Anastasia leaned back against the wall of her hidden alcove, her heart still racing from the amusement and thrill of what she had just witnessed. Julius and Rem were engrossed in their work, the conversation between them flowing naturally now that Julius had calmed his initial nerves.
For a moment, Anastasia allowed herself to indulge in the scene a little longer, her imagination painting vivid pictures of what might come next. But soon, weariness began to set in. She had orchestrated enough for the evening, and tomorrow would be another day for careful plans and subtle moves.
Quietly, she left her hidden spot, moving through the dim hallways of the mansion toward her bedroom. As she settled into the plush bedding, she glanced toward the empty space beside her where Julius would soon lie.
"He'll come to bed soon," she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I wonder if he'll still be thinking about Rem's scent or how she looked in that uniform... Maybe he'll dream about her. And maybe someday soon, those dreams will become something more tangible."
She closed her eyes, the warmth of her fantasies mingling with the comfort of her bed. "But not tonight. Tonight, he's mine. And tomorrow, I'll decide what the next step will be."
As sleep crept over her, Anastasia felt a sense of satisfaction. Things were moving forward, slowly but surely, and she would guide them to where she wanted them to be. For now, though, she let herself rest, waiting for the familiar warmth of Julius slipping into bed beside her.
By the time he joined her, she was already lost in her dreams.
The hallway stretched before Anastasia, dim and endless, the polished wood cool beneath her bare feet. At the far end, a single door stood slightly ajar, golden light spilling through the crack like a beckoning invitation.
As she moved closer, her heart thundered in her chest, her hands trembling at her sides. From behind the door came faint sounds—a rustling, soft murmurs. Then, suddenly, a low moan pierced the air.
Anastasia froze, her breath hitching. She knew that voice. "Yes... yes, Julius! Just like that... more..."
Her stomach clenched, and she pressed a hand to her mouth, a whirlwind of emotions storming through her. She took another shaky step forward, each muffled sound drawing her closer, like a moth to flame.
The moans grew louder, sharper, as Rem's voice filled the air, laced with unrestrained pleasure. "Harder... Julius, please! I love it!"
Anastasia's fingers dug into her arms as she tried to steady herself. Her knees felt weak, her body trembling. "I should stop this. I should open the door and end this," she told herself, but her feet wouldn't move. She was rooted to the spot, her heart racing with a mixture of jealousy, hurt, and undeniable excitement.
The rhythmic sounds intensified, the creak of the bed, the low grunts of Julius, and the way Rem cried out his name as though she couldn't contain herself.
"She's so loud..." Anastasia thought, her breath catching as a new wave of moans echoed through the hallway. "Does she even care that someone might hear? She sounds so... so happy."
Her hands shook as she clutched at her dress, her face flushed. Each cry of ecstasy from Rem pierced her chest, but instead of despair, a wicked thrill coursed through her.
Then, the words came, loud and clear, slicing through the haze of her thoughts.
"Julius! Get me pregnant! Please! Give me a baby!"
Anastasia gasped, a surge of emotion overwhelming her. Her head spun as the fantasy wrapped around her mind, dark and all-consuming. She felt a pang in her chest, her body quivering. "This is too much. I need to stop this. I have to stop this."
But she couldn't move. Her legs refused to obey, and instead, she found herself smiling despite the tears streaming down her cheeks.
And yet, the ache in her chest wouldn't relent. It hurt so much, but why, then, was her mouth curling into a small, wicked smile?
"Why am I happy?" she thought. "Why does this excite me so much? I should hate this... I should be furious. But I'm not. I... I want this."
The cries from the other side of the door grew louder, more desperate. Anastasia's breathing quickened as her trembling hand reached for the doorknob. She hesitated, her mind a battlefield of conflicting desires.
"Just open it. Open it and stop this," she whispered to herself. But as she stood there, frozen, she realized she didn't want to stop it. She wanted to see it, to witness the passion, the happiness.
Her hand turned the knob slowly, the creak of the door echoing in her ears—
And then she woke with a start.
Anastasia bolted upright in bed, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. The sunlight streaming through the curtains felt blinding, and her body was damp with sweat.
She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. "It was a dream," she whispered, her voice shaky. "Just a dream... nothing more."
But as the vivid images lingered in her mind, she felt a deep sense of dread settle over her. Her hands trembled as she brought them to her face.
"What's wrong with me?" she muttered, tears welling in her eyes. "How could I think something like that? How could I..."
The thought of Julius with Rem should have filled her with rage, but instead, it stirred something darker inside her. Anastasia buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed by the fear of her own desires.
Anastasia lay in bed next to Julius, her body still trembling with distress. She clutched the blanket tightly, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The remnants of the dream lingered, vivid and haunting. She tried to calm herself, to push the thoughts away, but they clung to her like shadows.
"I want this," she thought, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. "I want Rem and Julius to be together. But... I don't want to lose him. I love him."
Her chest ached, her heart caught between desire and fear. She stared at Julius's sleeping face, his features so peaceful, his breathing steady. It hurt to think about him with someone else, but the thought of his happiness—true happiness—pierced her deeply.
And then there was Rem. The image of her haunted Anastasia, perfect and infuriating all at once. Young. Beautiful. Athletic. Fertile.
The word echoed in Anastasia's mind, relentless and cruel. "Fertile."
Her hands curled into fists as a surge of anger rose in her chest, mingling with an unsettling smile that spread across her lips. "She's perfect. She could give Julius not just one child but many. She's the ideal woman. A true female. A mother. And I... I can't compete with that."
A sharp pain twisted in Anastasia's chest as the bitter truth struck her. "I'm secondary," she thought, her breaths coming quicker. "A secondary woman. I can never be what she is. I can't give him what she can. I know my place, and I..." She inhaled shakily, a tear rolling down her cheek, as her trembling lips curved into a smile.
"I'll do whatever it takes," she resolved. "If Rem is what he needs, if she's the one who can give him the life he deserves, then I'll make it happen. I'll make them see it. I'll ensure Julius doesn't waste his life on me, no matter how much it hurts. I've already failed him, but I won't let him fail himself."
Anastasia's smile widened, even as tears continued to stream down her face. She bit her lip to stifle a sob, the conflicting emotions of love, despair, and determination all swirling within her. She felt like she was breaking apart, but she clung to the idea of Julius's happiness as her anchor.
And yet, the ache in her chest wouldn't relent. It hurt so much, but why, then, was her mouth curling into a small, wicked smile?
Her thoughts spiraled further. "It's so unfair," she whispered in her mind, her voice trembling. "Why can't it be me? Why wasn't I given the chance to give him children, to make him happy? I'm his wife. I should be enough. But I'm not."
Her body shook with quiet sobs as she struggled against the suffocating weight of her inadequacies. "I love him so much. Why isn't love enough?"
Her tears were interrupted by a soft stir beside her. Julius shifted, his eyes fluttering open as he turned toward her. "Anastasia?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep. His brow furrowed as he noticed her tear-streaked face. "What's wrong? You're upset."
Before he could say more, Anastasia leaned into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. She pressed her face against his chest, her tears soaking into his nightshirt.
"I love you, Julius," she whispered, her voice trembling. She clung to him as though he might slip away if she let go.
Julius's arms came around her, his touch gentle as he held her close. "I love you too," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. "What happened, Anastasia? Tell me. Please."
She hesitated, the words catching in her throat. She couldn't tell him the truth. She couldn't let him know about the nightmare or the dark thoughts that followed. Instead, she buried her face deeper into his shoulder, her tears wetting his skin.
"I... I dreamed I lost you," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It felt so real. I couldn't bear it, Julius. I couldn't bear being without you."
Julius's hold on her tightened, his hand running soothingly over her back. "Anastasia," he murmured. "I'll never leave you. You have my word. No matter what happens, I'll always stay by your side."
His words were a balm to her frayed nerves, and yet the ache in her chest remained. She let herself cry against his shoulder, her tears silent but relentless.
As her sobs quieted, she felt Julius press a soft kiss to the top of her head. "You don't need to carry this alone," he said. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together. Always."
Anastasia nodded weakly, though her mind was still a storm of turmoil. She loved him, truly, but the dark desires lurking in her heart wouldn't let her rest. As her breathing steadied, she whispered again, more to herself than to him, "I love you, Julius. I'll always love you."
With her tear-streaked face nestled against his chest, Anastasia finally let exhaustion claim her. But even as sleep took her, the haunting echoes of her nightmare and her spiraling thoughts lingered, a reminder of the tangled emotions she couldn't escape.
The hallway stretched before Anastasia, dim and endless, the polished wood cool beneath her bare feet. At the far end, a single door stood slightly ajar, golden light spilling through the crack like a beckoning invitation.
As she moved closer, her heart thundered in her chest, her hands trembling at her sides. From behind the door came faint sounds—a rustling, soft murmurs. Then, suddenly, a low moan pierced the air.
Anastasia froze, her breath hitching. She knew that voice. "Yes... yes, Julius! Just like that... more..."
Her stomach clenched, and she pressed a hand to her mouth, a whirlwind of emotions storming through her. She took another shaky step forward, each muffled sound drawing her closer, like a moth to flame.
The moans grew louder, sharper, as Rem's voice filled the air, laced with unrestrained pleasure. "Harder... Julius, please! I love it!"
Anastasia's fingers dug into her arms as she tried to steady herself. Her knees felt weak, her body trembling. "I should stop this. I should open the door and end this," she told herself, but her feet wouldn't move. She was rooted to the spot, her heart racing with a mixture of jealousy, hurt, and undeniable excitement.
The rhythmic sounds intensified, the creak of the bed, the low grunts of Julius, and the way Rem cried out his name as though she couldn't contain herself.
"She's so loud..." Anastasia thought, her breath catching as a new wave of moans echoed through the hallway. "Does she even care that someone might hear? She sounds so... so happy."
Her hands shook as she clutched at her dress, her face flushed. Each cry of ecstasy from Rem pierced her chest, but instead of despair, a wicked thrill coursed through her.
Then, the words came, loud and clear, slicing through the haze of her thoughts.
"Julius! Get me pregnant! Please! Give me a baby!"
Anastasia gasped, a surge of emotion overwhelming her. Her head spun as the fantasy wrapped around her mind, dark and all-consuming. She felt a pang in her chest, her body quivering. "This is too much. I need to stop this. I have to stop this."
But she couldn't move. Her legs refused to obey, and instead, she found herself smiling despite the tears streaming down her cheeks.
And yet, the ache in her chest wouldn't relent. It hurt so much, but why, then, was her mouth curling into a small, wicked smile?
"Why am I happy?" she thought. "Why does this excite me so much? I should hate this... I should be furious. But I'm not. I... I want this."
The cries from the other side of the door grew louder, more desperate. Anastasia's breathing quickened as her trembling hand reached for the doorknob. She hesitated, her mind a battlefield of conflicting desires.
"Just open it. Open it and stop this," she whispered to herself. But as she stood there, frozen, she realized she didn't want to stop it. She wanted to see it, to witness the passion, the happiness.
Her hand turned the knob slowly, the creak of the door echoing in her ears—
And then she woke with a start.
Anastasia bolted upright in bed, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. The sunlight streaming through the curtains felt blinding, and her body was damp with sweat.
She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. "It was a dream," she whispered, her voice shaky. "Just a dream... nothing more."
But as the vivid images lingered in her mind, she felt a deep sense of dread settle over her. Her hands trembled as she brought them to her face.
"What's wrong with me?" she muttered, tears welling in her eyes. "How could I think something like that? How could I..."
The thought of Julius with Rem should have filled her with rage, but instead, it stirred something darker inside her. Anastasia buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed by the fear of her own desires.
Anastasia lay in bed next to Julius, her body still trembling with distress. She clutched the blanket tightly, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The remnants of the dream lingered, vivid and haunting. She tried to calm herself, to push the thoughts away, but they clung to her like shadows.
"I want this," she thought, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. "I want Rem and Julius to be together. But... I don't want to lose him. I love him."
Her chest ached, her heart caught between desire and fear. She stared at Julius's sleeping face, his features so peaceful, his breathing steady. It hurt to think about him with someone else, but the thought of his happiness—true happiness—pierced her deeply.
And then there was Rem. The image of her haunted Anastasia, perfect and infuriating all at once. Young. Beautiful. Athletic. Fertile.
The word echoed in Anastasia's mind, relentless and cruel. "Fertile."
Her hands curled into fists as a surge of anger rose in her chest, mingling with an unsettling smile that spread across her lips. "She's perfect. She could give Julius not just one child but many. She's the ideal woman. A true female. A mother. And I... I can't compete with that."
A sharp pain twisted in Anastasia's chest as the bitter truth struck her. "I'm secondary," she thought, her breaths coming quicker. "A secondary woman. I can never be what she is. I can't give him what she can. I know my place, and I..." She inhaled shakily, a tear rolling down her cheek, as her trembling lips curved into a smile.
"I'll do whatever it takes," she resolved. "If Rem is what he needs, if she's the one who can give him the life he deserves, then I'll make it happen. I'll make them see it. I'll ensure Julius doesn't waste his life on me, no matter how much it hurts. I've already failed him, but I won't let him fail himself."
Anastasia's smile widened, even as tears continued to stream down her face. She bit her lip to stifle a sob, the conflicting emotions of love, despair, and determination all swirling within her. She felt like she was breaking apart, but she clung to the idea of Julius's happiness as her anchor.
And yet, the ache in her chest wouldn't relent. It hurt so much, but why, then, was her mouth curling into a small, wicked smile?
Her thoughts spiraled further. "It's so unfair," she whispered in her mind, her voice trembling. "Why can't it be me? Why wasn't I given the chance to give him children, to make him happy? I'm his wife. I should be enough. But I'm not."
Her body shook with quiet sobs as she struggled against the suffocating weight of her inadequacies. "I love him so much. Why isn't love enough?"
Her tears were interrupted by a soft stir beside her. Julius shifted, his eyes fluttering open as he turned toward her. "Anastasia?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep. His brow furrowed as he noticed her tear-streaked face. "What's wrong? You're upset."
Before he could say more, Anastasia leaned into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. She pressed her face against his chest, her tears soaking into his nightshirt.
"I love you, Julius," she whispered, her voice trembling. She clung to him as though he might slip away if she let go.
Julius's arms came around her, his touch gentle as he held her close. "I love you too," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. "What happened, Anastasia? Tell me. Please."
She hesitated, the words catching in her throat. She couldn't tell him the truth. She couldn't let him know about the nightmare or the dark thoughts that followed. Instead, she buried her face deeper into his shoulder, her tears wetting his skin.
"I... I dreamed I lost you," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It felt so real. I couldn't bear it, Julius. I couldn't bear being without you."
Julius's hold on her tightened, his hand running soothingly over her back. "Anastasia," he murmured. "I'll never leave you. You have my word. No matter what happens, I'll always stay by your side."
His words were a balm to her frayed nerves, and yet the ache in her chest remained. She let herself cry against his shoulder, her tears silent but relentless.
As her sobs quieted, she felt Julius press a soft kiss to the top of her head. "You don't need to carry this alone," he said. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together. Always."
Anastasia nodded weakly, though her mind was still a storm of turmoil. She loved him, truly, but the dark desires lurking in her heart wouldn't let her rest. As her breathing steadied, she whispered again, more to herself than to him, "I love you, Julius. I'll always love you."
With her tear-streaked face nestled against his chest, Anastasia finally let exhaustion claim her. But even as sleep took her, the haunting echoes of her nightmare and her spiraling thoughts lingered, a reminder of the tangled emotions she couldn't escape.
Anastasia woke to the pale morning light filtering through the curtains, her side of the bed cold and empty. She reached out instinctively, her hand brushing against the unoccupied pillow. Julius wasn't there.
"He's probably training," she thought with a small sigh, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Despite the lingering ache from the night before, she forced herself to get up.
Her reflection in the mirror was a reminder of the turmoil she had endured. Puffy eyes, a pale complexion, and an air of exhaustion stared back at her. She splashed cool water on her face, hoping it would wash away not just the physical signs but also the lingering doubts in her heart. After dressing in one of her simpler gowns, she made her way to the dining hall.
The corridors were quiet save for the soft rustling of maids going about their morning duties. Each one greeted her with a polite curtsy and warm words. Anastasia returned their greetings, her sharp eyes noting their youth and beauty.
"They're all so young and attractive," she thought, a pang of something bittersweet twisting in her chest. "And yet they serve me, someone who doesn't even..." She shook her head, brushing the thought aside as she entered the dining hall.
Breakfast was a simple affair, and she appreciated the effort her staff put into ensuring everything was perfect. As she ate, she noticed the maids stealing glances at her, their expressions tinged with concern. Finally, the head maid, an older woman with a stern yet kind demeanor, stepped forward.
"Is something wrong?" Anastasia asked, setting down her fork and wiping her lips with a napkin.
The head maid hesitated before speaking, her tone respectful but firm. "My lady, Lord Julius informed us of your... condition. He sent word to the city for medicine."
Anastasia's brows furrowed. "He did what? That wasn't necessary—"
Before she could finish, the head maid interrupted her with a rare, motherly authority. "Please, my lady. You need rest. You shouldn't be up and about like this. Return to your chambers and allow us to take care of things."
Anastasia opened her mouth to protest, but the head maid raised a hand, cutting her off. "No arguments, Lady Anastasia. You entrusted me with this position because you trusted my judgment. And right now, my judgment says you are not in a state to work."
Anastasia pressed her lips together, a flush of frustration and gratitude warring within her. She had chosen the head maid for her unyielding sense of duty, but that same trait now left Anastasia feeling helpless.
The head maid softened her tone. "Don't worry about the paperwork, my lady. Lord Julius and Miss Rem are already attending to it."
Hearing that name, Anastasia felt a familiar, complicated tangle of emotions rising again. She gave a small nod, her voice quieter now. "Very well. But please ensure everything is handled properly."
The head maid bowed, her expression relieved. "Of course, my lady. Now, back to bed with you."
Anastasia sighed, standing and allowing the maids to escort her back to her chambers. She couldn't shake the image of Julius and Rem working together, side by side, handling the responsibilities she couldn't face. The thought gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside, telling herself she needed to trust them—no matter what feelings bubbled beneath the surface.
As she lay back in bed, the ache in her chest persisted. She stared at the ceiling, trying to find solace in the quiet, but her thoughts wouldn't let her rest.
Despite the head maid's instructions, Anastasia found herself unable to stay confined to her bed. Her mind buzzed with restless energy, her thoughts circling Julius and Rem like a storm she couldn't calm. She quietly slipped out of her chambers and made her way to the hidden observation room.
The small peephole provided a perfect view of Julius and Rem in the study. They were seated at the desk, discussing land purchases and payments to miners with the seriousness of seasoned professionals. Anastasia noted how Rem sat opposite Julius, her posture straight and composed.
Her gaze traveled down, and she noticed that Rem wasn't wearing her tights—they lay neatly folded on the sofa. Anastasia's lips curved into a wry smile. "So she did take them off. Poor Julius. He must be too preoccupied worrying about me to even notice her like this."
From her vantage point, she could see the faint lines of concern etched on her husband's face. His focus was on the papers before him, and though she knew it was foolish, Anastasia felt a pang of disappointment. "If only he'd let his guard down a little... Perhaps they'd take one step closer."
She watched them for a while longer, noting how natural they seemed together. There was no hint of impropriety, no lingering glances or stolen touches. Anastasia let out a small sigh, the ache in her chest growing heavier. Quietly, she retreated to her room, slipping back into bed just in time to await the doctor's arrival.
The doctor arrived shortly after. He was a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor and a reputation for discretion. After a thorough examination, he sat beside Anastasia, his expression serious.
"Lady Anastasia, your health is deteriorating because of stress and overwork," he said plainly. "If you don't ease your workload, it could have severe consequences."
Anastasia nodded, but her frustration was evident. "It's not just the work," she admitted softly. "I've been... frustrated. I can't satisfy my husband."
The doctor's professional composure didn't falter. He reached into his bag and handed her a small bottle of pills. "These should help increase your libido, which might alleviate some of that frustration. But please, use them sparingly."
Anastasia took the bottle, examining it with faint curiosity. "Are there... other options? Something that might help more?"
The doctor hesitated. "There are stronger treatments, but they wouldn't be advisable in your condition. However, there are candles and mild aphrodisiacs you could try. And while there are pills to increase a man's libido, I don't think Lord Julius needs them."
His tone was matter-of-fact, but Anastasia couldn't help but smile faintly. "No, Julius doesn't need them," she agreed. "He's as devoted as ever."
The doctor's expression grew more somber. "Lady Anastasia, I must remind you... there are treatments to increase fertility, but with your health as it is, carrying a child would be extremely dangerous—for both you and the baby."
Anastasia's smile faltered, and she looked away, her grip tightening around the bottle of pills. "I know," she said quietly. "I've known for years."
After a moment of silence, she thanked the doctor and decided to purchase a few additional items—creams for her skin, the libido pills for herself, and a small supply for Julius, just in case. The doctor nodded, gathered his belongings, and left her to rest.
Anastasia lay back in bed, the sunlight filtering softly through the curtains. Her thoughts swirled with the doctor's words and her own deep-seated fears. She held the bottle of pills in her hand, running her fingers over its smooth surface.
"I'll recover," she told herself firmly, though her chest ached with doubt. As her body rested, her mind wandered back to Julius and Rem, to their quiet moments together in the study. A faint smile touched her lips. "Maybe... maybe it's better this way."
Closing her eyes, she resolved to let her body heal. For now, she would focus on her recovery, even as her thoughts strayed to the possibilities beyond her control.
The morning light streamed through the curtains, gently waking Anastasia from her sleep. She felt better than she had in days, the medication from the doctor working wonders. Though she wasn't completely recovered, there was a noticeable improvement. Today, she had decided not to work and give herself the rest she needed.
Despite her physical relief, there was a lingering worry in her heart. "I can't afford to let up. Rem needs to step into my shoes, fully," she thought, determination flashing through her mind. "If I want her to replace me in every way, she has to be able to handle the work. She has to impress Julius."
Anastasia made her way to breakfast, her thoughts still occupied by the idea of Rem taking over.
After eating, she made up her mind to check on Julius and Rem. She knew they were likely working on the documents she'd been too fatigued to manage. Despite trusting them, she couldn't help but feel an anxious curiosity about how they were progressing.
As she neared Julius's office, she could hear their voices inside. She paused outside the door, listening intently.
"...exporting meat to Laguna," Julius was saying, his voice calm and authoritative.
Rem's voice responded, measured and confident. "We could also optimize the shipping schedules to reduce costs."
Anastasia's heart raced. It seemed as though they were really working well together. She knew Julius appreciated a sharp mind, and Rem had certainly proven she was capable.
But as Anastasia stood outside the door, she felt a familiar tension—her mind drifting to her dream, and the vivid image of Rem in her most intimate moment with Julius. She pushed the thought away quickly. "It was just a dream," she reminded herself. But even so, she couldn't deny the tightness in her chest.
She shook her head and, with a steady breath, knocked lightly on the door.
There was a brief pause before Julius's voice called from within. "Please wait a moment."
Anastasia waited, hearing the soft rustling of movement inside. After a few seconds, Julius spoke again. "Please, come in."
She opened the door and stepped into the room, her eyes quickly taking in the scene.
Julius sat at his desk, his posture relaxed yet focused, papers spread out before him. Rem stood beside the desk, leaning slightly over it with a document in her hand. She wasn't sitting as Anastasia had expected.
Though she couldn't see much of Rem's legs, Anastasia noticed that the chair that should have been placed in front of the desk was pushed aside. It seemed Rem had been standing rather than sitting.
Julius turned and smiled warmly at Anastasia. "I trust you're feeling better?"
Anastasia smiled back, forcing herself to remain calm. "Yes, thank you. I just wanted to check in and see how things were going."
Julius nodded, gesturing to the papers in front of him. "We've made progress. Rem has been invaluable in helping with the paperwork."
Anastasia glanced at Rem, who was standing patiently beside the desk, her expression respectful and focused. She returned a polite smile. "Lady Anastasia, I'm doing my best to assist."
Anastasia studied her for a moment. She couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and unease. Rem was already taking on tasks with ease, and her presence in the office was so natural.
"It's good to see you both working well together," Anastasia remarked smoothly, pushing aside the feelings that threatened to rise within her. She turned her attention to Julius. "I'm glad things are progressing."
They spoke a bit longer about the tasks at hand. The conversation was professional, with no signs of tension or awkwardness. Rem continued to contribute her thoughts and suggestions, and Julius listened intently, clearly appreciating her input.
As the conversation continued, Anastasia quietly excused herself, feeling a strange mix of emotions welling up inside her. She left the office, making her way back to her room, her mind spinning.