Before she could knock, she heard her parents discussing the matter. 

“Catalina, I know you are angry at the villagers, but they are naturally superstitious. They do not know any better. Our daughter will be safe,” her father said. 

She hesitated, then decided to wait outside the room. 

“How do you know that? I knew it was a mistake for us to leave. We should head back home,” her mother said. 

“Anastasia needs something to look forward to. We tried to keep her safe, but failed her the first time. If we turn back now, we will lose her again. She will not trust us. I will talk to the alcalde in private, but we cannot go back home,” her father said. 

“If something happens to her due to your decision, I will never forgive you,” her mother said. 

“Something did happen to her because of your decision. You refuse to understand her, and she decided to run away. I’m doing everything I can to restore our family. I hope you understand that,” her father said. 

At that moment, Anastasia turned and left. She didn’t hear her mother’s response—maybe it was for the best. Maybe keeping her distance was the only thing she could do.

She could not care about their motivations; she just needed them to help her complete her plans. 

As she was returning to her room, she saw a young girl with long brown hair enter her room. She then heard her maids protesting at the sudden appearance of this young girl. She decided to intervene and enter the room.

Her maids were around the young girl, interrogating her. Anastasia then spoke up, “What is going on?” she said. 

The young girl looked frightened but gathered her courage.

 “The young lady of the house sent me to retrieve her belongings—she forgot them before she moved,” she said.

“Did you knock before entering this room?” Anastasia asked.

“No, we never knock. We just do our errands,” the girl replied.

“That may usually be the case, but since we are guests, some rules have changed,” Anastasia said gently. “Why don’t you take me to the young lady of the house, and we can figure out what she needs together.”