16 Mother?

"Did you hear that? The daughter of the marquees has finally shown up for her training?" The voices rose high in the air as the rumor of Anastasia leaving for the house of duke early in the morning spread like wildfire.

When Ana reached the palace, it brought all her bad memories back as she could not help but stare at the palace with hatred and her face turned gloomy.

All the maids of the palace with the butler were waiting for her at the entrance but even when the carriage was stopped and the footmen opened the door, she did not come out and kept staring at the building as if she wanted to fire it and demolish it.

They all exchanged glances. The butler had called her twice but she kept staring at the building without moving at all.

Since she was going to be their mistress, they did not want to be rude with her. Especially when their master was leaning into all her wishes.

Just when they were panicking, they saw Rowan running towards the carriage with a bright smile on his face.

They had never seen a smile on his cold face before that astonished them.

Rowan walked into the carriage and sat beside Ana with a big grin on his face,

"My lady.. Were you waiting for me to welcome you? Is that why you are still in the carriage." his soft touch on her hands brought Ana back to present and she stared at him with red eyes.

"Are you here for me?" he asked again with patience when she finally nodded her head.

"Yes, I am here only for you, Rowan." he laughed when he heard her and shook his head.

"You look too serious, my lady. Come, let me show you our palace." he held her hands and they both walked out together to the shock and relief of the staff who bowed their heads and welcomed her in unison.

"Do you like flowers, my lady? We have a huge garden and even a small lake here.'' He took her to the lotus garden which was the speciality of their palace.

There were swans and exotic birds there bathing in the lake and relaxing. The scenery gave a smile and peaceful vibe to any spectator but Ana looked at it with cold eyes.

Feeling that she was not very happy, he took her to the music room. He had heard from his father that she played piano better than him.

But she looked at the palace as if it was a burial ground confusing him.

"Would you like to sit in the parlor room and have some tea? You seem tired?" or why else you look at every place with a grim face while holding him so softly as if he was fragile.

Ana finally nodded her head. She did not want to see the places where she was insulted, mocked and hurt by girls lower than her. She did not want to see those romantic places where she was left to wait alone by the man.

The thought only burns her and want to run away from here.

When he tried to take her to the chamber of his father, she stopped him.

"Rowan, you have not shown me your chambers yet. Do you not want me to see them?" she asked in a soft and sweet voice when he blinked.

"But there is nothing special to see there." thought a place could be a majestic place to the commeros, she lived in a palace too that was as grandiose as theirs.

So, he took her to all the special places of his father. His chamber was simply built since after the death of his mother, no one had the time to decorate it well.

It was too plain that even the chambers of the kids of count and viscount would be better. He did not want her to think bad about them when she was already in a bad mood.

But what was there for her to worry about? She was already here so she better start working for her goals.

"Yes, but I want to see where you live. Am I not allowed to do that?" she touched his cheeks so gently that his head nodded unconsciously.

He bit his lips and took her to his chamber. Ana noticed that there were only four knights guarding his room and the maid was hardly there.

Though the room was well built it lacked aesthetic and it did not have anything that showed a child living there.

There was a large room with all the furniture an adult would need with small size.

But the dark colors and lack of combination only make it look cluttered.

Then he took him to the dinning room where large chandeliers were hung and a large table was placed enough for twenty people to sit and eat.

"Would you like to have some tea and sandwiches my lady?" he asked when she was reminded of the advice Martha gave her and shook her head.

"No! I would like to have sweet snacks. I would rather prefer cake or scones." she demanded when he felt that she was feeling sad.

His mother used to eat sweets whenever she was in a bad mood.

"Of course, bring all the sweet food." the maid looks at him worried but he assured her with his eyes when she nodded and left.

"Are you worried about something, my lady?" he asked when she shook her head but looked around.

"My lord, your place need a renovation. Don't you think?"

"It does?" he looked around but everything was in perfect state, "i did not realize my lady!" His words felt like a stab as the innocent child did not even realize that he was neglected. His father must not have cared enough about him.

"I think it does. Would you let me do it once I get married and be your mother.?

"Mother!!!"