Chapter 34

Perhaps that was why Anais, quite out of character, kept up the little game.

‘Still, maybe I’ll manage to talk to someone?’

She entertained the hope, light as it was. The truth was, if she were still Anais Orelcian, she would’ve been the first to lower her gaze.

But as Anais Lisandro, she no longer felt the need.

‘Don’t go against others’ wishes, be obedient and accommodating.’

The advice that had once been paramount to her as an Orelcian had already been shattered, rendered meaningless. Anais continued to meet the eyes of the nobles, though no one stepped forward to speak with her. Even so, she found herself feeling strangely refreshed.

‘What was I so afraid of? Why didn’t I do this sooner?’

A quiet laugh escaped her lips. As she was gradually reclaiming her true self, it happened. An all-too-familiar, though never welcome, voice reached her through the crowd.

“Sister. Have you given it any thought?”

Her face froze instantly. She turned her head to find Rex Orelcian standing close by her side. Once, she had thought of him as a younger half-brother, but now they were complete strangers.

Just as when he’d revealed that truth, Rex leaned in close and whispered in her ear.

“Have you given any thought to what it takes to survive as a noble to the very end? I told you, you need to stay on my good side, Anais.”

His lingering whisper sent a shiver down her spine.

‘To think I once considered someone like him my brother.’

Disgust welled up on her face.

Rex gave a slight, derisive scoff and leaned in even closer to murmur into her ear.

“If you still don’t understand, I can always make it real for you. I wouldn’t lose anything by telling the imperial family you’re an illegitimate child.”

“….”

“Oh, or maybe I should just tell the Grand Duke and use it to threaten you. I wonder if he would really choose you, now his brand-new bride, if it meant suffering the consequences himself?”

Just then, the Grand Duke’s cold words echoed in Anais’s ears.

“Surely you don’t mean those damned Orelcian who rats loose in the grand duchy to steal information?”
“You’re the one I bought with my own money, all on the damned emperor’s orders. Who’d have thought you’d drag in a whole nest of rats with you.”

In her dreams, he had always loathed getting entangled with the viscount’s family. If the Grand Duke were harmed because of Rex…

The ending would be just as her nightmares had foretold.

Anais realized this easily enough. In the end, she would be handing the Grand Duke a reason to kill her.

Her face went white as a sheet.

Meanwhile, Rex, convinced that Anais was terrified her secret would be exposed, let a satisfied smirk twist his lips. He leaned back and spoke with casual ease.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Sister. And you know, in times like these, you should greet Father first unless you really want to be strangers.”

With those words, Rex strolled away unhurriedly.

But it didn’t end there.

Next came a harsh, unwelcome voice.

“Anais. So here you are.”

It was her father, Nectar, someone she had hoped never to see again. He strode over, quickly closing the distance between them.

Having witnessed Rex’s greeting, he spoke as he approached.

“I’ve been searching all over for you, only to find you talking with Rex. Now that the ceremony’s over, you should have come to greet your father first. Tsk.”

“….”

Anais simply stared at him coolly, without rising from her seat.

Thrown by her changed demeanor, Nectar flinched, then bristled.

“What’s this? When you see your father, you should greet him! What sort of manners are those? That won’t do in the grand ducal household either, do you understand?!”

He scolded her just as he had always done at the viscount’s estate. Then he drew closer, placing his hand on the back of her chair. He leaned in closer, his sticky, stale breath from the alcohol he drank spilling down over her shoulder. From his ever-grinning lips came words she had no desire to hear.

“Yes, thanks to me, you’ve married well. Look at those jewels and fine silks you’re wearing, things you could never have dreamed of owning.”

“….”

“This time, I’m starting a business, so be sure to speak to the Grand Duke about it. All I need is his investment, you understand?”

Anais’s mind was already in turmoil from Rex’s words, but with Nectar’s on top of it, she felt her head going numb. What he said now was exactly what he had always said to her mother.

“All you have to do is secure the kingdom’s investment, Muriel. Do you understand?”
“All you have to do is secure the kingdom’s contracts. You’re the viscountess, after all, that’s the least you can do for the family.”