CHAPTER 237: FRIENDSHIP 2

Anastasia’s Cottage

While the rumors were spreading throughout the kingdom, Anastasia lived her days peacefully in her new home. The news of the king getting married to Rosalind had come to her as a surprise, but she was not particularly worried.

On this day, Anastasia was playing the lute when Grater came to inform her that she had a visitor.

"Who?" Anastasia asked. She did not believe her father would come looking for her after the last incident. She couldn’t think of anyone else who might be searching for her.

"Lady Rosalind," Grater said. Her voice sounded unnatural.

"Let her come in," Anastasia replied. Rosalind was the only friend she had ever made in her life, so even when she found out Rosalind was going to marry the king, she could not blame her. The bond between her and the king had ended. Moreover, in their circle, a daughter did not get to choose the man she married.

"My lady..." Grater raised an objection.

She was worried that Rosalind might have only come to flaunt her new status.

"Let her in. I just have a few questions about the lute to ask her," Anastasia said. She didn’t bother to defend herself against the rumors. People would believe what they wanted. But she had been granted a royal divorce—no one could dispute that. Living an ordinary life, in her opinion, was better than staying in the palace. The end she had seen in her dreams made her determined to leave.

She was no prophet and could not say whether someone else might fare better in the palace.

Grater stopped talking and went to invite Rosalind into the small music room.

When Rosalind arrived, she was surprised to find Anastasia in good spirits, playing the lute.

"Your..." She almost said Your Majesty but remembered Anastasia was no longer queen. "Anastasia," she greeted with a smile.

Anastasia finished the note and turned to her. "I’m happy you came," she said with a faint smile.

"I wasn’t sure you would agree to see me," Rosalind admitted.

"Why not?" Anastasia raised her brows.

"You heard of my engagement to the king. It will be made official the day after tomorrow at the royal ball," Rosalind said.

Anastasia looked at her. "Are you happy with this marriage?" she asked, choosing a question over a comment.

Rosalind looked at her. "My father thinks it’s a good match," she replied.

"Then, congratulations," Anastasia said. She didn’t believe Rosalind would suffer the same fate as she had. And even if that were the case, she had no evidence to convince her otherwise.

At least Rosalind’s father held a stronger position among the nobles and in the royal court. The king would not dare act without considering her feelings.

Rosalind was surprised by her reaction. She had expected Anastasia to accuse her or try to talk her out of the marriage. She had not expected congratulations.

"I was going to ask your opinion about a song I wrote. Sit and listen. You can tell me what you think when I’m done," Anastasia said, changing the topic.

Rosalind looked at her. It was just the same as before—back when she used to visit Anastasia in the palace, they would often discuss music.

"Alright," Rosalind agreed and took her seat to listen to her play the lute.

The room was small, but the silence made it feel vast. Sunlight filtered gently through the gauzy curtains, catching on the delicate dust motes that danced in the air. Anastasia sat near the open window, her posture straight yet relaxed, the carved wooden lute resting comfortably in her arms like an old friend.

She closed her eyes for a moment and let her fingers brush the strings. The first note rang out soft and clear, like the sound of a distant brook echoing through a forest.

The melody began slowly, a wistful hum rising from her fingertips, gentle and unhurried. Then, as if stirred by a breeze, it climbed light and playful, unfurling like a bird stretching its wings for the first time.

Rosalind sat perfectly still, the breath caught in her throat. She had always admire Anastasia’s musical strengths but in this moment she felt that she had reached another level.

Anastasia played on.

Each note told a story:

Of a young girl running barefoot through a dew-laced field, unburdened by titles, unbound by duty.

Of laughter echoing beneath the boughs of ancient trees.

Of a heart learning to beat for its own joy, and not for another’s command.

The rhythm quickened, joyous now a dance of freedom. Not the desperate rebellion of someone trying to escape, but the triumphant song of one who already had. It was a lullaby for the soul, a gentle anthem for every dream left behind that had quietly learned to bloom again.

As the final notes drifted into silence, the room felt fuller than before as though happiness itself had taken a seat beside them.

Anastasia looked up at Rosalind with a quiet smile.

"I wrote it the morning after I left the palace," she said softly. "It was the first time I heard the birds sing without the sound of guards marching in the background." Anastasia had a warm smile on her lips as she spoke. When she was in the Duke residence she was scared of the scheme of the duchess. After getting into the palace she was trying to fit in and avoid the scheme of the king and his mistress.

Then many thought she was the most favored woman alive but she knew she was walking on tin ice. Only when she was out of the palace and the Duke’s control did she understand what happy life she could live.

Rosalind swallowed, her eyes misting. "It’s beautiful," she said. "Like something that remembers what it means to be alive."

Anastasia nodded, her fingers still lightly resting on the strings.

"It’s called Unchained" she whispered.

"Wonderful, I have always envy you, now I do much more," Rosalind sad with sadness in her voice.

Anastasia laughed when she heard that. "What could you envy about me? You are full of talent and you have a father that still protest you. I on the other hand..." Anastasia stopped talking. She had accepted this date and she believes it was better than living within the palace walls.

"Can I ask you a question?" Rosalind said after hesitating for so long

"Go on," Anastasia respond.

"Was your marriage to his majesty so bad?" Rosalind asked. She was not really happy about having to marry the king but she did not dare disobey her father.

"No yet," Anastasia answered honestly. She told her about the prescription and other little episode atlowe military camp. "I believe that if I don’t leave the way soon, he might kill me to make way for her. The kingdom is not firmly within his grip now, so he might consider something. Duke Thompson would not risk his life to save me, so I could only decide to live now," Anastasia said. She could not longer call the Duke her father after learning the truth.

Rosalind looked at Anastasia, she had heard some rumors but she thought that a few things might have been exaggerated. Only at this moment did she realized the seriousness of the situation.

"I am not saying this to ask you not to marry the king. You are different from me, you have a father that loves you. Your father’s position is also high. When you marry over, use this time when the king is trying to seat firmly on the throne to exablish your authority," Anastasia said.

Rosalind looked at her, she did not expect Anastasia to be so sincere when she advised her.

"Are you okay?" Seeing that she did not say anything and just look at her for so long without saying anything.

"Yes, thank you," Rosalind got up and hugged her. The two hugged without saying anything.

They had become friends and irrespective of how their situation happened changed they still liked each other as friends.

The two spent the remaining two hours talking about musical instrument. Rosalind was worried about saying anything about the kingdom to annoy Anastasia.

When she left, Anastasia walked her to the gate. "My lady, can you trust her?" Grater asked. She was worried that new rumors would start circulating. After all, Rosalind as the next queen might want to exablish her reign.

"I trust her," this was the only friend she had made all, her life, so unless Rosalind betray her, she was unwilling to distrust her.

Grater looked at Anastasia and sighed.

...

Rosalind on the other hand did not know about the conversation. She returned home in good spirit although she worried about her life later in the palace.

"Sister," just as she came out of her carriage she realized that her stepsisters were waiting for her.

"Why are you here?" Rosalind frowned.

"You left without telling us you were going out today. We have a few friends that wanted to meet you," Bridget said. Since the news about Rosalind marrying the king spread, many young ladies have been trying to make connections with them. They all wanted to join Rosalind Court, and the twins have been getting benefits as Rosalind did not have many friends within the noble circle.