However, the adoption of Louis was the solution to waiting for Anastasia’s failure to see an heir was an excuse, and several families have already suffered from the problem in the past.
It was a day when time passed peacefully.
“Louis, I’m sorry. Today I’m a little late…”
It was a busy these days, spurring the preparations for the Founding Day, which was not far away.
Anastasia, who visited Louis’ room a little later than usual, entered the room without thinking, and she was startled.
“Gasp…!”
Wilhelm was there. Louis was nowhere to be found.
Anastasia couldn’t hide her embarrassment and she looked at him.
“Your Majesty… … Why are you here?”
“…”
Without an answer, his eyes were a little red.
‘Did you cry?’
It was when Anastasia tried to approach anxiously, wondering what else had happened.
Wilhelm strode up to her and hugged her.
“Ah…!”
Anastasia looked at Wilhelm with a startled look at the sudden hug.
“Your Majesty…”
“…”
“What happened?”
Anastasia asked cautiously, surprised and rigid in his arms.
When I first saw him, his expression was the same, and it certainly seemed like something was going on.
“…No.”
But he denied it in a muffled voice.
“Nothing happened.”
“But why…”
“…just…”
With the words, Wilhelm gave Anastasia more strength in his arms. Rather, Anastasia, who was trying to push him, was even more embarrassed.
“I just thought I had to see you.”
“…”
“That’s why I’m here.”
Anastasia stared at him with a confused look on her face, saying nothing but nonsense.
~~~~
Half an hour ago.
Wilhelm paced for a long time in front of the Empress’ Palace.
‘… Shall we go back.’
It’s been a week.
After the Goddess’ oath at the last regular ball, Wilhelm had surprisingly regained confidence in his innocence.
Rather than realizing it himself, Anastasia’s decision made him do so semi-compulsively.
He thought it was time for him to repay Anastasia’s faith, so he visited the Empress every day.
But it was before that. He couldn’t get inside.
Even if the guilt disappeared, it took a lot of courage to see the face of his nephew who looked just like his dead brother.
He wondered if the child would welcome him… And he still had no idea how to behave in front of the child.
‘…tomorrow.’
In the end, it was time for him to go back, as if he thought it was too much today.
“Isn’t that His Majesty?”
An unexpected voice called for him. When Wilhelm turned his head, there was the Duke of Barantes.
“Right. I see the sun of the empire.”
“It’s late, I didn’t know you were still at the palace.”
“You know, there’s a lot to worry about these days, huh?”
The Duke of Barantes, who had a good laugh, asked shortly afterwards.
“Are you here to see the Empress?”
“…No.”
The Empress’s father, Wilhelm did not want to give him useless expectations.
“It was just… …on the way.”
“Oh, I see.”
…but he didn’t seem to believe his answer.
Wilhelm tried to say the truth, but stopped because he seemed lame.
It was also impossible to emphasize to his father-in-law that his relationship with his daughter was not so good.
“You really hate me. If it weren’t for the Oracle, you would have refused the position of Empress.”
“Of course.”
In an instant, he was reminded of a conversation he had with Anastasia the other day.
‘… The Duke of Barantes must have had the same idea.’
It was only natural to see his nephew’s half-brother in a pitiful way. The two of them were originally on good terms.
A sudden oracle made him related to the Duke of Barantes, but Wilhelm had not yet fully embraced him as a family.
He, the famous daughter fool*, would not abandon Anastasia. Even so, believing was another matter.
*TN: a fool for his daughter
So, the relationship between the two was a bit strange and awkward.
“Would you like to walk for a moment?”
As he was about to return, Duke Barantes unexpectedly caught him.
Wilhelm looked at him with a slightly startled expression.
“If it’s okay with you.”
Wilhelm hesitated and nodded his head.
But it was almost the first time he had asked for a solo meeting, so Wilhelm had to hide his embarrassment.