The next morning, the palace was thrown into chaos as disturbing news spread like wildfire. Several knights who had been assigned to patrol the city were found dead, their lifeless bodies scattered throughout different districts. It was a dark omen, a grim warning that war might soon descend upon the Empire. The news sent shivers down the spine of the citizens, filling them with dread and unease.
As Sarah dressed me in my morning attire, I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling of discomfort. My chest tightened with a sense of foreboding, though I couldn’t quite understand the cause. It was as if my instincts were warning me that something terrible was about to happen.
"Bring me a meal, Sarah," I said, sensing that she had just finished her task. She stepped back, bowed respectfully, and silently left the room. I sighed and reached up to touch my necklace, hoping to calm the growing unease in my heart, but even that familiar gesture did little to soothe my anxiety.
A sudden knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I frowned. Sarah had only just left—why would she return so quickly?
What puzzled me more was that the door remained closed. If it were Sarah, she would have knocked and entered immediately.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I walked over to the door, opening it to reveal an unexpected guest.
"Your Majesty," Anastasia greeted, bowing her head with a polite smile. I raised an eyebrow slightly. Her sudden appearance caught me off guard. This was new, and I couldn’t help but wonder what brought her here.
"Consort Anastasia, what brings you here?" I asked, my curiosity piqued by her unannounced visit.
She smiled sweetly, her demeanor calm and almost serene. "I wanted to take a stroll with you, Your Majesty. I have reflected on my behavior, and I realize I have not been kind. I’ve learned my lesson and would like to make it up to you," she explained, her voice dripping with sincerity. "Please, allow me to atone for my past actions."
I studied her closely, unsure of whether her words were genuine. Still, I couldn’t sense any deception in her voice or expression. After a moment of hesitation, I exhaled deeply.
"Very well," I said, closing the door behind me as I faced her. "Shall we?" she asked, her tone respectful. I nodded, though the sudden change in her behavior left me wary. Nonetheless, I decided to see where this would lead.
As we strolled through the corridors, she complimented me, "Your dress suits you beautifully, Your Majesty." Her voice was sweet and soft. I forced a smile. "It does," I replied tersely, still trying to gauge her intentions. She giggled, a sound that felt foreign coming from her. It unsettled me, as if I were talking to a completely different person.
She continued to speak more than usual as we walked, her tone light and cheerful. Soon, we arrived at the grand staircase that led to the entrance of the palace.
Just as I prepared to descend the stairs, Anastasia gently grabbed my elbow. "Your Majesty, I am truly grateful that you’ve given me this chance. I will not waste it," she said, offering me another one of her sweet smiles. I nodded in response, still unsure about her sudden change of heart.
Anastasia took a step forward, but something went horribly wrong. Her foot slipped on the polished marble step, and her eyes widened in panic. "Your Majesty!" she screamed, her hand instinctively grabbing onto my neck, her fingers latching onto my necklace as she struggled to regain her balance.
YOU ARE READING
The Greatest Villainess (Completed)
Historical Fiction𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖎𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖊 𝕯𝖚𝖔𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖞 𝐈𝐈 Adil was a writer whose life came to a tragic end at the hands of one of her reader. She thought that was the final chapter of her existence, that her story had reached an irreversible conclusion. However, fa...
