Anastasia spent nearly an hour getting ready. She chose a deep sapphire blue dress that hugged her figure while maintaining an air of refined nobility. The neckline was tasteful but flattering, and the fabric shimmered subtly in the light. She applied her makeup with care, skillfully concealing the fading bruise around her eye. Long, elegant black gloves covered her bandaged hands completely.
She looked in the mirror and forced a smile. Rem will be forced to watch this through the metia later, she thought with a surge of competitive pride. Let that common little maid see how a real noblewoman presents herself. Let her see what actual grace looks like.
When Subaru finally arrived at the private dining room, Anastasia was already seated gracefully. She deliberately crossed her legs, letting the silk fabric drape precisely to catch the candlelight, ensuring her posture was perfectly alluring. She stood up to welcome him, her expression warm, though irritation flickered in her chest.
Subaru had clearly not put much effort into his appearance. His clothes were simple and slightly rumpled.
"Wow, Anastasia, you really went all out," Subaru said, blinking as he scratched the back of his neck, looking a bit out of place. "The room looks amazing. Honestly, I feel a little underdressed here."
"Nonsense, Subaru," Anastasia said sweetly, gesturing for him to sit. "Please, make yourself comfortable. You are the guest of honor tonight."
Look at you, she thought, a sneer forming in her mind as she looked down at his unpolished manners. A rumpled, low-born boy who doesn't even know how to dress for a lady. And your precious wife thinks you are a god. Julius is ten times the man you will ever be, yet I am the one playing host to a clueless cuckold.
Anastasia poured them both a glass of wine, keeping her voice light. "With the latest festival wrapping up—the very first couple-themed events you helped organize—I thought it would be nice for us to celebrate. The profits exceeded all expectations. We should enjoy it, don't you think?"
Subaru grinned, leaning back as he took a sip. "Yeah, I gotta admit, I was sweating bullets trying to make that couple concept work. It's awesome that the public loved it."
You think you're a genius for throwing a few cheap games together? Anastasia thought coldly, smiling warmly back at him. While you're sitting here feeling proud of your little games, your pure, loyal wife is miles away spreading her legs for my husband. You really have no idea, do you?
She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her gloved hand to highlight the elegant curve of her neck. "I also wanted us to fix this awkwardness between us. After all, we're like family. Rem is practically the sister I never had."
Inside the telepathic link, which was currently quiet because Anastasia hadn't put on her mantle yet, Rem's residual imprint from earlier burned with bitter irony. Rem didn't feel a single shred of remorse for the lies being spun. Let her play her little games, Rem's silent mindset dictated. Anastasia can twist the truth all she wants to Subaru. I am doing what I must to keep him alive.
Anastasia smiled warmly across the candlelit table, her gloved hands folding elegantly in her lap. She tilted her head, her voice soft and apologetic.
"Subaru... I'm truly sorry for putting you and Rem in such a difficult position lately. The truth is... I had a heart attack recently. I simply haven't been myself."
Subaru's eyes widened, and he nearly choked on his wine. "A heart attack?! Seriously? Man... I had no idea. Are you really okay now?"
"I'm feeling much better," she let out a small, vulnerable sigh, watching his face. "While I was lying in bed, I had time to think about our last conversation. I was very rude to you. I put you in an incredibly humiliating spot by making you ask Rem to pretend to be Julius's girlfriend for the upcoming festival events."
Anastasia leaned forward, ensuring the candlelight caught the subtle shimmer of her dress. "I want to apologize properly. And I'm relieving you of that punishment. You don't have to do it anymore. I believe in you now—I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt."
She gave him a gentle, sisterly smile. "I want you and Rem to participate in the next festival as a proper couple. That's how it should be."
Let's see how the perfect little maid reacts when she finds out her 'punishment' has been lifted... while she's busy serving my husband, Anastasia thought, laughing coldly behind her eyes.
Subaru looked visibly relieved, a bright smile breaking across his face. "Wow, Anastasia... thank you. Seriously. Rem was really stressed about the whole thing, so hearing that we can just be ourselves next time is a huge weight off my shoulders."
Enjoy your little victory, Subaru, Anastasia's thoughts hissed with venom. While you toast to your happy marriage, I'm going to enjoy watching your wife's world burn.
She raised her glass gracefully. "To family," she said sweetly. "And new beginnings."
Anastasia had personally chosen the wine—the strongest vintage in her collection, mixed with a mild aphrodisiac drug to slowly cloud Subaru's judgment and make him more pliable. She watched with hidden delight as he took another generous sip, his cheeks already flushed.
"So, Subaru," she said sweetly, tilting her head and letting a strand of hair fall perfectly across her shoulder, "what are your plans for the next festival? Were you perhaps a little afraid that Julius and Rem might try to outshine you if they paired up?"
Subaru chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... I guess I was pretty nervous about how people would look at them compared to us. But I'm glad it's all sorted out now."
Of course you were nervous, Anastasia thought, her competitive instinct flaring. You're a commoner, and your wife is a servant. You hold onto her like a prize because you have nothing else. But tonight, I am the one in control. I will make myself look far more desirable, far more commanding than that blue-haired doll ever could be.
As the conversation drifted and Subaru's speech became slightly slurred from the heavy wine, Anastasia began to calculate her next moves. How far should I let him go tonight? she pondered, watching his flushed face. If I let him touch me, if I let him kiss me, or even lead him to the bed... Rem will have to watch every single second of her precious husband worshiping me. I'll show her who the real master is.
She glanced at the window and said softly, "It's getting quite dark outside. You've had quite a lot to drink, Subaru. It wouldn't be safe for you to go home like this. Why don't you stay the night? We have plenty of guest rooms."
Subaru blinked, heavily tipsy. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother..."
"Nonsense," Anastasia replied with a kind smile, shifting her weight to accentuate her waist as she stood up. "We're family, remember? I'll go freshen up for a moment and then come check on you in your room so we can continue talking. How does that sound?"
Subaru nodded, dazed. "Yeah... that sounds good. Thank you, Anastasia."
She stood up gracefully, her elegant dress swaying as she walked toward the door, leaving him alone with his clouded thoughts.
Meanwhile, far away at the hot springs, Rem was sitting alone in the steaming private bath attached to the deluxe suite. The water lapped gently around her bare shoulders, but her mind was a tempest of intense irritation and anxiety.
Why hasn't she connected yet? Rem thought, her fingers clawing at the edge of the stone tub. Subaru is at her mansion right now. They are together, and I can't see them because that crazy bitch hasn't put her mantle on. What is she doing to him? If she dares touch him... The lack of visual control was driving her mad, her worry for her husband completely overshadowing her own grim situation.
Back in her bedroom at the mansion, Anastasia stood in front of the mirror, swiftly stripping out of the sapphire dress and slipping into a deep crimson nightgown that clung provocatively to her skin. She took a deep breath, draped the silver mantle over her shoulders, and activated the metia.
The connection snapped open.
Rem's head snapped up in the water, her face twisting with immediate anger and anxiety as Anastasia's consciousness flooded into her mind. Finally, Rem thought fiercely. Where is Subaru? What did you do to him?
Anastasia let out a soft, mocking laugh through the link, deliberately slurring her mental voice to sound as if she had been drinking heavily with him.
"Heeey~ Rem... how's the water? Nice and hot? I must say, your husband is an incredibly easy guest to entertain. He's so pliable when he's relaxed."
Rem's thoughts burned with rage. Don't you dare lay a finger on him!
Anastasia's tone turned teasing and cruel, completely ignoring the maid's protectiveness. "Where's Julius? Don't tell me you're sitting all alone in this beautiful private hot spring while I'm getting ready to visit your husband's room..."
Rem's jaw clenched under the water. He's in the suite.
"Call him over," Anastasia ordered, her competitive spite cutting through the link. "I want you two to get started. I've already got Subaru completely loose. You'd better please Julius nicely tonight... because if my husband doesn't forgive me, I'll have no choice but to tell Subaru every single detail of your infidelity."
Rem's hands clenched into fists beneath the surface. You're disgusting...
"More love, Rem," Anastasia commanded coldly. "Invite him properly. Tell him you want him to fuck you. Make it convincing. Leave the bath and kiss him. Get him in the mood first. I want a nice show through your eyes while I put on mine."
Rem's hatred surged like boiling oil, but the threat to Subaru's safety left her completely paralyzed. Forcing her shaking legs to move, she stood up from the water, her glistening, naked body exposed to the cold night air, and called out toward the inner room with a strained, hollow voice.
"Julius... can you come here?"
Anastasia, satisfied with the submission, began walking down the hallway toward the guest room where Subaru was waiting, keeping the metia active so the dual feed would blur together.
"Good girl. Now make it real. Kiss him. Touch him. I want to feel everything through your eyes while I show you what a real noblewoman can do to your husband."
Rem's mind screamed with disgust and humiliation, but she forced herself to stand waiting by the edge of the water as Julius's shadow appeared at the door.
Meanwhile, Anastasia reached the door of Subaru's guest room. She adjusted the low neckline of her crimson nightgown one last time, fixed a sweet, devastating smile onto her face, and knocked softly.
The game continued on two fronts. And she intended to win both.