Until The Real One Shows Up​

Following Siena’s confinement to the dungeon, Anastasia promptly summoned a doctor to assess Wilhelm’s condition.

“Don’t fret too much. With proper rest, he should recover just fine.”

Thankfully, the examination yielded normal results. While Anastasia had anticipated as much, hearing the doctor’s confirmation brought her even greater relief.

“I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty. It’s entirely my fault. I should have realized Lady Orangtin’s impure intentions…”

Colton, learning of the incident later from Anastasia, reproached himself for the moral transgression.

Anastasia offered solace to Colton.

“It’s not your fault, Lord Colton. Besides, Lady Orangtin holds a position as a lady-in-waiting at the Central Palace. You had no grounds to refuse.”

“I should have exercised caution, nonetheless. His Majesty almost had a major mishap.”

“…I’m relieved I intervened before it escalated further.”

The thought of what might have occurred had she been slightly delayed was dreadful.

Anastasia remarked after biting her lip anxiously.

“You may leave now, Lord Colton. You must have been greatly alarmed, but it’s best for you to take some time to rest.”

“What? But…”

“Don’t fret, I’ll stay with the Emperor.”

“…Your Majesty?”

Colton glanced at Anastasia, visibly astonished.

Anastasia inquired, wearing a puzzled expression as if she had missed something in the conversation.

“I Can’t?”

“Oh, no! It’s not that, but…”

Colton continued to gaze at Anastasia in astonishment, his eyes wide with surprise at the unexpected turn of events.

‘Do you truly have no concern for the Emperor?’

Clearly, based on his intelligence. The Empress regarded the Emperor with a look akin to how a cow might regard a chicken.*

*TN: indifferently

‘Even if it were to nullify the potion’s effects… You don’t have any obligation to look after him, do you?’

As Colton remained bewildered by the unexpected turn of events, Anastasia inquired, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

“You’re not leaving?”

“What? Oh, yes!”

Ultimately, Colton had to hastily depart from the bedroom without any further conversation.

Left alone, Anastasia let out a long sigh of relief.

The palace doctor had mentioned that Wilhelm would likely regain consciousness within an hour or two.

‘So, I’ll have another hour or two to spend with Wilhelm.’

Contemplating this, a smile unconsciously graced Anastasia’s lips.

‘It’s quite nice.’

Of course, there had been numerous occasions when they had been alone before this.

With Wilhelm awake, she felt compelled to maintain a facade of cool indifference, even though it saddened her to do so. 

However, this time was different; Wilhelm wouldn’t be able to discern her true emotions or perceive what lay behind her gaze.*

*TN: affection

Even if he were to awaken later, there would be ample topics to discuss given the circumstances. 

Therefore, Anastasia remained rooted in place, gazing at him with a smile reflected in her gentle eyes.

This might be the only opportunity she would have to look at him so openly, so she resolved to cherish the moment deeply, ensuring she wouldn’t regret letting it slip away.

At a certain moment, Wilhelm’s expression oddly contorted. He started to moan and perspire profusely.

‘Is he having a nightmare?’

Before her return, he frequently experienced nightmares.

‘What should I do?’

After a brief moment of contemplation, Anastasia carefully took Wilhelm’s hand.

She clasped his cold hands tightly in hers, transmitting the warmth from her hands to his.

‘Back then, he seemed to have somewhat gotten better…’

However, that might have been due to the connection they shared then; it was uncertain whether it would have the same effect now.

She simply wished for it to work.

Because she couldn’t bear to see him suffer.

“Ah….”

Then, at a certain moment, he started to exhibit signs of regaining consciousness, prompting Anastasia to quickly withdraw her hand.

“Oh!”

Almost instantly, he opened his eyes with a deep groan.

Surprised, Anastasia cautiously inquired to Wilhelm, who was breathing heavily.

“…Your Majesty, are you awake?”

Then, he shifted his gaze towards her.

“…ah.”

His bloodshot eyes, a sight she hadn’t seen in a long while, sent a pang through her heart.

They were eyes filled with anxiety and terror as if fleeing from a savage beast. Eyes that seemed to have barely escaped from the clutches of a dreadful hell.

His sadness and pain were evident in his eyes each time she encountered him. Yet, it was through those very eyes that solace came, offering respite from his troubles for a prolonged period.*

*TN: the sight of her soothes him and takes him away from the bad dreams 

Suddenly, a powerful urge surged within her—the desire to embrace him tightly as she had done in the past, to reassure him and tell him that everything was alright now.

Yet, she restrained herself, clutching the hem of her dress tightly and enduring the impulse as best as she could.

Now wasn’t the moment. It was time to return to reality.

Anastasia hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking up.

“I’m relieved you woke up sooner than expected.”

“… Why are you here?”

“Do you recall anything from before?”

“Before?… ah.”

At that instant, feeling a pang of headache, Wilhelm furrowed his brows and reached for his forehead.

Anastasia licked her lips in bewilderment, then after a moment, she inquired.

“…Are you all right?”

“I’m okay.”

Soon, Wilhelm casually lifted his head and locked eyes with Anastasia.

Unbeknownst to her, Anastasia felt a nervous flutter at the intensity of his gaze.

“I remember. You…”

His lips twitched slightly, leaving Anastasia uncertain about the emotion behind it.

“You kissed me.”

“…”

“I remember it clearly.”

Following his statement, a brief silence enveloped them.

Anastasia broke the silence, her words chosen with care.

“I fear there might be a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“I kissed you in order to save Your Majesty.”

Anastasia provided a clear explanation of the situation.

“Lady Orangtin administered a love potion to Your Majesty. Upon consumption, the individual falls in love with the first person they see within five minutes.”

“I’ve heard of it,” Wilhelm responded with furrowed brows, displaying his discontent.

“Did I consume it?”

“Your body heated up immediately after drinking it, correct?”

Wilhelm nodded.

“That’s the evidence. And there’s a method to nullify the substance… ironically, it’s a kiss with one’s spouse.”

“So, you kissed me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“…what?”

“You’re not interested in me, are you?”

Anastasia was momentarily speechless, unable to respond.

Meanwhile, Wilhelm swiftly pressed on.

“Only a few hours ago, I recall precisely what you said to me at the banquet.”

He recited every word Anastasia had uttered with perfect accuracy.

“‘No need for you to try, Your Majesty. It’s pointless to me. Things are fine as they are. Just continue with your life…’” 

“…”

“The Empress who made such statements, and the Empress who encouraged me to pursue any romantic interest, even if it meant having a lover.”

Wilhelm, who had been speaking up to this point, briefly smiled as if taken aback.

“Why on earth did you intervene to save me? I believed you wouldn’t care if I developed feelings for Lady Orangtin.”

“…”

“Are you still worried? Allow me to…”

“I intervened to save Your Majesty.”

Anastasia gently interrupted Wilhelm and asserted her stance.

“Solely out of loyalty.”

“Loyalty?”

“I wouldn’t mind if Your Majesty developed feelings for Lady Orangtin of your own accord.”

“…what?”

“However, manipulating someone’s mind with magical potions is a subtle and cowardly form of violence. As an attendant to the Emperor, I cannot simply stand by and watch you become entangled in such matters.”

“…so.”

Wilhelm responded in a voice that sounded somewhat distant.

“You have no personal feelings?”

“You could interpret it that way.”

After Anastasia finished her response, a tense silence hung between them for a while.

The heavy silence seemed to strangle her throat, yet neither of them made a move to break it.

“…Thank you immensely. I had no idea the Empress held such loyalty toward me.”

The words finally escaped after a considerable amount of time.

In response to the strangely sarcastic tone, Anastasia attempted to maintain a neutral expression as she looked at Wilhelm. He returned her gaze with a somewhat displeased expression.

“I will ensure to repay this favor someday.”

With Wilhelm’s words lingering in the air, he rose from his seat and exited.

Suddenly finding herself alone in Wilhelm’s chambers, Anastasia heaved a long sigh of relief.

She then stood up slowly, her gaze fixed on his vacant seat.

“If loyalty equates to love, then perhaps it is love.”

After uttering those words, Anastasia left the place shortly thereafter.

~~~~

The unfortunate incident that occurred on Anastasia’s birthday swiftly circulated within social circles.

Wilhelm’s fury worsened the situation after he charged Siena Orangtin with attempting to murder the Emperor and decreed her exile.

Upon investigation, it was uncovered that the fire at the Cysteine Palace was also deliberately set by Siena in an attempt to draw Wilhelm to the Central Palace.

The burning of the palace was a severe crime, and when it was disclosed that the Orangtin family had been involved, their once influential position in central politics crumbled entirely.

Eventually, Marquis Orangtin was stripped of his title. In an attempt to elevate his status, he sought to position his daughter within the Central Palace as a lady-in-waiting, but ultimately, the family met its downfall.

Wilhelm’s decision faced no opposition, given the gravity of the situation, which could even border on treason in a broader sense.

Following a series of unfortunate incidents, the remaining three ladies resigned preemptively before they were notified of their expulsion.

Following these events, conversations concerning the Emperor and Empress’s successors, as well as any potential romantic partners, were considered off-limits not just in political circles but also among social groups.

With winter arriving just in time, it brought about a respite in social gatherings.

Thanks to this, Anastasia was able to relish a period of relative comfort and tranquility.

As she abstained from attending social events, she didn’t cross paths with Wilhelm or anyone else.

Occasionally, she hosted auctions and listened to the flattery of individuals keen to flaunt themselves.

Meanwhile, time swiftly slipped by, and before long, spring arrived at last.