156: Not here forever

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.  2

"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—"

"Are you married?" Mrs. Flores asked her daughter as she stood up beside the cow. 

"Not yet, but it is scheduled for a few weeks from now…" Anastasia replied, detecting not only sorrow but also the disapproval in her father's eyes, even though he didn't say anything out loud. She continued, "He is my soulmate and a good man. We love each other very much, and it would mean a lot to me if you could accept him." 

Before her husband could interject, Margaret said to her daughter, "Anna, why don't you take this vessel of milk inside and warm it up in the kitchen?" 

Anastasia knew there was nothing they could do to alter the course of destiny. But at the same time, she didn't want to disregard her parents' feelings. She would have continued despising her life in the palace if it weren't for Dante and a few others who made it bearable. The last thing she wanted was to hurt her parents and marry Dante against their wishes or in their absence. They were her only family by blood, and she wanted to be at peace with them. 

She nodded at her mother and picked up the milk container before disappearing into the house. 

Peering through the kitchen window, Anastasia watched her parents talk in hushed voices while the vessel started warming over the fire. Her father looked upset, shaking his head in response to something her mother had uttered, prompting her to console him by patting his back. 

When she saw them walking back towards the back door, she quickly resumed arranging the wood on the adjacent stove. Footsteps echoed as they entered, and shortly after, her parents arrived at the kitchen entrance. 

"Anna," her mother began, "Your father and I have come to an understanding that despite still seeing and thinking of you as our little one, you have grown up and are now old enough to make important decisions for yourself."

"But that doesn't mean that the man has my blessings as your father," her father stated before adding, "I would like to meet him and understand what you see in him. Tell him that he has been invited to join the Flores family for breakfast, unless he's already had his meal at Carlos's home."

Anastasia caught her mother directing her with her eyes and promptly responded, "I will let him know right away," before making haste out of the kitchen. 

When Anastasia stepped outside, she spotted Dante not far from her house, holding the attention of the older village women. Upon noticing her, he offered them a polite bow before meeting her halfway. 

"I was wondering when you were going to come rescue me," Dante said with a smile. "Did you sleep well?" 

"It was okay. How about you?" Anastasia inquired before following his gaze. She turned to look behind her, where she could see her father behind the window. She found it somewhat amusing, but at the same time, she recognised that there were important matters to address. 

"It is hard to rest when you aren't next to me. Also, even though I am a demon, it feels odd to stay in the house of the person whose son you inflicted pain on," Dante replied before his eyes shifted back to look at her. "I wish to kiss you, but it seems that it would upset your father. He wants to meet me?"

Anastasia blinked and said, "I thought you were having a conversation with the women of Hawkshead."

"I like to multitask," Dante responded as they began walking towards her house. 

Noticing that her father was no longer at the window, Anastasia said, "I didn't bring up the fact that you're the king or a demon." 

"That's fine, little rabbit. This was the hiccup that Viktor mentioned yesterday and something we will have to face," Dante reassured her. He was fully aware of how much Anastasia cared about her original family, and he had no intention of damaging something she held dear to her heart. He added, "There's still a lot of time until the wedding, and if needed, we can always postpone it. You and I are going nowhere." 

When they reached the front of the house, Anastasia felt Dante's reassuring hand gently nudge her back. He whispered, "Everything will be fine." 

Upon entering the house, Anastasia found her family waiting in the living room. 

Mr. Flores straightened his back on seeing the young man, and the two of them exchanged respectful bows before Dante introduced himself, 

"I am Dante Blackthorn, Mr. Flores. It is a pleasure to be making your acquaintance, and I hope we can get to know each other well."

"A fancy last name," Mr. Flores remarked, his caution evident as he was wary about giving his daughter to a stranger he had never seen or heard about. "I am Hugh Flores. A woodcutter by trade, married to Margaret, with three children. One daughter lost her life in that cursed palace, and the other one wants to live in that kingdom. And the third—well, he is still a child, and he's not stepping out of Hawkshead, ever."

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