It's been two days since Anastasia has been awake. Due to overwork and exhaustion, Anastasia fainted in the village.
When she woke up Wolf scolded her greatly for not paying attention to her health.
"I will oversee things regarding the pandemic". Wolf told her.
"What?! No! It's my responsibility"! Anastasia argued.
"Anastasia you fainted"! Wolf reminded her.
Anastasia could not refute that fact, but that doesn't mean she's giving up easily.
"Honey". Anastasia put on her best acting skills
"Tch". Wolf said rolling his eyes but ultimately falling for her charm.
"I promise I'll be careful from now on, please let me continue to be of some help". She pleaded with him.
"The pandemic is nearly over you have already accomplished so much. If it makes you feel at ease you can visit local villages but only once a week," He compromised.
"Thank you, honey"! Anastasia said jumping up and down.
Wolf thought his wife was the most adorable woman in the world. He wondered how did such a delicate soul be the daughter of that incompetent King.
"Anastasia I have some news to tell you".
"Yes"? Anastasia asked.
"We're going to the Holy Kingdom".
"W-what"?
Anastasia was utterly confused and frankly afraid of why this situation was happening. Did he find out she isn't the original? Does he plan to take her back to her country and dispose of her? Anastasia's mind was filled with worry and tragic scenarios.
Her face turned pale as all the color drained from it and cold sweat ran down her back.
"Anastasia"? Wolf called out to her.
"Ah. Yes, my home country, why are we going again"? She tried to get an explanation.
"You will know when we arrive".
At those words, Anastasia felt sick to the stomach. What did he mean?
"We will depart tomorrow". He said getting up to leave her to rest more.
Anastasia sat in the bed alone and pondered over what she could do to stay alive. She thought so much that she fell asleep again.
*******
"Ah! I overslept"! Anastasia blurted out as she rose out of bed.
Today is the day she will return to the Holy Kingdom. Anastasia was terrified of what Wolf do to her.
Their relationship has developed to the point where they confidently confess their love to one another. Yet Anastasia thought love wouldn't be enough to stop his anger from being lied to.
In Anastasia's mind, there was no other reason to go to the Holy Kingdom.
"Your royal highness, it's time to rise his majesty is already ready". Elena said coming into the chamber.
Without a word, Anastasia got out of bed and headed to the bathroom like a robot.
Throughout her bath, Elena noticed the change in Anastasia. Not wanting to disrespect her Queen, Elena did her job dutifully without asking questions.
"You look beautiful as always your royal highness, I'm sure your family will be happy to see you after so long". Elena said smiling at Anastasia through the mirror as she did the finishing touches on her hair.
"Haha thank you, Elena". Anastasia mustered up a smile but it was fake and didn't go unnoticed by Elena.
Elena is young and at the age of nineteen, she has served nobles since she was a child. Coming from a family of maids she knew the importance of respecting her master.
Never has Elena served a noble who is gentle, kind, and intelligent as Anastasia. All these qualities within her master made Elena vow to serve her wholeheartedly.
Seeing Anastasia's worried expression Elena tried her best to cheer her up. Elena was confused about why Anastasia seemed to not like the idea of going home again for the first time.
Usually, when Princesses are sent away from marriage they have homesickness. Yet Anastasia never showed signs of wanting to return to her family.
"His Majesty is waiting in the drawing room". Elena said as they walked down the hall.
"Yes". Anastasia's reply was dry and unlike her usual self.
Everyone knows of her enthusiasm and optimistic mindset. Seeing her dull and unmoved heart Elena's worries deepened.
The guards announced Anastasia and moved aside letting her go into the drawing room.
Anastasia could see her and Wolf's luggage being carried into a separate carriage. Her head began to spin as she realized this was real.
'I'm going to the Holy Kingdom'.
"Wife, how are feeling"? Wolf said walking up to her and patting her hair.
Anastasia nodded and smiled at Wolf she was good at hiding her true emotions. Or at least she thought so. Though she was smiling her eyes held a different expression.
Wolf thought she was sad about seeing her family after so long but Elena who had seen her earlier in the morning felt that something else was off.
"Are you ready wife"?
Anastasia's body stiffen at Wolf's words but she recovered.
"Yes, let's go". She said amping herself up for the inevitable.
******
Within a day and a half Anastasia, Wolf and their entourage arrive in the Holy Kingdom.
It would be the first time Anastasia has stepped foot on this kingdom's soil. Yet she has to act like it's not.
As she looked outside of the carriage she couldn't help but notice the drastic difference between Navarros and the Holy Kingdom.
Compared to Navarros it was smaller but the state of the kingdom was too dire. Anastasia had to cover her nose at the stench that came from the streets.
"How"? She thought aloud.
"Your father sure cares for his people". Wolf said making Anastasia's heart clench. Though she wasn't the real princess of the holy kingdom she felt ashamed.
"I-I". She tried to find the words to explain but came up short of an answer.
"I'm not blaming you, it's your father who is to be blamed".
Anastasia closed the blinds of the carriage as she could not look at the suffering commoners of this kingdom.
Shortly after, they arrive outside of the imperial palace. Anastasia could see about a dozen people standing and waiting for them.
As the carriage got closer she recognized one person, the original Anastasia's father, King James.
A blonde woman stood next to him she was extremely beautiful. She held an aura that seemed to suppress those around her. Her skin was clear and white, her eyes bluer than the ocean, and her gown shined with many gems.
'She must be the Queen and my mother'. Anastasia started to figure out everyone's role.
Beside the blonde woman stood a handsome young man who seemed to be older than Anastasia. He also had blonde hair and blue eyes like the Queen. His facial expression was twisted up in a manner that clearly stated he did not want to be there.
"He must be my older brother".
Last but not least, a young woman wearing a pink gown with a shiny tiara on top of her also blonde hair stood next to the King. She seemed closer to Anastasia's age but dressed like a child. Anastasia noticed how she clung to the King's arm like a baby.
'She must be my older sister".
Anastasia looked at the blonde-haired trio and felt a stinging pain in her chest.
They reminded her of her parents and siblings with their disapproving glances.
Honestly, Anastasia knew very little about the original family. The novel did not give any detail about it. They only said that her father sold her to clear some debt.
From that alone Anastasia could guess on her own how they must've treated the original Anastasia.
As the carriage stopped and the doors opened Wolf was the first to exit.
"Greetings to His Majesty, the shining Moonlight of Navarros". They bowed deeply greeting him even King James bowed respectfully.
Wolf nodded his head and proceeded to turn around to help Anastasia off the carriage.
When her feet touched the ground it was completely silent. Anastasia studied the faces of the imperial family and maids, and she was surprised at how they didn't try to hide their dislike for her.
Her mother and sister seemed more upset and surprised than anyone else. Anastasia felt her head throbbing as she looked at these people longer.
"Is no one going to greet my wife"? Wolf asked tilting his head.
"Ah! I was just so surprised to see my beloved daughter after so long I couldn't speak". King James said laughing lightly.
"It's a pleasure, Your Majesty, I am Anastasia's mother, Alice James the Queen of the holy kingdom". She said while doing a perfect courtesy.
"I am the Crown Prince, and Anastasia's older brother Armin James". The crown prince bowed politely.
"How do you do Your Majesty, I am Princess Analeigh James, Anastasia's older sister". She said while also having a perfect curtesy.
Anastasia gripped the sides of her dress listening to their fake polite words. For some reason, her heart was filled with sadness and anger. As if she was experiencing someone's feelings.
"You all call my wife's name so easily as if she is not a Queen". Wolf said after hearing them call Anastasia's name and not her title.
"Your Majesty, we apologize, we are so close with her highness, that we forgot our manners". Alice said covering her mouth with a fan.
"Hmm. Let's go inside my wife is tired after the long journey".
Wolf was observing the family's first encounter after not seeing each other for so long.
He felt that things were off, they only verbally said that they missed his wife, but they never attempted to embrace her.
Wolf felt that if someone as beautiful and kind as Anastasia were to leave him for months he would engulf her into a never-ending hug when she returned to him.
Yet her own family did not even attempt to touch her delicate skin.
'I'll get to the bottom of this".
Wolf was determined to spend his time in the imperial palace getting the know every secret the palace held.