Episode 21. Too Close
Kassius tried to ignore Renisha.
He'd almost forgotten he'd come to discuss something important, so he needed to pull himself together.
Empress Renisha seemed to have a knack for captivating people.
Kassius cleared his throat and said,
"I've heard some absurd stories, Your Majesty, and I've come to see you urgently."
He spoke as formally and professionally as possible.
He also maintained a safe distance from Renisha.
"Safe."
He had secured a safe distance from that dangerous woman.
Renisha neither denied nor confirmed.
But Kassius felt he knew the answer.
It was something Laxus would do.
And...
‘I wouldn’t treat the Empress like that.’
A wave of shame washed over him, as if his secret thoughts had been discovered.
Renisha’s shoulders were small.
Shoulders that had seemed large when he had only thought of her as the Empress.
But he realized that Renisha was a human who loved someone, and that she possessed that same warmth.
From then on, Renisha seemed small.
He realized that she was too small to even fill Kassius's arms.
That's why Renisha now only seemed lonely and isolated.
Kassius unconsciously suppressed his outstretched hand. He clasped his hand behind his back and coughed in vain.
He couldn't let anyone catch his impudence.
"...It's up to the Emperor to decide what he thinks and what decisions he makes."
Renisha's voice was laced with mockery.
Renisha suddenly stopped walking.
Kassius, who nearly bumped into her, regained his balance and took a step back, but Renisha grabbed him.
Renisha turned and stood close, holding onto his clothes.
"What will you do if what you said is true?"
Renisha was too close. His breathing became rapid again.
Kassius swallowed.
Despite Kassius's agitation, Renisha, seemingly unfazed, asked again,
"Will you take me away from here?"
Kassius's pupils dilated.
He felt as if he saw a small child cowering in fear inside Renisha.
It had been eight years since Renisha had become Empress.
Back then, Renisha was still a young girl, someone who should have been closer to her parents.
That girl was inside her.
Renisha raised her head, her pink lips quivering.
"Will you take me?"
Kassius could only nod helplessly.
He had his answer.
The Empress would marry Kassius and depart for Hiloshine with him.
Against his will...
Kassius suddenly felt the urge to ask.
How was Renisha?
Wasn't Renisha's will even the slightest influence in this decision?
But Kassius couldn't say anything as he watched Renisha relieved.
Renisha seemed overwhelmed by this oppressive, heavy reality.
Kassius couldn't add to the burden.
"I'll take you,"
Kassius said in a suppressed voice.
"I'll take you anywhere."
Renisha smiled the same smile as before.
"That's enough. That's all I had to think."
Laxus leaned against the balcony, tilting his glass to his lips.
Laxus's cold gaze was fixed on the garden.
The beautiful garden the palace gardener had painstakingly tended didn't enter his sight.
What Laxus was looking at were the people in the garden. A platinum blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, a red hair blazing fiercely.
It was Renisha and Kassius.
Laxus slowly drained his glass.
At first, Renisha was alone.
Then Kassius came to her, and the two seemed to be having some kind of conversation.
Renisha laughed.
In all the years he had known her, Laxus had never seen her laugh like that.
His mouth felt dry, perhaps from the alcohol.
“Water.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Henry expertly served Laxus.
A moment later, the empty glass was refilled with amber liquid.
“What are you looking at?”
Henry asked, seemingly out of nowhere.
It was because Laxus seemed precarious at the moment.
Laxus was always acting eccentrically.
Even now, he couldn’t guess what was going on in his mind, and fear overtook him.
Despite Henry’s question, Laxus remained silent, staring outside.
The ice in the glass made the drink wet.
Laxus ran his fingers over it and grabbed the glass.
A frenzied emotion flowed from Laxus.
It was enough to frighten Henry, who stood nearby.
However, Laxus simply poured the drink, seemingly oblivious to anything.
Click.
The sound of the ice shifting in the glass broke the silence.
Laxus's eyes narrowed.
"Too close."
"Yes?"
"Too close. There's no need for that."
Laxus turned his strangely purple eyes to stare at Henry.
His gaze remained unreadable.
How had she been when Laxus entered her bedroom last night?
Even if it would have been better.
When he saw her face rejecting Laxus with all her might, he couldn't help but tear her apart.
Of course, he could have.
If only he had reached out as Laxus intended.
He doesn't understand why nothing goes his way in front of Renisha.
Indeed, he needs to get Renisha out of his sight.
In all these years, Renisha has never once accepted Laxus obediently. Not even on their first night, which was humiliating for both of them.
Kassius and Renisha's proximity is unsettling.
What on earth could they possibly be talking about, standing so close?
Renisha, who hated even being close to Laxus, was different with Kassius.
Even in the greenhouse, and even now.
Click.
The ice in his glass creaked with Laxus's movements.
Henry followed Laxus, who moved like a predator stalking prey.
Henry gulped.
Laxus refilled his empty glass with his own hand.
"Truly, the human heart is unfathomable. A woman who would turn away from the most precious thing could turn her eyes to the most humble thing. Do you feel the same way?"
Henry astutely realized that the question didn't require an answer.
Henry smiled awkwardly.
Laxus closed the balcony door.
Henry knew there was a subtle anger in that gesture.
He would later learn that the Empress and Kassius were in the same spot where the Emperor had been watching.
No one could guess what was in Laxus's mind.
However, Henry was certain of one thing.
Laxus didn't hate the Empress.
The Empress's jewels and the Shamdir fabric that should have been presented to her.
They became Canary's pride.
Today was the anniversary celebrating Laxus's ascension to the throne.
Canary was the only one allowed to enter this vast hall without any title.
But this too would end.
Once Renisha left, Canary would soon...!
'I absolutely must have a child. Do you understand me?'
'Yes... '
The previous nights, spent in a hurry, with her face hidden, had given Canary strength.
Barbara had rescued the naive man.
The man had taken her money without asking her any questions and had left.
It also helped that Barbara was the only one attending to Canary.
Canary would sneak out of the palace without anyone knowing and return without anyone knowing. She was a Canary who spent her days doing nothing.
Even if she left for two or three hours, no one paid attention.
The Emperor visited Canary only when he felt like it. The fortress was busy preparing for the anniversary of his coronation, and the Emperor himself was completely busy.
He had to welcome envoys from various countries and prepare for festivals and banquets.
The distinguished guests were to stay in guest rooms within the palace.
Empress Renisha had prepared their rooms.
Soon, even that would fall to Canary.
She would proudly become the mistress of the palace.
Thinking back on that day, the dirty hands that had groped Canary's body were forgotten.
Canary cupped her lower abdomen.
'Inside this...'
The child must grow.
Canary had given everything for that.
Hadn't she offered her body to such a man?
Today, she was determined to drag Laxus into the bedroom.
Canary covered her exposed chest with her palm.
Her heart pounded.
Barbara had assured her that today, just for that, Canary would be the most beautiful.
'Everything will be alright.'
Of course. Canary smiled and nodded.
"Go ahead."
The servant turned his head with a sullen expression.
In fact, even the servants working in the palace held a higher status than Canary.
Canary gritted her teeth, but there was nothing she could do.
Especially not now. Canary had to attend the banquet in her most beautiful form.
The hesitant servant opened the door and announced loudly,
"Madam Canary!"
A bright light greeted Canary.
That light would lead Canary to higher ground.
Certainly.
Kassius tried to ignore Renisha.
He'd almost forgotten he'd come to discuss something important, so he needed to pull himself together.
Empress Renisha seemed to have a knack for captivating people.
Kassius cleared his throat and said,
"I've heard some absurd stories, Your Majesty, and I've come to see you urgently."
He spoke as formally and professionally as possible.
He also maintained a safe distance from Renisha.
"Safe."
He had secured a safe distance from that dangerous woman.
Kassius exhaled the breath he'd been holding.
"Absurd stories?"
Renisha blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering.
Kassius regained his composure.
Before, she had been as mysterious as a moon fairy, but now she shone brightly, as if melting in the sunlight.
Was she casting some kind of strange spell?
Kassius looked away and said.
“Yes. I heard that His Majesty the Emperor is having some impertinent thoughts.”
Kassius was at a loss for how to respond. He had been agonizing over this for the past two days, but had finally reached the point where he couldn’t.
He felt that no one could be more honest with him than Renisha. Kassius knew that this high society wasn’t a place for easygoing people. Besides, the only people Kassius knew were Renisha and Turiel.
He also thought that since they shared the Duke of Lottera, it would be easier to get an answer.
“You can speak freely. Don’t be formal...”
“Is it true that the Emperor intends to marry me to Your Majesty?”
Kassius quickly cut her off and spoke quickly, his voice too quiet for the others to hear.
And thankfully, his words clearly reached Renisha.
“Sir.”
Renisha lifted her head, her playfulness fading away.
In an instant, Renisha, once as plain and elegant as a country bumpkin, had become a ruler at the pinnacle of grandeur.
Renisha cast an arrogant glance at Kassius.
Kassius bowed his head.
“Your Majesty.”
“Many things will change, including your position. You will assume responsibility for things you previously didn’t have to, and you will have new rights and obligations.”
Renisha turned away.
“Let’s walk together.”
Kassius followed her, his heart pounding.
"Absurd stories?"
Renisha blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering.
Kassius regained his composure.
Before, she had been as mysterious as a moon fairy, but now she shone brightly, as if melting in the sunlight.
Was she casting some kind of strange spell?
Kassius looked away and said.
“Yes. I heard that His Majesty the Emperor is having some impertinent thoughts.”
Kassius was at a loss for how to respond. He had been agonizing over this for the past two days, but had finally reached the point where he couldn’t.
He felt that no one could be more honest with him than Renisha. Kassius knew that this high society wasn’t a place for easygoing people. Besides, the only people Kassius knew were Renisha and Turiel.
He also thought that since they shared the Duke of Lottera, it would be easier to get an answer.
“You can speak freely. Don’t be formal...”
“Is it true that the Emperor intends to marry me to Your Majesty?”
Kassius quickly cut her off and spoke quickly, his voice too quiet for the others to hear.
And thankfully, his words clearly reached Renisha.
“Sir.”
Renisha lifted her head, her playfulness fading away.
In an instant, Renisha, once as plain and elegant as a country bumpkin, had become a ruler at the pinnacle of grandeur.
Renisha cast an arrogant glance at Kassius.
Kassius bowed his head.
“Your Majesty.”
“Many things will change, including your position. You will assume responsibility for things you previously didn’t have to, and you will have new rights and obligations.”
Renisha turned away.
“Let’s walk together.”
Kassius followed her, his heart pounding.
Renisha neither denied nor confirmed.
But Kassius felt he knew the answer.
It was something Laxus would do.
And...
‘I wouldn’t treat the Empress like that.’
A wave of shame washed over him, as if his secret thoughts had been discovered.
Renisha’s shoulders were small.
Shoulders that had seemed large when he had only thought of her as the Empress.
But he realized that Renisha was a human who loved someone, and that she possessed that same warmth.
From then on, Renisha seemed small.
He realized that she was too small to even fill Kassius's arms.
That's why Renisha now only seemed lonely and isolated.
Kassius unconsciously suppressed his outstretched hand. He clasped his hand behind his back and coughed in vain.
He couldn't let anyone catch his impudence.
"...It's up to the Emperor to decide what he thinks and what decisions he makes."
Renisha's voice was laced with mockery.
Renisha suddenly stopped walking.
Kassius, who nearly bumped into her, regained his balance and took a step back, but Renisha grabbed him.
Renisha turned and stood close, holding onto his clothes.
"What will you do if what you said is true?"
Renisha was too close. His breathing became rapid again.
Kassius swallowed.
Despite Kassius's agitation, Renisha, seemingly unfazed, asked again,
"Will you take me away from here?"
Kassius's pupils dilated.
He felt as if he saw a small child cowering in fear inside Renisha.
It had been eight years since Renisha had become Empress.
Back then, Renisha was still a young girl, someone who should have been closer to her parents.
That girl was inside her.
Renisha raised her head, her pink lips quivering.
"Will you take me?"
Kassius could only nod helplessly.
He had his answer.
The Empress would marry Kassius and depart for Hiloshine with him.
Against his will...
Kassius suddenly felt the urge to ask.
How was Renisha?
Wasn't Renisha's will even the slightest influence in this decision?
But Kassius couldn't say anything as he watched Renisha relieved.
Renisha seemed overwhelmed by this oppressive, heavy reality.
Kassius couldn't add to the burden.
"I'll take you,"
Kassius said in a suppressed voice.
"I'll take you anywhere."
Renisha smiled the same smile as before.
"That's enough. That's all I had to think."
***
Laxus leaned against the balcony, tilting his glass to his lips.
Laxus's cold gaze was fixed on the garden.
The beautiful garden the palace gardener had painstakingly tended didn't enter his sight.
What Laxus was looking at were the people in the garden. A platinum blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, a red hair blazing fiercely.
It was Renisha and Kassius.
Laxus slowly drained his glass.
At first, Renisha was alone.
Then Kassius came to her, and the two seemed to be having some kind of conversation.
Renisha laughed.
In all the years he had known her, Laxus had never seen her laugh like that.
His mouth felt dry, perhaps from the alcohol.
“Water.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Henry expertly served Laxus.
A moment later, the empty glass was refilled with amber liquid.
“What are you looking at?”
Henry asked, seemingly out of nowhere.
It was because Laxus seemed precarious at the moment.
Laxus was always acting eccentrically.
Even now, he couldn’t guess what was going on in his mind, and fear overtook him.
Despite Henry’s question, Laxus remained silent, staring outside.
The ice in the glass made the drink wet.
Laxus ran his fingers over it and grabbed the glass.
A frenzied emotion flowed from Laxus.
It was enough to frighten Henry, who stood nearby.
However, Laxus simply poured the drink, seemingly oblivious to anything.
Click.
The sound of the ice shifting in the glass broke the silence.
Laxus's eyes narrowed.
"Too close."
"Yes?"
"Too close. There's no need for that."
Laxus turned his strangely purple eyes to stare at Henry.
His gaze remained unreadable.
How had she been when Laxus entered her bedroom last night?
Even if it would have been better.
When he saw her face rejecting Laxus with all her might, he couldn't help but tear her apart.
Of course, he could have.
If only he had reached out as Laxus intended.
He doesn't understand why nothing goes his way in front of Renisha.
Indeed, he needs to get Renisha out of his sight.
In all these years, Renisha has never once accepted Laxus obediently. Not even on their first night, which was humiliating for both of them.
Kassius and Renisha's proximity is unsettling.
What on earth could they possibly be talking about, standing so close?
Renisha, who hated even being close to Laxus, was different with Kassius.
Even in the greenhouse, and even now.
Click.
The ice in his glass creaked with Laxus's movements.
Henry followed Laxus, who moved like a predator stalking prey.
Henry gulped.
Laxus refilled his empty glass with his own hand.
"Truly, the human heart is unfathomable. A woman who would turn away from the most precious thing could turn her eyes to the most humble thing. Do you feel the same way?"
Henry astutely realized that the question didn't require an answer.
Henry smiled awkwardly.
Laxus closed the balcony door.
Henry knew there was a subtle anger in that gesture.
He would later learn that the Empress and Kassius were in the same spot where the Emperor had been watching.
No one could guess what was in Laxus's mind.
However, Henry was certain of one thing.
Laxus didn't hate the Empress.
***
The Empress's jewels and the Shamdir fabric that should have been presented to her.
They became Canary's pride.
Today was the anniversary celebrating Laxus's ascension to the throne.
Canary was the only one allowed to enter this vast hall without any title.
But this too would end.
Once Renisha left, Canary would soon...!
'I absolutely must have a child. Do you understand me?'
'Yes... '
The previous nights, spent in a hurry, with her face hidden, had given Canary strength.
Barbara had rescued the naive man.
The man had taken her money without asking her any questions and had left.
It also helped that Barbara was the only one attending to Canary.
Canary would sneak out of the palace without anyone knowing and return without anyone knowing. She was a Canary who spent her days doing nothing.
Even if she left for two or three hours, no one paid attention.
The Emperor visited Canary only when he felt like it. The fortress was busy preparing for the anniversary of his coronation, and the Emperor himself was completely busy.
He had to welcome envoys from various countries and prepare for festivals and banquets.
The distinguished guests were to stay in guest rooms within the palace.
Empress Renisha had prepared their rooms.
Soon, even that would fall to Canary.
She would proudly become the mistress of the palace.
Thinking back on that day, the dirty hands that had groped Canary's body were forgotten.
Canary cupped her lower abdomen.
'Inside this...'
The child must grow.
Canary had given everything for that.
Hadn't she offered her body to such a man?
Today, she was determined to drag Laxus into the bedroom.
Canary covered her exposed chest with her palm.
Her heart pounded.
Barbara had assured her that today, just for that, Canary would be the most beautiful.
'Everything will be alright.'
Of course. Canary smiled and nodded.
"Go ahead."
The servant turned his head with a sullen expression.
In fact, even the servants working in the palace held a higher status than Canary.
Canary gritted her teeth, but there was nothing she could do.
Especially not now. Canary had to attend the banquet in her most beautiful form.
The hesitant servant opened the door and announced loudly,
"Madam Canary!"
A bright light greeted Canary.
That light would lead Canary to higher ground.
Certainly.
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