Anastasia sighed deeply, kneeling on the wood board and bowing her head to grand sculpture of Christ that adorned her family little chapel. Her world collapsed on that day and her life was taken from her. She couldn't bare the pain she had growing in her chest, a pain that was only sidetracked by an even bigger amount of fear.

She couldn't believe all her dreams were crushed, splattered in the middle of a battle field, drowning in a pool of blood. All she knew was about to meet an end and it pained her too much not be able to stop it.

"My Lady" a voice emerged from the deepness of the chambers behind the altar.

Anastasia immediately got up, whipping the vestige of tears with the palm of her hand. She managed to produce a small smile, not wanting to be rude towards the man that was bringing news, regarding her future.

"Bishop" She greeted him courtly, bowing her head.

"My dear, come sit here" The Bishop of Hereford said patting smoothly the bench on the front row. "I've talked to the King in your behalf"

"For what I'm deeply grateful" Anastasia said while the Bishop involved her hands between his own, squeezing a little.

"I know my dearest, I know. I've done it because I was very fond of your father, a very noble man despite all life's infortunes" The Bishop paused a little, measuring his words carefully. "The King holds you father in great consideration as well, and so he extends you that grace, too"

The tears threaten to fall of Anastasia eyes, she was very thankful for that gesture since she had no one else to resort upon. If the King had enough mercy on her, he'd find her a new home and presumably a new fiancé; those were the only chances she had, now that everything crumbled beneath her feet.

"You are to travel to London and live in the Court with the King until his majesty finds you a suitable…" The Bishop looked sweetly onto the poor girl eyes and produced a smile, he did not wish to scare her since she seemed so fragile. "A suitable future."

"Thank you, Bishop" Anastasia said again with a new bow to her head. "When am I to leave?"

"As soon as possible, my dear. Tomorrow might be best."

"I'll pack my things"

"Yes, you do that and get some rest. The journey its long." With that recommendation the Bishop kissed Anastasia hands, getting up in a quick movement and blessing her before exiting the once rich chapel.

"My Lady" Mary received Anastasia once she stepped out of the place. "Did his lordship bring good news?"

"Yes" She answered automatically, with her head racing miles per hour. "I need you to pack my things, if you please" Anastasia paused for a moment looking at the emptiness of the space. "I'm going to London."

"That's great my lady" Mary said smiling widely, she was sad that Lady Anastasia was leaving because she was kind and loving but she liked her very much and wished nothing but the best for her, even if that meant seeing her leave. "I'll start right away."

Anastasia breathed the North air one more time, trying to bring in it all the memories she had of this place. She tried to savor it because she knew she was going to treasure those memories very much once she was to fulfill the Kings wishes for her future.

Tears roll down her eyes quietly but this time, she didn't bother to wipe them away. She wanted to have her cheeks tainted, she wanted to have some grieving with her since she couldn't have her life back.

The night was restless for Anastasia; she had terrible and dark nightmares, concerning what could happen to her. She dreamt of men, barbarian men who would force their wills upon her and foreign, distant lands that weren't familiar to her eyes.

She couldn't sleep anymore in the middle of the dawn so she escaped her bed chamber and went to the library. She didn't even bother to cover herself with her robe since there weren't any souls wandering around the empty house anymore.

She went to the library, her nightgown rubbing the floor as she passed. Anastasia fletched some books, all books she could manage into her arms and exited the room as quietly as she entered. She wanted to have some memories of her father, of herself when her new life started.

She loved to read so she brought her favorite's stories and tried to place them under all the belongings that Mary had gather and packed for her. After that, Anastasia curled up on her bed burring all her being with the covers and cried a little longer.

When it was time to depart, Mary entered Anastasia room hoping to find her still in bed but instead discovered her already dressed and looking rather tired in front of the mirror.

"Let me help you with that my Lady" Mary said, quickening her pace and standing behind Anastasia, who tried helplessly comb her hair.

Anastasia said nothing, she had all the grief locked down inside her and she refuse to cry anymore. She got up as soon as the sun appeared on the sky, she gather herself in a simple and modest dress, which was the best one she had. It had a peachy color to it, with sleeves of trumpet effect. The bodice had some pearls and the neckline only left the collarbones showing.

After Mary's assistance, Anastasia's hair ended up tied in a lovely and intrinsic braid that hanged over her back. She pinched her own cheeks trying to add some color to it since she did not possessed any of the modern rouge that helped woman stay with a healthy and lovely glow in their faces.

"You look lovely my Lady" Mary said with genuine emotion on her voice. "I hope you'll be very happy in London, they say it's very nice"

Anastasia got emotional with her friend's words. Sure Mary was her maid, but they lived together since Anastasia was a teen and since Mary wasn't very much old, it quickly turn out to be the most efficient and loyal friend she ever had. She didn't fail to see Mary tears glowing in her sweet eyes so she decided to give her faithful friend one last gift.

"Here" Anastasia said with a sad tone to her voice, as well. "I want you to have this"

"Oh, no my Lady. I can't accept it" Mary shook her head violently to the gift her Lady was offering, it was a valuable and beautiful rosary that belonged to Anastasia's mother.

"Please Mary, I want very much for you to have it" She said unlocking the rosary from her wrist. "It would mean a lot to me, you're my friend and I want you to have at least some memory of me"

"My Lady" Mary used her hands to cover her face, while silent sobs came out of her. "I'd never forget you, I couldn't…"

"Then come, have this for me" Anastasia said with teary eyes. "I'll be so lonely in the Court"

Mary didn't thought about it and hugged instinctively her most lovely friend, she quickly realized she'd stepped out of the line and was begun to withdraw her move but Anastasia placed her arms around her body as well, and hugged her tightly.

"You won't be my Lady" She said finally letting Anastasia put the rosary on her wrist, as a gift. "You're so beautiful and smart. I'm sure all men will be crazy to marry you"

Anastasia smile and walked out of the room, she wasn't sure that would be the case but she was trying to believe everything would be fine and the King would be generous with her.

As she stepped into the cold breeze of September, she thought how her life would have turn out to be if her father and future husband hadn't died in the battle. She was the only daughter of Sir Raymond Steele, the count of Durham, whom due to unfortunate events lost all his fortune.

Raymond was still a close friend to the King, and so it was permitted to him keeping the tittle even if he led a simple and modest life who had no comparison to the other wealthy counts. Raymond didn't care though, the joy of his life was Anastasia and all he cared was her happiness.

That's the reason why Anastasia only became engaged at the age of sixteen. That was somewhat late for the daughter of a count to become promised, but Raymond swear he'd only give the hand of his daughter to someone worthy of it.

Sir Joseph Everard was the chosen one, a man from a wealthy military family who could provide a good life for her. But he was a captain in the British Army and when the war begun he needed to fulfill his duties.

Anastasia understood, she barely saw her fiancé but from what she learned in the little time they spent together he was a lovable and noble gentleman and that pleased her immensely. He wished to marry her once the war was over and since she was in no hurry to give up her life in Durham, she accepted it greatly.

Unfortunately the threat was becoming bigger and the King recruited more men for the battle field and since her father was a noble and loyal soldier to his majesty, he left a year ago as well.

Three years after its start, the battles ceased, the King returned victorious to his realm but all of Anastasia life got shred in those bloody fields. With no father and a dead mother that pass way in her birth, she was an orphan. And the worst was that her future husband died as well, living her completely alone and poor in the world with only a tittle to carry.

So there she was the, Countess of Durham, getting ready to travel to the Court to depend on the King's good will to find her a suitable husband, if anyone would ever take her, since she was indeed nineteen and never bedded.

She was about to enter the carriage that would take her from her home to distant, unknown lands when Mary came out of the house running towards her.

"My Lady" She said breathless. "I wanted you to have this, I know it could never be compare to the rosary since this it's completely worthless but I'd wanted you to keep it to remember me as well"

She extended Anastasia an old but yet lovely golden hair clip that contrasted with her dark brown hair. Anastasia didn't hesitated a second to place up it on her hair, smiling, touched by her friend's gesture.

"I could never forget you as well" She said kissing Mary's hands. "If I ever marry I'll come back to have you as my lady-in-waiting"

"Oh, my Lady" Mary said blushing and crying at the same time but unable to say anything else. Anastasia was always the kindest person and she hoped she would find joy in her new life.

"Bye, my friend" Anastasia said, waving from inside her carriage.

A new life awaited her.