CH 27

(3rd Person POV)

It was ten days later that Wilhelm heard about Anastasia from Colton again.

“It is said that Her Majesty made more than 10 million rosen in profit from the auction a few days ago.”

Since Anastasia did not seek any assistance or pay any brokerage fee, the total amount that came from the successful bidding’s all belonged to her.

To be honest, Wilhelm was not surprised after he saw the line of people in front of the Empress’s Palace. He had already expected it to some extent. 

“That’s amazing.”

He expressed his thoughts in a few words, and Colton was surprised since it was Wilhelm’s first positive reaction towards Anastasia.

Never had he said anything nice about Anastasia since they got married.

Of course, it was also because Anastasia hasn’t done anything to deserve praise.

“I didn’t expect for you to ever say that.”

“A job well done should be commended regardless.”

Wilhelm responded as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“It’s not easy to organize an auction, but she did an excellent job.”

The Empress was originally a very troublesome woman, who was constantly shouting for a provisional allowance. Since it was all due to lack of money to spend, just like how the usual nobles sweep away their money.

Please do not repost our translation. Read only at Pink Muffin Translations.

‘Was it really all just a play before?’

‘That is the part that makes it an unsolved mystery. Why did she do that and for what purpose?’

“Where does Her Majesty the Empress spend all that money?”

At that moment, Colton’s voice broke through his thoughts. Wilhelm thought for a moment, then murmured.

“Well…..”

“But even up to this moment, she still has not requested for any designer or tailor to commission a new dress.”

Colton contemplated on what it could be.

“It has already been a month since she declared she will now be frugal. It’s not a period that most noblewomen could withstand.”

Colton was right. Whether it was a young lady or noblewoman, they would always request a tailor to be fitted for a new dress. 

Even if Anastasia was to do the same now, it wouldn’t be considered out of the norms.

It was because wearing out-of-date or worn-out dresses to any social gatherings was deemed a disgrace to the family.

[pr/n: ah social construct….you can go now.]

For young ladies especially, it would have a greater impact since it would be related to their future marriage. They must make sure they dress well in order to gain a competitive advantage.

‘Of course, it would be no problem for the Empress to endure this long just to prove that she had in fact changed.’

The fact that she hasn’t been fitted for a dress in over a month, it can make her emotionally unstable. Wilhelm thought that it may be the case.

She was a woman who had a lot of dresses to the point that it made her seem obsessive.

‘However…..’

Wilhelm, however, thought a little differently this time.

[pr/n: oh thank gawd, I was about to slap some sense into you.]

“Shall we make a bet?”

“A bet?”

Colton suddenly looked at Wilhelm with a worried expression.

“You can go ahead and bet that the Empress will save up money to be used to buying new dresses, and I will have a different bet.”

“You’ll be betting differently?”

“And…I just know that I would win this wager.”

Wilhelm concluded the result as if saying it beforehand will not change the outcome. He still remembered the time that he had spent with Anastasia in the countryside. 

Please do not repost our translation. Read only at Pink Muffin Translations.

“I bet she will use it for charitable purposes.”

“For charity?!”

Upon hearing Wilhelm’s answer, Colton was incredulous.

“Are you not too trusting of Her Majesty the Empress’ changed behavior? When she had only volunteered just once?!”

Colton continued to insist with a skeptical voice.

“To be honest, I think that she had only done that to show off. Apart from the fact that she resembled a changed person.”

“Then it would be a bet in your favor. You won’t be refusing this bet, would you?”

“Well then, I accept this wager!”

Colton readily accepted the bet.

“But you can’t change your mind later just because it’s in my favor to win.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t change my mind.”

“What would happen if I lost?”

“If you lose, let’s have a three consecutive days of vigil.”

“Three consecutive days?!”

Colton doubted his hearing for a moment. 

‘Was the Emperor thinking of killing himself via work…?’

But he quickly agreed to the conditions.

“All right. I won’t lose anyway.”

“That’s great that you have a lot of confidence.”

[pr/n: RIP Colton, RIP.]

“What will I win, Your Majesty?”

“I will give you three days off.”

Colton’s eyes widened. 

‘A vacation? Really?!’

“If you win, you don’t need to come to the palace for three days.”

“You can never take back your word, okay?”

“I never break my promise.

“Yes!”

Colton left Wilhelm’s office with a rare glow radiating about him.

‘Three days off! I better plan it well so that I can maximize my time off!’

While Colton was excited with thinking up various plans on how to spend his vacation. Wilhelm grinned as he looked at his back and returned his attention to the paperwork.

The winner between the two was already decided exactly the next day.

-ˏˋ ━━━━━━ ʚɞ ━━━━━━ ˊˎ-

(3rd Person POV)

“How are you feeling, Melina?”

Inside the rattling carriage, Anastasia asked in an elegant voice.

Melina, who was staring blankly out the window, looked at her in surprise.

“Oh, it was a great experience, Your Majesty!”

“Really?”

“Yes. Those kids were so cute too. It was hard, but it was quite enjoyable and something to be proud of at the same time.”

Melina replied with a broad smile.

The two were now returning back from volunteer work in a village that was quite a distance away from the Imperial Palace.

It was a visit to one of Anastasia’s sponsored multi-child families before her regression.

“And once again, I felt that Her Majesty was amazing.”

“Me?”

“Yes. How did you manage to find a home that was in desperate need of help? If we hadn’t come today, that family would have been in great trouble.”

Melina frowned as she recalled the conditions of the old shack from a few hours ago.

Please do not repost our translation. Read only at Pink Muffin Translations.

“You were so incredible! I was blown away by Her Majesty’s ability today.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Anastasia responded with a blushing face.

“I was worried that you might have a hard time today because it was your first time doing some volunteer work, but I’m glad you were okay.”

“It was really great. Next time, let’s…… Ahh!”

The carriage suddenly shook violently causing Melina to scream, as it violently stopped on the spot.

Anastasia opened the window and asked with a puzzled expression.

“What’s going on?”

“It looks like the wheels of the wagon had gotten stuck in the mud because of yesterday’s rain, Your Majesty.”

The coachman looked at the wheels of the wagon and shook his head.

“It is buried quite deeply. It would take some time before we could pull it out.”

“Your Majesty, it’s already time for dinner. Why don’t we spend the time waiting by going to eat in the nearby village?”

Anastasia nodded her agreement at one of her maid’s suggestions.

“That sounds good. Since we’ve been traveling for a long time now, the horses and knights will be able to take a rest as well.”

“Then this is perfect! The Santoro region we are in now is famous for its desserts. Now that we are here, it would be nice to taste one of their culinary masterpieces.”

Please do not repost our translation. Read only at Pink Muffin Translations.

“Wow, for their desserts? I’m really looking forward to it now! Your Majesty, let’s go!”

Melina was very excited and pulled Anastasia along. This made Anastasia smile cheerfully as they headed towards the nearby village.

Fortunately, the place where the carriage was stuck was not that too far from downtown.

“Wow, look at that candy bar over there!”

As soon as they entered the town, the stalls full of colorful desserts caught their attention immediately.

Melina looked around the street, shifting her gaze from place to place.

“How can candy be so pretty?”

“Right?! They even decorated the streets so beautifully”.

Even though they were just walking for a short period, the sweet smell had already made its way to their noses.

If one were to stay here for a long time, the sweet smell will no doubt permeate throughout their body.

No matter where they looked, they would be able to find a dessert stall without difficulty.

In terms of different types of desserts and its quantity, it looked similar to or in some cases, more superior to that of its cousins in the capital.

Anastasia muttered in admiration.

“I guess this place is really famous for its desserts.”

“Right next to Santoro Region is the city of Molasses, which is famous for growing sugar cane. I guess that’s why.”

“A wide variety of desserts would naturally be developed if there was a nearby supply of sugar from its neighboring city.”

At that moment, Melina pulled on Anastasia’s dress sleeve and asked her a question.

“Shall we eat that? It’s a rainbow-colored candy.”

“That looks good but we have to eat something first, Melina.”

Anastasia dissuaded Melina like a mother placating her child.

Please do not repost our translation. Read only at Pink Muffin Translations.

“I might lose my appetite and not be able to eat it…”

“Then why don’t we eat just for a little bit and then come back right away to buy it?”

“Okay…oh, would you like to have dinner over there?”

Anastasia pointed to a restaurant with a cute white exterior.

Melina nodded and they headed towards the restaurant.”

The inside of the restaurant was bigger than what it looked like from the outside. Anastasia and Melina chose the corner seats.

The two of them ordered a cream pasta, seafood risotto, and a salad topped with cream cheese, and then resumed their conversation.

[pr/n: well, guess who is hungry now but I have questions about a salad topped with cream cheese…]

“Isn’t the interior here so pretty? It’s very cute.”

“Yes, after living in the large and splendid Imperial Palace, visiting places such as this is quite refreshing.”

“You must have been so frustrated as you are always staying inside the palace.” 

“Well, it can be stifling sometimes. It’s nice to be able to do some volunteer work like this from time to time.”

While tearing the bread and dipping it into olive oil. Anastasia suddenly remembered something and asked Melina.

“By the way, have you made a decision about what I suggested last time?”

“Suggested…ah, okay.”

Although Anastasia didn’t exactly clarify what she was asking, Melina understood her words.

“…….”

Melina put down the fork that she was using for the salad and carefully opened her mouth to speak.

“I am sorry, Your Majesty…but I don’t think I will be able to accept Her Majesty’s request.”