Chapter 78

78 Unspoken Emotions

Anastasia had some more chats with Lady Edith and Hamilton as they gave a tour of their mansion to her. She also had to see more of the discussion between the mother and son.

And when it was finally dusk, Anastasia asked Edith, “Aunt Edith, I think it is time for me to head to the castle. Caspian will start to worry if it gets too late.”

Lady Edith also agreed to her request. Though there were laws in place, nighttime wasn’t safe for the humans to be out and about. “I wish you would have stayed for some more time. But you are right. Caspian will get worried.”

Anastasia looked around and then asked, “Where’s my handmaid though?”

“She’s probably making some new friends. I asked the humans here to keep her company.” Edith smiled and gestured to one of the maids who was nearby to go and fetch Tilla.

Edith looked back at Anastasia and then asked her, “Shall we head towards the carriage? Your handmaid can join us there.”

Before Anastasia could answer, Hamilton stepped forward and offered, “Why don’t you rest now, mother? I will escort our Queen to the carriage.”

Edith gave a suspicious look to her son, thinking that in her absence he would say things that would upset Anastasia.

However, Hamilton reassured his mother, “I won’t talk about Percival again. Or say something stupid. I promise.”

.....

“Alright then.” Edith gave a nod.

And she gave a hug to Anastasia. “Child, come by again, okay? And don’t wait for me to send invitations. You can come here anytime you feel like it.”

Anastasia looked at Edith and then gave a bright smile, “I will. Thank you for being such a lovely host today. I enjoyed my time here. And please tell the chef that I loved the food here.”

“I’m glad that you had a good time.”

After Edith said her goodbyes to Anastasia, Hamilton gave a slight bow and politely gesture in the direction of the main door of the mansion. And he asked, “My Queen, shall we?”

“Yes.” Anastasia gave a smile and slowly walked alongside him.

Hamilton held his arms behind his back and walked at a pace that would be comfortable for Anastasia.

And while he did so, he asked, “If I may ask, have you adapted well to the castle full of vampires?”

Anastasia’s lips curved up ever so slightly. And she answered in her soft voice, “You could say that. I have human maids to take care of my needs. And all the vampires are also nice to me.”

“Well, since you are the Queen, they have to act nice in front of you.” Hamilton casually spouted the truth and then curiously asked, “But don’t you feel suffocated? Aren’t you in constant fear that something might happen to you?

Anastasia didn’t know why he was showing so much interest in her life but she answered anyway, “I have access to a whole library, so I don’t feel suffocated or bored here. But since I have faced some near-death experiences, I do fear that it might repeat.”

Anastasia looked up at Hamilton’s face and asked jokingly, “Why do you ask, by the way? You won’t write a biography about me after my death, right?”

She dramatically waved her hand in front of her as if she was displaying a book title and said in an equally dramatic tone, “The Human Queen in the Vampire’s World.”

Hamilton suddenly burst into laughter because he was amused by what Anastasia just said. He looked at her and then said, “So you do know how to make others laugh.”

“I try.” Anastasia smiled and slightly shrugged.

Hamilton then replied while still smiling, “I was simply asking because I am intrigued by you.”

He then turned serious when he further said, “No humans in their sane mind would dare to marry a vampire. Of course, I know that you weren’t aware that Caspian was a vampire when you came here. But the others would have done anything to run away after knowing the truth.”

Hamilton then glanced at Anastasia and asked again, “Didn’t you ever feel like running away from there? Not just from the castle but from this Kingdom. This isn’t how a human Princess would expect her husband’s Kingdom to be.”

Anastasia heaved a sigh and answered, “I don’t have anywhere to run to. And even if I had somewhere I could go, I would much rather stay here with Caspian.”

They had reached the staircase that was just outside the main door. Anastasia looked down and carefully lifted her gown so that she could see her steps.

“Let me give you a hand.” Hamilton held out his palm for Anastasia to hold. And he led her down the stairs.

And while he did that, he tried to test her heart, “It looks like you have fallen head over heels for Caspian. Or else, why would you want to stay by his side? Am I right?”

Anastasia recalled all the time that she had spent with her husband. After a while, a subtle smile appeared on her lips. And she softly mumbled, “Yes... it seems like I have also fallen for him.”

“Also?” Hamilton raised his brows and glanced at Anastasia. He couldn’t quite imagine that maniac falling for a human. “Do you mean Caspian fell for you first?”

Anastasia left Hamilton’s hand after reaching the ground. And she answered while smiling and looking down at her hands, “I believe he did.”

“Oh, come on! What’s with that?” Hamilton stood in front of Anastasia and asked slightly enthusiastically, “Haven’t any of you two ever said those magical three words to each other?”

Anastasia shook her head. “No. But... there’s no need to say it. Sometimes unspoken words can also be heard.”

Hamilton rolled his eyes at that hopeless fool of a human and said, “If I were you then I would say it. Outright. I would shout at the top of my lungs if I was in love with someone.”

Anastasia furrowed her brows and asked, “Is it really necessary?”

Hamilton looked away in the distance as if he was recalling something. And he nodded and said in a quite sad tone, “Let’s just say that spoken words are easier to understand than unspoken emotions.”

Anastasia could see that Hamilton was speaking from experience. She was curious but she didn’t want to pry into his personal life affairs.

Hamilton caught Anastasia staring at him. And in an instant, he reverted back to his usual playful self. He straightened his back and dramatically looked to the side as if he was giving a pose.

He ran his fingers through his blond hair and asked, “Do I look more handsome than your husband?”

Anastasia laughed at the dramatics of Hamilton. Though she had only spent a few hours with him, she felt very comfortable talking with him.

She looked at his face and honestly said, “It’s just that... somehow you... remind me of my brother.”

Hamilton smiled at Anastasia and said while still boasting his handsomeness, “Then he must be one handsome man if you’re comparing him with me.”

“Yes, that he is,” Anastasia said while grinning.

“Your Majesty!”

They both heard Tilla’s voice and turned to look at her.

Tilla walked up to where Anastasia was and asked, “Your Majesty, are you ready to head back?”

“Yes, let’s go home.” Anastasia gave a nod.

And before she headed towards the carriage, Hamilton said to her, “My mother seems to be really fond of you. You should keep on visiting her.”

Anastasia happily replied, “I will. And thank you for accompanying me today.”

In the carriage, Anastasia and Tilla sat down next to each other.

And when the carriage started to move, Anastasia whispered a question to Tilla, “So, did you get a chance to talk with the blood servants?”