Please Smile Anastasia

id to Lucy, raising her hands and aski

ould never say no whenever

ver she wanted something, and Lucy, as always, gave in. With a so

late is our last stock, and we don't know whe

the chocolate with her small hands, eating it hungrily. Seeing how messy s

ed to bring her chocolates he had bought. He was Lucy's childhood friend, which was why he was kind t

ld dress was torn. It was so worn-out that it should have been thrown away or

wide, cheerful grin, her voice filled with excite

ade toy crafted by Lucy herself. It was the same doll Lucy

d carefully stitched and patched it back together each

ake sure you don't get lost again, and

on, where they all lived. Anastasia often wandered off while playing, sometimes eve

ia, and Lucy had always been firm about keeping her away from there. She

dly before dashing off, her small

Good da

day, G

day,

owever, out of all the people she greeted, only one returned her smile-Celio, a

ning, you

heh

se. It was rare for someone to acknowledge her greetin

t spot was her secret hideaway-secluded and hidden from sight. It was her little ha

asn't

new about her

he same age as her. She wore an elegant dress, much finer than anything Anastasia h

but before she could take a step, she no

years old-maybe older-was ma

stasia quickly ducked behind a bush, peeking through

u okay,

ad. Do you think I will be o-okay?" the youn

a felt a pang of sadness as she li

girl had also lost her mother, making An

o comfort you because I know how hard this must be for you. Even I... I fe

he leaves, her small hands gripping

r chest, her face buried in them as her platinum

ler than Ingrid, probably around twelve years old, with a noble bearing that matched his refined clothing.

but something about t

-especially the boy's-fel

if

he boy finally stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. The moment he di

ng with tears. The sorrow in the scene before her was so overwhe

ustl

's t

the boy freeze. His arms loosened around the girl as h

fle her sniffles. Panic surged through her as she carefully stepped back

h

ght in front of her, his sha

are y

ing backward and falling

his piercing eyes locked onto her. "Are

his voice startled her, making her chest tighten in fear. The

about her caug

atures, her tattered dress, and the old, worn-out doll clutched ti

eath h

that distinctive shade o

ing everything together. His expression darke

like what h

y did not like

e you wearing a rug? Are you tryi

even the crying Ingrid beside him pause, he

ly offered him a small smile. She gently grasped the hem o

! I'm Anastasia Winston! I

ite hair, she should show them respect. She also remembered the etiquette lessons Lucy h

o are you call

as far from what Ana

rding to Lucy, nobles were well-versed in etiquette. But

't know your name, so

eplaced by deep confusion as she noticed the gro