{A Heart For The Emperor}
Anastasia never felt whole after that day. She talked less, rarely smiled but she tried to complete daily task just so she could stay.
Today, everyone was given an envelope. "The task is simple, you will go into the market today and get something special for the emperor. 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"Mrs Harper said.
"You leave in fifteen minutes, go get ready" Miss Sunshine said. Anastasia went to her room. "I want you to come with me" Anastasia said to Hannah. "Really?" She asked. "I can't do this without you" Anastasia said. Hannah agreed.
Anastasia didn't wear her fancy dress. She wore a simple dress, it wasn't heavy like the others. She didn't enter a carriage, she decided to go on foot.
They got to the market. She saw her competitors going into different shops. "Have you finally figured out what you'll buy?" Hannah asked. "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. Both ladies walked around the market for hours.
There was a commotion up ahead. Men chasing two children. "Get them" A man yells. "Woah gentlemen, gentlemen, why don't we take deep breaths" Anastasia said.
"Get out of the way, we don't hit young ladies.... Only if it's necessary" Another snarls. "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 held both children in her arms like a mother chicken. "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 said.
"I don't want to break your bones" he said. "Oh I get it, someone let the chicken out of it's cage" Anastasia said. "Don't say I didn't warn you" he said.
The man circle Anastasia with his fist. He strikes first, Anastasia managed to block each punch. He punched her in her stomach.
She stepped back, she took off her shoe. Another man kicked her, she stood up regardless. She didn't swing back all she did was to block each strike with her hand.
One pulled out a sword. "Come now boys, you're not fighting fair" Anastasia said. "We don't fight fair" He said. The man charged at her, she kicked the sword to the ground. A punch came from nowhere, causing Anastasia to fall.
She had a flash back 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" He said with a laugh. They went to Hannah dragging the children from her grasp. Anastasia picked up the sword, with a swift movement an arm fell off. The man screams in pain.
Anastasia ripped off the bottom of her dress revealing a leather pant. She swung the sword . "Let's dance" She said. Sounds of swords clashing at one another echoed in the market.
One by one Anastasia made it unbearable for them to stand. The last man left was the one who made agreement 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, James, Guinevere, Count Fiona faces flashing across her mind as she punched him. She pulled out a knife from her pants to strike him on the head.
"My lady, that's enough... He understands the message. I think that's enough exercise in one day" Hannah said. "You're right" Anastasia reasoned as she lets go of the knife.
She stood up. "Let's go get something to eat" Anastasia said. "I like that idea" Hannah said. They walked away from the scene to get something to eat.
Anastasia could hear footsteps running towards them. Without looking back she grabbed his arm and pinned him to the ground.
Anastasia pulls out a spare knife from her shoe and stabbed him on the chest. "I was willing to let you live but you chose death instead" Anastasia said. She stood beside him. "I'm sorry" she whispers as she closed his eyes.
Hannah took them away from the commotion. "Are you alright?" Hannah asked the children. "What did you take from them?" Anastasia asked. The boy brought out a whistle. "All this fuss for a whistle?" Anastasia asked.
"Where are your parents?" Hannah asked. "Mummy died... Daddy left us" The girl 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 we have. If he finds us he'll sell us to the child traffickers" He said.
"So you are try to stealing for survival?" Anastasia asked. "We didn't steal anything.... He dropped it. I picked it up and he assumed I stole it" He 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. 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. "I lost track of time" Anastasia said.
"Go inside, we've been waiting for you" Miss Sunshine said. Anastasia entered the room. Everyone noticed Anastasia looking dirty, blood on her dress and bruises on her face.
"What have you gotten for the emperor?" Mrs Harper asked. Anastasia brings out the envelope. "It's unfortunate that I didn't get anything for the emperor" Anastasia said.
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.