So talking out of it doesnt work so he is using fear to get the throne... Idk if he underestimate Athy or he is just an idiot of a has-been Emperor who has no idea of playing the court game other than sleeping with his brother's fiance.
@allamaland he's doing that so he can be next in line for the throne, ahead of athy or in case the nobles don't deem him worthy because he was declared to have passed, he may reveal someone else, Jeanette. I believe she is older than athy so he may reveal that he supports her and that she should rule, rather than athy
@allamaland
Seems like a good enough point in time to me. Claude is bedridden and Anastacius knows best how bad it really is, so he knows Athy's options are limited. I guess originally (in the glimpses Athy saw from the alternate reality/ novel world after her death) he put his daughter in place and only revealed himself properly after Claude's death, but in this time line it goes a little different. It would probably be not good for him if Athy proved to be capable and gain the varsalls trust, so stirring a commotion seems good. Sowing doubts about Claude who can't intervene himself currently and showing himself as an alternative, seems like a good way to go. Definitely not without risks, but I guess he has a lot to gain...
Stiiiill, everything is so tense currently, I can't wait for the next chapters! Thank you to the translators as well!
Edit: also props to Athy for doing so well until Anastacius escalated the situation even further...