23 The Jealous King

Anastasia woke up before Catherine, She gazed down at the sleeping woman she shared a striking resemblance. For some reason, her heart thumped for Catherine as if she'd known her for years.

The mother she had in the other world was a far cry from being a loving mother. She neglected and ignored her from an early age only paying attention to her older siblings.

Although she had not experienced growing up with Queen Alice as a mother she could tell how she treated the original Anastasia. Neither she nor the original had been blessed with a good family. Yet, having Catherine here felt as if this was a new beginning.

Unlike her mother or Queen Alice, Catherine gave off a gentle impression. She was quite shy and cute in Anastasia's eyes.

"Mother, are you awake?" Anastasia asked.

Catherine squirmed around like a kitten rubbing her eyes and stretching her arms and legs.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Catherine quickly gathered her composure and formally greeted Anastasia.

"No need to call me that remember? Now, are you hungry? Let's get breakfast," Anastasia said cheerfully.

Anastasia pulled the string to summon Elena and the other maids. Catherine placed her feet onto the carpet letting his toes sink into the softness of the fabric.

If arriving in Navarros and being told that her long-lost daughter is the Queen of the empire wasn't shocking enough, the treatment she is receiving is more than she could have imagined in her lifetime.

From a young age, Catherine was orphaned and lived a pitiful life. At the age of eight her mother and father died of an illness that struck their village.

She was left all alone having only the village people to take care of her the best they could. She sold flowers alongside the road, cooked and cleaned in restaurants that would hire a young girl and finally, she became a maid at the palace.

Her life has always been hard but Catherine was a bright lady and always held her head up high. That was until she entered the lion's den that was called the imperial palace.

Being the young, tender, and untainted beauty that Catherine was back then she caught every man's eye including the King. As a young woman, she dreamed of having a loving family of her own.

She had no intentions to seduce a nobleman to live a better life, let alone seduce the King. She was content with living as a commoner as long as she and her family lived happily and healthy. When noblemen offered to make her their concubine or wife she declined.

After a while in the palace, King James would summon her to be his servant knowing she was inexperienced. Whenever she made a mistake he would punish her by making her clean his quarters. The attention he gave her did not go unnoticed by servants and most importantly Alice.

That fateful night when King James summoned Catherine into his quarters changed everything. The young and vulnerable Catherine entered his chambers innocent but when she came out it was as if her life ended behind those double doors.

Like a beast in the night, King James ravished her body without mercy. Not caring for her pleads and cries he took what he thought belonged to him. Not being able to run away Catherine suffered at his hands for many nights to come.

Nine months later, she gave birth to Anastasia and was kicked out of the palace after naming her. Catherine stared at her blistered feet that were coated with soft fabric and tears welled up in her eyes.

She dug and twisted her toes into the carpet until her toes turned white. She wanted to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"Mother?" Anastasia broke her train of thought.

Catherine hurriedly wiped her tears and turned around to a smiling Anastasia.

"The bath is ready," Anastasia said.

As Anastasia was preparing for the morning a set of maids escorted Catherine to the bathroom. Being a maid before Catherine knew what was about to happen. She felt uncomfortable but did not want to deny Anastasia's generosity.

During her time as a maid, she frequently washed her masters. Now she was the one being taken care of it was unusual for her. The maids in the Navarros castle carefully washed Catherine's body not missing an inch.

With a clean face and body, her beauty started to shine brighter than ever. Anastasia tasked herself with picking out Catherine's clothes and jewelry. She was excited and pulled out many different clothes for Catherine to try on.

"Mother, what about this one? It makes your skin glow," Anastasia said to Catherine after the tenth dress she tried on.

"Your Majesty, I think the Queen Dowager has had enough," Elena chimed in knowing this could go all day and they'll miss breakfast. Also, Catherine looked as if she'd faint if she tried on more clothes.

"Ah! You're right, we still have much to do today," Anastasia said clapping her hands.

"W-what else are we doing?" Catherine asked.

"Well of course we have to get you settled in right away, there's so much to do let's hurry," Anastasia said rushing now that she realized what all she had planned for the day.

She did not even realize that Wolf was in his office sulking terribly. His attendees and servants had cold sweats running down their backs. His face was hardened with a dark expression because he had yet to see Anastasia after she ran out of bed last night.

"Carl, where is my wife?" He interrupted the meeting.

"My King, Her Majesty is currently having breakfast with the Queen Dowager," Carl obediently answered his question.

A snap was heard making all in attendance direct their attention to their King. His quill was broken into pieces and scattered across the table. The anger was evident in his eyes. It has been a long time since people have seen Wolf angry. Ever since Anastasia became his wife he's settled down his murderous intent.

Though it has been a while many still know, and believe him to be scarier than the devil himself. Seeing his anger boil the people in attendance gripped their seats and hoped they would see daylight tomorrow.

Suddenly a knock was heard at the office door making everyone jump in surprise. A bundle of white silky hair and a set of golden eyes peered into the room from around the door.

"Honey, are you busy?" Hearing that angelic voice made Wolf's ears perk up. His grim expression evaporated like it was never there. Like a kid who received candy Wolf smiled brightly showing all his teeth.

Though this sight of him had now become the norm in the castle it was still hard getting used to. Going from exuding killing intent to a smiling happily married man caused the people to think maybe their King had a bipolar disorder. They dare not question his behavior but instead, be eternally grateful for Anastasia's presence.

"No I'm not busy, come in," he lied. There's tons of paperwork piled up needing his signature and approval.

Anastasia walked inside with a big smile on her face and greeted everyone there.

"Your Majesty," the attendees and servants stood up bowing their heads to greet her. She smiled back and gestured for them to take a seat.

Wolf was elated to his precious wife after not waking up to her in the morning. He has become accustomed to their routine and did not sleep well without her there. He missed her dearly and hoped she missed him. He knew for sure that Anastasia was coming to tell him that she made plans for them.

"Honey, since you're busy I'll have breakfast with Mother, and then I plan on taking her around Navaross, We'll bring knights don't worry, See you later!" Anastasia hurriedly told him her plans. As fast as she came she was gone.

"I'm not busy though," Wolf said into thin air because Anastasia was long gone.

Wolf was stuck in shock with how things just played out. In his mind, they were supposed to spend the day together. When would he see her? How long will be she out? The more he thought about it the more he became irritated. His possessiveness was rearing its ugly head.

"Carl, get my carriage ready," Wolf stood up from his seat making everyone else stand.

"Dismissed," he ended the meeting just like that.

Wolf stomped down the hallway into the dining room where Anastasia and Catherine should be having breakfast. He opened the doors to an empty hall. He looked at Carl who trailed closely behind him for an answer.

"My King, I believe they have departed," he said respectfully.

Without a word, Wolf turned on his heels and made his way outside. His carriage was waiting for him when he stepped outside the palace.

"My King, they are in the town square," Carl informed him.

"Let's go," Wolf said.

Determined not to have his wife snatched away from him. Wolf is on a mission to not lose to his mother-in-law.