Until The Real One Shows Up​

The fact that Anastasia saved the Goddess’ Garden and Melina was tied to a stake and publicly punished for her crime quickly spread among the people.

Those who had questioned her retreated once they heard the news. No one dared to rave such atrocious hearsay about Anastasia publicly. 

With this, Anastasia’s status – which was temporarily shaken – had been stabilized once more.

Meanwhile, the Marquis of Lutent removed Melina from the family registry and forcibly sent her to a distant monastery.

Maybe she would live in captivity and wouldn’t get out of there until she died.

‘I think Melina’s behind this… but…’

She feared that no matter how much she would have it investigated, she would just run into a brick wall.

There may be unnecessary adverse effects in the process. Even if she was found guilty, Anastasia wondered what it would mean to Melina if she was kicked out of the monastery.

Anastasia quietly wrapped things up by asking Wilhelm to increase security around the Goddess’ Garden.

With peace restored at the palace again, Anastasia’s birthday came.

“Her Majesty is the main character today; she has to be more stunning than anyone else.”

“Oh, by the way, Miss Selene. Since this will be the first party you’ll be attending, you must be unaware, but no one in Rosenberg is more magnificent than Her Majesty. There won’t be anyone else.”

“Oh, that’s true– Ah! Apologies, Your Majesty. I overspoke.”

“No, it’s all right…”

Anastasia smiled awkwardly and listened to the ladies’ conversation.

As expected, she couldn’t get used to these ridiculous compliments.

“Of course, Her Majesty is the renowned beauty in Rosenberg. However, I’m certain everyone will come out with more strength today.”*

*TN: They’ll try harder to look their best

“Especially the four ladies-in-waiting in the Central Palace.”

The ladies in the Central Palace were on high alert. They thought Anastasia would do the same to them.

Because Melina was kicked out for an offensive crime, the rest of the ladies-in-waiting’s positions became rocky.

‘They must be worried that they might be kicked out at any time.’

Hence, they would put their best foot forward to attract Wilhelm’s attention this time. No matter what.

“You must not be pushed back. Let’s show them who the true Empress of the Palace is today!”

“I love it!”

Burning with fighting spirit, the ladies began to move busily. On the other side, Anastasia just smiled – almost in desperation – and closed her eyes.

~~~~

That day, Siena – one of the ladies-in-waiting of the Central Palace – deliberately garbed herself flamboyantly before attending the Empress’ birthday celebration.

She wore a ravishing dress that cost a lot of money, subtly accentuating her figure. She also wore vibrant pieces of jewelry that would prompt people to notice her even from afar.

However, she had another intention at today’s party.

‘I must capture the heart of His Majesty.’

Siena picked up the glass bottle on the dressing table with dread.

Inside the pink, heart-shaped bottle was a colorless and odorless liquid.

‘With this…… I can succeed.’

That’s what the person who told her about it said.

“The effect is certain. Thanks to this, in the Vaudar Empire, countless lovers could give birth.”

With a grim look, Siena hid the glass bottle in her arms and set off to the banquet hall.

But when she arrived, she experienced inexplicable despair.

‘……Impossible.’

As soon as she saw Anastasia from afar, Siena felt her defeat.

‘We’re wearing the same accessories….’

Anastasia, with her pink pearl-grained headdress, made anyone who saw her think she was exquisite and precious.

The use of several pieces of jewelry almost made her feel rustic, but because she was the pearl – the epitome of elegance – only her splendor was heightened.

Anastasia was surrounded by countless people, smiling and celebrating her birthday, while Siena was enveloped with helpless inferiority and a sense of entitlement.

But after a while.

‘At least I’ll be the winner today.’

Siena fiddled with the heart-shaped glass bottle in her arms, quickly assuaging her seething emotions.

‘Once she discovers that I’m pregnant with his child, she’ll be much more infuriated than what I feel now.’

The thought of it instantly filled her with excitement.

Alas, some time later.

Siena felt her heart sink when she encountered an unexpected sight.

~~~~

It took quite some time before Anastasia was able to meet Duke Barantes.

“Dad, how have you been?”

“I’m always the same. Congratulations on your birthday, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you for bringing me into this world, Father.”

The wide curve on Anastasia’s lips was evident as well as on the corners of her eyes. Nearly forgetting about it, she then added:

“Oh, I received the gifts you sent me.”

It came just before she left for the banquet hall.

“Your Majesty, the Duke of Barantes sent you a gift.”

With these words, a servant came into Anastasia’s room with a gift box.

“Dad sent me a present right before the banquet?”

Gratified for Duke Barantes’ fondness, she felt she could proceed to the banquet hall in a more elated state.

Praising the servant for his hard work, Anastasia was about to tell him that he could leave when another servant walked in, followed by another who put down another gift.

“Huh…?”

But that wasn’t the end. Streams of servants came and went to her room, leaving countless gifts.

Anastasia was bewildered. At some point, she stopped counting how many servants came in and just dazedly stared at the mountain pile of presents.

‘You, sending me a present… … It wasn’t just one?’

Then, Anastasia belatedly remembered.

When the Duke of Barantes previously sent her a gift, he never sent her only one box!

‘Right. Even before my return, he would send me a few carts of gifts. I was mortified…’

Naturally, she begged him to only send less than five gifts, so as not to witness another cartload of them.

In the end, Anastasia was pressed for time and had no choice but to go to the banquet hall without being able to open all of the gifts.

“You sent me so many presents again. You scared me.”

“Well, it’s not just any other day, it’s Her Majesty’s birthday, so it’s only natural that I should spend that much, right? I was worried because I thought it was too little.”

“I can’t just send only one.”

Anastasia shook her head with a helpless smile as if she had already given up on stopping him.

“I’m delighted to receive so many.”

She meant it, although she couldn’t fully express how immensely moved she was when she saw her father’s gifts occupy her room.

After a long time, she was filled with joy at the fact that she was back alive.

“I knew you would. As expected, both quantity and quality are important for gifts.”

After hearing Anastasia’s answer, Duke Barantes shrugged with a proud face.

“And this time, I paid more attention than usual. You’ve made a great achievement.”

“What? Ahhh…”

He seemed to mean her work on the Goddess’ Garden.

While Anastasia revealed a shy smile, Duke Barantes’ admiration continued.

“I was surprised to hear the news. How can you think of using alcohol to exterminate pests? It’s an idea that no one has ever thought of before!”

The Duke of Barantes glowed as he held Anastasia’s hand.

“As expected, I must have given birth to a genius!”

“Oh, Dad. I was just trying what I saw in the book.”

“Whatever the process was, you did a great job saving the Goddess’ Garden. The rumor that the Goddess was angry with the Empress almost became a myth.”

“…”

“It was a problem that was bound to have an unfavorable effect on the Emperor as well, but you did an excellent job.”

And it was all because Anastasia saved the Goddess’ Garden.

To begin with, she didn’t care about the rumor of her being infertile – which was supposedly detrimental to her – but rather, she found this beneficial to her.

For this would make Wilhelm be at ease once he deposed of her.

So she thought she would just stay still.

But then, the plight with Goddess’ Garden occurred, forcing Wilhelm to take the blame. And she was indignant about it. 

“This has completely killed the spirits of those who dared to rebel against Her Majesty. The Marquis of Lutent came to me the day before yesterday and begged me on his knees. I couldn’t believe it! I still can’t sleep at night, thinking that I’m mad at them.… uh?”

At that time, the face of Duke Barantes strangely changed.

Anastasia looked at him and asked with a confused face.

“Father, what’s wrong with you…”

“Empress.”

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind her.

Anastasia unconsciously stiffened up and turned around.

“…Your Majesty.”

It was Wilhelm. Anastasia paused for a moment, but soon came to her senses and bowed.

“I see the Sun of the Empire, Your Majesty.”

“Happy birthday.”

Wilhelm suddenly greeted her. Anastasia stared at him with wide eyes, but quickly accepted his words.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“I wanted to ask you for a dance.”

The following words were a series of embarrassment.

This time, Anastasia stared at Wilhelm with even wider eyes.

She could slightly discern an indistinguishable glow in his eyes as if he were serious.

“Will you accept it?”

“Of course, Your Majesty!”

It was Duke Barantes, who was next to her, who answered for Anastasia.

Surprised by this unexpected situation, Anastasia tried to argue with Duke Barantes about what he was doing, but the excited Duke spoke faster.

“Perfect timing. Her Majesty was also wondering when you would appear.”

“No, father, when did I…!”

“Really?”

Wilhelm smiled and interrupted Anastasia.

“Good. I showed up right on time then.”

“No, I…!”

She opened her mouth again to try and resolve the misunderstanding.

“Ah….”

Wilhelm gracefully reached out to her.

“…”

Anastasia looked awkwardly at his hand and held it helplessly.

She no longer resisted since Duke Barantes was watching them with hopeful eyes.

“Ah…!”

At that moment, Wilhelm tugged Anastasia towards him.

Anastasia – who was now intimately close to Wilhelm – gazed at him, flustered.

She still had an expression that showed she did not know his intentions, but at least one expression was clear.

“Shall we go?”

He was smiling. Like someone who was elated with the situation.

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