pappabearbooks Chapter 97. Anastasia's Departure
Chapter 97. Anastasia's Departure
Chapter 97. Anastasia's Departure
The backyard of the mansion.
The place is filled with vibrant laurel, jasmine, lilac, wisteria, and olive trees, among other greenery.
In the small house in the center of the garden, a figure stands out dazzlingly in the sunlight in front of the window.
After a long while, Sergei put his arm around her and sat back down on the sofa next to them. Anastasia's soft, slender body nestled in his arms.
The fragrance of long hair, mixed with a unique scent, permeated the air.
"I've been feeling restless lately."
Anastasia's voice was soft.
Sergei did not speak.
His hand rested on her slender waist.
Stroking the perfectly smooth curves.
Anastasia blushed.
Although they have been married for many years and have tried many methods.
But she still felt shy whenever her husband touched her.
In the house in the garden.
Even in the warm summer months, they went to many places to flirt.
Beside the fountain.
Under the trellis.
Olive grove.
On the stairs.
However, such opportunities will be rare in the future.
I'm afraid not.
Because her husband told her that she could no longer appear in public.
-
Her husband wanted to arrange for her to go to Moscow, but she knew she couldn't accept such an arrangement.
She would either stay by his side, or she would choose to leave alone, just as she had said on their wedding night.
"I'm sorry," Sergei finally spoke.
He felt tears streaming down the bright face nestled against his chest.
"Don't say that. It was my own choice. I was willing to marry you, and I was also willing to leave you." Anastasia sobbed.
She never forgot what she had promised him on their wedding night.
But as that day approached, she couldn't help but cry.
"I thought I could hold back," Anastasia said, tears streaming down her face.
Sergei pressed his head against hers, and Anastasia could no longer hold back, bursting into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Sergei, I truly love you. I can't imagine how painful it would be for me to leave you. I— Waaaaaah—"
For three consecutive days, Sergei did not leave his home. He asked Elizabeth for leave, citing illness as the reason.
He spent the entire three days with Anastasia.
He cooked for her himself, making her favorite dishes, but it was only then that he realized he had no idea what Anastasia liked to eat.
He tried to find something to amuse Anastasia, but after searching the entire bedroom, he couldn't find anything that would interest her. It wasn't that she didn't have it, but rather that he didn't know it.
He truly fulfilled his duties as a husband, ensuring his wife had enough to eat and wear, and buying her expensive rouge, beautiful clothes, and exquisite jewelry.
But he was not a good husband.
Never.
He could only rely on his most primal instincts.
In response to his love for Anastasia.
Finally, he and Anastasia went to the restaurant.
Finally, they went back to bed.
That morning, Sergei opened his eyes. There was no one beside him, but there was a note on the table.
Anastasia left without saying goodbye.
"My lord, the lady left with a briefcase. She said you were sleeping and didn't want me to wake you. As you instructed, I notified Yuri, and the men he arranged have already set off," the butler told him.
Sergei looked at the note: "Tell Yuri to protect the lady's safety, not to let her find out, and not to interfere with where she goes or what she does."
"Yes."
After the butler left, Sergei closed his eyes, his hand slowly clenching into a fist. He held the note in his hand, feeling a pang of pain in his heart.
"Sergei, I will take good care of our child. I love you."
Sergei silently shed tears.
In the afternoon, the butler knocked on Sergei's office door.
"My lord, Her Majesty's attendant has arrived. He asked me to tell you that the Empress is holding a masquerade ball tonight, requiring men to dress as women and women to dress as men. He also said that if you have recovered, you should attend, but you do not have to dress as a woman or dance."
"Understood." Sergei didn't look up, and was writing something on the paper.
Masquerade balls where men and women switch genders were a particular hobby of Elizabeth, because deep down she shared the same ambition and aspirations that only a man should have, just like her father, Peter the Great.
At such balls, Elizabeth often changed into the uniform of the Royal Guard.
But Elizabeth's orders today were a bit strange. Since she didn't need to dress up or dance, yet still wanted him to attend the ball as much as possible, there must be some special reason.
He was silent for a moment, then said, "Prepare the car; we're going to the secret committee."
Soon, he arrived at the secret committee and, after inquiring with Vadim, learned the latest situation.
"Her Majesty the Empress's relationship with the Church has been quite strained these past few days. I've heard that several archbishops have come to St. Petersburg."
Sergei immediately understood.
Tonight's theme isn't the dance, but the church.
"The Land and Serf Question"
In the evening, at the grand ball, men and women were completely mixed together. The men dressed as women, wearing rouge and lipstick, and all kinds of brightly colored dresses, while the women wore men's clothes and had beards.
In contrast to the men's incongruity, most of the women possess a unique charm, as their figures still appear slender and graceful even in men's clothing, exuding a certain heroic spirit.
Even a woman like Elizabeth, who has gained weight, doesn't look out of place.
Like Elizabeth, Catherine wore the uniform of the Guards. The dark green uniform was crisp and perfectly showed off her slender waist and long legs.
Everyone danced gracefully to the music.
The ladies looked dashing, while the gentlemen were laughable.
Sergei sipped his red wine, enjoying the farcical ball. During intermission, Peter, dressed in a pale yellow dress, ran off to the side and began drinking heavily, while Ekaterina approached him.
"I heard you were ill, Duke. Are you feeling any better?" Ekaterina asked with concern.
"Much better, Your Highness. This outfit suits you perfectly; you look just like a commander," Sergei said sincerely.
Ekaterina smiled broadly: "I'm very happy with this outfit too."
Just then, the ball doors were pushed open, and several archbishops walked in, their stern voices echoing through the hall as they harshly criticized everyone.
"The Lord says that women should not wear men's clothing, nor should men dress as women; the Lord will abhor those who do such things!"
The other courtiers stepped aside, revealing Elizabeth standing in the center of the stage, who raised her hand and smiled slightly.
"Please calm down, Your Excellency, this is just a masquerade ball."
The archbishop said coldly, "I'd like to talk about another thing that's making me angry."
Elizabeth walked toward the next room, and several bishops followed.
As everyone watched the departing figures, they all felt the joyful atmosphere turn somber.
"Sergei, Razumovsky, come here," Elizabeth's voice came.
Both Besdov and Shuvalov had asked Elizabeth for leave because of their cross-dressing and were not present.
Sergei and Razumovsky exchanged a glance, and then followed.