The hushed whispers and laughter lingered beneath the refined exteriors of those observing the young queen's every action. Anastasia felt anxious as she scanned the room, noting the presence of all the influential figures at the gathering. The queen occupied an ornate chair beside the kings, acutely aware that she was the focus of attention, at least for the moment. Her gaze fell on her husband, who was busy greeting members of the king's council, his striking features capturing the attention of all the women present. Not a single person approached the queen to offer their greetings. Anastasia clenched her hands together, striving to manage her emotions.
"Of course, I anticipated this. Don't cry. Don't," she murmured to herself in an effort to soothe her nerves.
"Oh, poor queen. Just look at her face," Agnes sneered, casting a disdainful glance at Anastasia.
"Shhh. Please be quiet, Agnes. We're not alone. Someone might overhear you," Christy admonished her in a hushed tone, glancing around.
"Christy, don't be such a coward. Nobody cares," Agnes retorted, her expression defiant.
Given their social standing, only a handful of concubines were invited to the royal event. Agnes, Christy, and four others stood in one corner, sipping wine, while concubine Bess engaged in conversation with Count Joseph Dainhard and his son Albert. Bess shone in a light blue dress with a wide neckline that accentuated her fair skin.
"Bess is undoubtedly the most flirtatious woman in the empire. Just look at her smile," Duchess Esther remarked, discomfort evident in her voice as she observed Bess. Countess Alphons offered a slight smile, resonating with the duchess's sentiments.
"She's leveraging her beauty to gain power. She hails from the house of Espela, and many seek her family's backing for their ventures."
"It's pointless. She'll be outmatched in this power struggle."
"Do you dislike her, Duchess?" the countess asked, puzzled.
"It's not about liking or disliking. Others are already far ahead of her," the duchess replied, indicating the more formidable contenders.
Anastasia lost track of time, sitting motionless in her chair like a doll, her gaze fixed on the floor as she avoided the stares. Suddenly, she was jolted from her thoughts by the sound of applause and cheers from the guests. Her eyes were drawn to the scene unfolding before her. She had been oblivious to the music playing until now, but it resonated clearly in her ears. To a romantic tune, the king and the first concubine were dancing, surrounded by onlookers.
"Why are you here? Why are you here, Charlene?" Anastasia questioned internally. Charlene was the first concubine and the kingdom's most cherished flower, Demetrius's lover and the princess of Ageneler. Anastasia felt powerless as she watched her husband smile at another woman, holding her close while they danced.
"Your Majesty," she turned at the sound of someone addressing her. The personal secretary of the Queen Mother was positioned nearby.
"The Queen Dowager is anticipating your presence," she conveyed, her expression stern and indicative of her late forties.
"Your Majesty, please manage your emotions," the observer noted, addressing Anastasia's tear-filled eyes and urging her to regain composure.
Taking a deep breath, Anastasia straightened her posture, rose from the throne, and proceeded along the pathway leading to the west side of the hall where the Queen Dowager was seated. As she advanced, the individuals in her vicinity parted, creating a clear passage with each step she took. Anastasia consciously dismissed thoughts of her husband, who was with his paramour, as well as the derision she had faced throughout her time in Hwagwande.
"Mother," Anastasia addressed the Queen Dowager, bowing respectfully before her.
"Anastasia, please take a seat beside me," the Queen Dowager invited, gesturing to an unoccupied chair nearby. Anastasia offered a nervous smile, acutely aware of the scrutiny from those present alongside the Queen Dowager.
"Do you feel overwhelmed by my invitation?" the Queen Dowager inquired.
"No, Mother," Anastasia replied.
"My dear, despite the challenges you must confront, you cannot evade your responsibilities. It is already too late for that. You can no longer behave as a mere pawn; otherwise, you risk losing your position," the former Queen admonished, surveying the assembly before her.
Two days before, the Queen received an official correspondence from the Queen Dowager, extending an invitation to a forthcoming event. Accompanying the invitation was a royal ensemble designated for the occasion.
Although the queen dowager had never actively intervened to assist the queen or addressed any issues directly, Anastasia did not harbor any feelings of discomfort towards her. This may be attributed to the fact that the queen dowager had selected Anastasia as a candidate for the queen, which instilled a sense of security in her presence.
"Would you like to return to your quarters?" the queen dowager inquired after a period of silence, sensing her discomfort.
"May I?" Anastasia responded; her voice tinged with nervousness.
"Please do. Let us share a cup of tea next time," the queen dowager suggested.
"Yes, Mother," Anastasia replied, bowing respectfully before departing the gathering with her maid, deliberately avoiding any glances at the onlookers. The attendees suppressed their mocking smiles as she passed by. Meanwhile, the king observed his wife exit while engaged in conversation with the delegates, and he shifted his gaze towards the queen mother, who was scrutinizing him intently.