Episode 35. A Regret
Kassius's call to Renisha felt particularly gentle.
The people who used to call her that were no longer around.
She felt like she had become someone precious and valuable.
No one told Renisha she had done anything wrong, but deep within her heart, guilt coiled.
Renisha opened the door and let the ungrateful beast inside.
And the beast devoured Lottera.
She hated herself. She blamed herself for that day.
But whenever Kassius called her name, it all seemed to dissipate. She felt like Lottera's beloved youngest daughter again, a beloved noblewoman.
"Are you alright?"
Renisha nodded slowly. She had seduced Kassius and brought him into her bed.
It was all her own doing.
Kassius, who was daring to pounce on her, embraced her.
Although she was dazed by the immense force and heat that was driving her, she knew exactly what she was doing and who was holding Renisha.
Renisha smiled brightly and kissed Kassius on the cheek.
“It’s okay.”
Even in moments like this, Kassius was concerned for Renisha, and she felt grateful and affectionate.
It was the first time Renisha had ever received such consideration.
Renisha whispered with a smile.
“My good dog.”
Kassius let out a hollow laugh.
Renisha’s composure even in times like this was both annoying and... lovable.
Kassius rubbed his face with his palm.
“...I’m going crazy.”
He felt like he was going crazy from the contradictory emotions and Renisha’s destructive words.
“Please don’t ever say such things in front of others.”
“Why?”
Renisha tilted her head.
“Are you embarrassed? It’s okay. People can’t overhear us.”
“...We’re already suffering because of Terion.”
The next day, rumors spread like wildfire among the knights.
Whenever they saw Kassius, they would tease him, calling him a "lady of the underworld," and he had to swallow back the insults. Renisha laughed.
"As expected. You're embarrassed like a lady of the underworld."
He remembered all the sweet talk he used to appease Duke Lottera.
Back then, he thought it was possible.
Renisha had saved Laxus, and he had earned the right to become Emperor.
He's thought they were a match made in heaven.
Until he heard that.
"...A puppet of the Duke of Lottera? They say he does everything the Duke of Lottera says."
"Tsk. What can I do when he makes a weakling the Emperor?"
He overheard the servants serving Laxus in the palace chattering behind him.
A day, two days, a week.
He realized many people were whispering like that.
The thought of everyone looking at Laxus with the same gaze drove him crazy.
It was the Duke of Lottera who had driven the nail into Laxus's throat.
"...That's not right, Your Majesty. Don't make a decision you'll regret based on a childish act."
Perhaps the Duke of Lottera was loyal.
He must have wanted to offer advice to the feisty young Emperor.
However, Duke Lottera's words only fueled Laxus's inferiority complex.
Laxus chuckled.
"So, my child will be born to Canary."
It was truly a pity.
Kassius's call to Renisha felt particularly gentle.
The people who used to call her that were no longer around.
She felt like she had become someone precious and valuable.
No one told Renisha she had done anything wrong, but deep within her heart, guilt coiled.
Renisha opened the door and let the ungrateful beast inside.
And the beast devoured Lottera.
She hated herself. She blamed herself for that day.
But whenever Kassius called her name, it all seemed to dissipate. She felt like Lottera's beloved youngest daughter again, a beloved noblewoman.
"Are you alright?"
Renisha nodded slowly. She had seduced Kassius and brought him into her bed.
It was all her own doing.
Kassius, who was daring to pounce on her, embraced her.
Although she was dazed by the immense force and heat that was driving her, she knew exactly what she was doing and who was holding Renisha.
Renisha smiled brightly and kissed Kassius on the cheek.
“It’s okay.”
Even in moments like this, Kassius was concerned for Renisha, and she felt grateful and affectionate.
It was the first time Renisha had ever received such consideration.
Renisha whispered with a smile.
“My good dog.”
Kassius let out a hollow laugh.
Renisha’s composure even in times like this was both annoying and... lovable.
Kassius rubbed his face with his palm.
“...I’m going crazy.”
He felt like he was going crazy from the contradictory emotions and Renisha’s destructive words.
“Please don’t ever say such things in front of others.”
“Why?”
Renisha tilted her head.
“Are you embarrassed? It’s okay. People can’t overhear us.”
“...We’re already suffering because of Terion.”
The next day, rumors spread like wildfire among the knights.
Whenever they saw Kassius, they would tease him, calling him a "lady of the underworld," and he had to swallow back the insults. Renisha laughed.
"As expected. You're embarrassed like a lady of the underworld."
Kassius frowned and shifted.
He felt he had to silence Renisha somehow.
Renisha sighed and hugged Kassius's shoulder.
"Please, keep my mouth shut..."
Kassius muttered with a sigh.
"You know how to shut me up, don't you?"
Renisha smiled.
...She was truly a woman beyond compare.
Kassius meekly lowered his face.
The result of his impulse was right.
At least, that's what Renisha thought.
Kassius had always been kind, gentlemanly, and caring towards Renisha.
It was something she had never felt before.
It felt like the burning heat that had burned them both still lingered.
Last night, for the first time in a long time, Renisha had become a woman, not an Empress.
Renisha touched her face in the mirror.
Admit it.
For just last night, she could forget everything—the complicated situation, the revenge.
Kassius's burning flames consumed Renisha.
Renisha only looked at Kassius.
"This is a first."
It was a little disconcerting.
She had thought she was testing Kassius, but instead, she herself had become the variable.
Renisha licked her lips.
"This is truly a first."
She didn't know how to react.
She stroked the back of her neck, where Kassius's breath had dissipated.
Renisha sighed softly.
What was even more disconcerting was that she didn't dislike any of this.
"...Lindy. Don't you think my face has changed a little?"
"You've brightened up a lot. I like you much better now, Your Majesty. You smile more often, too."
"Really...?"
Even without that, she felt her expression soften in the mirror.
If she could feel the change herself, how would others watching feel it?
Renisha smiled faintly.
"Not a bad change."
He felt he had to silence Renisha somehow.
Renisha sighed and hugged Kassius's shoulder.
"Please, keep my mouth shut..."
Kassius muttered with a sigh.
"You know how to shut me up, don't you?"
Renisha smiled.
...She was truly a woman beyond compare.
Kassius meekly lowered his face.
***
The result of his impulse was right.
At least, that's what Renisha thought.
Kassius had always been kind, gentlemanly, and caring towards Renisha.
It was something she had never felt before.
It felt like the burning heat that had burned them both still lingered.
Last night, for the first time in a long time, Renisha had become a woman, not an Empress.
Renisha touched her face in the mirror.
Admit it.
For just last night, she could forget everything—the complicated situation, the revenge.
Kassius's burning flames consumed Renisha.
Renisha only looked at Kassius.
"This is a first."
It was a little disconcerting.
She had thought she was testing Kassius, but instead, she herself had become the variable.
Renisha licked her lips.
"This is truly a first."
She didn't know how to react.
She stroked the back of her neck, where Kassius's breath had dissipated.
Renisha sighed softly.
What was even more disconcerting was that she didn't dislike any of this.
"...Lindy. Don't you think my face has changed a little?"
"You've brightened up a lot. I like you much better now, Your Majesty. You smile more often, too."
"Really...?"
Even without that, she felt her expression soften in the mirror.
If she could feel the change herself, how would others watching feel it?
Renisha smiled faintly.
"Not a bad change."
Perhaps the fire Kassius held within her had melted Renisha.
The warmth was so warm, it seemed like it could withstand even the cold winter winds.
Sunrise Club.
Kassius didn't make a mistake this time.
"I was quite rude yesterday, Marquis."
"No, Your Excellency. I thought my remarks could easily have been misunderstood. I've already been reprimanded by my aide."
Marquis Danvers was young.
However, his radiant experience belied even his age. He now understood why Renisha had referred to her as "that girl."
"Renisha said Canary should be the Empress."
Marquis Danvers casually dragged Kassius into a corner.
None of the nobles present at the Sunrise Club paid them any attention.
They all seemed busy with their own business.
"The nobles opposing us are desperate to find a new Empress to unite them. Each is plotting to make their own daughter the Empress."
Marquis Danvers spoke quickly, then paused.
"Can I just lump the Duke and me together as 'we'?"
To put it simply, he was asking Kassius if he was right to side with Renisha.
Marquis Danvers preferred directness over beating around the bush.
Kassius nodded slightly.
“A married couple is one.”
“It’s reassuring to hear that the hero of the empire is with you.”
Marquis Danvers smiled slowly.
“Don’t be so kind. But is there any way to make her the Empress?”
Marquis Danvers nodded.
After briefly looking around, Marquis Danvers pushed Kassius to a more secluded spot.
Although he was about a hand’s length shorter than Kassius, Kassius kindly allowed himself to be led by him.
“Canary isn’t completely stupid. She seems to think she needs to find her own way. And she wants to become Empress, too. If a new Empress comes in, Canary’s future will be uncertain.”
“...”
“You made the best move. Canary will soon be pregnant.”
Danvers lowered his voice. Kassius looked surprised.
“Canary found her own way, and we just need to support her while she’s pregnant.”
Marquis Danvers’s words became hushed.
They continued talking for a while.
Kassius was once again struck by the insidiousness and secretiveness of this world.
It was a world far larger and more complex than he had imagined.
Canary hugged her lower abdomen.
“Did you really say I was pregnant?”
“Yes, Lady Canary.”
The imperial doctor bowed his head. Canary and Barbara’s eyes met.
In fact, they had known for a long time that she was pregnant.
Nevertheless, the reason they had received the imperial doctor’s diagnosis was to naturally inform the imperial family of the pregnancy.
Canary had heard rumors that the nobles were desperate to make their daughter Empress.
But how could that be?
Canary had created this opportunity for herself.
If Canary hadn’t intervened, would Laxus have considered dethroning Renisha?
That foolish man.
“...Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
Canary spoke solemnly.
“Would you please convey this news to His Majesty the Emperor? I can finally give him what His Majesty has been wishing for.”
“Yes!”
It didn’t matter whose child it was, or even whether it was a boy or a girl.
This was the first child for Lelaxus, who had never had children before.
With this, Laxus could prove that he had no problems.
It would solidify Laxus’s foundation.
Even if a daughter were born this time, people would naturally look forward to the next.
Canary had created that opportunity for Laxus.
Canary smiled, patting her belly.
The imperial doctor hurried away, and Barbara massaged Canary’s shoulders.
Canary asked Barbara, who was also thoroughly massaging her legs,
“Have you dealt with that man?”
“Yes, Lady Canary. No one will ever know.”
Barbara nodded.
Since she had administered the drug directly to the man, he would surely die.
“Well done. I will never forget your deed.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Lady Canary.”
How anxious and tormented she had been for this moment.
The warmth was so warm, it seemed like it could withstand even the cold winter winds.
***
Sunrise Club.
Kassius didn't make a mistake this time.
"I was quite rude yesterday, Marquis."
"No, Your Excellency. I thought my remarks could easily have been misunderstood. I've already been reprimanded by my aide."
Marquis Danvers was young.
However, his radiant experience belied even his age. He now understood why Renisha had referred to her as "that girl."
"Renisha said Canary should be the Empress."
Marquis Danvers casually dragged Kassius into a corner.
None of the nobles present at the Sunrise Club paid them any attention.
They all seemed busy with their own business.
"The nobles opposing us are desperate to find a new Empress to unite them. Each is plotting to make their own daughter the Empress."
Marquis Danvers spoke quickly, then paused.
"Can I just lump the Duke and me together as 'we'?"
To put it simply, he was asking Kassius if he was right to side with Renisha.
Marquis Danvers preferred directness over beating around the bush.
Kassius nodded slightly.
“A married couple is one.”
“It’s reassuring to hear that the hero of the empire is with you.”
Marquis Danvers smiled slowly.
“Don’t be so kind. But is there any way to make her the Empress?”
Marquis Danvers nodded.
After briefly looking around, Marquis Danvers pushed Kassius to a more secluded spot.
Although he was about a hand’s length shorter than Kassius, Kassius kindly allowed himself to be led by him.
“Canary isn’t completely stupid. She seems to think she needs to find her own way. And she wants to become Empress, too. If a new Empress comes in, Canary’s future will be uncertain.”
“...”
“You made the best move. Canary will soon be pregnant.”
Danvers lowered his voice. Kassius looked surprised.
“Canary found her own way, and we just need to support her while she’s pregnant.”
Marquis Danvers’s words became hushed.
They continued talking for a while.
Kassius was once again struck by the insidiousness and secretiveness of this world.
It was a world far larger and more complex than he had imagined.
***
Canary hugged her lower abdomen.
“Did you really say I was pregnant?”
“Yes, Lady Canary.”
The imperial doctor bowed his head. Canary and Barbara’s eyes met.
In fact, they had known for a long time that she was pregnant.
Nevertheless, the reason they had received the imperial doctor’s diagnosis was to naturally inform the imperial family of the pregnancy.
Canary had heard rumors that the nobles were desperate to make their daughter Empress.
But how could that be?
Canary had created this opportunity for herself.
If Canary hadn’t intervened, would Laxus have considered dethroning Renisha?
That foolish man.
“...Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
Canary spoke solemnly.
“Would you please convey this news to His Majesty the Emperor? I can finally give him what His Majesty has been wishing for.”
“Yes!”
It didn’t matter whose child it was, or even whether it was a boy or a girl.
This was the first child for Lelaxus, who had never had children before.
With this, Laxus could prove that he had no problems.
It would solidify Laxus’s foundation.
Even if a daughter were born this time, people would naturally look forward to the next.
Canary had created that opportunity for Laxus.
Canary smiled, patting her belly.
The imperial doctor hurried away, and Barbara massaged Canary’s shoulders.
Canary asked Barbara, who was also thoroughly massaging her legs,
“Have you dealt with that man?”
“Yes, Lady Canary. No one will ever know.”
Barbara nodded.
Since she had administered the drug directly to the man, he would surely die.
“Well done. I will never forget your deed.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Lady Canary.”
How anxious and tormented she had been for this moment.
Canary stroked her flat belly, still showing no signs of life.
"Baby. My precious baby."
Canary's green eyes smiled.
Thanks to this child, the world was within her grasp.
The position she had so coveted was within reach.
And the news of Canary's pregnancy reached Laxus immediately.
Laxus raised his sharp eyes.
"Canary is pregnant?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Congratulations!"
It was the first good news to reach the imperial family in a long time.
It was also the moment when all the controversies Laxus had harbored would disappear.
People would no longer doubt Laxus's fertility.
However, Laxus's expression was strangely unsettling.
"Your Majesty...?"
He had thought that once.
If Laxus were to have a child, he hoped it would be half Renisha and half himself.
Naturally, it was the day he dreamed of a future with Renisha.
Laxus was brimming with passion.
He considered Lottera's choice of him fate and believed in his own abilities.
"Give Renisha as my Empress. I will make sure she doesn't regret it."
"Baby. My precious baby."
Canary's green eyes smiled.
Thanks to this child, the world was within her grasp.
The position she had so coveted was within reach.
And the news of Canary's pregnancy reached Laxus immediately.
***
Laxus raised his sharp eyes.
"Canary is pregnant?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Congratulations!"
It was the first good news to reach the imperial family in a long time.
It was also the moment when all the controversies Laxus had harbored would disappear.
People would no longer doubt Laxus's fertility.
However, Laxus's expression was strangely unsettling.
"Your Majesty...?"
He had thought that once.
If Laxus were to have a child, he hoped it would be half Renisha and half himself.
Naturally, it was the day he dreamed of a future with Renisha.
Laxus was brimming with passion.
He considered Lottera's choice of him fate and believed in his own abilities.
"Give Renisha as my Empress. I will make sure she doesn't regret it."
"Renisha will live her life as a recognized Empress."
He remembered all the sweet talk he used to appease Duke Lottera.
Back then, he thought it was possible.
Renisha had saved Laxus, and he had earned the right to become Emperor.
He's thought they were a match made in heaven.
Until he heard that.
"...A puppet of the Duke of Lottera? They say he does everything the Duke of Lottera says."
"Tsk. What can I do when he makes a weakling the Emperor?"
He overheard the servants serving Laxus in the palace chattering behind him.
A day, two days, a week.
He realized many people were whispering like that.
The thought of everyone looking at Laxus with the same gaze drove him crazy.
It was the Duke of Lottera who had driven the nail into Laxus's throat.
"...That's not right, Your Majesty. Don't make a decision you'll regret based on a childish act."
Perhaps the Duke of Lottera was loyal.
He must have wanted to offer advice to the feisty young Emperor.
However, Duke Lottera's words only fueled Laxus's inferiority complex.
Laxus chuckled.
"So, my child will be born to Canary."
It was truly a pity.
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