{The Case Of The Peeping-Tom}
Anastasia slowly opens her eyes. She sat up straight and massaged her head. She remembers everything that happened.
Azriel told her, they're married. She knew that already, the novel mentioned him getting marked by Luna. The night Luna was supposed to fall off the cliff.
"How did the script flip suddenly?" She asked herself.
"He'll protect me? In the novel I drowned in that lake because Azriel thought I was jealous of Luna.... If the novel has changed then who needs to die for the novel to make sense?" She asked herself.
"I'm not supposed to be here... In the novel Azriel didn't need to find out the truth because I drowned and the real Guinevere wasn't able to come back and take her place"
"I'd admit I wasn't able to finish the novel because my previous mom caught me reading my sister's book. She literally tortured me till I lost consciousness....."
"It was that same night my family threw me inside a river.... Ironic... So I ended up in the novel that caused me my life" Anastasia said.
"My lady how are you feeling?" Hannah asked. "Tired" Anastasia replied. "Moon is fast asleep" Hannah said. "I think I need to rest as well" Anastasia said.
It's been two days since the incident. Today the emperor had a guest, a prince from a far away kingdom.
"Emperor Azriel, it's a pleasure to finally meet the man behind the name"
"Your majesty this is prince Tristan Thompson from the kingdom of Vellialan" Luke said.
Azriel had his head on his knuckles. "Tristan is it? Your father informed me of your visit. You'll be here for six days I presume" Azriel said.
"Yes your grace" Tristan said. "Address him as his majesty" Rose said. "My apologies, your majesty" He said.
"Make yourself comfortable in my castle. In the meantime I'd prefer you stay invisible" Azriel said. "Of course" Tristan said.
In a grand room, Anastasia held Moon in her arm. "My lady are you feeling alright?" Hannah asked. "I'm feeling a bit drowsy, that's all" Anastasia said.
"Why don't you sit down for a bit" Hannah said as she took Moon in her arms. "I'm fine Hannah. Can you help me with a glass of milk?" Anastasia said.
"Alright. Hold Moon for a minute while I quickly go get that for you" Hannah said.
Moon sat on Anastasia's lap. She kept looking at her like she knew something was off. "I'm guessing you feel it too, huh. That uneasy feeling in the air" Anastasia said.
The door swung open. "Wow, the castle is beautiful from the outside just as it is beautiful on the inside. {sigh} I don't know why father asked me to come here and spy on the emperor. Does he actually think I'll be able to uncover anything?"
Anastasia froze as she held her breath, Moon giggled. "Who's there?" Tristan asked. {Way the go Moon. You just blew my cover of being inconspicuous}
"Hannah is that you?" Anastasia said. Tristan walks up to her.
{Shit... I need to get out of this mess. If he knew I heard everything he just spat out, there might be trouble. The only way out of this is to be blind}
Tristan tilts his head looking at Anastasia up close. {Crap, he's too close. I swear I can see every hair in his nose}
"What's a pretty girl like you doing here?" He asked. "I'm sorry... I thought my maid came with my milk" Anastasia said.
"Are you blind?" Tristan asked. "Yes" Anastasia replied calmly.
Tristan waved his hand across her face, Anastasia tried so hard not to fall out of character.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to shove your hand in my eyes" Anastasia said. "Are you sure you're blind?"
"Would you like to know what it feels like to be blind your highness?" Anastasia said. "How do you know I'm of royal blood?"
"It's easy. You smell different...."
"The cologne I have on is quite expensive" Tristan interrupted her.
"Unfortunately you reek of arrogance and desperation" Anastasia said. "How dare you? Do you have any idea who I am you slut?" He asked pissed.
"Am I supposed to? You seem like a spoiled rich brat who thinks everyone would bow down to him. Unfortunately for you young prince, you picked the wrong place to exercise your dominance" Anastasia said.
"My lady, the kitchen ran out of goat milk so I got you freshly squeezed orange juice. Made by yours truly" Hannah paused when she saw Tristan reaching for Anastasia's neck.
"What do you think you're doing?" Hannah asked. Tristan turns to look at Hannah.
"Seems like your mistress truly is blind but she sure knows how to run her mouth" Tristan said.
"Blind?" Hannah asked herself. "Well it's nice meeting you... That reminds me, I didn't get your name" Tristan said.
"My name isn't important. I'm sure you won't remember me anyway" Anastasia said. "Alright blind lady who refused to tell me her name. I hope to see you soon" Tristan said.
"I really wish we don't" Anastasia said. Tristan chuckles loudly.
"You really are so funny for a blind person. Anyways, I have to leave you to enjoy your freshly squeezed orange" Tristan left the room.
"Would you like to fill me in on whatever that was?" Hannah asked. Anastasia sighs. "I want to keep up this act for a while"
"Why" Hannah asked. "Turns out I heard him say something about his father wanting him to spy on the emperor. I need to be careful around that brat. Who knows what he's capable of" Anastasia said.
Later in the evening, during dinner. Everyone was present for dinner, except for Anastasia.
She found out the guy she met earlier was Azriel's guest. Showing up for dinner would raise a lot of questions.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your meal your majesty, I have a question to ask" Tristan said. Azriel arched an eyebrow.
He raised his hand in approval. "I saw a blind girl in the portrait room earlier today" Tristan said.
"Blind girl? We don't have a blind person in the castle" Charles said.
"That lying bitch.... She tricked me" Tristan said as he gripped his spoon in anger.
"You're breaking the rules of being invisible" Azriel said. "I apologize" Tristan said.
It's been three days since Tristan came to the castle and there has been reports of a peeping-tom.
"Another report?" Anastasia asked. "Yes, a maid said she saw someone sneak out of the maids bathroom last night" Hannah said.
Anastasia laid on her bed staring at the ceiling. She could remember reading something about a peeping-tom in the novel but she can't actually remember most of the details.
"Can we go outside for fresh air? Now that Moon's fast asleep" Anastasia asked.
"Do you think it's a good idea? You know with the prince searching for you?" Hannah asked. "We need to take a look at the crime scene" Anastasia said.
"Crime scene? What does that mean?" Hannah asked. "It means the place the incident happened" Anastasia said.
Anastasia went to the crime scene with Hannah by her side. "What do you think? Is there something wrong here?" Hannah asked.
Anastasia walked around the building. She found something on the ground, she knelt down and picked it up. "A handkerchief? who does it belong to?" Anastasia asked.
"It looks like it belongs to a nobleman" Hannah said. Anastasia sniffs it, it smells familiar. {Nobleman or royalty?}
"I think i have my suspicions" Anastasia said.
"Excuse me, the emperor sent for everyone" A maid said. "Alright we'll be right there" Hannah said.
Anastasia entered the room where she found everyone seated.
Zain knelt down before Azriel. "We are gathered here to judge the case of knight Zain Primirea from the house of..."
"For fucks sake, just go straight to the point Valerian. We know where the man's from for heaven's sake" Charles said in frustration.
"Ahem... he is accused of being in the maids bathroom last night. There are witnesses who saw him fled the scene" Henry said.
"I didn't do anything!!! You have to believe me your majesty" Zain said. "What evidence do you have?" Tristan said.
Azriel raised his hands. "I'll leave this case to the contestants to judge themselves" Azriel said. Zain fell silent the moment Azriel said those words.
"Like a trial?" Luna asked. "Yes, each of you would choose to defend him or choose to execute him or even strip him of his title" Azriel said. Gasps filled the room.
"I choose to defend him your grace. Zain is one of your trusted knight who has served this kingdom diligently. If he indeed is the peeping-tom, why didn't he start from the very beginning? Why did strange things began to happen the very moment strange faces appeared?" Anastasia asked.
"You're the only one supporting this criminal, blind girl. I hope you have evidence to back up your claim" Tristan said.
Anastasia gave a wicked chuckle. "Don't worry dear prince, you'd be surprised at the amount of evidence I've collected" She said with a smile. "Two days from now, you all shall present me with your evidence" Azriel said.
Anastasia walks out of the room. Tristan walks pass her. "Becareful the steps you take, you might end up burned" Tristan said.