her way over to them awkwardly, still feeling self-conscious because of the earlier state of her dress. 

A little worried, Princess Emily asked, "Did Brother Dante scold Naila and the others? For splashing water."

Anastasia shook her head, and the princess sighed. She then asked, "What took you both so long then?" 

Prince Aiden answered, "They walked back, Lily. Of course it would take time, unlike us who rode on horseback." 

"Ah, yes," Princess Emily nodded and said, "I thought Brother Dante would have reprimanded them. But it is good to hear that it didn't happen. He looked furious." 

Prince Aiden said in wonder, "I don't know if I should be upset that I missed the fun, or scold you for thinking it was alright to get into the water with the others, where word of it could reach Mother." 

"I don't think Brother Dante will tell on us, will he?" There was a slight hint of doubt in Princess Emily's voice as she asked him. 

"That remains to be seen. If only it was easier to read what he was thinking," Prince Aiden murmured. Princess Emily stared at her maid before commenting, 

"Anna, you should wear the fringes of your hair this way more often, rather than combing them back. It looks much better on you this way. Don't you agree, Aiden?" After her hair had dried, Anastasia had forgotten to fix her hair, and she prayed the princess wouldn't recognise Tasia in her, but with all that had happened, the princess barely remembered it. 

Hearing someone knock on the door outside, Prince Aiden said, "Looks like someone is here." 

The three of them walked towards the entrance, and they found Issac standing near the front door with a big basket in his hand. Prince Aiden whispered to his sister, "Why don't you head inside?" He didn't want Dante to catch their sister in the male's company, who had thrown water on her earlier. 

Princess Emily went inside the closest room, where one could hear what was spoken at the entrance by standing next to the window. 

"Prince Aiden, warm greetings to you," the commoner offered a deep bow, and the small smile on his lips widened upon seeing Princess Emily's maid. 

"Greetings to you, Issac. How have you been, and what's that in your hand?" Prince Aiden eyed the basket. 

"I have been well, My Prince. These are the seasonal fruits that we had collected and stored during the last harvest, and Alora believed that you would very much like them. My family would be humbled if you were to accept this as an apology for the scene that you witnessed earlier." Issac apologised, offering the big basket, and as Anastasia took it from the young man, their fingers briefly brushed against each other. 

Though the young man said it was his sister who had sent the basket, it was only an excuse so that he could come to see the maid and, if possible, talk to her. 

"That is very kind of you, Issac, and there's no need to apologise. I am sure my sister enjoyed her time at the riverbank," Prince Aiden offered him a bright smile. He lowered his voice and asked, "Lily told me that there was some celebration you were talking about," as he was interested in attending it. 

Issac nodded and said, "It will be held in the inn, and there's also a monthly celebration with dance, food, and drinks. Just like the ones that you like." 

"How enticing. I should see what I can do. Even if Lily isn't allowed, I could still go," Prince Aiden grinned before he heard his name being called. 

"Aiden," the voice belonged to Prince Dante. 

"Do let me know more about it later, will you? It was good seeing you, Issac!" Prince Aiden smiled and quickly hurried inside. 

When Anastasia turned around with the basket in her hand, she heard Issac say, "Miss Anna, I would like a moment with you. If you will," he added. 

Even though her dress wasn't wet, Anastasia subconsciously brought the basket closer to her chest. She wondered what this man wanted to talk to her about. 

"Miss Anna, if possible, I would like us to get to know each other better and maybe spend time together when you are free. With Princess Emily's permission, of course," Issac said to Anastasia, catching her off guard. He confessed, "I really like you." 

Anastasia's eyes widened at the young man's confession. She stared at him, noticing him bring his hand up to scratch the back of his neck. He said, 

"Unless you are promised to someone, I hope I still have a chance with you. You are so beautiful and demure by nature."

He guessed her nature in one meeting? Anastasia asked herself. Though inexperienced with men, she wished to be married one day. But if she married now, she wouldn't be able to escape alone. But then, simultaneously, she was surprised and happy, as this had never happened to her before.

In the meantime, Aiden met Dante in the corridor, where the latter questioned, "Where is Emily?" 

"Don't be hard on her, Brother Dante. She has been worried since we left the riverbank, and she barely does anything out of line and always follows everything Mother or Father tells her. Your words, too," Prince Aiden defended his sister. "She needs to live a little." 

"I asked where she was. Not for you to explain on her behalf," Dante stared at his brother. 

"She's in there," Prince Aiden pointed at the room, and on seeing his elder brother walk in that direction, he quickly followed. He said, "Brother Dante, don't you think it would be mean t—"

"Another word from you, and you will spar with me at the camp once we return to the main palace," Dante's words were calm, but his eyes waited for his younger brother to speak, who quickly closed his mouth. He said, "It isn't that I have a problem with her playing in the water. But she needs to know that she can't let her guard down when people are quick to defame others and tarnish their reputation. Especially when one is part of the royal family. If word of this does reach Lady Sophia, do you think Emily will escape being pushed into a marriage she doesn't want, just to 'fix' the rumours?" 

Prince Aiden sighed, wishing they had been born to commoners so they wouldn't have to watch their every move. He couldn't argue with his brother when he was merely looking out for their best interests. 

Upon entering the room where his sister Emily was, Dante caught sight of his sister glued to one of the windows. As he got closer, along with his brother, for a brief moment she turned to look at them, offering them a grin before returning her gaze to the front. 

"What are you doing, Emily?" Dante questioned, and when he got near the window, his eyes fell on Anastasia and the man he had seen back at the river. 

Prince Aiden remarked, "Oh, Issac is still here. I thought he would have left."

"Shh!" Princess Emily shushed her brothers before whispering, "Issac likes Anna and asked her to attend tomorrow's celebration. How exciting!"

"Who, Issac?" Prince Aiden asked, confused, while Dante only stared at the two people outside through the transparent glass. "I didn't peg you to be someone who indulges in gossip, Sister."

"I am only listening, now quiet!" Princess Emily hushed any further questions so that she could hear what was being said. 

Outside, Issac stared at Anastasia as if he couldn't look away from her face, and the attention felt like when she had presented herself as Tasia. He said, 

"The celebration is tomorrow, and you don't need to worry about your clothes because we will be in our usual attire. Nothing fancy. You can consider it to be like a break. So… will you come tomorrow? Of course, you can take your time to decide, and I will seek the princess's approval tomorrow morning."

A little respite from serving the royal family and spending time in the company of people of her status with a sense of freedom wouldn't be bad, would it? Anastasia thought about it before giving him a nod. 

Issac's face lit up with joy at Anastasia's agreement, and he said, "I am happy to know that you accept, Anna! You don't have to worry about not being able to talk, as it doesn't bother me or any of the others," he assured her. "Then I will see you tomorrow, Anna," he said with a grin before walking away. 

Inside the old palace, Princess Emily said, "Back at the riverbank, Issac couldn't stop staring at her, but I didn't know he liked her so much that he would come all the way here. After all, it was their first meeting."

"It's a little odd," Prince Aiden murmured. "Aren't you worried that you will have to let her go if she marries him?" 

"Not really," Princess Emily turned to look at her younger brother and said, "I mean, I will be sad, but if she has a chance to have a new family, why would I stop her? Isn't that right, Brother Dante?" She turned to look at her elder brother. "She can go, right?"

Dante's eyes were still on Anastasia, who watched the man leave. 

'Have husbands that we wouldn't have to share with other women, and children to dote on. A simple life.'

Even though the woman's presence aroused his senses, keeping his distance from her was better. Though she would never escape from the palace or have the freedom she wanted, that didn't mean she couldn't have a simple and ordinary family. 

Dante looked away from the maid and remarked, "She's your maid, do what you like with her."

Turning from where he stood, Dante made his way towards the door, and when he pulled it open, he found Anastasia standing in front of him as if she was about to enter the room. He left without sparing a word or casting even a fleeting glance in her direction. 

Stepping inside the room, Anastasia approached where Princess Emily was. Prince Aiden said, 

"You are lucky that I distracted Brother Dante earlier. He came here to scold you, but I took care of it."

Princess Emily's eyes widened, and she looked at the door and then at her brother before thanking him. "The next time you sneak out of the palace in the middle of the night, I will cover for you. Promise," she said, making a deal with him. 

At night, during dinner, when everyone sat at the table, Princess Emily cleared her throat and addressed her mother, "Mother, there is something I would like to ask."

"What is it?" Lady Sophia questioned, without looking up from her plate. 

"I was wondering if it is alright for Aiden and I to visit a little celebration in the village tomorrow," just as those words passed Princess Emily's lips, everyone at the table turned to look at her. She added, "Our attendance there will be short, and Brother Dante can join us too, if he's interested."

"You won't be attending it, Emily," Lady Sophia immediately rejected her daughter's request. She said, "Mr. Wolstonton will be visiting us tomorrow, and I think it would be beneficial if you both converse and get to know each other."

When Princess Emily had tried to help her maid by playing matchmaker, she hadn't expected her mother to be working on a similar endeavour for her own sake. 

"Yes, Mother," Princess Emily whispered with a bow. How she wished she had the ability to shape-shift like Aiden, knowing her mother would have still refused even if Mr. Wolstonton wasn't visiting them. 

The following day as the evening approached, on the upper floor in Lady Lucretia's room, Dante sat with his mother beside the window, watching her knit. He caught sight of the maid leaving the palace gates.

Considering how she had done up her hair by braiding it and letting the fringes rest on her forehead and sides of her temples rather than hiding her appearance, it looked like she was excited and looking forward to this evening, Dante thought to himself. 

"What are you looking at?" Lady Lucretia asked, noticing her son staring intensely through the window. 

Dante turned away from the window and said, "Nothing important." 

Though her calm-looking son didn't reveal his thoughts, Lady Lucretia noticed the slight shift in his mood. Her eyes moved to look outside, noticing a young woman walking, who was joined a second later by Prince Aiden. 

"You have spent quite some time with the needlework. You should let your eyes and hands rest now," Dante stated, bringing the lady's attention back to him. 

"Mm," Lady Lucretia watched her son put the knitting materials away before helping her stand. As they walked towards the couch, the lady fell deep in thought before she said, "Dante… tell Aziel to have the cook prepare dinner for me. I think I would like to have it early today and then go to bed."

Dante became slightly suspicious and asked, "Are you feeling alright?" Checking her vitals once he had helped her sit down, he lightly joked, "Or did you get bored by my company?"

Lady Lucretia leaned over and placed her head on his shoulder before she smiled and said, "You are the best company I could ask for." 

She held her son's large hand in hers and used her other hand to cover it. His hands used to be so small… and now they had become bigger than hers. Dante had to grow up so fast, and the people around him had stolen his childhood. The small boy, whose existence had been frowned upon, had grown into a remarkable man, commanding respect. 

Lady Lucretia knew that her son spent all his free time with her, as if worried that she would disappear any moment. As sweet as the gesture was, it broke her heart that he had to go through it at all. 

She asked him, "Is there something happening in the village today? I remember them having fairs when I first came here, and they were beautiful. Though your father disliked them." She said, "You should go see if there's one, maybe pick something for me."

"There's no fair now, but maybe when one is being held. What do you want from the fair?" Dante asked his mother, and he noticed her smile when he looked at her. 

"What do I want?" Lady Lucretia asked with a hum, noticing the sky had started to change colour. She said, "So many things, but the first is to see you happy."

"I am. With you here," Dante responded, putting his hand on hers. He said, "I will go find Aziel to prepare your dinner," and left the room. 

Alone in the room, Lady Lucretia turned back to look at the window before pondering about the maid she had seen walk outside the palace. She wondered if there was something going on, or if Dante had only stared outside on a whim. 

In front of one of the village inns, lanterns were lit from one end of the street to another, letting people know there was a celebration. 

"Looks like you and I are finally going to a celebration at an inn together," Prince Aiden remarked. He looked relaxed, being Juan and not Prince Aiden. 

"Does that mean that the deal we made is complete?" Anastasia asked him, because he had agreed to it with her when she had asked him to arrange camels for her.

"Of course not. This one is in the evening, and we aren't in the main city. This is very tame compared to what I mentioned," Prince Aiden explained to her. He then asked, "Won't it be troublesome later if Issac finds out that you 'can' talk and aren't mute like you pretend to be? I mean, after marriage, it would be hard to not be able to talk with anyone, unless you intend to inform him." 

Anastasia's eyes widened, and she quickly said, "I am not getting married to him!" 

"No?" Prince Aiden asked, and she shook her head. 

"I only agreed to go to the celebration, and maybe get to know him better. That is all for now," Anastasia replied, her lips barely moving as they got closer to the inn and saw the people hovering around it. "There are so many people." 

"Village celebrations are like that, Anna. Everyone comes together and has fun. Though sometimes there are a few hiccups here and there," Prince Aiden said, causing Anastasia's eyebrows to lift at his meaning. Her face flinched when she caught sight of two men in a brawl while the other men cheered them on. He said, "Don't worry, all you have to do is stand next to me and I will make sure everything is fine," and they stepped inside the inn. 

After an hour had passed, Anastasia found herself next to Issac, while Prince Aiden was on the other side of the room in the company of two young women, who had their full attention on him. Music was played loudly, making it hard to hear what the young man beside her said. 

When she felt something brush on the side of her hair, Anastasia was startled, and her body jerked. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I couldn't see your eyes before. You have beautiful eyes," Issac said with a nervous smile. He then asked her loudly, "Would you like to dance, Anna?" 

Anastasia shook her head and offered him a small smile. The last time she danced, it had brought a wave of trouble. She then used her hands to tell him to go dance if he wanted to.

"Oh no! I am fine. I was just asking so that you wouldn't be shy to go up there," Issac smiled at her. "Let me get you something to drink. You must be thirsty."2

Even though Anastasia waved her hands and said she was fine, the young man insisted and left her side. She looked around the inn, filled with villagers who laughed and talked loudly, not caring about the status that the wealthy worried about. 

Anastasia's brown eyes skimmed through the crowd from where she sat, when they suddenly stopped and moved back to find Dante seated at the counter with his legs crossed and a glass of liquor in his hand. He was talking to the man behind the counter, and the air around him was relaxed for once, as if he was one of the commoners. 

When did he arrive? Anastasia asked herself. And though they were in a crowded space, it was as if he could sense her gaze, and his eyes shifted to meet hers. 

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