Anastasius/Story

Rozemyne and Anastasius first meet at the Royal Academy’s fellowship gathering, where archduke candidates introduce themselves in order of duchy ranking. After exchanging introductory greetings, Anastasius comments disdainfully that Rozemyne’s appearance doesn’t live up to the rumors circulating about the "Saint of Ehrenfest". Wanting to end the interaction quickly, she tries to give a politely self-deprecating reply. Unfortunately, her response comes across as sarcastic and Anastasius takes offense.

When Anastasius encounters her again at dedication whirl practice, his interest is caught by rumors that she attacked Professor Fraularm with her highbeast, and he asks her about it. When Rozemyne attempts to excuse herself from the meeting, he misinterprets it as a ploy to get closer to him. In an effort to clear up the misunderstanding, she promises to never approach him of her own accord in the future. Baffled and impatient, Anastasius decides he has better things to do and dismisses her after class, much to Rozemyne's relief.

When Rozemyne and Rosina attend a tea party hosted by the Royal Academy’s music professors, both Eglantine and Anastasius are also present: Eglantine, who enjoys music; and Anastasius, who wanted an excuse to spend time with Eglantine.

Although many nobles believe Anastasius is pursuing Eglantine, a daughter of the former third prince, as a means to secure the throne, he seems to be personally smitten with her. He goes to great lengths to please her and shows fierce jealousy when Eglantine takes a liking to Rozemyne. Later, Anastasius enlists Rozemyne help in winning Eglantine over, starting by finding out who she plans to have escort her to their graduation ceremony.

Rozemyne meets with Eglantine as instructed. Due to her promise not to approach him of her own accord, however, Anastasius has to go in person to find her in the library. When they go to his villa for a private discussion, he rushes Rozemyne out of impatience and inadvertently causes her to exhaust herself and develop a fever.

Rozemyne informs him that Eglantine, who fears another civil war, is reluctant to choose either prince and believes that Anastasius only pursues her for political reasons. Partly due to her feverish condition, she tells him bluntly to tell Eglantine how he feels, and advises him to practice to become a more skilled whirler and harspiel player to win her over.

Although Anastasius is shocked at her bluntness, he takes her advice to heart. He also advises her to be more cautious in social settings, so as not to be exploited by other nobles. Rozemyne then collapses with a fever, ending the meeting.

Anastasius later goes to Eglantine and openly confesses his feelings, and promises to renounce his claim to the throne and live with her in Klassenberg. Eglantine is touched by his sincerity and accepts his feelings. When he mentions that Rozemyne collapsed at their meeting, however, she chastizes him and insists on helping him write a letter of apology.

Rozemyne responds with her own apology for her conduct during the meeting. She also sends the music for a song Anastasius commissioned and agrees to order a hair ornament for Eglantine to wear during the graduation ceremony. He responds enthusiastically, overflowing with praise for Eglantine.

With his hopes of marriage renewed, Anastasius meets several times with the King, his brother Prince Sigiswald, and the previous Aub Klassenberg to declare his intentions and secure their permission. Eglantine later says she was won over by seeing him work so hard to accommodate her wishes.

When Rozemyne delivers Eglantine’s hair ornament and a second song dedicated to the Goddess of Light to Anastasius, he is very pleased with the quality of both.

In accordance with Rozemyne’s advice, Anastasius worked hard to improve at his dedication whirl. When they perform together at the graduation ceremony, he is equal to her skill and the audience is awed. Later in the day, when Rozemyne watches the recording of the event using a magic tool, she is touched by their love story and inadvertently gives them a blessing.

When the blessing showers down around the couple as they process into the grand hall, it causes a stir among the assembled nobles. The Sovereign High Bishop declares that the gods themselves have blessed Eglantine’s coming-of-age and marriage. Shocked and shaken, Anastasius and Eglantine both suspect that the blessing came from Rozemyne, although they have no proof.

Spoiler from Part 4 Volume 4

At the Archduke Conference following Anastasius's and Eglantine's graduation, the king announces that the two are engaged to be married. He also announces that Anastasius is no longer in line to inherit the throne, but will be overseeing the territory of the Sovereignty in a similar manner to how a Giebe rules a province of a duchy. This step down in status was likely part of a compromise with his brother Sigiswald to be able to marry Eglantine.

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