Page 34 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

At long last, Tiffany helped Anna into her dress and opened the wardrobe door, which had a mirror hung on it. Anna stared at herself in the mirror and a smile slowly crept across her face.

Yes, she looked and felt like a princess once more, but this time, she was fully clothed. She wasn’t going somewhere to be used as a sexual object. She was going to the ballet, like a legitimate member of society.

Tears threatened to fall and she dabbed at her eyes. “I feel like a real person.” Her voice cracked over the last word.

Tiffany handed her a tissue. “You look beautiful.”

Anna turned to the other woman, her heart full. “Thank you,” she whispered.

She beamed. “My pleasure. Now get going. I’ll clean up and Frau Gersten will show me out.”

Chapter 15

Anna composed herself and carefully made her way downstairs, reminding herself that no matter the fun she was having, she had a job to do. To make sure Kurt was pleased and to listen to their conversations for Devin. The first, she was confident she could do. And even enjoy it. The second... She hoped they spoke in English more than German.

Kurt and Wilhelm sat in easy chairs by the fireplace in the foyer. They stood when she reached the last few steps. Both men looked exceptionally handsome in their tuxedos. Kurt murmured something German to his father, and they both grinned at her. Anna’s heart fluttered and she gave a shy smile, pausing on the last step.

Kurt hurried over and held out his hand, guiding her forward. “You look absolutely stunning, Anna.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “You may distract me from watching the performance.”

Anna beamed at him. “Thank you, Kurt.”

Wilhelm kissed her on the cheek. “You really do look beautiful, Anna.”

“I have something for you.” Kurt held out a velvet box containing a diamond and emerald necklace with matching earrings.

“Oh, Kurt, they’re beautiful!”

He flashed that seductive smile of his, and Anna bit her lip. He nodded toward her neck. “Can you take that one off?”

Anna reached up to feel the necklace around her neck. She’d forgotten about it. Her mark. “Devin said I’m never to take it off.” Anna looked wistfully at the jewelry box in his hand. “I’m sorry, Kurt.”

Kurt walked around behind her and examined the clasp of the necklace. “Vati? Can you remove it?”

Wilhelm looked at the necklace, a frown on his face, and then walked around to her back and played with the clasp for a moment. “Devin gave this to you?”

“Yes.”

Wilhelm walked away, shaking his head, and walked through a door near the base of the stairs. He returned a few minutes later with a pair of wire cutters.

Anna stepped back and shook her head. “I-I can’t?—‍”

“Anna, you should be able to remove your necklace at times. A beautiful girl should be able to wear beautiful jewelry on occasions like this.”

She swallowed and shook her head. But Wilhelm was an Elder. Like Devin. She was supposed to treat him like she treated Devin. Oh, but what would Devin say when she returned to the Manor with a broken necklace? “Okay,” she whispered, and turned around to let Wilhelm cut the clasp.

Anna heard a click and the necklace came loose. She caught it and Wilhelm held out his hand. “I will speak to Devin about it tomorrow. Do not worry.” He slipped it into his pocket and smiled.

Anna nodded and gave him a weak smile. Will Devin be angry with me for letting Wilhelm remove it?

Kurt fastened his necklace around her neck and then handed her the earrings, one at a time. “Wunderschön.”

Anna gave him a weak smile, still afraid of Devin’s reaction when he found out. But he wasn’t the same Devin she’d known while living with Master Jack. Maybe it would be okay.

Wilhelm motioned toward the door. “Shall we? Alex will meet us at the restaurant.”

Kurt muttered something in German, but offered Anna his arm, and they walked together out the door, down the walkway, and into the big black car. She sat next to Kurt, as she had earlier, and watched the buildings pass by. He put his arm around her and stroked her arm as she leaned her head against his shoulder, sighing with contentment. This new life is good.

“Anna’s twentieth birthday was Monday, Vati,” Kurt said.

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