Chapter 41 Anya
I heard about the meeting from Vera.
She came to my room in the afternoon. Her eyes were red from crying. Her hands were shaking.
"They are deciding your fate, child." she whispered. She sat on my bed and held my hands. "All the families. They called a meeting. They are voting on what to do with you."
My heart stopped. "What will they decide?"
"They will send you away, child. Far away. Where you cannot see the Pakhan anymore. Where you cannot influence him." Tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks. "I am so sorry. I tried to stop them. I tried to speak to Mikhail. But he would not listen."
"When?" My voice was barely a whisper. “When am I to leave?”
"Tonight." She sobbed. "They want you gone as soon as possible."
Tears streamed down my face. "Can I see him? Can I see Nkolai one last time? Please, Vera. Just once. Just to say goodbye."
Vera shook her head as fresh tears fell. "They have forbidden it. Guards are watching his door. They are watching him everywhere. You cannot get close. They made sure of it. I am sorry, child. I am so sorry."
I collapsed on my bed. My whole body shook as I sobbed. wrenching sobs that made my ribs ache.
Was this how everything would end?
"Pack your things," Vera said gently. She stroked my hair like a mother would. "I will help you. Come now. Be strong."
We packed my small bag together. A few simple dresses and worn out shoes.
And the white rose. The one Nikolai had left on my pillow. It was now dried and pressed carefully between the pages of an old book.
It was all I had left of him. All I would ever have.
"Where will I go?" I whispered. My voice was broken. "I have nowhere. I have no money."
"They will give you enough money for a train ticket." Vera hugged me tight. "But you are strong, child. Stronger than you know. You will survive this. You will."
"I do not want to survive." Tears streamed down my face. "I want to stay. I want him."
"I know." She rocked me gently. "I know, my dear child. But sometimes we do not get what we want. Sometimes life is cruel and unfair."
An hour later, heavy footsteps stopped at my door.
Then a sharp knock.
"It is time," a guard said through the door. His voice was harsh.
I picked up my small bag. Everything I owned in the world fit in one bag.
I followed the guard down the hallway. My legs felt like lead. My heart felt like it was being ripped from my chest.
Maids lined the corridor. Word had spread fast. Everyone knew I was leaving.
Some were smirking. Happy to see me go. Glad the competition was eliminated.
"Good riddance," one whispered loudly enough for me to hear.
"Thought she was special," another laughed.
"Just a slave who got lucky for a while."
They laughed. But others looked sad. Their eyes were wet. Some of the younger maids were crying.
Vera stood among them, sobbing openly. She pressed a small bundle into my hands as I passed. Food and the little money she had saved from her own wages.
"Thank you," I mouthed to her.
Then I saw Katya at the top of the grand staircase, standing there like a queen, wearing an expensive dress with sparkling jeweleries.
"Leaving so soon?" She asked sweetly. Her voice dripped with fake concern. "Such a shame. We were just getting to know each other. I was starting to enjoy our little talks."
I said nothing. I just kept walking.
"You were nothing," she continued. Her voice grew harder. "Just a distraction. A momentary weakness. He will forget you in a week. Maybe less. Maybe by tomorrow. Men like him always do."
I stopped and turned to look at her. I couldn't contain my anger. Thank God I was leaving, she can't punish me.
"Maybe," I said quietly. My voice was steady despite my tears. "But at least I was loved. Even if it was just for a moment. Can you say the same, Katya? Will he ever love you?"
Her smile faltered. Anger flashed in her eyes.
"Get out!" She screamed. Her composure broke. "Get out before I have you dragged out!"
I turned away and walked down the grand staircase.
Finally, I got to the massive front doors.
I looked around one last time. Trying to memorize everything. The grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The marble floors that I had scrubbed on my hands and knees. The paintings on the walls. The expensive furniture.
This place had been my prison and my home. My heaven and my hell.
And somewhere in this massive house was Nikolai. Trapped in that meeting, unable to reach me, unable to save me.
I wondered if he tried. If he fought for me. If he argued. If he raged.
Or if he just let me go quietly. If he chose his empire over me.
No. I knew better. I knew he fought. I knew he tried.
But it was not enough. It would never be enough.
Because men like him did not get happy endings with girls like me.
Tears streamed down my face again. Hot and endless. But I kept walking with my head held high and my back straight.
The guard opened the front door.
The cold night air rushed in. It smelled like rain. A storm was coming. And I might not have a place to hide.
A black car was waiting at the bottom of the steps. Its engine was running. The headlights cut through the darkness.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked the guard. My voice was small and cracked.
"To the train station in the city. You will be given enough money for a ticket. Where you go after that is up to you. You are free to go anywhere."
I nodded.
It doesn't matter where I went. Everywhere would be empty without him.
I took one step outside. Then another.
The cold air hit my face, making my tears feel like ice.
I was really leaving. This was really happening.
I would never see Nikolai again. I would never hear his voice again.
This was cruel. Why can't I have him? Why can't I be with him?
Because I was a maid and he was a king?
I took another step, almost stepping out of the compound.
When suddenly, without warning, all the lights went out.
Every single light in the entire estate.
The massive building plunged into complete darkness.
Shouts rang out immediately. Voices started yelling. People started running.
"What happened?" Someone screamed from inside.
"The power! Someone cut the power!"
"Stay where you are!" A guard commanded. "Nobody move!
"
"Find the backup generator!"
"Check the main breaker!"
"This is not an accident!"
I stood frozen with my bag clutched to my chest. My heart was pounding.
What was happening?
The darkness was absolute. I could not see my hand in front of my face.
Then my eyes widened.
Nikolai!
Nikolai’s nightmare comes in the dark!
I had to go save him.
I droped my bag, and turned back towards the building.
But strong hands grabbed my arm, holding me still.
"Let me go to him, please! He needs me!” I cried.
A cruel laughter rang out. "Not so fast, darling.”
Dmitri?!