After the physician left, Anastasia remained worried. After all, she did not want to end up like in her nightmare, even if she could not remember the details. She felt that her nightmare was meant to torment her otherwise if she could remember the details she would have known how to avoid trouble.
"My lady, you should cheer up. The physician said you just need to adjust your medicine, and you will be fine," Rosa said, noticing that her lady looked sad. As long as there was hope she felt it still okay.
"I know," Anastasia replied. There was no way she was going to tell her maid that her fear did not stem from the physician’s words but from a dream she had a few weeks ago.
"My lady, the Duke and Duchess have arrived," a maid announced.
Anastasia sighed. She had completely forgotten about her father’s visit.
She immediately stood up and went to the receiving hall to meet the Duke.
"Father, Your Grace," Anastasia greeted them upon entering the room.
A maid was already serving them tea.
"My dear, how have you been these past few days?" Duke Thompson asked Luke a concern father.
"I am well, Father," Anastasia replied. She suddenly found herself indifferent to his concern. Initially, when the Duke had told her he was marrying her off to the Crown Prince to make up for the past, she had been moved. However, after visiting Lady Rosalind, she realized that if her father had truly cared for her, he could have done something to help her long ago.
"Well, the Duchess and I are here to bring you some news," Duke Thompson said, watching Anastasia’s reaction. He noticed that he could not read anything from her expression. Instead, Anastasia turned to the Duchess, wondering what schemes she was plotting this time.
"Your wedding to the Crown Prince is eight days away. Since your mother is already dead, we thought it would be best for you to be adopted under your stepmother’s name," Duke Thompson stated bluntly.
"Why?" Anastasia asked after a moment of silence. Her mother had been dead for years. She did not understand what the Duchess stood to gain from adopting her. For more chapters visıt novel_fіre.net
"This is my decision. In fact, Anita here had no intention of adopting you; she even refused at first. But I am doing this for your own good. As long as you are adopted under her name, you will no longer be seen as the daughter of a mere mistress. Besides, I have also spoken with my in-laws, and they are willing to offer you maternal support," Duke Thompson explained. He knew that Anastasia would be suspicious of anything the Duchess suggested, so he had decided to present it as his own idea. First, to make it easier for her to accept, and second, to gauge how much his daughter still trusted him.
Anastasia remained silent, unsure of what to say. Had her father suddenly become more caring, or was this just another scheme of the Duchess?
"Father, is this really necessary? Given that she is unwilling to be my mother, would this even be fair?" Anastasia asked.
"Anastasia, what are you saying? We are all family, and becoming your mother in name benefits us all. You are about to become the Crown Princess; do you think I would still dare to harm you?" Duchess Anita interjected. Although she was unsure of the Duke’s exact plan, she knew it was best to follow along.
Anastasia hesitated. She thought about Bridget and Beatrice’s behavior the previous day. She had long since understood the power of status and benefits. After her mother’s death, the maids in her courtyard had happily sided with the Duchess and were reassigned to better positions. Apart from Miss Maria, her teachers had also belittled her while praising everything Elizabeth did.
However, the moment her engagement to the Crown Prince was announced, everything changed. Those same maids no longer dared to disrespect her. Even her teachers’ attitudes improved.
She wondered if the Duchess had also changed her stance simply because of these newfound benefits; especially since even her parents were now willing to treat her as their own granddaughter.
"Can I refuse? After all, I am my mother’s only child," Anastasia finally asked after deep thought.
"Of course. But, Anastasia, your father is doing this for your own good. Your mother is already dead, and she can no longer help you. Her status as a mere mistress does not favor you either. Besides, she was just a woman from a small family. Even if you sought out her relatives, they would be of no use to you. I am your father, and I would never do anything to harm you," Duke Thompson said.
"Listen to your father. Besides, this adoption is only for appearances. I will not stop you from acknowledging your birth mother or praying for her soul," Duchess Anita added. She knew that Anastasia had been close to her mother and might hesitate to accept, just as she herself had hesitated to agree to her parents’ proposal.
"Then... may I have a little time to think about it?" Anastasia asked.
"Of course. But you only have a day. Send a message with your decision so we can make the necessary preparations for the ceremony. Remember, once you marry the Crown Prince, the adoption will no longer be possible," Duke Thompson said.
"Your father is doing this for your own good. Your husband will treat you based on your family’s standing," Duchess Anita added.
Anastasia agreed with this logic. She had heard enough gossip in recent days to understand that her mother had suffered greatly in the Duke’s household because she came from a small family. She even began to doubt whether it had truly been her mother’s choice to become a mistress because she could not bear children, or if the Duke had forced her into it to solidify his position after becoming a Duke.
The more she learned about noble households from Miss Magdalene, the more she realized that things were far more complicated than she had once believed.
Once their conversation ended, the Duke and Duchess left. However, after thinking about it all night, Anastasia still could not make up her mind. So, she decided to ask Miss Magdalene for her opinion.
"This adoption benefits you. I think you should agree to it. In fact, your father did not even need to ask for your opinion before making this decision. The fact that he did shows that he cares about you," Miss Magdalene said.
Anastasia nodded, taking note of this point. As her father, he indeed had the right to make such decisions for her. She thanked Miss Magdalene, but deep down, she still felt that something was off.
That evening, Anastasia decided to visit the royal garden. She did not expect to overhear two maids gossiping.
"I heard the Crown Prince always visits that lady’s courtyard," the first maid said.
"I heard it too," the second maid replied. She looked around cautiously. Satisfied that no one was nearby, she continued, "I have a friend who is in charge of cleaning that courtyard. She said she saw the Crown Prince leaving that lady’s chamber early in the morning after the royal celebration."
"Then... the rumors that she is the Crown Prince’s mistress must be true!" the first maid gasped.
"What do you think?" The second maid nodded knowingly.
"But that’s not right! He can’t welcome a mistress before his wife," the first maid protested.
"What do you know? I heard the future Crown Princess is the daughter of a mistress. She is not well-favored in her own household. Even if the Crown Prince insults her, she can only endure it," the second maid scoffed.
The two maids continued walking away, but Anastasia could not shake the sadness in her heart.
Indeed, without strong family backing, her life in the royal palace; even as Crown Princess, might be miserable.
She knew these maids were not just gossiping. After all, the Crown Prince had openly brought another woman into the palace, even leaving her alone in the grand hall just to escort that woman back to her courtyard.
Clenching her fists, Anastasia made a decision.