"Speech"

'Thought'

...

Anna skimmed over the trashy novel content, where the emperor executes people with each breath he takes as if he was going through tinder, swiping left on those who weren't his type. She shuddered at the thought of having such ruthless person leading a whole nation.

It was fantasy for a reason, she pitied the queen who dedicated her life raising the imperial prince and princess. She was a woman who loved her family to bits, but that didn't save her from being beheaded by her own husband. Now she was sure that their marriage wasn't out of love, poor her.

"Anna, put down that damn book!" The gruff voice brought unpleasant feeling in her gut. Anna swallowed down the string of curses for the millionth time today. God was the manager so hateful, she forced out a smile, "But there are no costumers at this time of night."

"YOU WANNA RUN THAT BY ME AGAIN?"

Anna bit her lower lip in frustration, "No, Ma'am."

The manager gave her one last glare before exiting the convenience store. Just one more hour she repeated like a mantra, trying to sooth her bruised soul. She just has to grit her teeth and accept the harsh treatment. Finally, she was graduating this year from school, after years of enduring years of emotional abuse in that house.

It is not really a big deal, a few years back, her mother remarried and passed away soon after that. She had no family that was willing to take her in, except for her step family who were not exactly cool with idea of her living with them. Oh hell, and they made sure that she was not welcomed in their home in every way possible.

But no more, she finally saved enough money to move out. Anna grinned with uncontained energy, so she just have to endure one more hour. Her heart rested peacefully once she calmed down her inner tiger. Looking back to the novel, rolling her eyes at the shitty book she chose. Once again why did she buy it, "The Rise of the Kriston empire, might as hell called it the crack's empire," She threw her book away when a costumer came, "Welcome!"

Anna groaned as she tried to rub her bruised head. Her arms were not responding to her, they felt jelly-ish, her head throbs with unbearable pain; she was sure this was how a hangover felt. Excuse you, she never drinks, she assumes that's how it would feel like.

A cry resonated in the still room, wait, where was she? Such an expensive looking room. It was dripping gold, She tried to sit up, but her body couldn't move an inch. Wriggling her body at best. One thing for sure is that she was laying on a really soft mattress. Her round eyes took in the ceiling that was further from how she remembered.

Moving her hand with every strength she had, finally she bumped into a cold object. Turning her head sideways, her eyes fell on still, dull emerald orbs that eased from any movement. Overflowing burnt honey locks covered most of her upper body. She took in the stiff yet warm smile the brunette wore, something in her screamed that she knew this stranger. Her body shook with terrible tremors, her hand once again bumped on her cheek which was eerily cold. Anna's throat burned with urge to cry, what scared her wasn't the dead body beside her, but the woman that stood behind the two of them. The maid with stinging calmness looked at the clock that was hung over the wall, "1:00AM, the name of this legitimate child," Her eyes narrowed to slits as she pronounced "Anastasia."

Anna's heart stopped at the mention of the peculiar yet familiar name. Wait, WAit, WAIT! The crying intensified, which weirdly matched with storm of emotions that wrecked her ribcage.

Anastasia was the name of the princess that was executed from the first goddamn chapter from that damn NOVEL. The wailing echoed in her sensitive ears, and heart bled into the tears that was streaming down her cheeks.

No, no, no, she was finally...free. To be screwed over like this was not in her goddamn plans!

"Blessing and glory upon the Kriston empire."

Oh, hell nah!