{How Quick Does A Cookie Crumble?}
Anastasia found herself standing alone. Girls chose to stay far away from her when they noticed her talking to herself.
"The emperor will now allow the fathers present to have the first dance with their daughters" The announcer said.
Anastasia watched people move to the dance floor, they swayed to the music.
She couldn't help wonder what it must feel like to have the first dance with their fathers.
Since the society didn't know Anastasia existed, she couldn't help but feel jealous at the debutante.
Anastasia stuffed her face with cake. "May I have this dance?" A voice asked.
Anastasia choked when she saw Azriel behind her.
"Slow down.... Am I that frightening?" Azriel asked.
Anastasia fumbled for a glass of wine. Azriel smiles as he helps her with his glass.
Anastasia didn't really think much about it, she gulped the wine down like it could wash away the embarrassment.
"I still haven't gotten my answer Gwen" Azriel said.
"No one can refuse the emperor" Anastasia said nervously.
"I wouldn't mind it. You could reject it if you don't like the idea" He said.
"You're telling me that I can refuse you if I wanted too? Aren't you worried that might tarnish your image?" Anastasia asked.
Azriel leans close to her ear. "My image means nothing. If you reject me now, I'll wipe out every witness in the room"
Anastasia laughs nervously. She placed her arms around his neck.
"I'd be a fool to reject you, your grace" She said.
They both stepped onto the dance floor. People cleared the dance floor the moment they saw the emperor.
Azriel placed his hand on her waist and intertwined their hands.
Anastasia held her dress. "Your grace I have a confession to make"
Azriel looks into her eyes. "If you're thinking about bailing, it's too late"
"It's not that....." Anastasia exhales a shakey breath.
"I've never done this before.... I mean dance with someone before" Anastasia said.
"I watched you dance with your father during your debut" Azriel said.
{Crap how could I forget Guinevere had her debut?}
"That's different" She said awkwardly. "Oh? How so?"
"He's my father..... My heart wouldn't beat loud like a drum if it was my father present" Anastasia said.
"Is that flattery?" Azriel asked.
"Unfortunately. And I'm terrible at it" Anastasia said. "No, you just seemed to hit the right spot" Azriel said.
A slow and intimate music played. "Are you ready?" He asked.
"I might step on your foot" Anastasia said. "I wouldn't mind letting you lean on me for support" Azriel said.
They swayed slowly to the music. Everyone watched them dance beautifully.
Luna on the hand was boiling in anger. Her parents no longer held any title but they were given the opportunity to visit her.
"Guinevere Whitestone.... I'll make you pay if it's the last thing I do" Luna whispered.
During the dance Anastasia had stepped on Azriel five times and Azriel managed to make it look graceful.
Azriel held her by the waist and twirled her around, catching Anastasia off guard.
Her gown sparkled underneath the chandelier.
Azriel placed her gently to her feet. Anastasia looks into his eyes but she noticed something was wrong when his face was blurry.
Anastasia touched his face, she could feel him but couldn't see his face clearly.
Anastasia tilted sideways but Azriel caught her and it made everything seem part of the dance.
"Are you alright?" He whispered in concern.
"Yeah" She replied.
{Liar.... We have a big problem, yet you've decided to fool yourself with this delusion}
Anastasia rested her head on Azriel's shoulders.
{Don't ignore me human. Do you think the visit from Jeremiel was a coincidence? He gave you a clue that you seem to have forgotten}
"What do you mean" Anastasia asked. "I didn't say anything" Azriel said.
{The novel clearly has a chapter called how quick does a cookie crumble.... In the novel..... You know what it's better I show you}
Anastasia had a vision. She saw the building collapse. Many lives were lost including Sofia and Gabriella.
Anastasia collapsed but Azriel held her waist firm preventing her from falling.
Everyone present saw everything as part of their dance. Anastasia gasped hard for air.
{Now end this fantasy and think of some way out of this mess. Please stop making us look bad}
"That's one way to talk to me Nari"
"How about I get you to your room?" Azriel asked.
Anastasia lifts her head like she was pulled out of a trance.
"Your grace.... Come with me" Anastasia said.
Azriel held her hand and led her outside.
"Is everything alright?" He asked as he watched Anastasia pacing around the garden.
"You're spiraling" Azriel said. "I'm not.... I'm just...."
Anastasia looks at Azriel. "Your grace can I ask you for a favour?" Anastasia asked.
Azriel arched an eyebrow in disbelief. "You're asking me for a favour? Aren't you supposed to be pleading for an audience with me?"
"Why plead when you're standing right infront of me? Besides aside from being an emperor, you're also a human being" Anastasia said.
"I see" Azriel said. "No I didn't mean it that way.... I mean you're a human being..... That's not what I...."
Anastasia took a deep breath. "Your grace, can you do me a favour and take Sofia out of the premises?" Anastasia asked.
"Why?" He asked. "I have a bad feeling" She replied.
"You want me to trust your feelings?" Azriel asked.
"I know it may sounds silly but please just trust me" Anastasia said.
"Nari showed you something didn't she?" Azriel asked. Anastasia nods in confirmation because her voice could betray her.
Azriel sighs. "Alright then.... You owe me an explanation after this"
"I do" She replied.
Azriel left the castle together with Sofia.
Anastasia paced the garden together with both her hands on her head. She tried to remember the cause of the accident.
Anastasia went to her room to send Hannah on an errand. She needed Hannah far away from the castle, she couldn't help but think since Sofia is out of the picture, Hannah might take her place.
Anastasia just passed the third corridor when she felt someone pulled her back and placed a handkerchief on her face.
Anastasia struggled to stay awake but the bracelet on the strangers hands made her fight back.
Anastasia managed to break free. "Guinevere!! What are you doing here?" Anastasia asked.
"I'm here to take your place.... Father wants you home by all means" Guinevere said.
"I am not returning with you" Anastasia said. "I don't think you're in any position to refuse. I'm here to take you by force" Guinevere said.
"I hope you prepared yourself for a huge disappointment" Anastasia said as she went into battle mode.
Guinevere charged towards her but she managed to block each attack.
Anastasia fought like her life depended on it, which to be fair it does.
She slowly began to loose consciousness. Guinevere laughs. "You're coming with me... Like it or not"
Anastasia tried so hard to stay awake. The thought of losing anyone today gave her momentum to push forward.
Guinevere charged towards her with a knife but Anastasia created a forcefield protecting herself.
Guinevere flew back few feet away.
"You want to come take over? How can you possibly imitate the marks on my body?" She asked as she took off her gloves to reveal the marks.
"What have you done?" Guinevere asked in anger. "I simply deviced a plan that could hinder you from taking my place" Anastasia said.
"You witch" Guinevere sneered. "I ought to thank you. If it wasn't for your refusal of coming, I would have never known there was a life beyond the basement. You foolishly went with the boy from Montana thinking you found true love"
"Now things didn't work out, you want to come over and switch places?..... Pathetic.... Unfortunately for you the emperor's fond of me so I think I'm staying a little while longer" Anastasia said.
Guinevere used her powers to strangle Anastasia in the air.
"I really think being among noble has made you forget you're just another wannabe who thinks she's hit the jackpot" Guinevere said.
"It's funny what you'd learn once you're far away from an abusive environment. But one thing you seem to underestimate is that I'm no longer that timid and naive girl. This Anastasia has finally understood the extent of her powers. I somehow managed to play a role better than the original"
"This girl managed to save a princess and now a king is Indebted to me. The emperor listens to me and he's willing to keep me safe. I have a knight who has sworn his loyalty to me. Then there's a wizard who's willing to protect me despite knowing I'm just a stand in"
"Then there's the dragon who'll answer me in my time of need and a goddess lives inside of me... I have a baby who I would move heaven and earth to protect..... Don't get me started with the fact that I ventured into the underworld to protect this little girl. In a nutshell I've achieved so much more than you could ever dream of" Anastasia said as she broke free from her grip.
"I am sending you back home but help me deliver this message to your father. Tell him I am never coming back. A bird once caged would never return back to captivity. Also the thing with king Leopold was simply Tristan's fault"
"Least I forget... I know he had an affair with Leopold and he's willing to continue... Things would end up badly for everyone if he does"
Anastasia looks Guinevere straight in the eyes.
"If you try to pull a stunt like this again, your corpse would be given to the emperor's wild dogs" Anastasia opened a portal and pushed Guinevere inside.
Anastasia fell to her knees, she could feel the drug taking effect.
That was when she felt it. The buildings shook violently.
"No, I'm too late" She said.
Anastasia ran back to the ball room. People rushed outside like headless ducks.
Guards led everyone outside but Rose and Charles were the first to evacuate.
The walls cracked, pillars began to fall.
Gabriella was stuck. Anastasia rushed to her, she used her powers to lift the huge boulder on Gabriella's legs.
Anastasia held her waist for support. "We're not going to make it.... The door is blocked" She said in a panic.
Anastasia examined the room, there was a window.
"Is that the only way?" Anastasia asked. She led Gabriella to the window and threw a huge stone at the window.
It shattered, Anastasia took a look at how far away the ground was.
"Alright you'd jump first" Anastasia said. "What about you?" Gabriella asked.
"Someone has to support you down safely" Anastasia said. "Let's jump down together" Gabriella reasoned.
"Fine.... Let's jump down at the count of three" Anastasia said.
"Alright. One.... Two..... Threeeeeee" Anastasia pushed her out the window. Gabriella yelled the moment she fell down.
Anastasia made a bridge helping Gabriella down safely.
"Thank goodness" Anastasia said.
Anastasia tried to jump down but something pulled her back. A white rope bound both her wrist to the ground and pulled her away from the window.
Immediately the building came down with Anastasia in it.