Episode 15. The Untold Story
Canary trembled.
“Sir! Didn’t I clearly say the dress code is blue?”
His voice was barbed with thorns.
Kassius looked at Canary with a blank expression.
His eyes were filled with irritation.
“Canary. To Sir Kassius, no, is he a Duke now? The Emperor has declared that he will bestow upon Sir Kassius the title of Duke. I wonder if this is too rude to Lord Kassius.”
Renisha’s voice was soft.
Canary blushed and gritted her teeth.
“Since the official edict hasn’t been issued yet, the title of Sir is more appropriate. And Sir Kassius is of lower birth than I. So, it doesn’t matter if I address him with condescension. Nevertheless, Canary uses formal speech out of respect for Sir Kassius.”
“If that’s what you think, then there’s nothing I can do. Oh, and don’t be so harsh about the dress code. It’s my decision, after all.”
A sly smile lingered on Renisha’s lips.
The nobles’ gazes turned to Renisha.
“I guess I made a mistake and made the wrong request.”
It couldn’t have been a mistake!
Canary’s eyes sharpened.
“...You are the Emperor’s person, aren’t you?”
Kassius said in a heavy voice.
“The Emperor’s person sent me this invitation, so I simply accepted because I thought it was His Majesty’s will. And the gift was from Her Majesty the Empress, so I accepted it.”
“That’s right, Canary. Don’t read too much into it.”
Kassius pulled away from Canary’s hand and sat down in the empty seat.
The invisible squabbling was making his head spin.
He hadn’t wanted to get involved in the nobles’ fight, but for some reason, he had.
Kassius gritted his teeth and drank cold water.
'You're toying with me.'
Kassius glanced at Renisha. The face smiling at him...
'Damn it.'
Kassius bit his lip.
Still, Kassius couldn't understand Laxus, who would openly bring his government into the palace and insult his wife.
Moreover, Laxus had done something to Renisha that should not have been done to her, destroying her life.
Renisha was now alone, and the fence that had protected her had collapsed.
Who would protect Renisha?
So he could understand Renisha's desire to insult Canary, even if it meant using Kassius.
This situation, which made that woman feel so pitiful... He couldn't help but understand.
Canary was the one who couldn't understand.
What kind of solidarity did she have with Kassius that she tried to use him?
Renisha smiled at Kassius.
'It suits you well, Sir Kassius.'
Kassius swallowed a laugh.
Somehow, he had the illusion that he had been waiting for that compliment.
He was childishly delighted.
In the meantime, a melody filled the void.
Canary's wheezing breathing echoed behind him.
"...Your Grace, you seem to be ignorant of social etiquette. In places like this, you must have a partner..."
The nobles’ gazes turned to Renisha.
“I guess I made a mistake and made the wrong request.”
It couldn’t have been a mistake!
Canary’s eyes sharpened.
“...You are the Emperor’s person, aren’t you?”
Kassius said in a heavy voice.
“The Emperor’s person sent me this invitation, so I simply accepted because I thought it was His Majesty’s will. And the gift was from Her Majesty the Empress, so I accepted it.”
“That’s right, Canary. Don’t read too much into it.”
Kassius pulled away from Canary’s hand and sat down in the empty seat.
The invisible squabbling was making his head spin.
He hadn’t wanted to get involved in the nobles’ fight, but for some reason, he had.
Kassius gritted his teeth and drank cold water.
'You're toying with me.'
Kassius glanced at Renisha. The face smiling at him...
'Damn it.'
Kassius bit his lip.
Still, Kassius couldn't understand Laxus, who would openly bring his government into the palace and insult his wife.
Moreover, Laxus had done something to Renisha that should not have been done to her, destroying her life.
Renisha was now alone, and the fence that had protected her had collapsed.
Who would protect Renisha?
So he could understand Renisha's desire to insult Canary, even if it meant using Kassius.
This situation, which made that woman feel so pitiful... He couldn't help but understand.
Canary was the one who couldn't understand.
What kind of solidarity did she have with Kassius that she tried to use him?
Renisha smiled at Kassius.
'It suits you well, Sir Kassius.'
Kassius swallowed a laugh.
Somehow, he had the illusion that he had been waiting for that compliment.
He was childishly delighted.
In the meantime, a melody filled the void.
Canary's wheezing breathing echoed behind him.
"...Your Grace, you seem to be ignorant of social etiquette. In places like this, you must have a partner..."
"I understand. I've been on the battlefield for the past eight years."
Kassius cut Canary off, speaking calmly and pulling the chair next to her out.
"Please, sit down, Canary. Do I really need to let you sit?"
Canary rolled her eyes and looked around. She couldn't bear to be the butt of jokes any longer.
Canary sat down with a rough gesture.
Kassius was as unlucky as Renisha.
Since entering the Emperor's bedroom, Kassius was the first person to insult Canary like this.
Except Renisha!
"Now that everyone is seated, let's begin the tea party. I thank you all for accepting my invitation. Since His Majesty recently hosted you for dinner, it would be only fitting that I offer you some refreshments as the hostess of the palace."
Renisha's voice was like a fluttering flower, yet at the same time like a tree with a firm core.
Kassius's gaze never left Renisha's.
'I have something to tell you.'
He still hadn't delivered the promise he'd made to Duke Lottera.
The words he'd left him before he died.
That was on his mind, and he was the only one here who was familiar, so his gaze was drawn to her.
Plus, she was someone who caught his eye. Even as Renisha chatted with the nobles, she occasionally glanced at Kassius.
The corners of her soft lips lifted in a pleased manner.
"Ahem!"
The tea party was proceeding smoothly until Canary coughed uncomfortably.
She clattered her teacups together, making a clanking sound.
Everyone's gaze inevitably turned to her.
"Your Majesty, have you heard the rumors going around?"
"The rumors?"
Renisha asked elegantly. The ladies' fanning quickened.
"Yes. My goodness, I've heard the palace servants gossiping... that His Majesty the Emperor is planning a marriage for Sir Kassius."
Kassius frowned at the unfamiliarity.
The tea he was drinking, unfamiliar with its taste, suddenly choked him.
"Cough!"
Kassius said, barely clearing his throat.
"What on earth are you talking about?"
The Emperor is planning something he doesn't know about.
“Oh, you didn’t know. Sir Kassius, His Majesty the Emperor, is so attentive to the hero of the Empire. Does Your Majesty, the Empress, know about that story? Who is it?”
The faces of those gathered turned pale.
Their eyes, already scrutinizing the Emperor’s thoughts, carefully studied Kassius.
Canary was speaking here and now because she wanted to tell everyone.
The Empress would leave, and Canary would stay.
Renisha smiled.
“So that’s what was going around. Canary knows more than I do. I guess the servants are more comfortable with you than me? If you hear such rumors, please let me know.”
Canary clenched her jaw.
Renisha, who was so nonchalant, was irritating her.
“What? Why are you acting so nonchalant?”
Canary pouted.
Regardless, Renisha continued to comfort Kassius as if she were doing her job.
“Sir Kassius, don’t worry too much. His Majesty the Emperor will have his own thoughts. If anything becomes clear, you will be informed.”
Renisha concluded the conversation naturally.
“I think we should stop here for today. I hope everyone enjoyed today’s tea time.”
The nobles unanimously praised the tea party.
Canary sat with her arms crossed, out of place among them, while Kassius remained silent and stared at Renisha.
“Sir Kassius, please stay for a moment. If you have any questions about what Canary said, I will tell you to the best of my knowledge.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,”
Kassius answered slowly.
Everyone filed out.
Canary glanced behind her, curious to see what Renisha and Kassius were discussing, but she had no choice but to leave the greenhouse.
Renisha waited with bated breath for everyone to leave.
Renisha slowly drained her teacup.
Canary was not as expected.
And the people must have seen it.
The difference in dignity between those who stayed and those who left.
Renisha sighed.
She was almost resentful of Laxus, who had chosen something like Canary as her rival.
Renisha raised her head and faced Kassius.
“Sir Kassius.”
“...Your Majesty, the Empress.”
“How was today’s gathering?”
“It was full of things I couldn’t understand. What did Canary mean? My wedding? What is the Emperor thinking?”
Kassius expressed his frustration.
Kassius, habitually pulling down his tie, let out a long sigh.
His hand ruffling his hair was rough, as if he had been waiting for them to be left alone.
Renisha rose slowly from her seat.
Renisha, who had been sitting at the head of the table, pulled the chair next to Cassius.
Now that she thought about it, not even the servant to attend to the greenhouse was left.
Kassius realized this belatedly.
“Your wedding?”
Renisha, now closer, asked in a murmuring tone.
“Yes.”
Kassius inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the approaching flowers.
No flower in this greenhouse was as vibrant as Renisha.
At least to Kassius.
Being next to Renisha made him feel stiff, like the world’s greatest fool.
Renisha didn’t answer, but slowly looked around the room.
“This is the seat.”
Renisha smiled bitterly.
He’d always wanted to sit there, but he'd never dared to do it alone.
This was where Renisha would sit.
The strength in his shoulders drained away.
“It’s nothing, Renisha.”
Once they sat down, things were fine.
Renisha turned her head to face Kassius.
Kassius's face was distorted, as if he felt wronged.
"Don't try to understand. Just ignore whatever the Emperor does. He's not like ordinary people, after all."
"You don't know anything about him?"
"Even if I do, there's nothing I can tell you right now. Those who speak carelessly of the Emperor's will will not live long,"
Renisha said softly.
Even Renisha couldn't say that she was his bride-to-be.
Come to think of it, it was too much of a stretch.
Renisha had been married to Laxus before, and Kassius was a first-timer.
Renisha chose to change the subject.
"...You said you had something to tell me before. Tell me about it."
Renisha, her eyes languidly down, placed her arm on the table next to her and leaned her head against it.
Her hair flowed down over the small face resting on her palm.
“...I haven’t found the news you were hoping for yet.”
“Don’t rush. I know it won’t be easy, as it needs to be kept secret. Besides that. What was it you wanted to tell me?”
Kassius opened his mouth. The thought of Duke Lottera weighed heavily on his lips, as if a weight had been hung on his head.
Kassius muttered loudly and said,
“...The Duke Lottera asked you to convey something to Your Majesty the Empress before he died.”
Kassius cut Canary off, speaking calmly and pulling the chair next to her out.
"Please, sit down, Canary. Do I really need to let you sit?"
Canary rolled her eyes and looked around. She couldn't bear to be the butt of jokes any longer.
Canary sat down with a rough gesture.
Kassius was as unlucky as Renisha.
Since entering the Emperor's bedroom, Kassius was the first person to insult Canary like this.
Except Renisha!
"Now that everyone is seated, let's begin the tea party. I thank you all for accepting my invitation. Since His Majesty recently hosted you for dinner, it would be only fitting that I offer you some refreshments as the hostess of the palace."
Renisha's voice was like a fluttering flower, yet at the same time like a tree with a firm core.
Kassius's gaze never left Renisha's.
'I have something to tell you.'
He still hadn't delivered the promise he'd made to Duke Lottera.
The words he'd left him before he died.
That was on his mind, and he was the only one here who was familiar, so his gaze was drawn to her.
Plus, she was someone who caught his eye. Even as Renisha chatted with the nobles, she occasionally glanced at Kassius.
The corners of her soft lips lifted in a pleased manner.
"Ahem!"
The tea party was proceeding smoothly until Canary coughed uncomfortably.
She clattered her teacups together, making a clanking sound.
Everyone's gaze inevitably turned to her.
"Your Majesty, have you heard the rumors going around?"
"The rumors?"
Renisha asked elegantly. The ladies' fanning quickened.
"Yes. My goodness, I've heard the palace servants gossiping... that His Majesty the Emperor is planning a marriage for Sir Kassius."
Kassius frowned at the unfamiliarity.
The tea he was drinking, unfamiliar with its taste, suddenly choked him.
"Cough!"
Kassius said, barely clearing his throat.
"What on earth are you talking about?"
The Emperor is planning something he doesn't know about.
“Oh, you didn’t know. Sir Kassius, His Majesty the Emperor, is so attentive to the hero of the Empire. Does Your Majesty, the Empress, know about that story? Who is it?”
The faces of those gathered turned pale.
Their eyes, already scrutinizing the Emperor’s thoughts, carefully studied Kassius.
Canary was speaking here and now because she wanted to tell everyone.
The Empress would leave, and Canary would stay.
Renisha smiled.
“So that’s what was going around. Canary knows more than I do. I guess the servants are more comfortable with you than me? If you hear such rumors, please let me know.”
Canary clenched her jaw.
Renisha, who was so nonchalant, was irritating her.
“What? Why are you acting so nonchalant?”
Canary pouted.
Regardless, Renisha continued to comfort Kassius as if she were doing her job.
“Sir Kassius, don’t worry too much. His Majesty the Emperor will have his own thoughts. If anything becomes clear, you will be informed.”
Renisha concluded the conversation naturally.
“I think we should stop here for today. I hope everyone enjoyed today’s tea time.”
The nobles unanimously praised the tea party.
Canary sat with her arms crossed, out of place among them, while Kassius remained silent and stared at Renisha.
“Sir Kassius, please stay for a moment. If you have any questions about what Canary said, I will tell you to the best of my knowledge.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,”
Kassius answered slowly.
Everyone filed out.
Canary glanced behind her, curious to see what Renisha and Kassius were discussing, but she had no choice but to leave the greenhouse.
Renisha waited with bated breath for everyone to leave.
Renisha slowly drained her teacup.
Canary was not as expected.
And the people must have seen it.
The difference in dignity between those who stayed and those who left.
Renisha sighed.
She was almost resentful of Laxus, who had chosen something like Canary as her rival.
Renisha raised her head and faced Kassius.
“Sir Kassius.”
“...Your Majesty, the Empress.”
“How was today’s gathering?”
“It was full of things I couldn’t understand. What did Canary mean? My wedding? What is the Emperor thinking?”
Kassius expressed his frustration.
Kassius, habitually pulling down his tie, let out a long sigh.
His hand ruffling his hair was rough, as if he had been waiting for them to be left alone.
Renisha rose slowly from her seat.
Renisha, who had been sitting at the head of the table, pulled the chair next to Cassius.
Now that she thought about it, not even the servant to attend to the greenhouse was left.
Kassius realized this belatedly.
“Your wedding?”
Renisha, now closer, asked in a murmuring tone.
“Yes.”
Kassius inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the approaching flowers.
No flower in this greenhouse was as vibrant as Renisha.
At least to Kassius.
Being next to Renisha made him feel stiff, like the world’s greatest fool.
Renisha didn’t answer, but slowly looked around the room.
“This is the seat.”
Renisha smiled bitterly.
He’d always wanted to sit there, but he'd never dared to do it alone.
This was where Renisha would sit.
The strength in his shoulders drained away.
“It’s nothing, Renisha.”
Once they sat down, things were fine.
Renisha turned her head to face Kassius.
Kassius's face was distorted, as if he felt wronged.
"Don't try to understand. Just ignore whatever the Emperor does. He's not like ordinary people, after all."
"You don't know anything about him?"
"Even if I do, there's nothing I can tell you right now. Those who speak carelessly of the Emperor's will will not live long,"
Renisha said softly.
Even Renisha couldn't say that she was his bride-to-be.
Come to think of it, it was too much of a stretch.
Renisha had been married to Laxus before, and Kassius was a first-timer.
Renisha chose to change the subject.
"...You said you had something to tell me before. Tell me about it."
Renisha, her eyes languidly down, placed her arm on the table next to her and leaned her head against it.
Her hair flowed down over the small face resting on her palm.
“...I haven’t found the news you were hoping for yet.”
“Don’t rush. I know it won’t be easy, as it needs to be kept secret. Besides that. What was it you wanted to tell me?”
Kassius opened his mouth. The thought of Duke Lottera weighed heavily on his lips, as if a weight had been hung on his head.
Kassius muttered loudly and said,
“...The Duke Lottera asked you to convey something to Your Majesty the Empress before he died.”
Renisha blinked. It was something he had never expected.
“Father?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Renisha raised her head. Kassius witnessed the collapse of the barrier surrounding Renisha. Renisha’s expression crumbled. The lips that had been forming a smile trembled.
“Tell me. What did Father want you to tell me?”
Renisha grabbed Kassius’ arm. The instantaneous contact with Renisha’s body heat seemed to make Kassius boil. The skin where her hand touched burned brightly.
"Hurry!"
Renisha urged Kassius. Kassius's lips parted.
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