Anastasia Violeta, a girl born with a golden spoon in her mouth and a cursed fate, a princess who came into this world from a queen whose womb reeked of hatred and malice, is like a beautiful rose that grew in a garden filled with a maze of thorns—a garden one can never escape. She lives under the mercy of the shadows of her family's hatred, yet still seeks to please them, though no life exists for those who plead to hearts hardened like stone.
Inside a vast and dark palace, or a separate wing to be precise, resides our heroine, whose breathtaking beauty turns heads wherever she goes. Her golden hair cascades like sunlight across the horizon, adding a radiant aura around her. Her sharp blue eyes resemble two crystal-clear lakes reflecting a bright summer sky, and her slender figure embodies femininity in every curve, each line carved with exquisite care, as if she were a living masterpiece. She moves with confidence and grace; every step radiates irresistible power and charm. She sits in her room preparing for the ball in honor of her sister Olivia, who has come of age, marking her debut into society before the nobles of the kingdom.
Before her, a grand jeweled mirror with intricate engravings tells tales of an ancient past, its clear glass like a tranquil lake reflecting every detail, crowned by a chandelier that lights the entire room. Around Anastasia, the maids display varying expressions blending contempt, hatred, affection, and pity. Some comb her hair, others apply her makeup, while the rest assist her in putting on her gown.
Born with extraordinary magical abilities, one of Anastasia's powers allows her to read the intentions and inner voices of others. She knows what everyone is thinking, yet she chooses to ignore it, for it only brings headaches and pain.
After the maids finish their work on the untamed blonde, Anastasia says with authority,
"You may leave now."
The maids exit with resentful glances, the last one slamming the door behind her, leaving the princess alone in the grand room. Anastasia stands before the mirror, placing her hand on it, and speaks in a voice tinged with sorrow,
"Even if I were the most beautiful flower in the world, it wouldn't change the fact that I am a cursed princess."
Suddenly, her door opens. Anastasia turns, annoyed,
"Didn't I tell you to leave? Why are you ignoring my orders?"
She is surprised to see her sister, Princess Olivia, who shines under the sunlight with hair flowing in shades from dark brown to light honey, and green eyes like pure emerald, sparkling and captivating. Her elegant gown flows to the floor in dramatic layers, adorned with intricate patterns and embroidery, highlighting her grace.
Olivia freezes upon hearing Anastasia speak with irritation and begins to retreat,
"Stop… you may come in. I thought you were one of the maids."
"Sorry, Ani… it's my fault for entering without knocking."
Anastasia looks at her younger sister with affection, gesturing,
"Come here."
Olivia smiles and approaches, placing her hands over her mouth,
"What is it? What did you see?"Anistasia asked
"Ani… you're an angel, aren't you?"Olivia, with eyes that sparkled
Anastasia smirked teasingly "What are you saying, Olivia? Isn't today your coming-of-age ball?"
"Ani!!!" Olivia giggled teasingly
Anastasia pats Olivia's hair gently. The younger girl's childish expressions are endearing. Anastasia laughs quietly at her little sister, who is turning 18 today. Olivia notices and gasps,
"I can't believe it! You laughed?"
"You only imagined it."
"Impossible! I saw and heard you—truly like
an angel!"
Anastasia moves to a drawer, retrieving an ornate box with golden engravings. She opens it and takes out a luxurious necklace designed with golden leaves and flowers. In its center rests a striking green ruby that seems to shimmer, surrounded by smaller transparent gems forming a flower-like shape, with two smaller green gemstones on either side, all set in golden floral patterns. She approaches her sister and places it around her neck, speaking tenderly,
"Happy birthday, my dear Olivia."
Olivia, her green eyes glistening, can only leap and hug Anastasia, who embraces her in return.
While the sisters share this long embrace, the door opens, revealing a woman with cascading blonde hair like liquid gold and violet eyes flashing coldly and calculatingly, hiding dark secrets. She places her hand on her swollen belly, showing no warmth, as if the unborn heir is merely a tool to strengthen her power. Slowly, with the weight of her pregnancy, she smiles cunningly while covering her mouth with her hand,
"It seems I have interrupted your little emotional moment, princesses."
Anastasia steps back from Olivia, responding sharply,
"Hail, Moon of the Empire, Mary Violeta. May the Lord protect my queen from any evil and harm, and may every sinner wishing to harm her fall."
At the same time, Olivia bows to Empress Mary and says,
"Greetings to the Moon of the Empire and the most beautiful flower in the world."
Mary replies with a forced laugh,
"Hehe, what a lovely child you are, Your Highness. I can't believe you've grown so fast… I really wished you had remained a little girl whose hair I could comb."
She wipes the tears from her cheeks as she finishes speaking.
Olivia approaches, holding both of her hands, speaking tenderly,
"Please do not cry, my queen. Even if you grow old, I will always consider you my mother, and I will serve you all my life."
While Olivia tries to soothe the queen, Anastasia's sharp eyes watch her mother closely, knowing her better than anyone, but she chooses to remain silent and observe how far her mother intends to go with her youngest daughter.
After finishing her tears, Empress Mary continues with a cunning tone,
"Olivia, my dear, you know how much I love you and consider you like my own daughter… perhaps even more than my real daughter. I have a request, and I hope you won't refuse it."
Olivia looks at her with eyes full of affection and replies confidently,
"Anything, my queen. I will do whatever you ask."
Mary smiles slyly behind her fan, still appearing kind,
"I truly do not wish this, but you are our hope, Olivia. As you know, we have a long-standing enmity with the neighboring kingdom. I have considered, with His Majesty the King, arranging a peace treaty to avoid the coming war. We do not want more victims."
Olivia looks at her in surprise, adding,
"And what about me, my queen? Can I help in any way?"
"There is a delegation coming to your coming-of-age ball, headed by the crown prince, who will be crowned king a month from now. When we requested the truce, they demanded that one of the princesses marry the crown prince."
Olivia freezes, her body trembling. She wants to refuse but cannot, for the queen before her is one whose requests are never denied. She glances at her sister, noticing her fear, then steps forward and bows respectfully to the queen,
"Your Majesty, may I marry this prince instead of my sister? I can achieve peace by marrying him."
Anastasia lifts her head toward her mother, seeing the disdainful and contemptuous gaze she gives her, eyes devoid of emotion.
The queen continues to Olivia,
"You may now retire to your room to prepare for tonight's event. Please be in your finest appearance for your coming-of-age ball and to meet your future husband."
Olivia replies gloomily,
"As you command, Your Majesty. The princess requests permission to leave."
After Olivia leaves Anastasia's room, the queen, heavily pregnant, stands before our beautiful heroine and commands her to stand. Anastasia obeys, only to feel a sharp slap across her cheek, leaving a red mark and a gaze full of hatred. The queen, her tone harsh, says,
"It seems I must remind you who you are. Have you forgotten your place, you wretched girl?"
Anastasia meets her mother's piercing eyes with calm blue eyes, emotionless despite Mary's contemptuous words.
Mary approaches angrily,
"How dare a wretched creature like you look me in the eyes this way? You are a disgrace to the royal family, the greatest mistake of my life."
She points at Anastasia's chest, but the princess remains unaffected. She kneels again, replying coldly,
"This wretched one before you does not dare disobey her masters. Pardon the behavior of this lowly servant."
She ends with a hysterical laugh, then commands Anastasia to stand,
"Do not forget your duty today. I do not want any mistakes. Do you understand?"
The queen turns toward the door, but Anastasia stops her with a question,
"If you wish her dead, why did you propose her marriage to the crown prince of the neighboring kingdom?"
The queen, covering her mouth with her fan, replies with a forced smile,
"Despite your insolence, I will answer patiently. I want her to die twice, both mentally and physically, hehehe."
She ends with an evil laugh while Anastasia, still cold and composed, asks another question, leaving the queen speechless,
"Forgive my impudence, Your Majesty, but I want to ask why you named me Anastasia?"
Mary replies,
"Why this question now? Even as a child, you never asked me."
Anastasia looked at her mother, her eyes sharp yet tinged with hurt.
"Consider it just curiosity; I only wanted to know why you gave me such a beautiful name, one that doesn't suit a wretch like me."
Her voice wavered slightly, carrying both defiance and sorrow.
Empress Mary's gaze was icy, her words slicing through the air.
"I never wanted to have you in the first place. Why would I give something like you a name? Your grandfather chose it… and I never even wanted to know the meaning of that damned name."
There was no warmth in her tone, only cold contempt, as if every word was meant to wound.
Anastasia bows and thanks her for answering her lowly question. Mary adds sarcastically,
"The only loss is your beauty and the power you possess. In the end, that power will consume you, and you will die. Even stray dogs would not look at a cursed girl like you."
The queen slams the door behind her.
Anastasia, still bowed, lifts her gaze, now cold and sharp, and says,
"What have you brought me?"
A man dressed in black, one of the shadow guards under her command, silently approaches and hands her a letter. Anastasia reads it, a sly, calculated smile forming on her face,
"You are right, my queen. What a loss that I possess this power and beauty due to my cursed fate. Yet tonight, I will truly enjoy myself. I will be happier than ever, mother."