“Please go back.”
Olivia vehemently stated.
“His Highness is currently in class.”
The following morning, Anastasia, fully prepared to enjoy some time with Louis, instead found herself unexpectedly receiving instructions from a guest.
With a perplexed expression, Anastasia asked: “Didn’t you mention that you arrived from Schweig Island only yesterday? It appears strange for a child who hasn’t fully recovered from the journey to be studying now.”
“This was His Highness’s initial request. He assured me he would attend the class,” she explained.
“…”
She was unable to press further since both parties had reached an agreement…
After a brief pause, Anastasia inquired, “When does the class conclude?”
“It’ll be over at six.”
“Six o’clock…”
Anastasia wasn’t entirely certain she had heard correctly and questioned, “When did the prince begin his studies?”
“It started at nine.”
“So, he’ll be studying from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.?”
What kind of school was he attending? A six-year-old studying for nine hours straight!
No, that couldn’t be right. Anastasia doubted, assuming there must be breaks scheduled.
“When does he get his break?”
“He doesn’t have a set break time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he’ll take a 10-minute break after every 50 minutes of class.”
“…that’s unacceptable, Lady Fontaine. It’s not something to be so proud of.”
The situation was turning for the worse. Anastasia voiced her objections.
“Even if the prince consented to it, the schedule seems excessively demanding for a child who has recently recovered from illness. There should be some adjustments made.”
“But the Prince wanted…”
“Will you persist in this abuse simply because the Prince desires it?”
“… Your Majesty, your language is severe. This isn’t abuse.”
“Then what would you call it, if not abuse? The Prince’s schedule no longer seems reasonable.”
“Regardless, the prince…”
“You consistently use the Prince’s wishes as a defense.”
Anastasia’s voice grew sharp as the justifications persisted, unbeknownst to her that they were all flawed.
“I will personally meet with the Prince and attempt to persuade him.”
“Your Majesty, it’s…!”
“Does the class finish at 6 o’clock? I’ll return afterward. Please pass on my message to the Prince and keep some time available.”
“…Your Majesty, the Empress.”
Olivia addressed Anastasia with a hint of dissatisfaction.
“You needn’t focus so much on His Highness. I can manage him on my own…”
“I’m uncertain what the hell you know and how competent you are. It’s absurd to make a six-year-old study for 9 hours under the pretext of his desire.”
Anastasia let out a sarcastic scoff in response to Olivia’s words.
“I believe I mentioned it yesterday as well. I am the child’s aunt. It’s only natural for me to be concerned about my nephew. It’s not appropriate for someone else to interfere in that regard. Aren’t you aware that it’s presumptuous?”
“…”
“Although the lady serves as both the nanny and aunt to the prince, I trust you’ll recognize your position. This isn’t Schweig Island and His Majesty serves as the Crown Prince’s legal guardian, not the Fontaine family.”
Anastasia addressed Olivia, her anger thinly veiled.
“Keep in mind, it’s the royal family who appoints the prince’s nanny.”
With the warning delivered, Anastasia turned and departed from the Imperial Palace.
Anastasia’s demeanor upon her return to the Empress’ Palace was unusual.
‘As expected, she’s dangerous. I need to deal with her as soon as possible.’
No one could discern the true intentions hidden within that woman’s dark heart. However, that didn’t imply she could simply ignore the situation.
~~~~
Anastasia arrived at the palace again at 8 p.m., as she had informed Olivia.
“I see the Empress, Moon of the Empire.”
Louis greeted her with a bow, his curly golden hair adding to his adorable and charming demeanor, enough to dispel any regrets Anastasia had about not seeing him earlier in the day.
Anastasia couldn’t tear her gaze away from the adorable sight for even a moment, but soon she snapped back to reality and warmly reciprocated Louis’ greeting.
“Hello, Louis. Did you have a good day today?”
“…Yes.”
However, Louis didn’t seem very cheerful as he responded in a subdued tone.
He appeared weary and drained, which wasn’t surprising considering he had been studying from nine to six.
“I heard you’ve been studying since this morning. You must have had a hard time…”
“Why are you here?”
“What…?”
“What do you need from me?”
The abrupt end to the conversation with a neutral expression and the calm inquiry mirrored the atmosphere of last night’s party.
Despite feeling a bit wounded by the sight, Anastasia maintained a cheerful expression, concealing any indication of distress.
“I’m here to play with Louis.”
“…with me?”
“Yes.”
“…No, I can’t.”
Louis replied slowly, looking at Olivia next to him.
Olivia had said to avoid being with Anastasia as much as possible.
“Huh? Why not? Aren’t you done with your tasks today?”
“It’s…”
“He has homework due tomorrow.”
Olivia unceremoniously responded instead, which led to Anastasia scolding her for her audacity.
“The royal family is conversing. How dare you intervene?”
The royal family…Olivia bit her lip, feeling a sense of discontent with the term she wasn’t yet part of as she explained:
“His Highness the Prince is troubled, so I’m simply speaking on his behalf.”
With a brazen attitude and unwavering expression, she added:
“It’ll be hard for him to go against the orders of Her Majesty the Empress.”
She was certain that she even implied a threat to Louis.
Anastasia exclaimed in disbelief, “Is inviting him to play together considered an order? Even if it were, the lady’s attitude is excessively presumptuous.”
The Empress then commanded, her dissatisfaction apparent.
“Leave us. I wish to converse with the prince alone.”
“Your Majesty, that is…!”
“This is an order.”
Anastasia asserted firmly.
“Leave, Lady Fontaine.”
“…”
No matter how bold the Prince’s nanny felt, she couldn’t defy the Empress’s command.
Olivia bit her lip, tears welled as she gripped her dress tightly, then reluctantly left Louis’ room.
Only then did Anastasia breathe a sigh of relief, but this time, Louis’s expression posed a new challenge. It had become noticeably more hostile towards her than before.
“…”
Anastasia stared at Louis and asked him in a soft voice.
“Do you really have to study again after studying for nine hours today?”
There was a brief pause before Louis responded quietly, “It’s not studying, it’s homework.”
Anastasia countered, “But you’re not playing anyway.”
Louis explained, “…so that tomorrow’s class goes smoothly.”
“If you do your homework now, what time will you finish? 9 o’clock?”
“No, it’ll probably take at least two hours.”
“And afterward… Will you go straight to bed?”
“Yes.”
Anastasia unconsciously clenched her teeth before posing another question.
“Then when will Louis have time to play? When do you get your break? Do you ever take naps?”
“Olivia mentioned that only lazy people take naps.”
Still, it was customary for children. Why else would daycare centers have designated nap times?
“I study for 50 minutes and then take a 10-minute break,” Louis replied.
“That’s not what I mean. I’m asking about longer breaks, like an hour or two,” Anastasia clarified.
“I take a break after classes at 6 o’clock,” Louis responded.
Anastasia was momentarily at a loss for words before posing her final question.
“So, Louis doesn’t get any time to play?”
Louis appeared briefly puzzled but quickly responded casually. “I don’t need to play. Olivia had no influence on that decision, and she said only foolish kids engage in it.”
“Does that mean Louis doesn’t enjoy playing? Do you prefer studying instead?”
Louis couldn’t answer, and Anastasia gave him a knowing look.
‘There isn’t a child in this world who doesn’t enjoy playing.’
It was evident to her that Olivia was the one pressuring him to study.
Anastasia subtly inquired, “Isn’t it difficult to study for nine hours and then do homework?”
At that, Louis’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. Anastasia immediately picked up on this crack and seized the opportunity to delve deeper.
“If you’re struggling, I’ll speak to Olivia and cut down your study time,” Anastasia offered. But was that truly the issue?
Louis shook his head vigorously, his eyes darting like a candle in the wind.
Anastasia observed his demeanor and asked, feeling a bit embarrassed, “You don’t want that? Are you enjoying it now?” Louis nodded again, this time without saying anything.
Anastasia couldn’t quite grasp the situation but opted not to rush things.
‘Let’s take things slowly. It’s only been a day since we reunited with Louis.’
Rushing could potentially harm him. Building a relationship with the child was more important.
With a relaxed smile, she shifted the conversation. “I understand. How about tomorrow, I’ll come early before class, and we’ll spend some time playing together?”
“…”
“I’ve been pondering since last night about how to have a good time with Louis. And so…”
“Why?” Louis interjected, interrupting Anastasia.
“Why do you want to play with me?”
“Because I want to be close to Louis.”
“…with me, why?”
“I want to be friends with Louis!”
Anastasia confessed to Louis, speaking as if sharing her heartfelt desire.
“Becoming friends with me would be enjoyable. I know a lot of fun games. You can look forward to it.”
“…”
“So, won’t you give me a chance to get to know you, Louis?”
Anastasia looked at Louis with sparkling eyes.
Louis looked at Anastasia with bewildered eyes, then closed his eyes and shouted:
“I don’t want to!”
