CHAPTER 239: MONASTERY

The next day, Rosalind joined the tea gathering with her sisters. Her gaze was calm, and she did not pay much attention to anyone, but seeing her there made the young ladies happy.

"I told you she would come," Bridget whispered smugly to her sister. Beatrice had been worried after they returned to their chamber the previous day. After all, their father was not deliberately sending Rosalind away.

"You’re smart," Beatrice praised, relieved that Rosalind had not taken the issue to their father.

After taking one cup of tea, Rosalind excused herself and left. Seeing this, a few of the guests were displeased.

"Your sister doesn’t seem to like us," one friend complained.

"Like us? If you ask me, I’d say she’s putting on airs because she’s about to become queen," another said, jealousy evident in her gaze.

"With such jealousy written all over your face, why would my sister want to chat with you? What do you mean by ’putting on airs’? She has every right to act as she pleases. If you don’t like it, try marrying the king yourself," Beatrice said. No matter how much she disliked Rosalind’s attitude, she knew better than to side with outsiders. After all, they were sisters, and one person’s reputation could easily affect the other.

The lady lowered her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"That’s enough. My sister loves music and is usually very busy. She only came because we asked her to. If you can’t appreciate that, then don’t come next time," Bridget added, catching on to her sister’s signal and acting equally displeased. After all, they wouldn’t be able to explain it to their father if unpleasant rumors began from their tea gathering.

"I didn’t mean it like that," the friend said, realizing that those who usually criticized Rosalind had suddenly changed their stance. She regretted her words.

"We’re all friends here. She just spoke out of turn, but she wouldn’t say such things in public," another lady tried to smooth things over.

The conversation soon shifted away from Rosalind and turned to the grand celebration planned for the next day. The ladies talked excitedly about outfits and the time of arrival.

"I heard this celebration also doubles as the engagement between His Majesty and your sister?" one lady asked.

"Yes," Bridget replied smugly, as though she were the one getting married to the king.

"So grand. There wasn’t even an engagement banquet when the former queen married His Majesty," another commented.

These two weddings shouldn’t be compared—after all, Edward had only been a prince then, and now he was a king—but the ladies were eager to make a good impression.

The topic of the king’s new wife was on everyone’s lips in the royal city. As many prepared to attend, Anastasia sat in her garden, painting some of her mother’s favorite flowers.

"My lady, a message from the palace," Grater came over, holding a small card. Although it was unopened, Anastasia could already guess it was an invitation.

She was surprised. Wiping her hands, she took the card from Grater—it was indeed an invitation to the grand celebration at the palace the next day. Anastasia was aware that this event was also meant to announce the king’s engagement to Lady Rosalind. It was said that the king wanted the wedding to take place three months after the celebration to allow enough time for a grand affair. She had never expected the king to invite her—especially not with the invitation arriving just a day before.

"Who delivered this?" Anastasia asked, frowning deeply. She couldn’t understand what the king was thinking by inviting her to the palace.

"A palace servant. I recognized him as one of the king’s men," Grater replied.

Anastasia took a deep breath. This was truly unexpected.

"My lady, are you going to attend?" Grater asked.

"Yes," Anastasia answered as a cold light flashed in her eyes.

"But my lady, this might only draw unnecessary attention to you..." Grater reminded her of her plan to live a quiet life.

"Do I dare decline the king’s invitation?" Anastasia asked. Since the king had personally sent the invitation, she had no choice but to attend. She had done nothing wrong, so she was not afraid of any scheme. If the king wanted to kill her, he wouldn’t do it openly. She was determined to go.

"Then I’ll go prepare a dress," Grater said, taking the invitation and heading back into the house.

The next day, Anastasia was getting dressed for the royal celebration when Grater rushed inside with a mixed expression.

"What’s the matter?" Anastasia asked. Grater was usually very composed.

"My lady... something strange has happened," Grater said, stepping closer. "Word just came from the palace... Lady Rosalind has gone to the Monastery of Saint Mirielle this morning."

Anastasia’s brow furrowed. "The monastery? Why would she go there on the morning of her engagement celebration?" she could feel that something was not right.

Grater looked around, as though ensuring no one else could hear, and then leaned in slightly. "She... she says she wants to become a nun."

Anastasia blinked. "What?"

"She left a letter for her father, They say she refused to return to home. The monks granted her temporary refuge. She has locked herself in prayer and is requesting to take her vows." Grater explained.

Anastasia rose to her feet, her silk robe rustling softly against the polished floor. "No," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. "That doesn’t make sense. Rosalind... she’s quiet, but not impulsive. Why would she—" Anastasia could not make sense of the situation.

"I heard she acted strangely yesterday, she only stayed for a cup of tea during the tea gathering hosted by her sister" Grater said cautiously. "My lady, forgive me if I speak out of turn, but... perhaps your former friendship still holds some weight. Maybe something frightened her. Something... someone."

Anastasia’s chest tightened. "Her sisters," she muttered, thinking of Bridget and Beatrice’s cold, calculating faces. "They’ve always resented her. And Lord Williams... I doubt he noticed the gap between his daughter s"

Anastasia began to pace, mind spinning with the implications. "If Rosalind has truly fled, the palace will not take it lightly. The king won’t either. He needs this marriage... needs the alliance with Lord Williams to keep the nobles in check. If Rosalind becomes a Nun now, it throws everything into chaos."

"She may have planing trying to escape," Grater said softly.

Anastasia stopped pacing. Her gaze sharpened. "And now they’ll turn their fury elsewhere. Perhaps even toward me." Anastasia thought of this, after all, Rosalind had visited her two days ago. She had not said anything wrong, after all, she did not wish to get the king’s attention, all she wanted was to live a peaceful life, she had even given her some useful tips to keep her safe, she never expected this turned of event.

Grater’s lips pressed into a tight line. "Should we still go to the celebration, my lady?"

Anastasia looked down at the elegant gown draped across the chair—silken, silver-blue with embroidery fit for royalty. Her reflection stared back at her from the polished mirror—composed, regal, yet haunted by the past.

"If I don’t go," she said slowly, "it might give the court even more reason to whisper. And if I do, I may learn the truth."

Grater gave a hesitant nod. "Then I’ll make sure everything is ready."

As her maid turned to leave, Anastasia reached for the invitation again, her fingers tightening around the edges.

"Prepare the carriage, I will visit Rosalind, first" Anastasia charge her mind. If she wanted safety then she needed to distance herself from Rosalind decision and the best ways to achieve this was to know what happened.

"My lady, going to see her, might not do you good," Grater frown. Many people might speculate that Anastasia’ was the one who scared Rosalind, making her give up the chance to become queen, if Anastasia’ visits at this time it might confirm the rumors.

"I must go," Anastasia’s voice was firm. She understood that she could not remain idle. Only by going would she get the right information.

Perhaps since things have gotten to the point, she might also have to become a nun to save her life.

Anastasia felt a stab in her heart, she thought that after leaving the palace she would live a normal life away from the royal family and scheme. Maybe in the future she would find a suitable partner and get married or live a quiet peaceful life. She never thought she would be pushed again.

Seeing her determined gaze, Grater knew it was useless to persuade her. She turned around and left.

The carriage was soon ready, Anastasia accompany by Rosa and Grater head to the monastery.

The journey took just over an hour, since Anastasia lived at the outstretch of the royal city.

"I would like to see lady Rosalind, she came in this morning," Anastasia asked a young girl cleaning. She was wearing a new nun uniform.

"I must disappoint you lady but she has refused to meet anyone, not even her father," the girl said.

Anastasia was not surprised to hear this, "take me to her, since I am here I must try to see her,"