The Last Midnight

Chapter Twenty-Two: "Last Wishes"

In the ballroom, the Baron stood in stunned silence. The grip on his champagne glass so tight that he thought he might break it. Hearing Linda's name after so many years brought back a lot of painful and bitter memories. Quickly setting his glass down, he shoved through the crowd to try and follow Matthew. He had no doubts it was him. No one else would dare use her name or bring her up like this. Before he could reach him, the prince whisked him away and guards stepped into his path to keep him from following. He thought about making a scene but held himself back when he saw the Baronet using his distraction to slip by to follow the prince. Taking a step back from the guards, he raised his hands to show that he meant no harm. The ballroom exploded into a rush of chatter over the countess. Most of the courtiers and nobles were too young to remember her or had forgotten her after she had left court. However, there was one who did. The queen rose from her throne, causing the announcer beside her to bang his staff to silence the ballroom. When the room fell into calm quiet, the queen turned her eyes directly at the Baron and said in a voice so calm and regal. "Baron Tremaine? A word?"

The Baron bowed deeply, then straightened up to his full height. His eyes darted to Anastasia, before he snapped his fingers and beckoned her over to him. Lifting her chin, she calmly strolled over to take his arm with a smile. He didn't see Drizella anywhere and scowled a bit, but decided it was best not to draw attention to her. The king's eyes glared at the Baron suspiciously, before he waved to his personal guard. The guard nodded, then moved away to deploy a group of knights to follow the queen. Throughout the ballroom, the guests bowed as the queen exited the ballroom to head out to the balcony. The Baron walked with pride to the balcony, watching the guards close the thick heavy curtain behind them. Walking over to an outdoor tea table, the queen eased down into a seat and gestured for them to join her. The Baron graciously helped his daughter into a seat, then quickly seated himself. The queen thanked a servant for bringing her tea without being asked, before starting off lightly. "Forgive me for pulling you away from the festivities as I did... but I couldn't ignore this sudden turn of events." The Baron nodded, stating charmingly. "I understand, your majesty. No apology is necessary."

Warming her hands around the cup of tea, the queen asked cautiously. "I was not made aware that the late Countess Linda Patrick had a daughter. I only knew of her late son..." Anastasia glanced to her father with a nervous look, but the Baron quickly piped up rather calmly. "Yes, it is rather unfortunate that her son past. Fortunately, she did have a daughter. Our daughter." The queen raised an eyebrow, asking a bit guarded now. "I was not aware that she was pregnant during your marriage to her." The Baron bowed his head, answering with a genuine pain to his tone. "She was. It was a home birth. Forgive me, highness, for not informing you at the time. Everything told the end was... painful. After she passed... I tended to hoard her things to myself. Including our little girl." Anastasia's eyes narrowed in on him a little heatedly, but his discreet glare prompted her to soften up and add innocently. "Yes. My baby sister. I practically raised her. It was a maternal instinct." The queen glanced between them then sipped her tea slowly. The soft music from inside the ballroom picking back up now. The Baron took a deep breath to calm himself, before telling her in his most convincing tone. "I named her after Linda because she reminded me of her."

The queen's eyes darted up from her cup to look at him, before saying coolly. "Yet, you did not introduce her to us with your other daughters. Why is that?" Anastasia piped in then with a grin. "The girl is such a shy thing. She kept saying she didn't want to come. Only to arrive late and unescorted. No manners at all. She gets that from my sister, Drizella. Children can be so rebellious, am I right?" The queen's eyes slowly met Anastasia, before she stated out in a strong calm tone. "It's rare to see rebellion in one so shy. Although... maybe that is why my son likes her so much. Linda always was a soft spoken but dedicated woman. She always had a way of putting the fire out in me or cooling it enough to inspire me." Anastasia's jaw clenched and she swallowed down something with the fakest smile that the queen had ever seen. Blinking, the queen looked back to the Baron and said casually. "It's a bit ironic though. Linda's daughter wearing the very dresses that I had made for her after the birth of my son. Only to capture my son's attention with them. It's like Linda knew... How I miss her. Her death hurt me deeply. I wish I hadn't been away when it happened. Maybe her son wouldn't have run away if he knew..."