“Anastasia.”
The voice that suddenly interrupted the conversation made the women who were talking on the street turn their gazes to the owner of the voice.
A woman who had been there for some time with a soft smile on her lips once again told the women the real name of the Princess that they had been curious about.
“This is Princess Anastasia.”
The woman’s true identity was Lisa, a maid who had worked under Hariel for quite some time. The Brillion family had amassed wealth using Seliya, but when they were abandoned by Seliya, they held a grudge and took the lead in instigating her by calling her a witch.
Lisa, who had watched all of this from right next to them, had left them early and was staying with her relatives in the capital.
It was Lisa who testified that the Brillion family had been auctioning off Seliya to men, even though they called it a public marriage.
When she was in the Viscount’s mansion, she knew that Seliya was being treated unfairly, but she couldn’t do anything about it.
In fact, how did Seliya, who was the Princess of a kingdom, feel while living in the Viscount’s mansion?
Lisa felt her heart swell and looked up at the clear sky. It was a cloudless day.
The long, stretched-out sunlight was shining brighter than usual.
***
“I’ve almost collected the bodies of those who died because of Illeon, but I have to select new imperial knights. I have to select servants and repair the imperial palace...”
Dietrich stared blankly at Seliya, who was talking while only covering herself with a blanket.
“...Are you listening to me?”
Seliya narrowed her eyes at Dietrich, who was half-listening to what she was saying.
“Are you talking about work as soon as you wake up?”
Seliya chuckled at Dietrich’s words.
“Then, did you think it would be easy to abandon a ruined dynasty and establish a new country?”
“I think it would be nice to just the two of us go on a trip without establishing a country.”
Dietrich whispered as he pulled Seliya to him.
Dietrich’s large hand slid into the blanket that was covering Seliya’s body.
Dietrich knew exactly where to touch Seliya to please her.
When he touched a sensitive spot, Seliya grabbed Dietrich’s strong forearm and dug her nails.
‘If this keeps up, I’m going to waste another day.’
Seliya barely suppressed the strange sensation and glared at Dietrich.
“You, you didn’t get tired after doing that last night?”
Dietrich answered, kissing Seliya’s cheek.
“Not at all.”
Seliya stared at Dietrich’s body, which was in its natural state, unlike her own body, which was wrapped in a blanket.
Between the perfectly woven muscles, there were traces of the colorful things Seliya had done the night before. Seliya coughed in vain and looked away when she saw his muscles that were angry and ready to attack her at any moment, rather than showing any signs of fatigue.
“I told you. I won’t do anything you don’t like.”
Dietrich let go of Seliya obediently.
When Dietrich’s hand finally fell away, Seliya felt regretful.
“It’s not that I’m weird. I feel regretful because this man has healing powers.”
Seliya nodded her head up and down, making absurd rationalizations.
Dietrich knew what Seliya was thinking just by looking at her expression, and a strange smile formed on his lips. Dietrich, who had been staring at Seliya, opened his mouth.
“...Asha.”
Even though her real name was called, Seliya was caught up in the feeling of someone else’s name being called, which was very unfamiliar.
Because she thought that she would never be called by her own name, or even by the nickname her parents used to call her.
“Anderson is capable. Very capable.”
Seliya immediately understood Dietrich’s meaning.
“Are you going to roll around in bed again today and leave all your work to Sir Anderson?”
“I’m not rolling around in bed. It’s a sacred ritual to heal your body.”
Seliya couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing at Dietrich’s words.
The refreshing laughter echoed throughout the bedroom.
Anderson had been standing by the door since early morning, timing his report.
“Capable! The lord really trusts me. I have to work harder.”
Anderson wiped away the tears that flowed against his will with the back of his hand and left.
Popo was sitting on Anderson’s head, dozing off.
Popo, who had been sitting on Anderson’s head as if it were a nest, opened his eyes with a relaxed expression and then fell asleep again.
It was spring.
***
The most vehement opponents of establishing a new nation were the privileged class.
The high-ranking nobles, who could not easily give up their power, ended up inciting Balt.
“Your Excellency the Duke of Portman. Wouldn’t it be better for you to take the throne?”
The old elder spoke to Balt on behalf of the nobles.
Balt laughed in disbelief.
Who is Dietrich?
He was the one who killed Arthur.
Balt knew very well how strong Arthur, who was called a genius magician, was.
When Dietrich killed Arthur, Balt realized something.
He realized that Dietrich was stronger than he, who was called the best swordsman.
It was better to persuade him and save his life than to blindly charge and die a pitiful death.
Pride? What does that mean?
Pride can only be built when one is alive.
Look at the dead Arthur and Illeon.
“What can I do? I have no intention of sitting on the throne.”
The wrinkles around the elder’s eyes, which were already numerous, deepened even more at Balt’s firm words.
Balt banged his chin on the desk with one hand.
Then, as if he had remembered something, he suddenly stood up.
“Wait a minute. I should go to the palace and ask.”
The elder’s face, which had never been bright, brightened.
However, Balt’s words continued and his face hardened.
“Will the Princess be the Emperor or will that bastard be the Emperor? I think the Princess is more suited to be the Emperor.”
"Yo, your Highness...!”
“What do you think, old man?”
Balt’s dark gray eyes turned to the elder.
The elder was so shocked that he couldn’t say anything and grabbed the back of his neck.
Balt snorted and slammed the desk down with a loud noise.
The expensive mahogany desk cracked with his brute force.
“I’m going to die from frustration. Don’t be a jerk, just accept it! Knowing how to adapt when times change is also an ability!”
Balt shook his hand off and left the room.
The elder who had been holding the back of his neck was so shocked that he fainted.
When the fainted elder finally came to his senses a few days later, the name of Abelon had already been changed to Anastasia.
***
As Dietrich had said, Anderson was truly capable.
Anderson, who had declared the destruction of the great empire of Abelon on a grand scale and expressed his intention to name the country Anastasia, expressed his intention to make sure that the people’s lives were not disrupted as much as possible. He did not hastily take away the authority that the nobles had.
The nobles, who had been blinded by the thought of having what they had taken away, were relieved.
Of course, this was a trick.
Instead of taking away the nobles’ titles, Anderson had them watch each other.
Those who reported evil deeds were rewarded, and those who were reported were punished, so dozens of reports poured in every day.
The nobles who had colluded with Illeon or who had wielded power and done all sorts of dirty things had their titles and properties completely confiscated.
“That bastard Illeon killed all the imperial family members, so there are hardly any people in the palace. The country has become somewhat stable, but the palace is completely empty...”
Anderson narrowed his eyebrows with a serious expression.
Popo poked Anderson’s head with his beak as if asking him to play.
Seliya, who was watching Popo follow Anderson quite well, asked Anderson,
“Do we have to select new imperial knights, palace maids, and servants?”
“Yes, my lady. Since more than half of the dead were nobles, it will take some time to fill them.”
“Do they have to be nobles?”
Anderson’s eyes widened at Seliya’s question.
Dietrich, who was standing next to Seliya, looked sharply at Anderson, who was not taking his eyes off Seliya.
Anderson coughed loudly and asked Seliya for her opinion.
“What do you mean, Madam...?”
“We’ll choose regardless of background. As long as they have the ability, that’s enough.”
Seliya smiled faintly.
“After we choose the imperial family, we’ll also hold a grand coronation ceremony for the Emperor.”
Seliya looked up at Dietrich and said.
“You be the Emperor.”
Dietrich made a displeased face.
“The Emperor suits you better, not me.”
“I hate being bothered. You be the Emperor.”
Seliya said bluntly.
What can I do when my beloved lover says something like that?
“...Okay.”
He had no choice but to follow.
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