{ The will to survive}
It's been twelve days and Azriel's demon has refused to leave. He has found peace with Luna.
Everywhere he goes Luna is beside him like a lost puppy. Whatever she asked for, he'll give her. Except giving her family back the title they lost.
Today Azriel noticed that he's to have picnic with Luna and Anastasia. He laughs maniacally. "Finally"
Anastasia got a letter of invitation from the emperor. Inviting her for a picnic.
She ran her fingers across her hair. "Deep down this doesn't sound like a great idea but then again I'm not the real Anastasia" She said.
Anastasia got ready, she made her way to a lake that had a giant waterfall. The lake was far from the castle, that immediately sent red flags but Anastasia couldn't disobey. She left the castle without informing anyone, not even Hannah is aware of this picnic.
She met Azriel and Luna sitting in a boat. "A picnic on a boat? This wasn't in the book" Anastasia whispered to herself.
"Guinevere.... Come and join us" Luna said sweetly. Anastasia shivers in disgust.
She entered the boat with caution. "Good afternoon your grace" Anastasia said. Azriel ignored her.
{Okay let's have a rundown of the plan. One: Try not to get in the way. Two: don't draw attention. He hates you already so don't make him hate you even more. Three: whatever you do try to make it back alive} Anastasia said in her head.
Luna poured tea for everyone to drink. Anastasia didn't feel comfortable with the way Azriel was looking at her.
"You haven't touched your tea... Are you scared?" Azriel asked. Anastasia forced a smile. "No your grace... I had lunch before receiving your letter" Anastasia said.
"Such a shame. I imported this tea specially for you. Luna informed me that it's your favorite" Azriel said.
"Don't disrespect the emperor's kind gestures Guinevere" Luna said. Anastasia exhales slowly. She picked up the cup and took a sip.
"Hmmm, you were right it tastes divine" Anastasia said. Azriel smiles in satisfaction, Anastasia looks at him and noticed his eyes are now red.
"Isn't his eyes supposed to be pale and shine like diamond under the moonlight sky?" She muttered to herself.
"Luna why don't you have some strawberries. I remember they're your favorite" Azriel said.
Anastasia almost barf from the sudden lovey-dovey act. He fed Luna the strawberry, Luna blushed.
{Seriously? She's blushing? I understand the fact that she craved attention but this is ridiculous, even for her}
Azriel stood up, he brought out his fishing hook and cast it into the river. "What are you doing your majesty?" Luna asked.
"Fishing" Azriel calmly replied. Anastasia dropped the tea cup, she lets out a sigh of relief knowing that she no longer has to pretend.
Luna looks at Anastasia in disgust. Plates and tea cups shattered on the ground, Luna fell to her knees.
"Why are you so heartless Guinevere? Why are you so jealous knowing the emperor loves me and not you?" Luna asked.
"What?" Anastasia asked as she arched an eyebrow.
{I know this scene. Classic damsel in distress move. Now she would play the victim as the wronged protagonist while I'm the villainess}
"What's the meaning of this?" Azriel asked. "Your majesty, I was trying to eat the strawberries in peace when she attacked me. I'm sure she's jealous" Luna said.
"What? I didn't touch her" Anastasia said trying to defend herself. Azriel grabbed her by the neck. "You've become a thorn in my flesh" Azriel said.
Anastasia groans in pain as the marks on her body pulsed to life. Azriel's hands burns from the contact but he ignores it.
He lifts her above the ground. "Maybe when you're six feet under water will I have peace" Azriel said as he threw her inside the water.
{Shit, shit, shit I can't swim}
Anastasia struggled to stay afloat but it was difficult. Azriel watched her drown before returning to the castle. He's pretty proud of himself for finally killing her. "Good, when Azriel comes back to his senses, he'll learn that she's dead"
Anastasia slowly lost consciousness. "Wake up... Anastasia wake up" A voice said.
Anastasia slowly opens her eyes. "Where am I?" She asked. "Welcome to your subconscious" Nari said.
"Nari?" Anastasia asked. "How could you attend a picnic with a man who clearly wants you dead?" Nari said.
Anastasia stood up. "I give up.... I no longer wish to continue this tacky novel" Anastasia said. Nari laughs in amusement.
"Where would you go?" Nari asked. "Anywhere is better than this place" Anastasia said. "Your body in the real world has been devoured by fishes. Where do you think you'll go?"
"Death is a wonderful gift for me at this point.... I don't wish to live as Anastasia" She said.
Nari sighs. "You really want to end things? After coming so close?" She asked.
"Yes... What's the use? I no longer understand what's happening to the novel. I thought I knew the plot too well.... I thought if I knew the plot then I'll be able to avoid potholes but everything happening right now.... I no longer understand it. Non of this was written in the novel" Anastasia said.
"The plot changed the moment I asked death to save your soul. All this changed the very moment you stepped your foot inside the castle. Luna was meant to save the dragon egg, she was meant to save Gabriella from being poisoned by her aunt so she would appear to be the hero"
"She's supposed to sleep inside the dungeon but you did all of that. You aren't suppose to have a pet nor have a baby who was born with a curse. This was all for Luna"
"She's suppose to save the baby. Heck you aren't even supposed to be marked by the emperor.... Luna is the protagonist while you are the antagonist. But for some reason the table turned" Nari said.
"I never asked for this" Anastasia said. "I know but somehow you need to be grateful..... If I didn't intervene you would have been in hell by now.... Literally" Nari said.
"Either way... I'll end up dead. Azriel has killed me already" Anastasia said. "Not yet. Your decision would determine whether you survive or not" Nari said.
"Let's end this. Hell is a lesser punishment than living as Anastasia Whitestone" Anastasia said. "If I open that portal and you step inside there's no turning back. There would be no second chances" Nari said.
"My mind is made up" Anastasia said. Nari shakes her head in disappointment. She opens the portal.
"Step into the portal and leave everything behind" Nari said. Anastasia slowly walked towards a white light, her foot paused midway when she heard Hannah's voice.
"Anastasia.... Open your eyes. No... No.. No don't leave me. You promised you'll be by my side. You said we'll fight the challenges that lies ahead... Please don't die" Hannah said.
"What is she doing?" Anastasia asked. "She's trying to revive you with her powers by draining the water from your system" Nari said.
Hannah's face appears in the sky. She placed her hand over Anastasia's chest as water floats from her nose. "I never knew she had powers" Anastasia said.
"Are you still willing to leave?" Nari asked. "Hannah" Anastasia whispers.
Nari tilts her head. "I'm waiting Valarie... What's it gonna be?"
"I hate you" Anastasia croaked out. "The feeling is mutual" Nari said.
Anastasia coughed out water, she opens her eyes. "Anastasia!!" Hannah said. "Your face is always in the light" Anastasia said as she sat up.
Hannah hugged her. "Woah.... Not so tight. I just came back from the dead remember?" Anastasia asked. "I thought I lost you"
"A little water can never keep me apart from you" Anastasia said. "What were you thinking? Going to meet the emperor after being told to stay away from him" Hannah said.
"I thought he wouldn't hurt me. I thought since Luna has him occupied then I'll be safe but I was wrong" Anastasia said.
"Let's head back" Hannah said. "I bet the emperor won't like the idea of me rising from the dead" Anastasia said. "Then he's in for a surprise"
Back in the castle. "What do you mean she drowned?" Rose asked. "She tripped and fell" Luna said. "On a boat?" Luke asked in doubt.
"Why didn't you save her?" Charles asked. "It's not my fault she couldn't swim. If she can't handle such simple task like swimming then she isn't fit to be empress" Azriel said.
"We'll have to inform her parents about the tragic news" Luna said as she cried crocodile tears.
"Really? Don't I deserve a befitting burial? My story can't end at she tragically drowned to death because the emperor is a coward to face her head on" Anastasia said as she entered the room.
Azriel glared at her. "I'm talking to you prick.... Face me head on. Right here, right now. Let's find out if you have balls to kill me" Anastasia said. "Guinevere what are you doing?" Rose asked.
"He has been looking for means to kill me. Well I'm giving him the opportunity to do so.... Except his too much of a pussy to do it himself" Anastasia said.
Azriel charged towards Anastasia but she grabbed him by the collar and pinned him to the ground.
"If your head is filled with rage then your enemies would have an upper hand against you" Anastasia said as she saddled him on the waist.
He hissed in pain. Anastasia held his face and kissed him. He struggles to break free but she uses the pain to her advantage.
Anastasia bit his neck hard causing him to moan.
"Next time you'll learn never to mess with your wife" Anastasia said. "Nari" Azriel said. "Hello demon king.... Sorry to disappoint you but this human is under my protection" Anastasia said.
"How dare you?" Azriel asked. "I expect you to be gone by tomorrow or I'll drag you out myself. Don't think for a second I'll hesitate to do that. UNDERSTOOD?" Anastasia said.
"Fine" He said. She kissed him on the lips. "Good boy" Anastasia said.
Hannah followed her outside. Anastasia went to her knees as she cried. "My entire body burned from every touch.... It hurts so badly" Anastasia said.