Anastasia suddenly realized where her hand had wandered. Her bandaged fingers were already slipping between her legs again, brushing over her soaked folds as she listened to the slow, creaking rhythm of the bed and Rem's exhausted, breathless moans. The shame hit her like a cold wave.
No... not again.
She stopped herself at the very last moment, pulling her hand away with a shaky breath. The bandages were already slightly damp from earlier, and she refused to ruin them completely. She couldn't let herself sink any deeper tonight.
With trembling fingers, she adjusted the silver mantle one last time and sent a quiet thought to Yae.
Yae... I'm leaving you in charge. Keep watching Julius and Rem. Report only if something important happens. I... I need to sleep.
Yae's voice came back softly, still a little breathless but understanding.
"As you wish, my lady. Rest well. I'll keep an eye on them."
Anastasia removed the silver mantle completely and hid it under her pillow. The room felt quieter now, the distant sounds from the mansion no longer feeding directly into her ears. She turned onto her side, careful of her bandaged hands, and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
Her body was exhausted. Her heart was shattered. Her mind was a storm of jealousy, heartbreak, shame, and unwanted arousal.
She closed her eyes, tears still clinging to her lashes.
Just sleep... she told herself. Tomorrow is another day.
But even as she drifted off into an uneasy, restless sleep, the images and sounds she had witnessed refused to leave her. Julius and Rem were still together in that old mansion. And Anastasia could only hope that when she woke up, the pain in her chest would feel a little less crushing.
Anastasia lay in her bed, staring at the dark ceiling, the silver mantle hidden under her pillow. The mansion was quiet now, but her mind was anything but. She tried to breathe slowly, forcing herself to think clearly despite the exhaustion and the dull ache in her chest.
Rem finally cracked... and Julius showed his true feelings.
The realization both terrified and excited her. She had wanted this—she had pushed for it—but now that it was happening, the fear of losing Julius completely gripped her heart like a vice. She couldn't push anymore. If she kept forcing things, Julius might choose Rem and leave her entirely. No. She needed to get everything under control. She needed to make sure they stayed exactly like this: Julius and Rem having their secret, passionate affair... while Julius still came back to her.
They need to stay just like that. Julius must not leave me for Rem.
Anastasia's mind began to turn, calculating, scheming even in her weakened state. She didn't need to push them together anymore—they were already doing that themselves. What she needed now was control over Rem.
Maybe involving Subaru could work...
She could make Rem spend more time with Subaru at work, or force situations where Rem had to be near him while she was also with Julius. That might create guilt, tension, reminders of her marriage.
Or... she could flirt with Subaru a little. Give him a handjob in some hidden corner. Let Rem walk in and see it. Then, when Rem got angry, Anastasia could turn it around—make Rem feel like the real cheater, the hypocrite. That might break Rem's moral high ground and make her easier to manipulate.
Another idea flickered through her mind: walking in on them having sex in the office. Catching them in the act, seeing the shock on Rem's face. That could be powerful too—a reminder that Anastasia was still the one in control, even if she allowed it.
Anastasia closed her eyes, a small, tired smile forming on her lips despite everything. Now it's pretty obvious they won't be able to resist each other. The attraction was too strong. The passion was too raw. They had already crossed so many lines tonight. From now on, it would be harder and harder for them to stop.
She didn't need to push. She just needed to steer. Control Rem's guilt. Keep Julius emotionally tied to her. Make sure the affair continued... but on her terms.
Anastasia turned onto her side, wincing at the pain in her bandaged hands. Tomorrow she would start putting the pieces in place. For now, she let exhaustion pull her into an uneasy sleep, her last conscious thought a quiet, determined whisper in her mind:
They can have each other... but Julius is still mine.
The next morning, Anastasia was still lying in bed, weak and exhausted, when Yae's voice suddenly cut through the silver mantle.
"Lady Anastasia... I lost them."
Anastasia's eyes snapped open. Her heart immediately began to race. What?
Yae's voice was slightly out of breath as she continued, clearly running through the forest. "They disappeared. I'm searching the woods right now."
Anastasia sat up as much as her weak body allowed, anger flaring hot in her chest. "How could you lose them?!" she hissed through the connection, her voice trembling with fury. "Explain yourself!"
Yae spoke quickly as she ran. "In the morning, Julius teased Rem a lot. They went naked together down the corridor to the bathroom. Rem looked really distressed... like everything that happened last night finally sank in. She realized it wasn't a dream—that she really cheated on Subaru."
Anastasia's lips curled into a bitter smile despite her anger. "Good. It serves that bitch right. Let her feel the guilt."
Yae continued, "They stayed in the bathroom for a very long time. When I went to check on them... they were gone. Like they vanished. I searched the entire mansion, but there's no sign of them. That's why I'm checking the forest now. They didn't take the carriage, so they can't have gone far."
Anastasia's face twisted with rage and panic. "You idiot! How stupid can you be?! Julius probably sensed you were watching and decided to run off with Rem!" She clutched the blanket tightly, her bandaged hands aching. "What if he really decided to leave me? What if Rem manipulated him into running away without even saying goodbye...?"
The thought hit her like a dagger to the chest. Her breathing became shallow and ragged. Tears welled up in her eyes again as the fear took hold.
No... not like this...
Anastasia began to cry—quiet, broken sobs shaking her weakened body as she imagined Julius choosing Rem completely, disappearing with her, leaving her alone just like when she was a child on the streets. Yae's voice tried to reassure her, but Anastasia could barely hear it over the sound of her own crying. The Greedy Princess, who had built an empire from nothing, felt truly powerless for the second time in two days. And the pain was worse than anything she had ever felt.
Anastasia's tears were still falling when Yae's voice came through the silver mantle again, trying to calm her. "Lady Anastasia, you shouldn't worry. They didn't talk about running away at all. Julius just fucked Rem so good that the girl literally forgot how to speak. She was only making broken moans and cries the whole time."
Anastasia's face twisted with irritation and shame. "Stop thinking those erotic thoughts and do your job!" she snapped through the connection. "Maybe if you weren't masturbating on the job, you wouldn't have lost them!"
There was a short pause. Then Yae answered, her tone dry and slightly mocking. "You don't mind me fingering myself when we watch Julius conquering Rem... you were doing the exact same thing, my lady."
Anastasia's cheeks burned with humiliation. She clenched her bandaged hands, ignoring the pain.
"Enough of this," she said sharply, her voice cold and commanding. "Yae, you need to find them. Right now. I am not allowing Rem and Julius to run off and start a new life together. I will not permit it." Her breathing grew heavier as possessive fury filled her weakened body. "Julius is mine. He belongs to me. Until the day I die, I will not let anyone take him from me. And even after I'm gone... I want him to think of me for the rest of his life. No one else. Only me."
The silence stretched for a moment. Yae's voice returned, more serious this time. "...Understood, my lady. I'll keep searching. They couldn't have gone far."
Anastasia leaned back against the pillows, her heart still racing with fear and dark determination. Tears continued to slip down her cheeks, but her eyes burned with resolve. She had built everything. She had chosen Rem. She had pushed them together. And she would not let it end with Julius leaving her behind. Not now. Not ever.
Yae searched for hours. She combed through the forest, checked every possible path, and even doubled back to the mansion multiple times. But there was no sign of Julius or Rem. When she finally returned to the mansion courtyard, her stomach dropped.
The carriage was gone.
"Lady Anastasia..." Yae's voice came through the silver mantle, filled with regret. "I'm sorry. This is my fault. I forgot to put a tracking line on the carriage. It looks like Julius and Rem outplayed me."
Anastasia's blood ran cold. She sat up in bed, ignoring the pain in her chest.
Yae continued quickly, "I see fresh wheel marks on the road. I'm going after them now."
Anastasia's voice was sharp and icy. "You'd better catch up with them, Yae. I'm taking the mantle off now."
She removed the silver mantle and tossed it aside, ending the connection. The room fell silent. Anastasia stared at the ceiling, her jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. Anger boiled inside her, hot and vicious.
Of course Rem would pull something like this. She had probably known Anastasia was watching the whole time. That proud, blue-haired bitch had made those perverted faces on purpose—moaning, screaming Julius's name, begging to be filled, all while knowing her master was listening.
Look how well I can take care of your husband. I'm going to steal him from you.
The thought made Anastasia's hands shake with rage. She used me. She manipulated me. She pretended to be innocent and caring, but she was a predator all along—preying on other women's husbands.
Anastasia felt like a victim in her own game. She had invited the wolf into her home, thinking she could control it. Now the wolf was running away with her most precious possession. Tears of fury and helplessness burned in her eyes.
She's going to use Julius because of me. I can't let her. Even if Julius fell for her witch-like charm... I need to stop her.
Julius deserved better. He deserved a girl who would be happy to be like her—loyal, ambitious, devoted, someone who understood his worth and would never try to take him away. Anastasia wiped her tears with the back of her bandaged hand, her expression hardening into something cold and determined.
She would not lose him. Not to Rem. Not to anyone.
After a quiet and tense lunch, where Anastasia barely touched her food despite the maid's gentle, suffocating encouragement, she could no longer endure the uncertainty. Her mind kept spinning with worst-case scenarios, each one more agonizing than the last. But she wasn't just afraid anymore; she was absolutely consumed by an all-consuming, toxic rage.
That blue-haired parasite, Anastasia snarled internally, her teeth grinding together so hard her jaw ached. She planned this. She put on that innocent, fragile act just to worm her way into my home, and now she's manipulating my Julius. She's stealing him right out from under me, transforming my proud, elegant husband into a desperate, feral dog begging for her scraps.
The sheer disrespect of it burned through her veins like pure acid. Anastasia refused to be a victim to a common, deceitful maid. With trembling, bandaged hands, she ripped the silver mantle from beneath her pillow, draping it over her shoulders with aggressive, jerky movements. The magic activated instantly, snapping the telepathic link wide open.
Yae! Anastasia bared her teeth in her mind, her thoughts practically screaming through the connection. Tell me you have them! If you tell me that plotting little whore has successfully stolen my husband away, I will make you suffer!
Yae's voice came through almost immediately, slightly winded but alert, transmitting her thoughts back with a hurried edge. Calm down, my lady. I've caught up to the carriage. I'm right on top of them.
Don't you dare tell me to calm down! Anastasia hissed back fiercely. You lost them in the first place because you were too busy playing with yourself to do your job! Don't sound so proud of yourself. Now look inside that carriage. I want to see exactly how that manipulative bitch is wrapping her filthy fingers around my husband!
Yes, my lady. Look for yourself.
Through Yae's eyes, the sensory view shifted. Yae had managed to climb onto the roof of the moving carriage and was now carefully peering through a small ventilation gap near the top.
Inside, Julius and Rem were sitting disgustingly close together.
Rem was leaning heavily against Julius's shoulder, her face still flushed and her expression thoroughly exhausted from the night's degradation. Julius had one arm wrapped around her, his fingers gently, possessively stroking her blue hair. They weren't talking much—just a quiet, intimate silence broken by occasional soft words.
Julius leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to the top of Rem's head.
"You're still shaking," he murmured. "Are you alright?"
Rem nodded weakly, her voice hoarse. "I... I don't know. Everything feels wrong... but I can't stop thinking about last night."
Julius pulled her closer, pressing another gentle kiss to her temple. "I don't regret it. Not for a second."
Rem didn't reply. She simply closed her eyes and leaned into him more, looking both guilty and strangely comforted at the same time.
Watching through the link, Anastasia's mind erupted into pure, unadulterated hatred. Look at her! she screamed at Yae in her thoughts, her bandaged hands clenching into tight, painful fists under her bedsheets. Look at that shameless, home-wrecking slut! Actively playing the victim while she tightly clings to another woman's husband! She's a disgusting, hypocritical predator, pretending to love her own husband while she lets mine ruin her ass and kiss her forehead! I despise her! I want to rip every single strand of that blue hair right out of her skull!
She certainly knows how to play him, doesn't she? Yae's thoughts returned, laced with a dark, cynical amusement. Look at how natural she looks resting against him. She completely shattered his pride last night by refusing to say he's better than Subaru, and now Julius is acting like a lovesick puppy trying to win her over. She's got him exactly where she wants him.
Because he's blind! Anastasia raged back, tears of bitter humiliation stinging her eyes. He's a fool, and she is a calculating snake! She used my own games against me!
Finally, forcing her mental voice to drop into a cold, dangerous register, she spoke aloud through the mantle. "Keep following them. Don't lose sight of that carriage again. And Yae... be ready. I may need you to do far more than just watch very soon. If that bitch thinks she can just casually ride off into the sunset with my property, she is sorely mistaken."
Through the silver mantle, Anastasia continued to watch the interior of the carriage in brooding silence.
Rem sat close to Julius, her head resting against his shoulder, but her expression was clouded with guilt. She spoke softly, her voice still hoarse from the night before. "...I still feel terrible about it. Especially the fact that Beatrice saw us."
Julius gently stroked her blue hair, his voice calm and reassuring. "We already talked about this. She won't tell anyone. She's still locked away in the library."
Rem shook her head, clearly distressed. "Still... it's not right. Julius, you should have helped me convince her to leave with us."
Julius sighed, pulling her a little closer. "I was glad we managed to leave alive. Beatrice was really planning to kill us, especially after she saw us naked in front of her."
Rem lifted her head, frowning. "Even after we dressed up, you should have tried harder to convince her."
Julius looked at her seriously. "If you really wanted it that badly... Beatrice knows you and Subaru. She heard us. She heard you being pretty loud when we were having sex."
Rem's face flushed with deep embarrassment.
Julius continued, "She told you pretty rudely that she would not want you as her contractor."
Rem looked down, her voice softening with sadness. "But Beatrice was there all alone for ten years..."
Julius stopped her gently, cupping her cheek so she would look at him. "I know you want to help her, Rem. But Beatrice heard everything. She heard us talking about how you were cheating on Subaru while I was inside you. There was nothing we could really do." He paused, then added more quietly, "And even if we somehow convinced her to come with us... how would you explain it to Subaru? Or to Anastasia?"
Rem fell silent, biting her lip as the weight of his words sank in. She leaned back against him, looking conflicted and exhausted.
Anastasia, listening from her bed, felt a cold satisfaction mixed with fresh anger. Good, she thought viciously. Let that little monster Beatrice judge you. Let the whole world know what a filthy, unfaithful piece of trash you are. You can't even play the savior anymore without everyone smelling the scent of my husband's cum dripping out of you.
She whispered through the mantle to Yae, her voice icy: "Keep following them. Don't lose sight of that carriage again."
Inside the moving carriage, the atmosphere remained heavy with guilt and lingering tension. Rem sat close to Julius, but her body was tense, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she stared at the floor.
"I did a horrible mistake," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I can't even explain why I did it with you... but it was wrong. How am I supposed to look Subaru in the face after this?"
Julius gently placed his hand over hers, his thumb stroking her skin. "That was your chosen punishment, Rem. For avoiding Ram and the others. For running away."
Rem closed her eyes, tears forming at the corners. "I know... but I should have been stronger. I shouldn't have let those intrusive thoughts win."
Julius leaned closer, his voice soft but filled with desire. "The night was amazing. I would love if you became my second woman."
Rem's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock and refusal. "Absolutely not. That would be cheating. What happened last night... it was only my self-punishment. I built my happy life with Subaru on Ram's grave. So I will carry this wound from now on."
Julius sighed, but there was a small smile on his lips. "Beatrice really messed up our stay at the mansion. I was hoping we would do it some more."
Rem shot him a sharp look, though her cheeks were still faintly flushed. "Control yourself. You acted like an animal last night. In the hot springs, I demand that you act nice and polite. I don't want Anastasia or any of her spies to see anything between us."
Julius raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Why not? It's not like Anastasia would mind."
Rem looked at him with genuine anger, her blue eyes flashing. "That's exactly the point. She would probably be smug and happy about it... and later torment me for cheating on Subaru. She is a crazy control freak."
She paused, her expression darkening with worry. "I hope Anastasia doesn't do anything to Subaru while I'm gone..."
Julius holidays her closer, kissing the top of her head gently, but Rem remained tense in his arms, the weight of her guilt refusing to lift.
A crazy control freak?! Anastasia's mind practically detonated with fury, her thoughts screaming into Yae's head. How dare that worthless, brainless maid insult me! I am the one who gave her a job! I am the one who dictates her miserable little life! She insults me while sitting in my carriage, being held by my husband, entirely supported by my wealth! The sheer disrespect, the ungratefulness of this blue-haired parasite! She acts like she has a moral high ground because she calls it a 'self-punishment'! It's a cheap excuse to get fucked by a better man!
She knows you're holding the leash, my lady, Yae thought back, watching the pair with sharp eyes. And she hates you for it because she knows she's weak. Look at how she pretends to care about Subaru while letting Julius handle her like a piece of meat.
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was thick with a strange mix of intimacy and tension. Rem sat pressed against Julius's side, his arm casually draped around her shoulders. She stared out the window for a moment before speaking, her voice quiet.
"I did a horrible mistake... I can't even explain why I let it happen with you. But it was wrong."
Julius's fingers gently played with a strand of her blue hair. "You make me jealous when you talk about other men like that," he said, half-teasing, half-serious.
Rem gave him a sharp look, her eyes narrowing. "Subaru is my husband. He comes first."
Julius smirked, leaning in closer. "Yet you came plenty last night."
Rem's face flushed instantly. She elbowed him lightly in the side. "Because of last night my stomach hurts... You should have been more gentle. Just because I'm an oni and I can take it the hard way doesn't excuse you."
Julius chuckled softly, looking genuinely happy. "I'm glad you liked it that much." His voice softened. "Sorry... I haven't done it in five years or so. Not since Anastasia's condition got worse."
Rem looked away, puffing her cheeks slightly in irritation, though she didn't pull away from his embrace. "I almost feel bad about it... but not really. After all, you loaded me up so much."
Julius smiled wider, clearly pleased with himself. "You told me it was one time, so I got my shot at getting you pregnant and went all out." He shrugged. "If it makes you feel better, I'm completely drained out as well."
Rem's hand instinctively moved to her stomach, resting there protectively. Her voice was small. "I hope I'm not pregnant..."
Julius's eyes darkened with possessive warmth. He placed his hand over hers on her belly. "I would prefer if you were. That way I'd finally have a real excuse to steal you from Subaru completely."
Rem immediately puffed up, glaring at him. "That's not happening."
She looked irritated, cheeks still red, but she didn't remove Julius's hand from her stomach. She stayed sitting right next to him, leaning against his side, the conflict clear on her face.
In her bedroom, Anastasia listened to every word through the silver mantle. Her bandaged hands clenched the blanket so tightly the fabric groaned, fresh tears of rage and heartbreak burning in her eyes.
He wants to get her pregnant, Anastasia thought, her mind spiraling into a dark, suffocating abyss of grief and jealousy. He wants to have a child with her. A half-oni bastard to seal his betrayal. He never offered that to me. He never looked at my stomach with that kind of sickening, desperate devotion. He's completely under her spell, completely manipulated by her pathetic, submissive little act. I will destroy her. I swear it, I will utterly break her before she ever carries a piece of him.
It looks like your husband is ready to throw his entire lineage away for her, Lady Anastasia, Yae observed via their mental link, her tone sharp. She claims she doesn't want it, but look at how she leaves his hand right there on her stomach. She loves the power she has over him.
The carriage continued its steady journey toward the hot springs. Rem sat nestled against Julius's side, his arm still wrapped comfortably around her shoulders. The conversation had turned quieter, more intimate, and dangerously domestic.
Julius's hand rested lightly on Rem's stomach as he spoke, his voice warm and teasing. "Do you really not want a little baby running around? I'm sure you and Subaru would be able to raise it by now, especially since you have stable work." He gave her a playful smile, his fingers tracing small circles. "And your boobs would get a little bigger thanks to it. That would be nice to see."
Rem's cheeks flushed, but she kept her expression guarded. Julius continued smoothly. "Of course, if it's mine, I would help you raise it. Maybe even allow you to bring the baby to work. I'm sure you'd be able to handle it."
Rem looked at him for a moment, then answered carefully. "I appreciate the thought. If Subaru and I decide to have one, we'll probably make it work."
Julius's eyes sparked with mischief as he leaned closer, whispering flirtatiously. "I can help too, you know. I'm sure I can provide really strong genes."
Rem's expression turned cold and dismissive. She pulled back slightly, though she didn't remove his arm from around her. "I prefer if my baby has the traits of the man I love."
Julius grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "So you want me to do it again?"
Rem immediately shook her head, irritation flashing across her face. "No. I mean my husband."
Julius didn't stop teasing. He tilted his head, his voice low and playful. "So Rem doesn't love me? Even after all those screams last night?"
Rem looked away, her cheeks burning, but answered honestly. "I like you. There's a big difference between liking and loving."
Julius chuckled softly, pulling her closer again, clearly not discouraged by her words. Rem let out a small, frustrated sigh but remained seated beside him, allowing his arm to stay around her.
Julius took a deep breath and leaned his head back against the seat, letting out a long, dramatic sigh. "I failed last night," he lamented, half-joking but with real regret in his voice. "I should have tried harder."
Rem immediately sat up straighter, giving him a firm look. "I already told you. No matter what happens... Subaru will always be my number one."
Julius turned his head toward her, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Last night you weren't so confident saying something like that."
Rem's cheeks puffed up in irritation, her blue eyes narrowing at him. She looked adorably annoyed, which only made Julius's smile widen.
Seeing her reaction, Julius softened his tone. "Since you don't want to do it again, I'll respect that. I'll wait if you ever change your mind." He closed his eyes and relaxed deeper into the seat. "But right now... I'm going to sleep a little. You really drained me out last night."
He shifted his weight across the carriage bench, turning his body toward her. Instead of merely closing his eyes, Julius leaned down and entirely laid his upper body across the seat, resting his head directly on Rem's soft knees. He adjusted his position comfortably against her thighs, looking up at her face with a relaxed, intimate smile before closing his eyes. Rem blinked in utter surprise, her entire posture freezing as she felt the heavy, warm weight of another man's head resting on her lap. "Y-You're really going to sleep like this? At a moment like this?" Julius chuckled softly without opening his eyes, nudging his head slightly deeper into the fabric of her skirt over her knees. "You're too stressed about all of this, Rem. You need to rest too. Subaru won't find out. Beatrice won't tell him." Rem looked down at his handsome face resting shamelessly on her thighs, then back out the window. "Don't get used to sleeping like this," she muttered under her breath, her voice tight, though she made no move to push his head off her lap.
Julius smiled, his eyes still closed. "Of course."
In her bedroom, Anastasia listened to the entire exchange through the silver mantle. Her face twisted with supreme irritation, jealousy, and an intense, burning hatred for the maid who had stolen her peace.
Look at him... my cheating husband acting so casually, like it's absolutely nothing, she thought bitterly. And look at her, pretending to be the moral, loyal wife while keeping his hand on her knee. She thinks she's safe. She thinks she can insult me, call me a control freak, and then enjoy the protection of my husband.
Through the telepathic connection, Yae's thoughts filtered back into Anastasia's mind, dripping with an agonizingly slow, amused purr. *Oh my, Lady Anastasia... look at that. He's practically treating her like a beloved wife resting after a long night. Your proud, noble knight is curled up on a maid's lap like a pampered pet. He never laid his head on your knees like that, did he? It looks so soft... so domestic. Quite a change from how he commands you.* Anastasia's mind practically exploded with a violent, white-hot surge of pure adrenaline and rage. The sheer disrespect from her own spy—combined with the sickening sight of Julius's head on Rem's thighs—made her blood boil past its breaking point. ***Hold your tongue, you miserable wrench!\ Anastasia screamed back through the mental link, her thoughts sharp enough to cut like glass. *How dare you speak to me with such casual insolence?! I pay you to keep your eyes open, not to open your filthy mouth and mock your mistress! If you utter one more teasing, pathetic comment about my marriage, I swear to you, Yae, I will personally see to it that you are stripped of your position, thrown into the streets, and left to rot in the gutter where I found you! You are nothing but a tool to me, do you hear me?! Don't you dare forget your place while watching that blue-haired parasite steal what belongs to me!\ ** There was an immediate, tense silence over the line as Yae quickly swallowed her amusement, realizing she had pushed the princess far too close to the edge.
Anastasia clenched her bandaged hands, the physical pain barely registering compared to the venom boiling inside her chest. The hot springs trip was supposed to bring her closer to absolute control. Instead, it felt like she was watching a worthless nobody slowly dismantle her entire life. But Anastasia was the Greedy Princess, and she would never let a common maid win. If Rem wanted to play the hypocrite, Anastasia would make sure the trap she built would snap shut on her neck with lethal precision.