“Are you just going to leave?”
Wilhelm paused, puzzled by Anastasia’s question, and looked at her.
Why was she stopping him? For a moment, he felt a surge of unfamiliar hope, expecting something else.
“Prince Louis… you’re not going to see him?” she asked, and he quickly realized it wasn’t what he’d thought. A slight feeling of emptiness washed over him, though he barely recognized it.
If he had, he’d have been unsettled by how unlike himself it was.
“…Maybe next time.”
Fortunately—or perhaps, unfortunately—the mention of Louis from Anastasia carried such weight that Wilhelm had no room to dwell on his subconscious thoughts.
“Not now,”
“…”
“Next time.”
“Alright.” She didn’t push him, knowing it wasn’t her place. Much like Louis, Wilhelm had built up defenses against connecting with him. Their relationship would take time.
“Louis…” Wilhelm hesitated before asking, “Is he doing well?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Anastasia nodded, her smile shifting as if nearly forgetting to bring it up herself.
“By the way, I came by to see you last night…”
“Oh, right—you mentioned you had something to tell me?”
“Yes, I’ve chosen a new nanny for Prince Louis.”
“Very well, as you see fit.”
“…what?” Anastasia looked at him, clearly surprised. “You’re not even going to ask who it is?”
“Because I trust you.”
That simple response left her speechless, and she froze.
Wilhelm continued, oblivious to her reaction. “I know how much Louis means to you. I trust you’d choose someone well-suited for him.”
“Well… but…”
“Yes, alright, I’ll hear it. Who is it?”
“It’s Countess Fiagel.”
“Oh, I know of her. Rodri was well-regarded for managing to educate the marquis’ troublesome grandson,” Wilhelm said thoughtfully, then smiled. “Exactly what I would’ve expected. I hardly needed to ask.”
“Don’t you… trust me a little too much?”
The man who once loathed and scorned Anastasia now, somehow… Why did he trust her so deeply?
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, Anastasia unconsciously bit her lip.
She appreciated his confidence but felt a lingering unease, recognizing the danger in letting down her guard.
“Especially when it comes to the Prince’s care,” Wilhelm added.
At his words, Anastasia looked up, dazed. He was smiling—a smile she loved… Her heart raced and then fell.
“Yes, I believe in you. Your sincerity is clear to me.”
Anastasia’s gaze softened as Wilhelm’s voice, unexpectedly gentle, stirred something deep within her. She clenched the hem of her dress, feeling her heart race.
‘This situation… it doesn’t seem good,’ she thought, yet an unspoken part of her mind tried to justify it. After all, it concerned Louis, whom she had cared for diligently. Wilhelm’s trust in her made sense—it was simply because she had shown him her commitment to Louis.
‘So…’
She wondered whether it was right to accept such kindness.
~~~~
When she returned from meeting Wilhelm, Louis was waiting patiently.
“Did I keep you waiting, Louis? I’m sorry.”
Louis shook his head.
“Shall I sit so you can keep drawing?”
Louis nodded again. Anastasia smiled and settled in place, glancing at him as he resumed his work in silence. Only the sound of his pencil filled the room. Anastasia wondered why he hadn’t asked her about her talk with his uncle. Children were often curious about such things, weren’t they?
Just as Anastasia felt disheartened by the unexpected turn of events, Louis broke the silence and spoke up.
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Yes?”
“May I ask you something?”
Anastasia’s heart raced with anticipation.
“If you don’t mind…”
“Ask anything, Louis.”
“…”
Louis hesitated, making her smile grow, sensing he wanted to ask about Wilhelm.
“That’s…”
She softly coaxed him, “It’s alright, Louis. Go on.”
Finally, he spoke, though nervously. “It’s nothing… I was just wondering what you and His Majesty talked about.”
“Oh?”
“Why was he here? He’s never come here before…”
“How did you notice, Louis?” Anastasia asked, a little surprised. Louis blushed, looking a bit flustered.
“It was obvious,” he mumbled. “He’s… never visited here.”
Anastasia felt unexpectedly pleased, realizing Louis wasn’t entirely indifferent to Wilhelm.
‘But how to respond?’ The truth was tricky, as it would burden him with thoughts of adoption, and lying wasn’t appealing either.
‘It’s better not to tell him everything,’ she decided. After all, he was too young to be entangled in such politics.
“To make sure you’re doing well, Louis.” Anastasia’s reply wasn’t entirely untrue; Wilhelm had asked after him.
“Really?” Louis’s eyes wavered with doubt.
Anastasia nodded, but then he pressed, “Then why didn’t he see me?”
“It’s…”
“I knew it… Uncle must hate me.”
Before Anastasia could offer an explanation, Louis reached his conclusion, leaving her momentarily stunned, her words caught in her throat.
“Surely…”
“Oh, no…”
Anastasia snapped out of her shock and quickly denied his assumption.
“No, Louis, why would you think that?”
“Olivia said so.” At the mention of that name, Anastasia’s whole body tensed. Louis continued sadly, unaware of her reaction. “She said he wouldn’t like me.”
How…how dare she!
Anastasia clenched the hem of her dress. Anger surged, but right now Louis needed comfort more than her fury. Anastasia stood up, walked over to Louis with his slumped shoulders, and wrapped him in a warm embrace, holding him close.
“Ah…”
Was he startled by the unexpected gesture?
Louis quivered in her arms like a fragile little bird.
“Louis,” Anastasia’s gentle voice softly called the child’s name, easing the tension in his small frame. “There’s something I haven’t told you.”
“What is it?” he whispered.
“I love you.”
Her throat tightened as she spoke, her eyes stinging. She repeated, her voice barely steady, “I love you, Louis.”
She hadn’t thought she’d be able to say those words again since her return. It was a feeling she’d almost forgotten.
Having once lost everything in the name of love, the words were painful to say, as if a thorn was lodged in her throat. Yet she whispered, “I love you, Louis. I truly do.”
And she wanted him to know, to believe it deeply. “Your uncle loves you too, Louis.”
“…That’s a lie,” he muttered immediately. “If he cared, why would he leave without seeing me?”
“Your uncle’s been hurt, Louis,” she replied gently, patting his back. “Honestly… he hasn’t fully healed yet. So…”
She paused briefly before continuing, “He might just lack the courage to face you right now.”
“What kind of wound?” Louis asked softly.
“It’s…” She couldn’t tell him it was because seeing him brought painful memories of his late father. Instead, she chose her words carefully. “The wounds from the past run deep in him. He needs time to let them heal.”
Meeting his eyes, she added firmly, “But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you, Louis—not at all.”
“…”
“I’m sorry. It’s too difficult for me to explain…”
“Then,” Louis gently interrupted Anastasia, asking, “When can he come back?”
“…”
“Your Majesty?”
“Um…” Anastasia, caught off guard by the unexpected question, replied, “If he comes, would you be willing to meet him, Louis?”
After a brief silence, Louis answered shyly, “I’m not sure.”
“What?”
“When I’m with Her Majesty… I think I could meet him.”
Anastasia’s eyes widened in surprise, pleased by his answer. “Have you changed your mind since staying at the Empress’ Palace?”
The last time she suggested he see Wilhelm, he’d been frightened and reluctant. So she hadn’t pressed further…
‘Wilhelm’s own hesitation to meet Louis is because he fears Louis might resent or dislike him,’ she thought.
Now, knowing Louis might feel differently, there was a chance for progress between them. A hopeful smile spread across Anastasia’s face.
“Of course, Louis. I’ll always be by your side.”
Thanks for the chapter 🌹