Chapter 7
"Is something wrong, your majesty?", Anastasia asked as she reached the room.
The King, smile on his face, looked up as she walked in. "Yes, yes, dear. Nothing's wrong. I only want to talk with you.", he gently replied, patting the cushion beside him.
Though the King seemed happy, Anastasia still felt nervous as she sat down beside him. "Y-yes, your majesty?", she hesitantly asked.
The King, seeing how nervous she was, gently gave her hand a gentle pat. "Now, nothing's wrong.", he whispered. "I only want to talk with you.", he said, voice gentle, doing his best to make Anastasia comfortable.
"What about?", she asked, obviously still nervous.
The King, now nervous himself, licked his lips before he replied, "Your mother and sister."
"Well... what... about them?", she nervously asked.
"I know how your mother is from my son and stories he's been told, but how do they treat you? What do they do to you?", he asked.
With a sigh, Anastasia looked down, the fact she was embarrassed obvious.
"You do know Drizella wasn't the only one who treated Cinderella badly, right?", she whispered.
"Yes, I do, but I also know that you're the only one who changed and that's what I care about. I care about who you are now.", he gently replied.
"T-Thanks, your majesty.", Anastasia whispered, blushing at the King's kindness.
"Now, my dear, what can I do for you and,... What is his name?", he asked, hating he had to admit he didn't know the baker's name.
"Amable.", Anastasia replied, the fact that she loved him obvious as she spoke his name.
"Of course. Now, anything you would like me to do for you two?"
"I just want us together, be here with Cinderella.", she replied, her head down while she twiddled her fingers.
Smiling, the King nodded, laid a hand over hers. "All I want is you and your sister's happiness.", he gently told her. "And you don't need to thank me.", he quickly added. "We're family. We should care about each other.",
"I wish mother knew that's what families were.", Anastasia replied with a sight. "She doesn't care about me or Drizella, only if we marry very rich men... That's why she kicked me out... because I love the town baker. I'm sure Drizella will be pleading someone to let her marry him, but she won't love him, just his money.", she told him before closing her eyes as she looked down, releasing an embarrassed sigh.
"That's what makes you different from her.", the King replied, his lips a smile as well, a twinkle was in his eyes. "You have feelings for others.", he whispered.
"Thanks.", Anastasia whispered. "You are ok with Amable?", she asked, her voice still shaky.
"Of course... I wanted to give you both a surprise party.", he explained, hoping to raise her spirits.
"Really?", Anastasia asked. "You wanted to give a party... just for us?"
Still smiling the king nodded. "Of course. To welcome you to the palace and celebrate your engagement... If you want we can even have your wedding in the ball room.", he explained with a smile.
Still taken back by his kindness, Anastasia hesitantly replied, "Thanks your majesty. I'll have to talk with Amable... whenever he gets here."
"That's perfectly fine.", he replied, nodding as he patted her hand.
"You're sure you're fine with me leaving?", Amable asked as he finished packing the last of his bags.
"Of course.", his brother replied, smile on his lips as he laid a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I know her mother like you do, but I also know her and you love her. All I want is the two of you to be happy.", he told his brother.
"Thanks, Charles.", Amable whispered as he sat down his bag to give his brother a momentary hug.
"Good luck.", Charles whispered with a smile as his brother picked up both his bags before walking out into the street, heading in the direction of the castle.
As Amable walked, he thought about Anastasia and hoped the castle worked for them, that his food pleased the King.
Finally, he looked up at the castle walls, thrilled he would soon see the girl he loved, knowing he would finally have everything he could want, his dream doing what he loved, the girl he loved, and a perfect life.
"Don't worry, Anastasia, I'll see you soon.", he whispered.
So with a sigh, he walked up to the castle gate and gave a sigh of relief when the guard allowed him to pass without question
Then, after the doormen allowed him to enter, he was suddenly lost, unsure of what to do as he began to head down the massive hallways.
Finally, he smiled, seeing a familiar red-head. "Anastasia!", he called, eyes twinkling with happiness as she turned to look before rushing toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Oh, Amable!", she gasped as tears of happiness began to slowly trickle down her cheeks.
"Yes, Anastasia we're finally together and your mother can do nothing about it.", he whispered.
