Anastasia opened her eyes to warm sunlight flooding the room. She hadn’t been able to fall asleep because of that dream. It had plagued her for years, yet she couldn’t seem to figure out what it meant in all that time. Though one thing was for certain, that figure had become more vivid in the passing years. She had been able to discern gold flecked eyes where shadows had once veiled them from sight.

Pondering to herself, Anastasia sighed as she stared up at the ceiling. There were more pressing matters to worry about at the moment. Today was sure to be another day of plots and schemes at her expense. While they no longer terrified her as they once did when she was a young girl, it was exhausting to live wondering when the next assassination attempt would occur. It was a troubling thing to become so used to death.

Anastasia is jolted from her thoughts when the large oak doors of her bedroom swung open. Quickly sitting up, she watched as Lady Lilith’s head maid, Apphia, strode into the room with Anastasia’s own attendants scrambling after her in protest.

“Why isn’t the young lady up and around yet? Honestly, as maids of this estate you should be ashamed of yourselves” Apphia scolded. Through the thin gauze around her bed, Anastasia could make out Apphia’s approach toward her as she ripped away the fabric and stared down at her with cold, gray eyes.

“And you,” Apphia frowned, “Were you going to sleep until noon? Lady Lilith won’t be pleased” she smirked. Dread filled Anastasia’s stomach at this. It was one thing to die, but another thing entirely to deal with Lady Lilith herself. She had a way of dragging a person down to the very depths of despair, not to mention her talent for agony. She had once locked Anastasia in the dungeons for days without food for being late to a banquet she was hosting. The punishment for another instance of tardiness was sure to be worse.

“Fortunately for you, I am not here to drag you off to Lady Lilith for this impertinence” Apphia sighed. She almost looked disappointed, and she bit back a smile at the thought.

Clearing her throat, Apphia crossed her arms and relayed Lady Lilith’s orders.

“You are to wash up and meet with Lady Lilith in the dining room.”

“Since when did the madam want me to join her for breakfast? She usually has me take my meals here” Anastasia questioned while holding her gaze firm, not allowing Apphia to see her tremble.

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“You would be wise, Lady Anastasia, to not question the orders from the mistress of this house” Apphia countered, her brows furrowed. “If you aren’t ready within the hour, I shall report to her and inform her of her stepdaughter’s…lacking in basic manners.”

Clenching her teeth, Anastasia gave a slight nod, to which Apphia’s smile turned smug with triumph.

“I’m glad we’re in agreement, you have one hour.” Apphia gave a curt nod to the other maids and left the room, closing the door with a thud.

There was no use arguing with Apphia, it would only cause more trouble than it was worth. Anastasia rose from her bed and made her way over to the bathing room, where the maids were already filling up the ceramic tub with warm water. They too wouldn’t defy Apphia and risk punishment. She inhaled the steam and steadied her nerves as two of the maids helped her out of her nightgown and into the water. They worked efficiently, massaging a jasmine tonic into her hair and cleansing her skin.

Anastasia barely had a moment to catch her breath after the bath before a maid began drying her hair and another started on her makeup. Standing in front of her ornate mirror after they had finished, Anastasia couldn’t remember the last time she was dressed so lavishly. Her chestnut brown curls were swept up into an elegant bun, and the kohl lining her eyes made her normally dull green eyes vivid with color.

The dress that Lady Lilith had ordered to be left for her was also more exquisite than the nondescript dresses she was made to wear. The fabric was a flowing deep forest green silk, accented with lavender detailing that shimmered like moonlight. The fitted bodice was adorned with flower patterning that spread to the loose, gauzy sleeves, and the curving neckline drew attention to the dazzling amethyst necklace that laid just below her collarbones.

It was suspicious of Lady Lilith to have her dressed in such finery. Such efforts went to her half sister, Lia-Rue. She wasn’t sure what to expect since this was so unlike Lady Lilith, but Anastasia knew she had to keep her guard up and be ready for anything.

After the finishing touches were done, Apphia burst back into her room and looked Anastasia over.

“Good enough. Come along now, Lady Lilith is waiting.” Apphia signaled to the maids and they led Anastasia out of the room and down the long hallway that led to the stairs. During the walk, Anastasia tried to calm her mind. She wouldn't let anything Lady Lilith said or did cause her to falter. It would be her only way of surviving in this house as a shadow, a mere echo of a melody in these walls.

Standing before the dining room doors, Anastasia squared her shoulders and held her head high. Apphia opened the doors and Anastasia stepped in, shocked to find it was not only Lady Lilith who was present at the table, but her father and Lia-Rue as well.

“Oh, Anastasia.” Lady Lilith rose to her feet, a cunning smile spreading on her lips. “I’m so glad you were able to join us.”