Anastasia's Secret {Harry Styles}

Prologue

This chapter is dedicated to @Insert_Witty_name . Thank-you so much for the dedication and I really do love your story! :)

“Anastasia!” my mother’s voice echoed through the hallway.

“I-I-I’m coming!” I stumbled across the room in my pink floor length gown, tripping over every grain in the wooden floor because of the height of my heels. I quickly clasped the edge of my vanity, grinding my nails into the wooden bench top keep myself balanced. I grinded my teeth together, today wasn’t going to be a good day for me. I pulled out the stool from under the dresser and fell onto the seat.

I hated dresses. Especially the ball gowns that were layered with rings of fabric, making you feel like elephants were hanging off your hips. So why was I wearing one?

That’s a simple question, with a very complicated answer.

You see, I’m Anastasia Brimstone the daughter of one of Britain’s wealthiest men. Now that he has passed away, it is my job to keep up the family honour and bring glory to our name. To be honest, I would rather the earth to swallow me whole then bring beauty and wonder to the name Brimstone. It’s just a pathetic way to gain money.

So why am I wearing a pink, puffy ball gown that is as wide as a door frame and weighs like a tonne of horses who just ate the world’s supply of grass?

Again. A very simple question, with a very complicated answer.

Today, I’m supposed to be meeting up with the family of another wealthy man in Britain. From what I have been told he has two sons and one so happens to be my age.  He is here to discuss plans with my mother about bring fortune and fame to both of our families, God knows what they are going to come up with.

I looked at my face in the mirror. I looked horrid. Make-up covering my face, lipstick sculpting my already strangely shaped lips and eye shadow making my eyes look like the size of peas.

“Anastasia! We will not be waiting for you all day!” My mother opened the door to my room and stared at my face with utter disbelief. “After having hours to prepare for this event, you nowhere near ready!” She stormed into my room, slamming the door behind her. Well, bollocks.

She came over to where I sat and began to tug at my braided hair. “I knew I should have sent Penelope up here to check on you. This has got to stop if you’re ever going to land yourself a husband with high standards. They are the only ones who have money you know!” she loosened the braid and began to style my hair.

“Yes, mother” I replied looking down at my nails. I had always been disapproved by her. She has never considered me high enough for her standards, but because I was her only child I would have to do.

She tugged onto my hair, leaving it as a half-up half-down hairdo, letting my curls to dangle down my back, stopping at my hips. The front of my hair was pinned up, leaving the hair out of my face.

“You can thank me later; now get yourself down here this instant!” She walked out of the room, leaving my alone in my peaceful haven.

“Get yourself down this instant!” I mimicked her voice in a high pitch.

“Anastasia, that means now!” She yelled from the top of the stairs.

I sighed. This was useless. I hopped of the stool, tucking it under my vanity and walking out the door. I pulled my dress up slightly as I walked down the stairs, waiting for the snobs to arrive.

Speak of the devils.

The doorbell chimed signalling someone was at the door. My mother immediately rushed to the door, knocking the servants onto the floor. I watched and leaned on the railing of the staircase. This ought to be fun.