Chapter 23: A joyful morning banter

The day after the victory banquet.

“Oh no! I’ve overslept!”

Anastasia, upon waking, checked the angle of the sunlight streaming through the window and was startled.

Although it was still early enough for most people to be sound asleep, it was much later than her usual waking time.

She usually started her day an hour or two earlier than this.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to survive in the imperial palace, where suffocating conspiracies lurked day after day.

Was it because of the accumulated fatigue from the Demon Lord subjugation?

No, more than that…

‘Logan was truly wonderful yesterday…’

The biggest reason was likely that she couldn’t fall asleep properly because she kept replaying the enchanting moments she had spent with him at the banquet hall.

The moment his blue eyes sparkled at her, the feel of his strong arm around her waist as they entrusted themselves to the waltz’s melody.

“Ah… Logan…”

Anastasia knew that the time she had spent with Logan these past few days was reality, not a dream.

She could clearly perceive it now.

But because it was so sweet and enchanting, a dreamlike afterglow couldn’t help but continue to tickle her heart.

His low voice, the deep gaze he fixed on her, and…

Even his warm presence.

All of it was so intense that it felt surreal.

“Oh my, look at me!”

Anastasia, without realizing it, found herself blushing as she replayed her moments with Logan again as soon as she woke up.

Thinking that if she continued to lie in bed absentmindedly, just thinking about Logan, she might not be able to start her day.

She hurriedly got out of bed and began to get ready.

She was no longer the powerless princess who had been persecuted and ignored in the imperial palace in the past.

She had become the Crown Princess, who had risen to a position no one dared to covet, as the Emperor had declared he would entrust all state affairs to her.

However, as she was used to taking care of everything herself since she was young, she didn’t call for handmaidens or servants for help.

Even yesterday, she had prepared for the banquet by herself without seeking anyone’s assistance.

Despite having gotten ready by herself, Anastasia’s appearance was impeccably beautiful.

Her platinum blonde hair was neatly combed, and her simple yet dignified attire did not detract from her nobility in the slightest.

However, she meticulously checked her appearance in the mirror more diligently than usual, adjusting her attire.

Because she would see Logan every day now.

She had requested him to be her escort along with Renate, so he would be by her side, protecting and watching over her all day long.

Therefore, she had to pay even more attention.

‘Hmm… there isn’t anything strange or lacking, right?’

Anastasia resolved that from the next day onwards, she would have handmaidens like Lulu and Lala help her get ready.

Because she wanted to appear even a little more beautiful to him.

She didn’t want to show even the smallest flaw.

---

“Gasp…!”

Anastasia, who had diligently finished getting ready and left her bedroom, couldn’t help but gasp.

It was understandable, as it wasn’t Renate standing guard in front of the door as usual…

“Lo-Logan…!?”

“Ah… Good morning, Anya.”

“Lo-Logan… why… are you here…?”

“Ah, I was waiting in front of the door, just in case.”

He didn’t think anyone would dare target her in this imperial palace.

However, yesterday, when Emperor Valerius declared he would entrust all state affairs to Anastasia.

There were several people who, despite trying their best not to show it outwardly, had their expressions harden chillingly or their eyes glint ominously.

Logan, who hadn’t missed that, had been guarding her bedroom door, thinking ‘just in case’.

Because the time one feels most peaceful and secure could be more dangerous than any other.

However, seeing Anastasia blush and look flustered, Logan felt apologetic.

It felt like he had invaded her private space, and he thought he might have made her uncomfortable.

“Anya, um… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you…”

“Ah, no! Not at all! In fact, I’m happy, Logan. Because the first face I saw when I opened the door was yours…”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, no! Ahem..!”

Anastasia hurriedly cleared her throat because she had inadvertently revealed her inner thoughts.

She couldn’t understand why she became a fool whenever she was in front of this person.

Especially since controlling herself was what she had been most confident about.

Why was she becoming so foolish…

She really couldn’t understand.

However, it was only natural.

Because Anastasia had been suppressing her affection and longing for Logan for a very long time.

In addition, her insides had festered from holding back her anger at Irene’s cold treatment of Logan.

Perhaps, for her, enduring her anger towards Irene had been more difficult than subjugating the Demon Lord’s army.

All those emotions were now beginning to burst out, little by little, very carefully.

Anyway, Anastasia, who soon regained her composure, asked Logan with a slightly sheepish attitude.

“Um, excuse me… but where is Renate?”

Her escort knight, who should naturally have been there, was nowhere to be seen.

Of course, it was better that Logan was protecting her instead of Renate…

But it was surprising that Renate, who never left her side for a moment, was not visible.

“Ah, Sir Renate said she had some business to attend to for a moment…”

“Ah, is that so?”

Anastasia quickly realized.

What business?

It seemed Renate had considerately stepped aside for them.

It had been like that since the garden yesterday; it was obvious Renate was deliberately trying to create opportunities for her to be alone with him.

Anastasia admired her escort knight’s thoughtfulness and thought she should praise her for her efforts with a smile.

“But more importantly, Logan…”

“Yes?”

Anastasia somehow felt a mischievous urge towards Logan, who seemed somewhat tense.

Sir Renate, huh.

Until recently, he had addressed her with the honorific ‘Lady’ before her name. Had Renate perhaps given him some light instruction?

To be properly acknowledged in the imperial palace from now on, getting used to the titles first was indeed correct.

Because there would be plenty of people who would pick fights with him over all sorts of things, now that he had suddenly become her escort.

But setting aside such stiff thoughts for now.

Anastasia decided to tease him with a playful smile.

“Do you prefer ‘Logan’? Or ‘Sir Logan’?”

Actually, yesterday when he knelt before her and pledged his loyalty, she should have personally bestowed upon him the title of knight and appointed him.

She had been so flustered, no, to be honest, she had been so overcome with emotion that she had forgotten.

Still, yesterday, her father, Emperor Valerius, with whom she had been estranged due to her suffering because of Irene and her efforts in the Demon Lord subjugation, had openly called him ‘Sir’ at the banquet and proclaimed it.

So, in effect, his status could now be considered that of a knight.

At this, Logan blushed, not knowing what to do.

“Um… you’re quite playful this early in the morning, Anya…”

“Aw, come on~ Why are you like that~ I’m just asking. So, do you prefer ‘Logan’? Or ‘Sir Logan’?”

“……”

Seeing Logan’s ears turn bright red from the continuous teasing, she found it hard to suppress her laughter.

At that, Anastasia thought perhaps she had teased him too much and was about to stop, when.

“Then Anya… no… Your Highness the Crown Princess…”

Because Logan’s expression turned serious as he tried to change the way he addressed her, immediately.

“I’m sorry, Logan! I’ll stop teasing!”

Anastasia put her hands together and made a gesture of begging for forgiveness.

At her appearance, Logan let out a small chuckle.

“Haha… I was just teasing too, Anya.”

“Ah, really, what was that~”

Anastasia pouted her lips and pretended to be upset, but she couldn’t hide the corners of her mouth from constantly turning up.

She was so happy since the morning.

Although they hadn’t even properly entered the stage of a romantic relationship, she was incredibly happy just by engaging in such trivial teasing.

Seeing his smile, hearing his voice, every moment spent with him was an unparalleled joy for her.

---

Renate was once again watching the two of them from a short distance away.

The atmosphere between the two was so sweet and radiant that it almost felt as if flower petals were fluttering around them.

Every time Logan’s blue eyes met Anastasia’s red eyes, it seemed as if invisible sparks flew, and their smiles towards each other felt warmer than the morning sun.

However, fearing they might repeat yesterday’s scene before going to the banquet hall, where they delayed by endlessly complimenting each other’s appearance.

Renate felt a little sorry for the two, but… decided it was time to intervene.

“Ahem… Good morning, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Ah… Renate… Hello. Good morning.”

‘Your Highness… if you act like this, I feel a little disappointed.’

Renate sighed inwardly upon seeing Anastasia’s expression immediately stiffen when she greeted her.

Anastasia, who always maintained a cool composure with a consistent expression towards others, tended to show her more honest side to Renate…

But to openly look like this.

‘We were having such a good time, why did you have to interrupt?’

She was sending that kind of look. Renate tried hard to ignore her gaze and got to the point.

“Um… as you know, there’s an important meeting this morning, isn’t there? So it would be best if you hurry and have breakfast.”

“Ah, that’s right. Look at me, really…”

“Haa…”

“Renate?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Then, let’s go to the garden dining area. Didn’t you say you wanted to eat there instead of your room? And also…”

As Renate was about to add ‘with Logan,’ Anastasia hurriedly cut her off.

“Ah, I get it! Renate! It’s my fault, so just stop there!”

“Your Highness, at fault? I would never dare to suggest such a thing to Your Highness…”

“I get it! I said I get it! Let’s hurry to the garden!”

Anastasia’s face turned bright red.

She thought Renate was someone who wouldn’t even consider feeling upset or sulking, but here she was, teasing her with pranks she’d never pulled in her life.

“Now, come on, Logan, let’s go together!”

“…Yes, I understand, Anya.”

“You just laughed, didn’t you?”

“Ah, no, I didn’t. Pfft.”

“Look at this! You laughed!”

“I’m sorry. Your Highn…”

“Ah, really, I get it! I won’t press it! You two, it’s all my fault! Stooop!”

And so, the three of them headed to the garden in a cheerful mood from early in the morning.

Many were racking their brains over future political changes and post-war recovery after the Demon Lord’s subjugation, but at least these three, in this very moment, were relying on each other and spending a warm time together.

Perhaps, this small peace and happiness were the most precious spoils of war they had fought so hard to obtain.