Side Story: Anastasia (9)

The sun dipped below the Northern Mountains, and darkness was beginning to settle by the time we reached the Elven Village. We were likely deep within the Forest of Bewilderment, not far from Linzea.

The Forest of Bewilderment in Linzea is famous, and there have always been rumors of a hidden elven settlement within its depths. However, it's said that no one who sets foot there ever returns alive. A well-known story involves the selfless Great Sage, Lord Loringas; he allegedly entered the woods in search of a secret elixir and vanished—he hasn't returned to this day.

Yet Allen had reached the other side of that very forest with effortless ease.

While the elves seemed to welcome Allen, I was clearly an outsider. They watched me with heavy suspicion.

Still, considering how humans have treated elves in the past, their caution was only natural.

Allen must have noticed my spirits sinking as I dwelled on those thoughts, because he took my hand and led me forward, exchanging friendly greetings with the villagers as we walked.

We entered a building and were ushered into the Queen’s presence almost immediately. To be granted an audience without prior notice... I couldn’t fathom how much trust Allen had managed to earn here.

After a brief exchange between Allen and Her Majesty, the conversation turned to me.

“And this woman is?”

“Allow me to introduce her,” Allen said. “This is Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett-sama. She is... a woman very precious to me.”

He called me a precious woman! I'm so happy!

“I see, so this is the person Allen-sama...”

“Ana-sama, this is the Queen of the Elven Village.”

“I am Anastasia, daughter of Duke Ramslett,” I said, offering a ladylike bow. I was determined not to bring shame to the Ducal House—or more importantly, to the man who called me precious. “It is an honor to meet Your Majesty.”

The Queen’s expression softened ever so slightly.

“Fufu. I see. You are a young lady from a fine family, Anastasia-san. Tell me, do you understand why the Elven Village remains closed to the world?”

“...I do.”

She had struck a nerve.

“Then knowing that, why did you decide to accompany Allen-sama here?”

“T-That’s... well...”

I faltered, the words catching in my throat.

Oh, honestly! Why do I lose my ability to speak whenever Allen is involved?

“Allen-sama, would you mind giving us a moment?”

“Of course. Ana-sama, I'll be right outside the door.”

At the Queen’s request, Allen stepped out, leaving the two of us alone.

“Now then, Anastasia-san. You say you understand why we are isolated?”

“Yes.”

“Then you also understand that if Allen-sama’s connection to us is discovered, his life will be in danger?”

“...I do. I know there are humans who despicably hunt the beautiful elves to sell as slaves. Such men would surely try to force the location from Allen, even if they had to resort to threats.”

“Then why did you follow him? Why not simply look the other way? You are not his wife, after all. And if he only calls you a ‘precious woman,’ it implies you haven’t even promised your futures to each other yet.”

“...Yes.”

The Queen bombarded me with cold, hard logic. I bit my lip, unable to offer a single rebuttal.

“Then why? Is Allen-sama’s safety worth so little to you?”

There was a hint of reproach in her voice now, and her words pierced my heart like a needle.

Frustration and self-loathing welled up inside me until, before I knew it, tears were tracing paths down my cheeks.

To cry in front of others... I’m a failure as a daughter of House Ramslett.

However, the Queen’s tone turned gentle as she spoke again.

“You understood the risks, yet you chose to come anyway. Don’t you already know the reason why, Anastasia-san?”

“That’s...”

I did know. It was a feeling I had no right to voice, yet I couldn't hold it back any longer.

“It’s because I love him! I love Allen! That’s why... that’s why I couldn't stand the thought of him being with another woman while I was gone!”

I'd said it. Despite the gap in our status. Despite my duties as a noble. I’d finally said it.

“A-Ahhh...”

A wave of regret washed over me for letting the words slip, and more tears began to fall.

“In other words, you love Allen-sama, but the laws of the human world prevent you from being together?”

I gave a small, weak nod.

“In that case, why not live here in the village with him?”

“Wait, what?”

“Allen-sama is our benefactor, and we wish for his happiness. If your love cannot be fulfilled in the human world, wouldn't it be better to simply abandon everything else?”

It was a sweet, intoxicating proposal—one I wanted to leap at. But I knew it was impossible.

“I... I cannot. As a daughter of the nobility, I have lived off the blood of the people. I have an obligation to devote my life to them. For me—and only me—to seize such a private happiness... it would be unforgivable.”

The Queen looked genuinely puzzled.

“How strange. Then why not choose a path where you seize both?”

“Both?”

“You feel you must live for the people because they supported you. If that is the case, why can you not live for the people alongside Allen-sama?”

That was the ideal. If such a path existed, I would take it in a heartbeat.

But did a road like that actually exist?

And more importantly... would Allen even want me by his side?

“Anastasia-san, it seems to me that you are a bit too prone to self-sacrifice. Perhaps you should relax a little and be more honest with yourself.”

“I... I...”

I had no answer for her. She sat there, gently admonishing me, and I was left utterly speechless.