Episode 34. I'm Going Crazy
Renisha was truly a master at leaving him speechless.
Kassius groaned.
His face remained calm, as if the Marquis of Danvers's words hadn't even angered him.
Kassius glanced at Renisha's hand brushing his cheek.
It was a hand far too pale and slender compared to Kassius's.
Kassius's throat twitched.
"...Aren't you angry?"
"I don't care who sits in that seat. The Marquis of Danvers isn't a very kind man, either."
Renisha continued slowly.
"The Marquis of Danvers must have sincerely asked what I thought. How about putting Canary in that seat? What did Cassius say?"
"...I told him it wasn't for me to answer. When Renisha asked me to meet him, I thought there had to be a reason."
"So, was it any use?"
Kassius shook his head.
Kassius's anger seemed to subside as Renisha spoke softly.
"Go and meet with Marquis Danvers one more time, Kassius. And convey my will: Canary should be the Empress."
"Renisha, that position...!"
"Then should I return to the Empress position? Is that what you want? Do you want me to return to Laxus?"
Renisha smiled, spewing out questions.
Kassius froze, his eyes wide.
Renisha was too close.
Outside the castle, Renisha was more brash, confident, and unpredictable.
Renisha still smelled like wild roses.
"Canary should sit in that seat. Or else it's empty."
"Why? Why is Renisha so lenient toward her?"
"Because she's stupid. She's the perfect match for Laxus."
Renisha continued speaking in a soft whisper.
A gentle voice seemed to soothe Kassius's heart.
"The more foolish Canary becomes, the more they'll miss me. Will my departure change Laxus?"
Kassius shook his head slightly.
"Absolutely not. The palace will adapt to Laxus. They'll expect someone to take my place. But Canary isn't the right fit. Then they'll naturally think of me. They'll wonder who would be the right master."
Renisha was truly a master at leaving him speechless.
Kassius groaned.
His face remained calm, as if the Marquis of Danvers's words hadn't even angered him.
Kassius glanced at Renisha's hand brushing his cheek.
It was a hand far too pale and slender compared to Kassius's.
Kassius's throat twitched.
"...Aren't you angry?"
"I don't care who sits in that seat. The Marquis of Danvers isn't a very kind man, either."
Renisha continued slowly.
"The Marquis of Danvers must have sincerely asked what I thought. How about putting Canary in that seat? What did Cassius say?"
"...I told him it wasn't for me to answer. When Renisha asked me to meet him, I thought there had to be a reason."
"So, was it any use?"
Kassius shook his head.
Kassius's anger seemed to subside as Renisha spoke softly.
"Go and meet with Marquis Danvers one more time, Kassius. And convey my will: Canary should be the Empress."
"Renisha, that position...!"
"Then should I return to the Empress position? Is that what you want? Do you want me to return to Laxus?"
Renisha smiled, spewing out questions.
Kassius froze, his eyes wide.
Renisha was too close.
Outside the castle, Renisha was more brash, confident, and unpredictable.
Renisha still smelled like wild roses.
"Canary should sit in that seat. Or else it's empty."
"Why? Why is Renisha so lenient toward her?"
"Because she's stupid. She's the perfect match for Laxus."
Renisha continued speaking in a soft whisper.
A gentle voice seemed to soothe Kassius's heart.
"The more foolish Canary becomes, the more they'll miss me. Will my departure change Laxus?"
Kassius shook his head slightly.
"Absolutely not. The palace will adapt to Laxus. They'll expect someone to take my place. But Canary isn't the right fit. Then they'll naturally think of me. They'll wonder who would be the right master."
"...Does the Marquis of Danvers feel the same way?"
"Probably. In fact, he hates incompetence the most."
"Did I make a mistake?"
"No. Kassius took my side. As my husband."
Renisha smiled again, her face showing no sign of trouble.
"The Marquis of Danvers will meet you again. You just have to convey my intentions clearly, then. He will unite my forces in this empire on my behalf. He will keep them in check and ensure they don't betray me."
Renisha's voice became as sweet as honey.
Kassius felt his caressing hand become clammy.
He raised his eyes and studied Renisha's expression.
"The Marquis of Danvers is an important card in that sense."
"...I'll go back to the club."
Renisha nodded.
"Then shall we talk about something else?"
Kassius absentmindedly looked at her, her eyes trailing from his cheek to his forehead, then to the bridge of his nose...
Finally, Renisha's fingers slid to his lips.
Kassius's face flushed red again.
Renisha parted her lips.
"About our first night."
Renisha's decision to bring this up was largely impulsive.
However, it was also something she had been thinking about.
If it was a necessary hurdle, she felt that now, with Kassius gazing at her with such fervent eyes, was the right time.
People's hearts change.
No one could know when Kassius's feelings for Renisha would change.
Renisha didn't believe in the continuity of intangible emotions.
When Laxus had received Lottera's favor, he had spoken of the eternity of their alliance.
"I will repay your kindness. You have done so much for me. Give me Renisha. I will make sure she lives happily as an Empress."
Words alone were destined to fade.
In retrospect, Laxus's desire for Renisha was nothing more than a desire for conquest.
After obtaining her, the eyes he had once held for her had grown colder than ice.
It would be best not to expect Kassius to be any different.
It seemed best to go to Hiloshine after experiencing all the variables first.
So, this impulse was right.
She wondered if Kassius would still look at her like that after spending the night with Renisha.
Kassius muttered, his voice cracking.
“The first night.”
Renisha nodded.
Or maybe it was all just an excuse. Maybe Kassius’s fiery gaze on Renisha was burning her. Maybe she harbored a desire to throw herself into Kassius’s fire.
Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.
Tonight wouldn’t affect the pact they had made.
“We’re a couple. It’s something we have to experience someday.”
Renisha’s fingers brushed Kassius’s lips.
Her touch was bold and hot at the same time, threatening to set Kassius ablaze.
Kassius’s eyes trembled at the thought of something he had never considered.
To Kassius, Renisha was someone he couldn't easily approach.
She was the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Lottera, whom he revered, and at the same time, she was the most noble woman.
But, as Renisha had said, she was also Kassius's woman.
Kassius slowly moved his hand.
He covered Renisha's hand, which was touching his lips, with his own. Then, he kissed Renisha's palm deeply.
"Renisha."
Kassius's voice cracked.
Renisha casually extended her hand to Kassius.
"Renisha, you really... are fearless,"
Kassius whispered with a sigh.
News of Renisha's presence in Kassius's mansion spread like wildfire.
People reacted in various ways.
It was widely known that Renisha had been banished for her infidelity with Kassius, the hero of the empire.
However, the majority of the empire's citizens did not condemn Renisha.
"I'm sure she had her reasons!"
“Of course. It’s Her Majesty the Empress. There’s no way she would do something like that.”
“That’s right. So didn’t the Emperor just send her away?”
“You’re too optimistic. She committed an injustice!”
“You! Her Majesty the Empress is human, too. Aren’t you being too harsh? Have you forgotten that it was Her Majesty’s virtue that saved your life during the famine three years ago? If it weren’t for the grain she gave you, if it weren’t for the new policies she initiated, you would have thrown yourself into the Mentusha River!”
“Ahem. That’s right...”
“We must never forget who we depend on for our livelihood.”
They were the ones who remembered Renisha’s kindness.
Even before the official notice of Renisha’s abdication, they paced around in their seats, expressing their regret.
“So who will become the Empress? Is there anyone who can replace her?”
“How could that be?”
“Why, there’s that woman. His Majesty’s mistress? The woman who was often featured in scandalous articles.”
“How could she become Empress?”
People complained.
“It’s clear that she sowed discord between the Emperor and the Empress.”
“She’s the most wicked woman in the world!”
“If it weren’t for her, would the Empress have been so unjustly expelled?”
“That’s right.”
Everyone agreed.
People remembered Renisha in their hearts.
Whoever took her place would undoubtedly be overshadowed by Renisha.
The empire was abuzz with the news of Renisha and
Kassius. Whenever they gathered, everyone talked about them.
And then someone else spoke up.
“Maybe Kassius was comforting Her Majesty, who was disheartened by that woman, and something happened between them.”
“Yes! That makes sense!”
“The Empress, unable to bear it any longer, requested a divorce from the Emperor, and Sir Kassius took advantage of the situation to step forward and take responsibility for Her Majesty! Sir Kassius is a man! He’s a hero! He was so manly that he could be seen from afar.”
“Now he’s even a Duke. Didn’t he inherit the title of Duke of Lottera?”
“It was a pity. The Lottera ducal house closed down.”
“Whatever it was, it’s certain that an unspeakable love affair had begun between the two of you. Even the Emperor had no choice but to acknowledge it!”
The people began to listen to their own fictional story.
Renisha was the perfect Empress and someone they were grateful for.
And Kassius was a hero who saved the empire from a threat.
On the other hand, what about Canary?
She was a villain who made the Empress sad.
And what about Laxus?
He was called the tyrant of this age.
It was obvious which way the people's hearts would turn.
People began to rave about the provocative and beautiful romance that blossomed between Renisha and Cassius.
It didn't take long for the arbitrarily edited and fabricated story to become established as truth among the people.
It was a result no one could have predicted.
Kassius hugged Renisha's back.
His rough, calloused palms brushed across her soft skin.
Renisha buried her face in Kassius's shoulder.
Kassius would be lying if he hadn't dreamed of this moment.
When Renisha descended from her shining golden chair and stood beside Kassius...
He dreamed of her, the woman who kept him awake at night.
Kassius let out a hot breath.
He had never met a woman before, but he was not unaware of the intercourse between men and women.
Even as a slave gladiator, he had been tempted countless times.
He had simply turned his head away, pretending not to notice, to uphold his convictions.
Kassius slid his lips across Renisha's smooth cheek.
Renisha, flushed red, stirred a different emotion than usual. A storm raged through Kassius's heart.
"Renisha."
Kassius whispered her name. Renisha opened her tightly shut eyes.
Even in the darkness, her bright pink irises had sunk into darkness.
Kassius kissed the corner of her eye.
"Renisha."
Her name was like sweet candy.
It felt like a sweet scent was gathering in his mouth.
Was it because it was now?
Renisha slowly closed her eyes as she heard Kassius call her name.
"Probably. In fact, he hates incompetence the most."
"Did I make a mistake?"
"No. Kassius took my side. As my husband."
Renisha smiled again, her face showing no sign of trouble.
"The Marquis of Danvers will meet you again. You just have to convey my intentions clearly, then. He will unite my forces in this empire on my behalf. He will keep them in check and ensure they don't betray me."
Renisha's voice became as sweet as honey.
Kassius felt his caressing hand become clammy.
He raised his eyes and studied Renisha's expression.
"The Marquis of Danvers is an important card in that sense."
"...I'll go back to the club."
Renisha nodded.
"Then shall we talk about something else?"
Kassius absentmindedly looked at her, her eyes trailing from his cheek to his forehead, then to the bridge of his nose...
Finally, Renisha's fingers slid to his lips.
Kassius's face flushed red again.
Renisha parted her lips.
"About our first night."
Renisha's decision to bring this up was largely impulsive.
However, it was also something she had been thinking about.
If it was a necessary hurdle, she felt that now, with Kassius gazing at her with such fervent eyes, was the right time.
People's hearts change.
No one could know when Kassius's feelings for Renisha would change.
Renisha didn't believe in the continuity of intangible emotions.
When Laxus had received Lottera's favor, he had spoken of the eternity of their alliance.
"I will repay your kindness. You have done so much for me. Give me Renisha. I will make sure she lives happily as an Empress."
Words alone were destined to fade.
In retrospect, Laxus's desire for Renisha was nothing more than a desire for conquest.
After obtaining her, the eyes he had once held for her had grown colder than ice.
It would be best not to expect Kassius to be any different.
It seemed best to go to Hiloshine after experiencing all the variables first.
So, this impulse was right.
She wondered if Kassius would still look at her like that after spending the night with Renisha.
Kassius muttered, his voice cracking.
“The first night.”
Renisha nodded.
Or maybe it was all just an excuse. Maybe Kassius’s fiery gaze on Renisha was burning her. Maybe she harbored a desire to throw herself into Kassius’s fire.
Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.
Tonight wouldn’t affect the pact they had made.
“We’re a couple. It’s something we have to experience someday.”
Renisha’s fingers brushed Kassius’s lips.
Her touch was bold and hot at the same time, threatening to set Kassius ablaze.
Kassius’s eyes trembled at the thought of something he had never considered.
To Kassius, Renisha was someone he couldn't easily approach.
She was the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Lottera, whom he revered, and at the same time, she was the most noble woman.
But, as Renisha had said, she was also Kassius's woman.
Kassius slowly moved his hand.
He covered Renisha's hand, which was touching his lips, with his own. Then, he kissed Renisha's palm deeply.
"Renisha."
Kassius's voice cracked.
Renisha casually extended her hand to Kassius.
"Renisha, you really... are fearless,"
Kassius whispered with a sigh.
***
News of Renisha's presence in Kassius's mansion spread like wildfire.
People reacted in various ways.
It was widely known that Renisha had been banished for her infidelity with Kassius, the hero of the empire.
However, the majority of the empire's citizens did not condemn Renisha.
"I'm sure she had her reasons!"
“Of course. It’s Her Majesty the Empress. There’s no way she would do something like that.”
“That’s right. So didn’t the Emperor just send her away?”
“You’re too optimistic. She committed an injustice!”
“You! Her Majesty the Empress is human, too. Aren’t you being too harsh? Have you forgotten that it was Her Majesty’s virtue that saved your life during the famine three years ago? If it weren’t for the grain she gave you, if it weren’t for the new policies she initiated, you would have thrown yourself into the Mentusha River!”
“Ahem. That’s right...”
“We must never forget who we depend on for our livelihood.”
They were the ones who remembered Renisha’s kindness.
Even before the official notice of Renisha’s abdication, they paced around in their seats, expressing their regret.
“So who will become the Empress? Is there anyone who can replace her?”
“How could that be?”
“Why, there’s that woman. His Majesty’s mistress? The woman who was often featured in scandalous articles.”
“How could she become Empress?”
People complained.
“It’s clear that she sowed discord between the Emperor and the Empress.”
“She’s the most wicked woman in the world!”
“If it weren’t for her, would the Empress have been so unjustly expelled?”
“That’s right.”
Everyone agreed.
People remembered Renisha in their hearts.
Whoever took her place would undoubtedly be overshadowed by Renisha.
The empire was abuzz with the news of Renisha and
Kassius. Whenever they gathered, everyone talked about them.
And then someone else spoke up.
“Maybe Kassius was comforting Her Majesty, who was disheartened by that woman, and something happened between them.”
“Yes! That makes sense!”
“The Empress, unable to bear it any longer, requested a divorce from the Emperor, and Sir Kassius took advantage of the situation to step forward and take responsibility for Her Majesty! Sir Kassius is a man! He’s a hero! He was so manly that he could be seen from afar.”
“Now he’s even a Duke. Didn’t he inherit the title of Duke of Lottera?”
“It was a pity. The Lottera ducal house closed down.”
“Whatever it was, it’s certain that an unspeakable love affair had begun between the two of you. Even the Emperor had no choice but to acknowledge it!”
The people began to listen to their own fictional story.
Renisha was the perfect Empress and someone they were grateful for.
And Kassius was a hero who saved the empire from a threat.
On the other hand, what about Canary?
She was a villain who made the Empress sad.
And what about Laxus?
He was called the tyrant of this age.
It was obvious which way the people's hearts would turn.
People began to rave about the provocative and beautiful romance that blossomed between Renisha and Cassius.
It didn't take long for the arbitrarily edited and fabricated story to become established as truth among the people.
It was a result no one could have predicted.
***
Kassius hugged Renisha's back.
His rough, calloused palms brushed across her soft skin.
Renisha buried her face in Kassius's shoulder.
Kassius would be lying if he hadn't dreamed of this moment.
When Renisha descended from her shining golden chair and stood beside Kassius...
He dreamed of her, the woman who kept him awake at night.
Kassius let out a hot breath.
He had never met a woman before, but he was not unaware of the intercourse between men and women.
Even as a slave gladiator, he had been tempted countless times.
He had simply turned his head away, pretending not to notice, to uphold his convictions.
Kassius slid his lips across Renisha's smooth cheek.
Renisha, flushed red, stirred a different emotion than usual. A storm raged through Kassius's heart.
"Renisha."
Kassius whispered her name. Renisha opened her tightly shut eyes.
Even in the darkness, her bright pink irises had sunk into darkness.
Kassius kissed the corner of her eye.
"Renisha."
Her name was like sweet candy.
It felt like a sweet scent was gathering in his mouth.
Was it because it was now?
Renisha slowly closed her eyes as she heard Kassius call her name.
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