CHAPTER 246: MISSING

Mary turned with a gracious nod. "Of course, dear. Someone show Lady Anastasia to the private washroom. It’s just near the east corridor."

A servant bowed and gestured forward. "This way, my lady."

Anastasia managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you."

But as she followed the servant toward the archway leading out of the garden, her legs wobbled, and the dizziness returned in full force. She gripped Rosa’s arm tighter.

"Just a few more steps," she muttered under her breath.

The maid leading in the front, soon stopped. "My lady, through the door. There are many guess in the palace today. Since lady Anastasia’ is familiar with the palace, I ask permission to go back to the garden," the maid said with a bow.

"Than you," Anastasia waved her away, she could not really tell what was wrong with her. She had never been given to win before. Mary had them served her wine, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to herself she had taken a few sip, she did not expect it to be so terrible.

Anastasia went in, the first thing she did was to get a bowl of water and deep her face into it.

"Rosa, go and tell the couachman to get ready, I will leave the palace with Grater. You will return to tell the queen that I had gotten sick and have to leave the palace early," Anastasia’ instructed.

Rosa bowed and left.

Anastasia deep her face into water for a few times, feeling a bit clear headed she decided to make her way out of the palace.

Only when she came out did she notice that she was not very familiar with this part of the palace. She had stayed in the palace for less than a year. This side of the palace belongs to the queen mother. Because she did not want to over step, she never paid much attention. Just when she was confused how she should leave, she saw a maid walk by.

"My lady are you lost? Do you wish to return to her Grace garden?" The maid asked.

Anastasia still felt a bit strange, seeing the maid willing to help she felt grateful.

"I wish to leave the palace, I am unwell," Anastasia’ answered.

"Then, let me show you the way out," the maid offered, moving closely to Anastasia, she took her hand and supported her.

"My lady your body is quite hot, how about I send for the royal physician to check on you? After all, you are her grace guess," the maid said.

Anastasia opened her mouth to refuse but she suddenly realized that she could not speak. She shiver at this realization. She had done her best to be careful during the banquet she did not expect to still fall into a trap. She wanted to break free from the moment but her strength failed her.

"Oh Lord, please save me," in a moment of desperation, Anastasia could only pray in her heart. She had no idea what was wrong with her or what Mary had planned but she was certain that what ever it was was not something good.

The maid leading her to a room, she was very respectful when she helped her to the bed.

"I will go and get a physician," the maid said and hurried away. Anastasia started feeling sleepy, she bite on her lips hard to stay away but nothing seems to work. Soon she felt herself falling asleep..

In that moment she felt the presence of someone else entering the room.

She wanted to open her eyes to see who it was and what was going on but her eyes remained close.

.....

Somewhere else in palace

"Lord Throne," Ernest was very respectful, he had no close relationship with any noble in the royal city apart from those connected to the military. So when Lord Throne suddenly sort him out he was surprised.

"I wonder if general Ernest is free for a few drinks?" Lord Thorne said.

"Lord Thorne, the royal city is a bit delicate now. Maybe some other time," Ernest refused. He did not want to form fractions with any group especially given the situation of the royal city.

"General Ernest is always so busy, I indeed admire your talent. My daughter does too," Lord Thorne was not angry that he refused his invitation. Within the royal family everyone knows that Ernest was a general respected by everyone within the royal army

His intelligence and skills was evidence for all to see. He has heard rumors about how he rejected many noble invites.

"I am honored to have Lord Thorne"s admiration. But miss Thorne is a delicate woman, I do not feel qualified for her admiration," Ernst said. Since he become general many high nobles have been trying to offer their daughters in marriage but he has always found reasons to refuse.

"Look at what you are saying? The kingdom enjoying such peace is largely your contribution," Lord Thorne paused and looked at Ernest. "I will not be at around the bush, I hope you can meet my daughter and see if your like her. You and her would make a fine couple," Lord Thorne said.

"Lord throne, I am only an illigamite son of a Duke, my background fall short," Ernest refused. He had no plans to marry. Before he wanted to seduce a woman from a powerful home to be his backers so he could take his revenge against king George. But since king George’s death he had given up on such arrangements.

He no longer has plans to marry, after all the one he fancy might not be his. Even if he would have a chance, he had to wait a few years for people to forget about her marriage to the king before he makes a move. He did not want to affect her reputation.

"General Ernest is too humble, even if you are only an illigamite son, you have proved your Worth in the royal army. I do not look down on you. I feel that a marriage between you and my daughter would be a wonderful choice," Lord Thorne said.

Seeing that Ernest opened his mouth to refuse again, he beat him to it," Do not be in a hurry to refuse. Meet my daughter first," he said.

Ernest wanted to still refuse but at that time he got sight of one of his spies in the palace. The man seems to have something urgent to report.

"Then, Lord Thorne I will send a greeting card some other time," Ernest nodded and quickly his pace looking for somewhere convenient to talk to the man.

Ernest looked around and was about to change part when someone suddenly bumped on him.

’sorry, sorry," the young lady shiver. From her clothes Ernest guess she was a maid.

"Just look were you are going," Ernest did not pay much attention. Just as he turned to leave, he noticed she was crying and cleaning her tears. He was never one to care about others business but when she dropped her hand he suddenly recognized her.

His heart missed a beat, after all the maid crying was the personnel maid by Anastasia’s side. He recognized her because he paid special attention to Anastasia and those around her.

"What is the matter?" He could not bring himself to ask. Logically Anastasia no longer had any connection to the palace, it did not make sense why her personal maid would be here and crying.

Rosa who was already leaving did not expect the gentleman to show care.

So she turned to look at him, she also immediately recognized Ernest who had protected her mistress during the war against Gube.

"My lady is missing, I left her only for a short moment to call the carriage, when I return she was no where to be seen. " Rosa said. She had a good impression of Ernest and she felt that he might be able to help her find Anastasia.

"Your lady? What is your lady doing in the palace? Why is she alone?" Ernest felt a bit tense. He knew the situation of things since the divorce and he was scared that the king was up to no good.

"Her grace held a noble lady banquet today, my lady have no way of refusing. She took a few sips of wine and fell sick. I wanted to get the carriage but when I return I could not find her

Ernest frown, typically in a banquet like this in the palace, noble ladies could only have one servant with them to reduce the crowd, so nothing seemed wrong on the surface but in reality Anastasia’ was not safe within the palace walls.

"Where did you leave your mistress?" Ernest asked. He balled his fist as he tried his best to control his anger. If this was not within the palace walls he could have started a search but he did not dare.

Rosa pointed to the direction of the outhouse.

"Let’s go," he said following Rosa. The spy seeing this walled over to Ernest, "my Lord this is not a good idea, why not report the issue to her Grace. Even if it is just for the show they would look for her," he reminded him.