Anastacius de Alger Obelia/Timeline

## Background

As the eldest child born into the imperial family of the Obelian Empire, Anastacius was first in line to the throne and favored by his parents and the imperial court. On one occasion, he experienced an ominous voice calling out to him during his childhood. From a young age, Anastacius was pressured by his mother to inherit the throne and thus began perceiving his talented younger brother, Claude de Alger Obelia, as a nuisance. Claude's affectionate interactions with his fiancée, Penelope Judith, caused Anastacius to believe that his younger brother was mocking him. Thus, Anastacius welcomed Penelope when she later chose to seduce him in hopes of securing her place next to the future emperor. At some point, Anastacius was possessed by Aeternitas, who encouraged him to murder Claude’s ailing mother. As she implored Anastacius to not resent his brother, Anastacius declared that she was already dying and refused to take action. After ascending the throne, he used Penelope’s body to experiment with black magic, allowing Penelope to artificially conceive a child imbued with dark mana whose power would surpass that of Claude's. Before the child was born, however, Anastacius presumably died during an attempt to murder Claude. Penelope fled the imperial palace, carrying her unborn child, a daughter who would eventually grow up to become Jennette Margarita.

## The Lovely Princess

In a post-mortem dream, Athanasia witnessed Anastacius emerging from the shadows, beckoning Jennette as he stood over the unconscious body of Claude.

## Story

### **Season 1**

Anastacius infiltrates the annual debutante ball where Athanasia and Jennette debut into high society. Magically disguised, Anastacius discreetly approaches Roger Alpheus and exposes himself as the living former emperor. Before Roger can process his astonishment, Anastacius then reveals that Jennette is his daughter. During this conversation, Anastacius coincidentally makes brief eye contact with Athanasia. At the end of the night, Anastacius watches over the kingdom from the rooftops, musing to himself that things have gotten interesting. As he crumples over in pain, clutching his stomach, he decides that he has to replenish his mana before taking further action.

Several weeks later, Anastacius catches sight of Jennette at a local vendor as she is browsing through ribbons. Assuming he is a stranger with whom she will never cross paths with again, Jennette confides with him that she wishes to pick out a gift for her younger sister. Anastacius praises the remarkable workmanship of a blue sapphire ribbon, explaining that Jennette's "younger sister" will be thrilled to receive a gift that matches her jewel eyes. Under the pretense of helping Jennette pick up the gift, he places a curse on the ribbon that will later trigger Athanasia's mana explosion. He then snickers when Jennette explains that her father is a very attentive man.

### **Season 2**

Several months later, Athanasia and Jennette coincidentally encounter Anastacius during their secret excursion into town. He politely inquires whether Athanasia, who is using magic to disguise her appearance, is the younger sister that Jennette previously mentioned. As Jennette hastily scrambles to give poorly-concocted excuses for her wording, several young girls accidentally bump into Athanasia. Anastacius swiftly steps aside to avoid making contact with Athanasia, and glosses over his curious gesture by offering to escort the girls to their next location. At a Siodonna clothing store, Jennette takes advantage of Athanasia's momentary distraction to apologise to Anastacius for coercing him into lying. Assuring her that he is not bothered by it, Anastacius reveals that he is not supposed to be in the area either. The two make a pinky promise, swearing to keep each other's secrets safe, much to Jennette's delight. When she states that he doesn’t resemble Claude in the slightest, despite reminding her of him, Anastacius's expression grows cold. The two cousins thank Anastacius at the end of the day and part ways with him.

Later that night, Jennette is shocked to see Anastacius at the Alpheus household, in the middle of a heated conversation with Roger. Roger smoothly explains that Anastacius is an acquaintance who will be staying with the Alpheus family for a short period of time. After Jennette realizes that she is underdressed and hastily excuses herself, Anastacius declares he has no intentions of revealing his identity to his daughter. He explains he was only cooperating with Roger's plan because it has certain benefits. A few days later, Anastacius decides to break the tension between himself and Jennette by asking her to graciously guide him through the gardens. As they stroll alongside one another, Anastacius kindly reassures her he intends to keep her secret excursion out of the house a secret from Roger. He later catches sight of Jennette's jewel blue eyes as she wakes up from a nap in the sitting room. Realising that she is not wearing her magic ring, Jennette covers her face and dashes out of the room. He confronts her the next day, inquiring whether or not she is descended from the royal bloodline. As Jennette struggles through her terror to respond, Anastacius vows to keep this revelation a secret as well.

One night, Roger reminds Anastacius to refrain from getting too close to Jennette. Slightly irked, Anastacius declares he is simply cleaning Roger's mess, accusing Roger for failing to keep Jennette in line. Anastacius states Jennette will eventually lose interest in him as long as she keeps her focus on Claude.

After receiving news that she is invited back to the imperial palace, Jennette happily confides with Anastacius her joy of finally getting close to her family. As they part ways, Anastacius recalls Penelope's manipulative nature and dryly wonders why Jennette did not resemble either of them. Afterwards, Jennette meets with Claude several more times, however, Anastacius finds her in a downtrodden mood. She confesses she still feels emotionally distant from her father and sister, despite the ample time she has spent meeting with them. Anastacius reminds her it is to be expected, since they are not aware of their familial relations. Delving into a discussion about their views on family, Jennette reveals that, despite the unconventional way of thinking, she believes a family are a group of people who give each other unconditional love and support. Anastacius points out that Claude and Athanasia most likely did not share that opinion. He explains it is possible they will not welcome her, as the truth of Jennette's existence would threaten Athanasia's inheritance to the throne and shake the stability of the empire. As he bluntly declares that Claude's love was not limitless, Jennette timidly remarks on how well Anastacius appears to understand the current emperor. Roger intervenes before Anastacius loses his temper and dismisses Jennette from the room.

The next morning, Anastacius apologises to Jennette for his harsh words, explaining he is simply worried for her sake. He presents a snow globe under the pretense of making amends, an object he secretly cursed to damage her soul. Before Jennette can properly receive the gift, however, Anastacius suddenly recalls her genuine joy at finding a family and removes the curse. As he turns to leave, he accidentally collides with Athanasia. The remnants of the protection spell Claude placed on her body causes Anastacius's old wound in his chest to reopen. As he swiftly strides off, hiding the blood, Anastacius realises Athanasia is still too well-protected for him to do anything.

After several meetings with the emperor, Jennette reports that Claude is able to fall asleep in her presence despite his severe insomnia, much to Anastacius's ominous delight. Under the alias "Viscount Patterson," Anastacius later learns that Athanasia and the imperial magician, Lucas, have returned to the imperial palace. He mulls over the lost opportunity to bring together Jennette and Claude during the time Athanasia was residing at the Alpheus residence. As Roger attempts to process this revelation, Anastacius privately deliberates over how he unintentionally caused Claude to have amnesia. As there have been no news, Anastacius wonders if Lucas is unable to restore the emperor's memories.

Anastacius coincidentally overhears Ijekiel confessing to Jennette that Athanasia is the most important person to him. Later that night, Anastacius is caught by Jennette drinking liquor on the front porch under the moonlight. Since neither are permitted to be out at such a later hour, Anastacius and Jennette forge another promise, vowing to keep the meeting a secret. As Anastacius watches an ominous cloud of dark mana seeping out of her body, he recalls Ijekiel's rejection and surmises that an unexpected variable has appeared.

### **Season 3**

Jennette confides to Anastacius that while Roger and Ijekiel are good to her, she feels as if there is a barrier between them. As she inquires if it is better off revealing her existence to her lost family, Anastacius expresses his uncertainty if true unconditional love is plausible and ruminates on his mother’s words beseeching him to become emperor no matter what. In his mind, Aeternitas harshly admonishes him for getting carried away in his sentiments, bringing him to his senses, and for a brief moment, Aeternitas replies through Anastacius it is possible to achieve the love she covets because "blood is thicker than water". Seemingly a different person as his answer differs greatly from his previous answer, Anastacius invites Jennette to head inside. Before leaving, Jennette openly declares if he wishes to confide his afflictions to her she will listen to him. She further elaborates she wishes to be of help to him as he had been so attentive to her worries. In the spur of the moment, Anastacius affectionately pats Jennette’s head much to both of their surprise.

The next day, Anastacius feigns sympathy towards Jennette for being sent away like a stranger after the emperor became injured but she voices her understanding that they are yet to know her true identity. While trying to remind Jennette about the noble bloodline, Anastacius recollects Aeternitas’ harsh words instructing him to get the job done. After Jennette confides her insecurities regarding her lack of magic, Aeternitas responds through Anastacius that if someone is worthy of the throne then the amount of mana one possesses is of little significance, he explains he believes Jennette can become a worthy empress loved by her people. Before Jennette’s departure to the palace, Anastacius imperceptibly hexes her bracelet gifted by Athanasia and with his plan set in motion, Anastacius smiles furtively to himself as he bids her a pleasant day. As he mulls over Claude’s past affectionate interactions with Penelope under the presumption his brother was mocking him, Anastacius cerebrates it will be a shame he won’t be there in person to witness Claude get devoured by the curse. In his musings, Anastacius finds he had inadvertently fallen asleep due to pushing himself too far by casting the spell on Jennette’s bracelet. At his door, Anastacius receives news from a tearful Jennette that the emperor has fallen unconscious.

In Roger’s office, Anastacius informs Roger to prepare to infiltrate the imperial palace as he sent a curse through Jennette which will instigate Claude’s death. Refusing to comply with Anastacius’ conspiracy, Roger repudiates his plan, questioning why he chose to do it now when no one will believe his indisputable return from the dead. Anastacius proclaims the assimilation was not yet complete back then as he recalls Aeternitas urging him to kill Claude’s mother who implores him to not resent his younger brother. When Roger declares his refusal to turn his back on the royal family, Anastacius reveals his jewel blue eyes to remind him who is the true heir to the throne. The former emperor thanks him for his service and brainwashes him. Despite his attempt, his hesitation provides Roger the opportunity to throw a magical imbued ink pot at them in retaliation, however, the blow in turn allows Aeternitas to freely leave his body. After their confrontation, Aeternitas criticises Anastacius for not allowing him to brainwash Roger sooner. At some point, Anastacius infiltrates Athanasia’s meeting with the head of the nobles, disguised as Roger’s aide. With the duke under his control, Roger raises bold questions regarding Claude’s usage of black magic and eventually, Anastacius sheds his disguise to the nobles in his true physical appearance. As the nobles and Athanasia struggle to process the revelation that the former emperor is indeed alive, Felix draws his sword to shield Athanasia from Anastacius.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Episode 23
2. ↑ Episode 73
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Episode 82
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Episode 83
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Episode 84
6. ↑ Episode 43
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Episode 31
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Episode 59
9. ↑ Episode 34
10. ↑ Episode 40
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Episode 41
12. ↑ Episode 45
13. ↑ Episode 57
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Episode 58
15. ↑ Episode 60
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Episode 61
17. ↑ Episode 62
18. ↑ Episode 65
19. ↑ Episode 66
20. ↑ Episode 67
21. ↑ Episode 69
22. ↑ Episode 72
23. ↑ Episode 78
24. ↑ Episode 81
25. ↑ Episode 85
26. ↑ Episode 86
27. ↑ Episode 87