Louis proved to be more challenging than Anastasia initially anticipated.
Anastasia found herself walking with helpless strides towards the Empress’ Palace, her efforts yielding no progress.
‘This is difficult… Before, when I approached him like this, he quickly warmed up to me.’
It was baffling to witness him actively avoiding her.
‘I believe this journey will be tougher than I anticipated.’ Anastasia felt concerned, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
‘No, I can’t give up. It’s too early to feel disheartened already.’
If one earnestly knocked on the door of a child’s heart, they would eventually open the door—it had always been Anastasia’s belief.
‘Let’s not rush things. There are still three months until Avelin arrives. Let’s take it slow.’
Anastasia clenched her fists and pumped them in the air.
“Come on, come on, fight! You can do it, ah!”
“What’s got you so determined?”
“Ahh!” Naturally, she only acted that way thinking that no one was around. So when Wilhelm’s voice unexpectedly came from behind, Anastasia, startled, swiftly turned around.
“You’ve been quiet lately, and it’s very refreshing.”
Wilhelm approached her with a smile on his face.
~~~~
He favored nocturnal strolls over bright days.
It was during these dark hours when everyone was asleep that he could indulge in deep contemplation without any interruptions.
Even during bouts of insomnia, taking a walk for a short while aided him in falling asleep.
Typically, his stroll concluded after circling the garden of the Central Palace.
Of course, there were occasions when he impulsively ventured to other locations.
Like today.
“Come on, come on, fight! You can do it, ah!”
It was astonishing to witness the Empress, who had been reserved since the previous year, raise her fist in the air and shout enthusiastically.
Even that was funny. In truth, Anastasia had always been a very vocal individual.
It seemed absurd that he had overlooked her true personality simply because she had been composed for less than a year.
“Your Majesty…”
“I never thought I’d run into you in this place like this.”
“…I know.”
In the dim light, it was evident that she was feeling quite embarrassed, her cheeks flushed with color.
It was amusing and cute to see her recoil in embarrassment the moment she realized someone was present.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was just taking a walk. I can’t sleep.”
“…I see.”
“Where were you coming from?”
Wilhelm discreetly glanced at the direction she had come from before remarking, “It seems you’ve come from the Imperial Palace.”
“Yes, I was there to visit Prince Louis,” she confirmed.
“You’re more concerned than I realized, visiting the Prince at this hour,” Wilhelm noted.
“Louis has a busier schedule than I do, so this was the only time we could meet,” she explained.
“Is his schedule really that packed? They only arrived from Schweig Island yesterday.”
“It appears so. When I expressed my concerns to Lady Fontaine, she remained tight-lipped, stating that Louis had also consented… Well, all we can do is wait and see.”
“So, how did your time with Louis go?”
“…”
Would he laugh at her if she confessed she was kicked out without doing anything?
Seeing Anastasia just cough without answering, Wilhelm easily deduced the situation.
“I guess you didn’t do much.”
“…how did you know?”
“It’s obvious.”
Wilhelm smiled bitterly.
“Empress.”
He suddenly called Anastasia. She looked at Wilhelm in silence.
After a pause, he finally spoke up. “You don’t need to exert yourself too much.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Trying so hard to bond with Louis… I mean, you don’t have to push yourself,” he clarified.
“What do you mean?” Anastasia said, furrowing her brows. “I don’t understand. I’m his aunt. There’s nothing wrong with building a relationship, and it’s natural for us to be close. We’re family.”
“Family.”
Deep in thought over Anastasia’s words, Wilhelm soon muttered bitterly. “Well, does he feel the same way?”
“What?” Anastasia questioned.
“He might not desire it. It’s understandable if he’s cautious of us. He’s…”
Wilhelm’s sentence trailed off, his expression hinting at something he struggled to articulate. Eventually, much later, he managed to gather himself and calmly confessed.
“Because he believes I’m responsible for his parents’ deaths.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“You, my Empress, are, of course, a part of me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re not aware either,” Wilhelm stated, his gaze fixed on Anastasia. “What rumors were circulating when I first ascended to the throne?”
She was aware. Anastasia bit her lip.
Three years ago, Alexander and his wife died in a carriage accident at one o’clock.
An autopsy conducted on the horse pulling the carriage revealed that it had consumed mad grass. Consequently, rumors spread, alleging that Wilhelm, consumed by ambition for the throne, had orchestrated the death of his half-brother, Alexander.
Wilhelm became the prime suspect as he was the last person to have ridden in the carriage with the deceased. Moreover, Wilhelm stood to gain the most from Alexander’s demise.
Although Louis was present, he was too young to ascend the throne at three years old. Furthermore, the Empress, who would have served as regent, perished alongside the Emperor.
However, there was insufficient evidence to incriminate Wilhelm for Alexander’s death. Additionally, the nobles who supported Wilhelm preferred not to prolong the investigation, resulting in the Emperor and Empress’s deaths being deemed a mere accident.
Subsequently, when Anastasia received the oracle and ascended to the position of Empress, the legitimacy of Wilhelm’s rule was bolstered. This was due to a prevalent belief that if Wilhelm truly were a nefarious individual who had orchestrated the Emperor’s demise, the Goddess would not have chosen his Empress herself.
Ultimately, those who had discussed the Emperor’s fate also retreated into obscurity, but there remained numerous individuals who believed in conspiracy theories.
“You’re the one who solidified the legitimacy of my precarious throne. Whether you acknowledge it or not, that’s the truth.”
Silence followed his statement.
“Without the Empress chosen by the Goddess, my imperial authority would be jeopardized by those who still refuse to recognize me.”
“Even if there are individuals of that mindset…”
Anastasia’s voice quivered as she spoke. “Your greatness as the Emperor will soon be evident, and the rumors will fade away.”
“Will they?” Wilhelm responded, a smile forming on his lips for the first time. However, a lingering sadness remained.
“Thank you. If your intention was to console me, you’ve succeeded. That’s a comforting thing to say.”
Silence followed.
“Now that Louis has resurfaced, the speculation about the Emperor will likely resurface as well.”
The mouths of many could be fearsome. If someone decided to reignite the discussion about the Emperor, people would quickly become embroiled in it again.
‘And it’s likely to be the Fontaine family.’
They were the most probable beneficiaries of such actions.
As Louis matures, he may grow increasingly discontented, resenting that the throne was rightfully his. This resentment may lead him to strive to reclaim his position as a member of the Emperor’s family.
“The Imperial Palace will be bustling once more. I won’t be able to stand silently like a culprit again.”
“Your Majesty…”
“Was our private conversation too lengthy?” Wilhelm smiled sheepishly.
“Don’t worry. It won’t harm you. Even if the rumors are true, they won’t tarnish the Empress chosen by the oracle.”
“…”
“Then, please return home safely.”
Was it too much of a burden to divulge so much of the inner workings?
Wilhelm bid a hasty farewell and walked past Anastasia.
She continued to bite her lip, watching him depart. Imagining his distress over his nephew, whom he cherished above all others, she also felt distressed.
‘There’s only one thing I can do for him now.’
Becoming closer to Louis. It was something she had to do for the sake of everyone she cared about.
Anastasia’s eyes, fixed on Wilhelm’s disappearing figure, grew increasingly red.
~~~~
The dawn of the second day at the Imperial Palace.
Louis rose early that morning as well. With a class scheduled for 10 o’clock, he felt more at ease compared to the previous day.
“My baby, I’m so proud of you. You handled yourself admirably against the Empress yesterday, even in my absence,” Olivia commended Louis throughout the meal.
Louis chewed on his lettuce thoughtfully before speaking up.
“Maybe she won’t come anymore, will she?”
“Who?”
“Her Majesty the Empress.”
“I heard you dismissed her yesterday because you didn’t like her,” Olivia remarked with a shrug. “Then she won’t return. She must have her pride too.”
Louis responded. “I guess so.”
“You needn’t worry. Even if she does come back, we can dismiss her again, just like yesterday.”
Approaching Louis from behind, Olivia softly laid her hand on his shoulder and inquired, “Can you do it?”
Louis responded quietly, “…yes.”
“Good, my baby. You listen well.” Olivia praised, smiling warmly as she ran her fingers through Louis’ soft hair.
“Now, eat your breakfast and take some rest. I’ll be away for a little while.”
After breakfast, it was already 9 o’clock, and Louis found himself contemplating how to spend the remaining hour.
“Louis, what are you doing?” he heard a voice inquire.
Perplexed, he looked around, wondering if he was hallucinating.
“Hello, Louis,” Anastasia greeted cheerfully as she entered with a bright smile.
