My beautiful, bright, and lovable sister died before she could meet her fiancé. The carriage our parents had rented for her got into an accident and fell off a cliff.
The news of her passing broke my heart. I loved Anastasia. But before I could even mourn her, her role fell upon me. I was certain that she was just as shocked as I was, watching us from the heavens.
“You’d better behave, Marie,” my father warned again and again as we sat in the carriage. “Keep your head low and try to appear smaller. And make sure the veil hides your face so you aren’t found out.”
“Yes, Father.”
“And forget your stupid studies. A woman knowing mathematics is impertinent.”
“Yes, Father.”
“No matter what he tells you, pretend you’re confused, and then praise his knowledge. That’s enough to put most men in a good mood. Oh, and never mention those…um…barbarians you were studying. No one can know you have an interest in those savages.”
“Yes, Father.”
“If the count divorces you, come back home at once. Do not even think of looking for work in the capital. No one would hire a pretentious, hideous girl like you.”
“I know, Father.”
“I’m saying this for your sake, Marie. I’m trying to make sure even a good-for-nothing like you leads a decent life—”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you, Father.”
I nodded and smiled at him, but my father frowned before sighing.
“Even your smile is horrendous. Ah… How I wish you had died instead of your sister…”
My smile didn’t waver one bit.