Page 335 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna heard her name spoken, and her eyes flew open. She lay in a dark bedroom and the voice she heard sounded familiar. Who was it?

“Anna, are you awake?”

“Alex...” She sighed and smiled as she turned over.

“Hello, Schatzi. How are you feeling?” Alex sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in his white dress shirt and pants. His shirt was unbuttoned, giving her a glimpse of his firm upper chest.

“Good.” She grinned. “I mean...” She frowned. “We’re married, right? It wasn’t just a dream?”

Alex laughed. “O, meine liebe Frau. We are most definitely married.”

“Then I am very good.” She reached for his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy.” She felt strange... confident. Fear, which had been her constant companion since her parents died, seemed to have disappeared. She didn’t even feel afraid when she thought of Devin. That was most definitely unusual.

“That makes me very happy, Schatzi. I always want to make you happy.”

“Do you... I mean—Is it okay to be happy with you... even though Ben—‍” She blinked rapidly. Was it right to be so happy? Her heart still ached when she thought of Ben, but it was not as painful. And she really was happy she had married Alex. She loved him. She felt... like the world was right. For the first time since her parents died.

“Ben was very good for you. From everything that I heard about him, he was a good man and loved you very much. But Devin would never have allowed you two to marry.” He stroked her hair. “You know that, don’t you?”

Anna gave a slow nod. Yes, she knew that. “I just wish that Devin had... I don’t know... made me break up with him instead of killing him.” Tears stung her eyes. “Why did he kill him?”

Alex pulled her close. “I don’t know, Anna. Devin does things that I just don’t understand. I wish I could have prevented his death. It was cruel on so many levels.”

“It’s not that I’m not happy we’re married...”

Alex kissed her head. “Ja, I know. But you feel guilty?”

Anna nodded.

“I understand. But Ben would be glad that you are safe. And I’m sure he would want you to be happy. The pain will ease, I promise. I hope I can help.”

She closed her eyes and hugged him tighter. “You already have.”

“Gut. When you are ready, we’ll go into the city to find our American wedding rings and then return to the Gutshaus. My extended family has come into town, and I am eager for you to meet them.”

“You have more family?”

He nodded. “My uncles and aunts and cousins.”

There was a knock on the door and Jutta entered carrying a tray, which she put on a nearby table. “Guten Tag, Herzog. Herzogin.” Anna smiled at the shy smile she gave Alex. “Herzogin, when you are finished eating, I will return and help you dress.”

“Thank you, Jutta.”

Alex stood and brought the tray over to the bed, putting it between them when he sat on the end of the bed. “Eat.”

“Yes, Master.” She grinned.

Alex grimaced until he looked into her face. “You’re teasing me?”

She bit her lip. “Is that okay?”

Alex grinned. “It is perfectly okay. I want you to be comfortable with me. I’ve told you that. Tease me. Argue with me. Yell at me, though only in private, please. I want to help you find yourself, Anna. To be who you are meant to be. To be the person that was stolen from you.”

“I think I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” She gazed across the bed at her new husband, feeling as if her heart would burst with happiness.

Alex shook his head and glanced down at the bed for a moment before looking back at her. “Nein, Anna. It is I who am lucky. All your pain could have been prevented if I hadn’t been so arrogant.” His eyes filled with determination. “I will not fail you again, meine liebe Frau.”

“I believe you.” She sighed with happiness. “I feel safe and without fear for the first time since my parents died. I know you will protect me.” She smiled shyly and looked into his eyes. “I’m not afraid of Devin anymore.”

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