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Three years ago, the Duke had come to Kieran before departing. Anastasia had tried very hard to eavesdrop on their conversation, but all she heard from their whispers was a warning about keeping something safe.
Anastasia assumed that they meant Duke Ihar’s diamond stored with the Marquis.
But what if she were mistaken? What if it weren’t the diamond that the Duke had asked to be kept safe, but Canillia herself?
By the time Anastasia reached the bottom of the staircase, her head was spinning and her breathing was labored. Angel arrived and saw Anastasia steady herself against the wall.
“Ma’am, are you okay?”
“Yes, I am. But, where’s Canillian?”
“He is in the drawing room, Ma’am.”
The Duke might know Canillia’s true identity.
Anastasia felt an urgency to see Canillia. She ran to the drawing room as though being chased. There was Canilla, sitting by the fireplace. Canillia rose upon seeing Anastasia.
For the first time in three years, Anastasia slowly scanned Canillia from head to toe.
Yes, she was wearing a suit, but her waist was naturally cinched and her blonde hair had grown past her shoulders. Looking at Canillia, Anastasia saw a young lady with emerald eyes.
Laura.
Canillia now looks so much like Laura, who, a very long time ago, had once shown up holding the Marquis’s hand.
“This is Laura. She’ll be staying in Cosoar starting today, so please understand,” the Marquis had said.
Laura. Gliad’s longtime lover. Neither Laura nor Gliad had ever confirmed their relationship, but Anastasia could easily see just how deeply they loved one another and how disinterested he was in his marriage to Anastasia.
If the Marquis wanted to, he could have easily had his marriage to Anastasia annulled. But Marquis Vale needed his father-in-law’s successful business, and Anastasia’s father needed the Vale family’s honor.
Although it was a marriage of necessity, Anastasia’s feelings for him were genuine. It was love at first sight.
In the end, she was the one who had Gliad. She firmly believed that she was the winner. So much so that she continued in the marriage, denying the fact that Gliad didn’t love her.
She was confident that he would love her someday. But Gliad hadn’t changed, not until she gave birth to Kiran—his successor.
“Are you okay?” asked Canilla with genuine concern.
Anastasia regarded Canillia’s annoyingly beautiful face—a face that she never wanted to see.
“It’s been three years,” said Anastasia.
“Yes. I am sorry for not staying in touch.”
“No, I understand you’ve been very busy. Graduating from the Academy with honors enhanced your reputation. I’ll see to it that dinner is prepared.”
Anastasia kept herself calm as she ordered food to be prepared.
All the shame and resentment she felt the day she had brought Canillia to Cosoar bubbled back up within her. She recalled the sleepless nights watching the child play and the struggle within herself to maintain the family’s honor and not murder her philandering husband.
Anastasia smiled at Canillia, who simply stared back at her. Anastasia walked down the hallway leading to an open storage area, a shameful shadow following her every step.
Upon seeing Anastasia, the guard bowed respectfully.
“Donan, there is something you must do for me. I think it’s time.”
Donan’s eyes became dark as Anastasia whispered the ominous message.
The old knight swallowed hard and knelt on one knee.
“If that is your intention.”
***
Lia couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable and suspicious at how nice Anastasia was being to her all day.  Lia intended to ask for her freedom as its time has come, but she couldn’t do it with Rosina tagging along.
Instead, for the first time, Lia had a glass of wine, the effect of which made her blush.
“Then,” Lia hesitated, “I’ll see you tomorrow at the Palace.”
“Yes,” agreed Anastasia. “I’m relieved that the Marquis is safe.”
“And Mother, I have something to tell you. Please meet with me sometime soon.”
Anastasia thought before speaking. “After your father returns safely. I know it’s time as well.”
Anastasia almost seemed like a different person. She wasn’t warm towards Lia, but she wasn’t showing contempt either.
Rosina, who was particularly excited today, took Lia to the Palace instead of dropping her off at her quarters.
“Stay at the Palace today,” urged Rosina. “You have to help me with the party tomorrow, and I have a gift for you.”
“You’re too much. I want to rest—” Lia’s tongue twisted a bit in her mouth, possibly due to the alcohol. But, Rosina enjoyed the fact that Lia wasn’t so in command of herself.
“Okay. Then, I’ll send you back to your quarters after you open my gift, Canillia. But, honestly, I would be very happy if you wanted to stay.”
***
The back door of the Palace opened quietly.
To avoid a surprise attack, a protest, or a riot, Prince Wade had announced a travel schedule, then followed a different itinerary.
This way, Wade and Claude could return on horseback, quietly, in utmost secret. They wittingly arrived to no reception—no fanfare, no fancy homecoming party.
Returning to the Capital removed a heavy weight from their shoulders, a weight they carried for the last three years.
“Stay in the castle until the soldiers return, Duke. I mean, Grand Duke.”
Claude smiled at the title he received during the war, still unused to it.
“Princess Rosina will probably host a party in honor of our return. I’d prefer to hibernate for about 10 days,” said Claude.
“Then you’ll just have to rest here for 10 days. You don’t have to act as the host so please just let it go, Claude,” replied Wade.
Claude scoffed and patted the mane of the tired horse. He longed to remove his bloody, dusty uniform. If he fell into bed like this, tomorrow morning the maid might scream thinking she found a corpse.
Claude said goodbye to Wade and went to the Duke’s quarters in the castle, the section reserved for the Ihar family—the exact place where his father had passed away.
The maids, caught unaware that the Duke was returning, scurried to heat up the room, put fresh sheets on the bed—everything to make the Duke comfortable.
Claude sat by the window with a drink as he watched them busily preparing the room for him, an honored guest.
Somehow, though, Claude felt that her scent was there. His heart thumped.
He saw a gate open in the distance and a car drive slowly through.
The car stopped in front of the Princess’ Palace that leads to the main castle.
Claude clenched his drink. It wasn’t Rosina who got out of the car.
It was she—bright and beautiful as always.