Hidden Mysteries

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

          Anya was awoken by the three knocks on the front door of her. She opened her eyes and rolled over in her bed. What time is it? She asked herself. The sun was not even peeking through the curtains at her window. Three more knocks sounded.

          “I am coming! Please be patient!” She shouted in the general direction of the knocking as she pulled on her robe.

          If this is Mason's idea of a cruel joke, I swear I will slaughter him. Prince or not.

          Anya had not seen her old friend since their expenditure into town a few days earlier. It was odd, though. She had no idea whether to be glad to have some peace and quiet or to feel forlorn. More knocking occurred on the door.

          With irritation, Anya wrenched her front door open only to take a step back in surprise. Before her was Julie in all her glory. On her body was the outfit of a Royal Messenger, a blue dress with a silver belt. Her orange hair was in a long braid, but many of of her unruly curls were coming out.

          “Julie? What are you doing here?” Anya immediately hissed. It was one thing for Mason to visit her; he had a whole army at his disposal to protect him. Julie, however, had no such thing.

          Julie seemed surprised by Anya's reaction, but nonetheless greeted her with a smile. “Good mornin', Anya-”

          “Do you have any idea what you are doing?” Anya interrupted. “You are putting yourself in grave danger being here. I suggest you leave.”

          Once again, Julie's brow furrowed in confusion. “Anya, I 'ave no idea wha' yer goin' on abou', but 'ere is a letter from the prince 'imself. I though' ya migh' want it.” Anya had no choice but the numbly take the letter from Julie before the orange-haired girl stormed away from the house without another word.

          She was just doing her job, Anya.

          It was too late to call Julie back and Anya could feel her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment with what she had just done. She could not have known Julie was here on business; Anya had merely thought Julie was visiting for pleasure! With a groan, Anya ran her hand down the length of her face before remembering the letter in her hand.

           She walked back into her house and ripped open the letter, not noticing the red wax seal that had the royal coat of arms imprinted into it. 



          Anya, I know what you are thinking with this invitation, but it would mean the world to me if you would accompany me to the Summer's End ball.

          Anya stared at the letter in wonder. The letter had obviously been from Mason. “Me? Going to a ball?” She had never been to a ball, not even when she was the young duchess. Usually, she had tried to avoid those kinds of things. Would she try to again? Anya picked up the invitation that was embellished with gold and the colors of autumn, staring at it.

          Something fell to the floor and Anya looked down before her eyes grew wide. Had Julie managed to slip a dress onto her arm without her notice?

          I wished to give you this gift myself, but I could not and I apologize. As you may have guessed, the gown is for the ball and it is yours to wear. I cannot wait to see you in it.


          Mason.

          As Anya set the letter down onto the table, she picked up the gown. It was scarlet with a corset top and a full skirt that did not stop at the floor, but went on at least half a foot more before stopping. The sleeves were tight fitting and came to connect to her middle finger. The entire dress had gold embroidery and stitching. To Anya, it was the most beautiful gown she had seen. With a jolt, she remembered that the dress had been the one she had so enviously looked at the other day when she had fought the thieves.

          How did Mason know all of this? Was it because of that man he had hired to find her? Had he seen everything she had done all these years? Anya shuddered. She hoped not. Glancing back down at the letter, she could not help but smile at Mason's words.

          I cannot wait to see you in it.

          Anya held the gown up to her body before she draped it over her arm and took the letter in her hand. A sort of thrill coursed through her as she set the gown and the letter on her bed. The strange emotion was a mix of fear and excitement, quite a foreboding feeling for the young woman. Would she be able to last a night at the palace with all the dangers that surrounded her?

          Feeling overwhelmed, Anya quickly strode outside, wanting nothing else but to take a walk in the woods to clear her clouded mind. The pounding of rain began falling upon her as she entered the shelter of green healthy trees, but she did not mind. Somehow the sound of water hitting the plants around her soothed her.

          If only I were a plant and so easily rejuvenated by a sprinkle of water atop my head.

          Anya's mind whirled with thoughts. If she went to the ball, those men who had murdered her parents would only do the same to her. However, Mason could easily protect her with the army he had under his Father's command. What would she do? Risk the life she had so long protected or continue hiding in the shadows like a coward? 

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