‘Did I dance with Wilhelm at my last birthday party?’
Oh, she should have asked that before she went with him!
However, it was too late to regret it.
Anastasia was already in the middle of the banquet hall, dancing with Wilhelm.
“Oh, aren’t those the Emperor and Empress?”
“That’s right! It’s been a while since I saw the two dance together.”
“And the Emperor’s refusal to bring in a paramour… Do you think their relationship has been better than before?”
People naturally began to talk about her and Wilhelm. She could clearly hear what they were saying even though they were quite far away.
Hearing them deduce that she and Wilhelm’s relationship had gradually improved, Anastasia was troubled.
‘Should have I encouraged for a paramour to be accepted then?’
She didn’t have the heart to speak about it before, only leaving the decision in Wilhelm’s hands. However, if she knew the situation would be like this, she would have done otherwise.
‘Even with the paramour issue, what the hell are you up to today…’
Anastasia turned to Wilhelm, who still had an elusive expression on him.
Then, she abruptly locked gazes with Wilhelm’s and was startled.
‘Were you staring at me this whole time…?’
When she thought so, her heart began to beat uncontrollably fast.
But soon, she calmed herself and opened her mouth.
“Did you have anything to say to me?”
“What?”
“You asked me to dance all of a sudden. It’s not like you…”
“Ah.”
Wilhelm had a thoughtful expression for a moment before he replied:
“Something to say… Well, I don’t think there’s anything in particular.”
“Then why…”
“Just.”
It was a simple answer. Anastasia couldn’t help but subtly frown.
“It’s your birthday, so I thought I should dance with you at least once. You have to consider other people’s opinions as well.”
“Last year…”
“Yeah, we didn’t dance together last year.”
“…”
She knew it. She should have asked her court ladies in advance.
Anastasia once again regretted not asking that question. Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets.
“But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t dance this year. Don’t you think so?”
“That’s true, but…”
“You don’t want to.”
When Wilhelm hit the nail on the head, Anastasia nodded.
“If it weren’t for the look in my father’s eyes, I would have refused.”
Hearing that, Wilhelm immediately had this incredulous look on his face.
He was silent for a while as if he were lost for words. Then, displeased, he inquired:
“Do you really dislike me that much?”
The genuine curiosity could be heard in his voice.
“It was only recently that rumors of your supposed infertility were circulating in the social world. As for the issue regarding the paramour, normally, when something like this happens, you would work harder to improve your relationship with me.”
“…”
“Though I have a feeling that somehow you’re welcoming such a bad situation, I guess it doesn’t matter.”
He was right… He was quite perceptive.
“Or do you hate me enough to endure all that?”
“…I’m just…”
Anastasia was thinking about how to respond when she decided to gloss over it.
“As you said, it doesn’t matter. Regardless of what others say.”
She then decided to be obnoxious, showing a bit of arrogance and selfishness as she added with a shrug.
“You won’t be able to depose me anyway.”
“…”
Hearing this, Wilhelm bit his lips, speechless.
Anastasia inwardly sighed. For a woman from the oracle to be this conceited, the facade she had built so far would definitely be shattered.
“Right.”
It was a long time later when his voice was heard again.
“You’re right. I can’t depose you.”
However, it somehow sounded more like Wilhelm was saying it to himself than to Anastasia. It had a strange nuance to it.
“That means we have to live together forever.”
His lips slightly curved at the end.
Anastasia was slightly rattled and somewhat perturbed when she saw it.
It would seem that what he said was good, but the conclusion was wrong.
The Goddess didn’t choose her, so she couldn’t spend the rest of her life with him… There was nothing to live for.
“It’s true that I detested you… But now, I just dislike you.”
“That’s a relief. It’s the same for me.”
Perhaps offended by Anastasia’s reply, Wilhelm frowned and countered after a brief silence.
“But I think we still need to show everyone what an affectionate couple looks like.”
“…Why?”
“As I said, we have to live together until we die.”
Until she died…
Recalling the last moments in her previous life before she regressed, Anastasia unconsciously bit her lips.
“Seeing the Emperor and his wife at odds is not an ideal image to see.”
“…Of course.”
“It’s not beneficial, both internally and externally. Even if we don’t love each other, there’s no need to show discord.”
“…”
“At first, I didn’t think it that way.”
Here, Wilhelm momentarily paused in his speech.
“But now, seeing that you want to change, I should also make an effort.”
“…No.”
With a slight tremor, Anastasia dissuaded him.
“No need for you to try, Your Majesty. It’s pointless to me. Things are fine as they are. Just continue with your life…”
“What do you mean?”
“Just continue with your life and treat me as if I’m a stranger…”
“Let’s live and part ways that way.”
Swallowing the words she couldn’t bear to say, Anastasia pulled herself together and continued.
“I like for us to remain how we usually are. The only thing that should be rectified is my negligence in my duties as the Empress—”
“Something is terribly wrong with that.”
Wilhelm interrupted Anastasia in a dry voice.
Anastasia looked at Wilhelm, trembling.
It was the same expressionless eyes she saw the first time, but strangely colder.
“The duty of the Empress you speak of.”
Predicting what he was going to say next, Anastasia’s heart began to throb.
“That includes marital relations.”
“…”
“You’re not talking because you really don’t know, right?”
With those words, Wilhelm pulled Anastasia by her waist.
At the sudden closeness, after that strange question, the mortified Anastasia could only blink.
From a hair’s breadth distance – where his lips could brush against hers if he slightly leaned forward – Wilhelm fixated his gaze on her. His expression conveyed his confusion about what the hell was going on in her mind.
Although he was always impassive, Anastasia unexpectedly sensed this unfamiliar heat in his eyes and was nervous about it.
At one point, in between this unusual silence, Wilhelm leaned down his head towards her.
It was at that moment.
“Your Majesty!”
Colton shouted urgently, rushing to the couple’s side.
Anastasia abruptly came to her senses and retreated from Wilhelm, while Wilhelm casually turned his head toward Colton.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry, but it’s urgent…”
Once he settled his erratic breathing, Colton reported:
“Cysteine Palace is on fire.”
Cysteine Palace was a rare structure among the palaces in the Imperial Palace with it being made out of wood and was vulnerable to fire.
However, there was a more pressing issue— the Goddess’ Garden was nearby. Thus, Wilhelm’s expression became grave.
“We’re trying our best to contain it, but it was discovered after quite some time…”
“I’ll go right away.”
Wilhelm said and then looked back at Anastasia.
He appeared very worried; perhaps caught off guard by this unforeseen news as he gazed at her.
“Stay here. One has to remain to pacify the agitated guests.”
“Be…”
Anastasia subconsciously wanted to say ‘Be careful,’ but caught herself and just briefly answered.
“…I understand, Your Majesty.”
“…”
After a glance at her figure, Wilhelm soon left the banquet hall.
“Oh, did you hear that? There’s a fire at Cysteine Palace.”
“Isn’t the Goddess’ Garden close by? I’m afraid…”
“What if something happens to the Goddess’ Garden?”
When they learned of the fire and saw Wilhelm’s departing back, the people began to buzz, bringing in disarray.
Since it was somewhat related to the Goddess’ Garden, the guests’ attention to it intensified.
‘I can’t let the party be ruined like this.’
Anastasia promptly faced the guests, quickly adjusting to the situation.
“I would like to express my utmost gratitude to everyone who attended my birthday today. I am pleased to receive countless well-wishes from so many people.”
Hearing the Empress’ voice, those who were talking anxiously swiftly turned their focus to her.
Anastasia continued with a smile.
“So I’m thinking of holding an auction as entertainment.”
Anastasia climbed onto the platform so that everyone could see her.
Then, she removed her necklace and had her ladies take out her hair ornament.
Her vibrant hair cascaded down to her waist, creating an elegant atmosphere.
When she laid down the bracelet, ring, fan, and earrings she was wearing, the eyes of the spectating guests began to burn with passion.
‘I didn’t expect to hold an auction here all of a sudden.’
But it could be deemed as fortuitous since it could lighten the mood.
Nevertheless, she didn’t expect that when the maids said to her that she needed to look as gorgeous as possible and adorn her with several accessories, they would be beneficial to her.
Appearing as if it was all according to plan, Anastasia gave a nonchalant smile and said:
“Well, shall we get started?”
When the Empress’ auction – which was difficult to participate in even if one had funds – had started without delay, the people ceased talking and all eyes were on her.
However, among the countless guests present, there was only one who snuck out of the banquet hall, taking advantage of this opportunity from this tumultuous incident.
