Chapter 25

Chapter 25

 Forcing her eyelids open, she peeked out the window and saw the morning sun filtering in. It was morning! She became alert, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and looked around the room. For a minute, Anastasia thought she had been kidnapped by George. But when she heard the door open and saw Cassius walk inside, she sighed in relief.

"Cassius," she called out, and then flinched, looking down to see her stomach wrapped in bandages.

"Good morning," he greeted her with a smile. "You were found," she smiled faintly.

"I found you nearly giving up," he said, frowning. "You were shot."

Anastasia remembered what happened last night. She didn't want to give out too much information about George, so as not to raise suspicions about her. George would obviously talk if Cassius finds him.

"I was shot by a hunter," she said. "He mistook me for an animal or something else."

He sat down next to her and observed the wound, then frowned.

"You are supposed to be healing," he said. "I gave you my blood."

"I don't feel as strong as before," she said. "I think the punishment might be working now. I'm slowly dying."

"You are not going to die," he said. "I thought you wanted me to die from your punishment," Anastasia was confused.

"Not anymore," he shook his head. "Why?" she asked with a slight frown.

"Because I want you to be my wife," he replied. "Marry me, Anastasia."

"What?" She looked at him as if he was going insane. "I don't mean a real wife…. I just want you to act as my wife for three months. Once I become the King, I will let you go," the word "free" made Cassius's heart heavy. He didn't want her to go. He had become fond of her and wanted to have her to himself.

"I can't be your wife," she frowned. "I would give you whatever you want. Just agree, and let's fix a date for the wedding," he said.

"Cassius, are you out of your mind?" she asked. "The people will kill me if they hear about it."

"I will take care of that," he said. "Even though... I don't care, but I can't marry you," she shook her head, remembering how he had been taking her blood for two weeks.

"Don't you want to live and have a good life?" he asked.

"But I'm dying," she replied. "Twice you have given me your blood, but I'm not healing quickly."

 "I will find a way," he said. "I don't know what to say. Just give me time to think about it," Anastasia said, biting her bottom lip. He nodded his head before standing up from the bed and leaving the room.

Minutes later, the door opened, and Anastasia turned around to see Maggie standing there. She frowned. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Prince Cassius asked me to prepare you," Maggie replied with a scowl.

"I don't need you. After you handed me over to Lucas to kill me, just leave," Anastasia said.

"Listen, you slave," Maggie said. "Just because you were given the opportunity to stay in this room doesn't give you the audacity to talk to me as you like. I may be a maid, but I'm better than you."

"Slave?" Anastasia frowned, narrowing her eyes at Maggie. "Really?" Anastasia asked with a wicked grin. "You say I'm no better than you, but he just came inside the room to ask for my hand in marriage."

"Lies," Maggie spat. "His Royal Highness would never marry a lowlife like you. You deserve to be in the dungeon, rotting there."

She may be a slave, but Anastasia was better compared to this maid. She was lying in a plush mattress and was treated like a queen.

She didn't plan to accept his proposal, but with how Maggie was talking to her, Anastasia decided that she was going to marry him. She didn't care if it was fake, but she wanted to show Maggie her place in this castle.

"Once I'm married to Cassius, I will make sure he fires you from your maid job," Anastasia said. "You will be killed even before the marriage. If the Elders hear of it, they'll plan to kill you, and I will gladly help them."

Maggie dropped the basket of clothes and left the room. Not long after, Hannah appeared in the room and stared at Anastasia with a soft expression.

"I heard you got shot by a hunter," Hannah said. "I'm really sorry."

"I will be fine," Anastasia smiled, and she tried to stand up but felt a stabbing pain and sat back down.

"Easy," Hannah hurried to her and helped her stand on her feet again.