{A Heart For The Emperor}
Anastasia never felt whole after that day.
She talked less and rarely smiled, but forced herself to complete her daily tasks just to stay afloat in the dangerous currents of the castle.
Today, everyone was given an envelope.
"The task is simple: you will go into the market today and get something special for the Emperor," Mrs. Harper announced.
"The envelope contains enough gold coin. Buy whatever you feel is fit for an emperor. At the end of today's competition, you will also be searching for a rare treasure."
"You leave in fifteen minutes; go get ready," Miss Sunshine added.
Anastasia returned to her room. "I want you to come with me," Anastasia said to Hannah.
"Really?" Hannah asked, surprised.
"I can't do this without you," Anastasia said, her voice hollow. Hannah agreed.
Anastasia didn't wear her fancy dresses.
She wore a simple dress that wasn't heavy like the others and decided to go on foot instead of taking a carriage.
They arrived at the market.
"Have you finally figured out what you'll buy?" Hannah asked as they watched competitors enter expensive shops.
"I'm not getting him anything," Anastasia said flatly.
"What?"
"I just needed fresh air; I will return the coin back to them," Anastasia said.
The two ladies walked around the market for hours.
A commotion ahead drew their attention: men were chasing two terrified children.
"Get them!" a man yelled.
"Woah, woah, gentlemen, gentlemen, why don't we take deep breaths?" Anastasia said, stepping into their path.
"Get out of the way, we don't hit young ladies... only if it's necessary," another snarled.
"What could they have done that has enraged you bullies?" Anastasia asked.
"They took something valuable from us, and they must die," the man said. Hannah pulled both children behind her like a mother hen protecting her chicks.
"How about we make a deal: if you beat me, I'll let you take them, but if I do, then you will let them go," Anastasia proposed, a dark glint entering her dull eyes.
"I don't want to break your bones," the leader sneered.
"Oh, I get it, someone let the chicken out of its cage," Anastasia baited him.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," he charged.
He struck first, but Anastasia managed to block each punch. He punched her in the stomach, causing her to step back.
She took off her shoe. Another man kicked her, but she stood up regardless. She didn't swing back; she only blocked each strike.
One man pulled out a sword. "Come now, boys, you're not fighting fair," Anastasia said.
"We don't fight fair," he replied.
The man charged at her. She kicked the sword from his hand to the ground. A punch came from nowhere, causing Anastasia to fall.
She had a flashback of her grandfather, who taught her how to fight.
He always said, if you want to beat your opponent then remember that person you hate so much. Channel that hatred and use it to your advantage.
"You're weak," the man mocked her with a laugh. They advanced on Hannah, dragging the children from her grasp.
Anastasia picked up the sword. With a swift, fluid movement, an arm fell off. The man screamed in pain.
Anastasia ripped off the bottom of her dress, revealing a leather pant underneath. She swung the sword expertly.
"Let's dance," she said, her voice cold and dead. Sounds of swords clashing and men screaming echoed in the market.
One by one, Anastasia made it unbearable for them to stand.
The last man left was the one who agreed to the bet. He fought with rage.
Anastasia gave him an uppercut, causing him to stumble to the ground. She threw her sword away and pounced on him.
All she could picture was Count Demetrius's face flashing across her mind as she punched him repeatedly. She pulled a knife from her pants to strike him on the head.
"My lady, that is enough... He understands the message. I think that's enough exercise in one day," Hannah said, pulling her back to reality.
"You're right," Anastasia reasoned, releasing the knife. She stood up. "Let's go get something to eat."
"I like that idea," Hannah agreed. They walked away, but the final man was not done.
Anastasia heard footsteps running toward them.
Without looking back, she grabbed his arm and pinned him to the ground.
Anastasia pulled a spare knife from her sheath and stabbed him in the chest.
"I was willing to let you live, but you chose death instead," Anastasia said coldly. She stood beside him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered as she closed his eyes.
Hannah took the children away from the commotion.
"Are you alright?" Hannah asked the children.
"What did you take from them?" Anastasia asked Peter and Barbara.
The boy brought out a simple wooden whistle. "All this fuss for a whistle," Anastasia noted.
"Where are your parents?" Hannah asked.
"Mummy died... Daddy left us," the girl, Barbara, said.
"Why did he leave you?" Hannah asked.
The girl winced in fear. "We ran away... My father has a gambling problem. He gambled our house and everything. If he finds us he'll sell us to the child traffickers," Peter said.
"So you are trying to steal for survival?" Anastasia asked.
"We didn't steal anything... He dropped it. I picked it up, and he assumed I stole it," Peter said.
"What are your names?" Hannah asked.
"My name is Peter, and this is my sister, Barbara," Peter said.
They chatted for a while. Hannah got them food for three days' worth of money before they separated.
Before leaving, the boy gave Anastasia the whistle with a smile.
They returned to the castle late in the evening. Miss Sunshine and Mrs. Harper waited outside.
"Where have you been?" Mrs. Harper asked sternly.
"I lost track of time," Anastasia said.
"Go inside; we've been waiting for you," Miss Sunshine said, her eyes wide as she took in Anastasia's bruises and torn, bloodied dress.
Anastasia entered the main hall. Everyone noticed her disheveled appearance.
"What have you gotten for the Emperor?" Mrs. Harper asked, a challenge in her tone.
Anastasia brought out the envelope. "It's unfortunate that I didn't get anything for the Emperor," she said, her voice flat.
The crowd erupted with whispers. Luna had a smug smile across her face.
"The Emperor has everything money can buy... except for one thing... a heart. But that is something that can't be bought with money. So I return the money back. At this point, I'm willing to accept my failure," Anastasia said, staring directly at the Emperor who had promised her protection but ignored her existence, her broken heart a challenge to his own cold, dark soul.