Until The Real One Shows Up​

Anastasia did not bother to tell the other ladies in the Empress’ Palace what happened to Melina that day. The same was true for the Duchess of Rochester.

But it didn’t matter much whether she spoke or not, since Melina ran out of Anastasia’s bedroom, crying out loud.

Of course, they might have questioned Selene, but Anastasia had no way of knowing and did not ask.

Surprisingly, Mrs. Rochester and the other maids didn’t discuss anything related to Melina after they learned of Anastasia chastising Melina for her rudeness.

No, to be exact, they at least didn’t mention Melina before Anastasia.

Anyway, it was undeniable that Melina had been Anastasia’s friend for a long time.

Will she come back to me?

It was on the 15th day after Melina’s departure that such a question came to mind.

Quickly returning to her normal routine after regaining consciousness, Anastasia recalled the time she had forgotten for a while.

Maybe our relationship will end like this forever.

However, it was already meant to happen from the moment the situation occurred. Even if she went on her knees, she was uncertain if she could treat Melina the same way again.

Although what she did in front of her was disgraceful, saying untoward thoughts about Wilhelm, the attitude she showed to Selene was more appalling.

But there’s nothing I can do.

Anastasia shook off those disturbing thoughts and concentrated on her original job again. After a while, Mrs. Rochester approached Anastasia and handed out a pile of documents.

“This is the report on the selection of a school site, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, you’ve finished with it already?”

Anastasia accepted the report with amazement. After her last visit to Mrs. Essential’s cabin, she decided to establish a school in earnest.

“It’s a school that serves as an orphanage as well.” 

Establishing a foundation was a risky task as the Empress did not involve the Imperial Family and proceeded independently. There were also numerous concerns like the foundation would suffer from ownership problems after her abdication.

Nonetheless – whether it may be a school or an orphanage – as long as the building was constructed with her own private money, there would be no issues in the future. Besides, it’s a structure that could not make a profit anyway.

Of course, it would be the neatest thing to do after being deposed, but…

The quicker it was finalized, the better. In addition, there were still 10 more months left before she was dethroned. So it was much more efficient to proceed with the construction than to play around with the remaining time.

Naturally, the money she saved so far wouldn’t be enough to build a school. Fortunately, a series of auctions were already scheduled, resulting in having an accessible fund for the supply and demand just before her dethronement.

“Thank you. I’ll take a good look at it and let you know what I have decided.”

After deciding to build a school, the first issue to be resolved was the school site. As the first school to be established, it would be symbolic, placing great attachment to it.

Above all, she wanted to set it up in a location where as many people as possible could benefit.

“Very well, Your Majesty. As soon as you have decided, we will proceed to the next step.”

“Yes, and…….”

“Y–Your Majesty! We’re in trouble!”

Unexpectedly, someone was rushing into Anastasia’s office.

Duchess Rochester’s brows subtly furrowed when she heard the sudden, scandalizing scream. Eventually, she scolded the approaching person with a stern voice.

“Miss Selene, haven’t I repeatedly emphasized the need to be respectable before Her Majesty the Empress?”

“S–Sorry, Madam……. But it’s too urgent…….”

“What’s going on, Selene?”

Anastasia’s eyebrows also narrowed. She wondered what must have happened for Selene to come running in such a fuss. And apparently, the matter was also related to the Empress Dowager’s Palace.

“It’s….”

Perhaps in a hurry to get to her office, Selene was now gasping for breath. Then, she opened her mouth.

“There’s a possibility…that His Majesty will take in a paramour.”

“What? A paramour?”

The startled voice came from Duchess Rochester. Meanwhile, despite looking perplexed, Anastasia appeared relatively calm.

“The Emperor always showed concern about her. So, how can this be….!”

“What do you mean, Mrs. Rochester?”

Anastasia quietly gritted her teeth before she muttered her question to her.

Immediately, Mrs. Rochester regained her previous composure.

“……nothing, Your Majesty. More than that, Miss Selene, tell us in detail. His Majesty is taking in a paramour?”

“That’s… I happened to overhear it when I was walking by the conference hall.….”

Selene began to recount the conversation she had heard.

***

“Are you really going to take in a paramour?”

Wilhelm did not respond to the voice behind him.

He just silently continued walking back to the Central Palace.

Frustrated at the sight, Colton urged him.

“Your Majesty.”

“You’re uncharacteristically being demanding. The meeting just ended.”

“Marquis Lutent seemed very determined. He’s been meeting with several nobles a lot lately. I guess that they planned this a long time ago.”

“…….”

Wilhelm did not answer, his mind wandering back to what happened at today’s meeting. He already sensed that something was off from the very start, with the nobles – out of nowhere – worrying over his future affairs. 

“Your Majesty has been married for two years. There must be a problem if you still don’t have a successor.”

Naturally, the nobles partial to the Emperor, including Duke Barantes, immediately protested.

“Are you saying there is a problem with His Majesty?”

“Of course, I’m not saying there’s a problem with the Emperor.”

“So, you’re saying there’s a problem with Her Majesty?”

“I just wanted to express that it’s a great misfortune that the Empire still has no successor.”

“If the Emperor is incapacitated, an heir to the throne will not be immediately realized.”

“His Majesty is still young; you’re worrying too much.”

“I understand that he’s still young, but one can’t help but wonder: Why is there still no Imperial heir?…”

“What?”

“If you think about ordinary couples, a child should have been born already.”

However, there was a big problem with their logic.

That Wilhelm and Anastasia were not “ordinary couples.”

Instead of candidly revealing this truth, Wilhelm quietly observed the situation. He just stared at one man whose the most passionate in his endeavor.

“Well, what are you going to do?”

“You mean to say you want to remove Her Majesty the Empress? How dare you! She’s the Oracle’s prophesized woman!”

“Calm down, everyone. We all know that is not possible.”

“Yes, to have a successor is important, but it’s just as significant to support the will of the goddess Rosenia.”

“In any case, Goddess Rosenia would also like her descendant, the Imperial Household, to flourish. Isn’t that so, Your Majesty?”

Wilhelm, who had been silent all this time, opened his mouth and asked.

“What do you want to say?”

“Let the paramour in.”

The answer came right away. Although he expected it from the time they mentioned the issue in future affairs.

It was so obvious that he couldn’t even laugh.

“……Paramour.”

After a moment of reflection, Wilhelm asked:

“What if I refuse?”

“Your Majesty, this is not just your problem, isn’t it?”

“Your future is also a matter that concerns the safety and survival of the Empire.”

“But even if I die without leaving any children behind…”

Wilhelm continued dryly.

“The Empire will never cease. I’m sure you all know that. Don’t you think so?”

“……Your Majesty, that is…”

“…….”

There was a moment of silence in the conference room.

Wilhelm turned to Duke Barantes, who looked perplexed.

……what was he thinking? He didn’t know.

Is he thankful? For I voiced out something too difficult to say. 

At one point, Wilhelm’s eyes were still on Duke Barantes.

“Your Majesty.”

A familiar voice spoke, breaking the silence.

“The next emperor must be your descendant. That’s the right thing to do.”

“…….”

“Take in a paramour. For the stability of the Imperial family and the Empire, you must see to it that you will have an heir yourself.”

“Marquis Lutent.”

Wilhelm’s lips parted, calling out to the man who was the most active in today’s meeting.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What if I try harder with the Empress?”

“…….”

“Are you still going to tell me to bring in a paramour?”

“I think you’ve done enough already.”

We’ve never been an actual couple. How could you say that we have done enough? 

The worry was not long. Such disreputable claims would not solve this situation.

Wilhelm, who had been thinking for a while, said:

“I’ll talk to the Empress.”

“Your Majesty, this matter is……!”

“Whoever becomes a paramour.”

Wilhelm frostily interrupted Marquis Lutent.

“The Empress will take care of it. So, she should be consulted.”

“…….”

“Now that we’re clear on that, let’s call it a day.”

He wondered how she would react to this news. Would she be angry? Or would she be as indifferent as ever?

And which side should he hope for?