Episode 57. Not Now...No
"Is this really okay?"
Jane asked Helena with an anxious expression.
Helena nodded slightly.
She, too, felt suffocated with fear.
However, her belief that Henry would be an obstacle to Renisha's path remained unchanged.
Helena wiped the sweat from her palms onto her outer garment.
Having been closely watched by Henry, she knew his lifestyle well.
"Nothing is impossible. Then, is it right for the head butler to inform the Emperor about the little Duke and his wife? There is no perfect goodness in this world, Jane."
Helena reassured Jane's anxiety once more.
"We are protecting all of us."
"Do you not have to tell Lady Renisha?"
Helena thought of Renisha.
Renisha was like the moon, shining majestically in the night sky.
The growing pounding of her heart was deafening.
“I don’t know. But I don’t want the butler to harm Lady Renisha. I hate it even more that she’s suffering because of him. Lady Renisha has been miserable enough.”
“That’s true.”
Jane grabbed Helena’s hand.
“I trust you, Helena.”
When Henry woke up in the morning, he would drink a cup of cold water.
His bronchial tubes weren’t in good shape, but they felt worse after coming to Hiloshine.
“Whew.”
Hiloshine was a strange place.
He still hadn’t figured out what Renisha was thinking when she came here.
She was keeping Henry under close surveillance, blocking any excuses for him to approach Hiloshine.
“You don’t trust me, do you?”
Henry sighed deeply.
Laxus, whom he had promised to serve for the rest of his life, had kicked him out. He had entrusted him with the surveillance of the deposed Empress.
But now he was being watched in return.
Renisha was a person who didn’t reveal her true feelings.
When she had entrusted Henry with managing the mansion, he had thought a smooth agreement had been reached.
But, just like in the palace, Renisha still didn't trust Henry.
Every time he felt pessimistic about his ambiguous situation, his insides burned.
Henry filled himself with cold water and drank it. It seemed to relieve his thirst somewhat.
Henry blinked as he continued to drink.
Strangely, he felt sleepy again.
Looking at the time, it seemed like waking up earlier than usual was the problem.
'I could sleep a little more,'
Henry shook his head and lay down on the bed.
Dozing off the day's toll, he quickly became overcome with drowsiness.
"Lady Renisha! We're in trouble!"
A pale, exhausted Lindy came running to Renisha early in the morning and called her.
Renisha, just now shaking off the afterglow and fatigue of the night before, blinked.
Lindy was never one to act rashly.
There had to be a reason for such a reaction.
"What's so urgent?"
Renisha tilted her head.
Today was going to be another long day.
It was the first day Isabella had seen her parents in a long time.
It was a day when she was more worried about mental fatigue than physical.
And yet, something big happened this morning?
Kassius, who was eating in the sunroom with Renisha, raised an eyebrow.
Kassius hated those who disturbed Renisha's peace.
And he hated the things that prevented him from focusing on her, even for such a short time.
A little, or maybe, a lot...?
Kassius was often surprised at his own pettiness.
Kassius glanced at Lindy, hoping the big deal he was talking about was truly trivial.
Kassius, who had been listening intently to Lindy while pretending not to care, lightly bit his lip.
Lindy, completely unaware of Kassius's feelings, spoke.
"Something has happened to the head butler. He has been blind since this morning!"
Renisha half-risen. Kassius's gaze froze.
His hopes were shattered.
The head butler was the Emperor's man.
"You mean he can't see?"
“The doctor is currently examining him, but he says his eyesight will likely never recover.”
“And why?”
“I think it might be poison... For now, I’m going to keep this quiet from the butler.”
Renisha nodded slowly.
“Good job. I’ll decide on that later. How is the head butler now?”
“They say everything is blurry. They can only distinguish human figures, that’s all... It’s the first time I’ve seen the head butler so disoriented.”
Renisha sat back down.
Slowly inhaling and exhaling, gathering her thoughts.
“The timing is so perfect.”
If that’s the case, then it could be Renisha’s people who orchestrated this.
Many plots were brewing within this castle.
“What did I miss?”
Henry would surely be a stumbling block for Brixton and Haylin.
Renisha was also considering taking action.
But before she could move, someone...
“Renisha.”
Kassius called out to her in a low voice.
Renisha slowly turned her head to look at Kassius.
“...There were people who secretly left the mansion early last night and returned.”
“Who was that?”
Kassius had shrugged it off.
Renisha wasn’t one to restrict the actions of her servants.
Rather, she observed their actions and made judgments.
Kassius said.
“Helena and Jane. The maids are away,”
Kassius said slowly.
Lindy’s face paled beyond recognition.
Renisha frowned slightly.
Helena and Jane. Those children were the ones Renisha had brought from the palace.
The ones she thought she knew better than anyone...
‘I never expected that.’
Why those children?
“Linda. Bring them here right now.”
“Yes, Lady Renisha!”
Lindy left the sunroom without hesitation.
Renisha ran a hand through her hair.
“What are you thinking about?”
Kassius asked Renisha.
“Hmm. Those kids are full of loyalty, Kassius. They’re the ones who gave me the confidence that they’d never betray me. However, I don’t think I’ve ever allowed them to act alone like this...”
Renisha smiled.
Her smile was cold.
“Are you angry?”
“In a way, yes.”
Renisha placed her other hand on the table.
Her body hung precariously over the narrow table.
“Kassius, danger...!”
If this continued, she might end up toppling over with her food. Just as Renisha let out a shrill scream, Kassius moved with skill.
It was a stark contrast to his usual cautious and slow movements around her.
Like a slender and graceful animal, he swiftly snatched Renisha and placed her on his lap.
Renisha couldn’t even confirm what had happened, as it had happened so suddenly.
Kassius brushed his lips against Renisha’s collarbone.
“I meant, could you be as merciful to me as you are to your people?”
“So that’s...!”
Renisha’s eyes widened.
Kassius hugged her tightly.
Even Kassius couldn’t understand why he was constantly changing so pathetically.
He wanted to possess everything about Renisha.
Locking Renisha away where no one could see her and just stopping.
All sorts of inappropriate thoughts swirled around.
He was anxious.
Even Laxus and Meteo.
Every single gaze that kept ogling Renisha made him anxious.
If Renisha had just said so, if she needed it, Kassius could have done it himself.
Killing Henry wouldn't have been so difficult.
But there were too many people working for Renisha.
Many were faster than Kassius.
Kassius sighed slowly.
His hot breath seeped into Renisha's skin.
Renisha blushed at the firmness of his touch against her dantian.
His hand on her shoulder tightened.
"When I need you, in moments like these, will you always be by my side?"
Kassius's golden eyes gleamed obsessively.
Renisha swallowed without realizing it.
Kassius's body temperature was hotter than others'.
It felt like it would burn Renisha.
Red scales appeared on Kassius's cheeks, then disappeared.
Kassius pulled Renisha closer to his waist and hugged her.
"Huh?"
Renisha, move your clever tongue.
Renisha scolded herself.
Renisha was always the one who embarrassed Kassius.
But now, now...
"...Not now."
That was all Renisha could say.
"Is this really okay?"
Jane asked Helena with an anxious expression.
Helena nodded slightly.
She, too, felt suffocated with fear.
However, her belief that Henry would be an obstacle to Renisha's path remained unchanged.
Helena wiped the sweat from her palms onto her outer garment.
Having been closely watched by Henry, she knew his lifestyle well.
"Nothing is impossible. Then, is it right for the head butler to inform the Emperor about the little Duke and his wife? There is no perfect goodness in this world, Jane."
Helena reassured Jane's anxiety once more.
"We are protecting all of us."
"Do you not have to tell Lady Renisha?"
Helena thought of Renisha.
Renisha was like the moon, shining majestically in the night sky.
The growing pounding of her heart was deafening.
“I don’t know. But I don’t want the butler to harm Lady Renisha. I hate it even more that she’s suffering because of him. Lady Renisha has been miserable enough.”
“That’s true.”
Jane grabbed Helena’s hand.
“I trust you, Helena.”
***
When Henry woke up in the morning, he would drink a cup of cold water.
His bronchial tubes weren’t in good shape, but they felt worse after coming to Hiloshine.
“Whew.”
Hiloshine was a strange place.
He still hadn’t figured out what Renisha was thinking when she came here.
She was keeping Henry under close surveillance, blocking any excuses for him to approach Hiloshine.
“You don’t trust me, do you?”
Henry sighed deeply.
Laxus, whom he had promised to serve for the rest of his life, had kicked him out. He had entrusted him with the surveillance of the deposed Empress.
But now he was being watched in return.
Renisha was a person who didn’t reveal her true feelings.
When she had entrusted Henry with managing the mansion, he had thought a smooth agreement had been reached.
But, just like in the palace, Renisha still didn't trust Henry.
Every time he felt pessimistic about his ambiguous situation, his insides burned.
Henry filled himself with cold water and drank it. It seemed to relieve his thirst somewhat.
Henry blinked as he continued to drink.
Strangely, he felt sleepy again.
Looking at the time, it seemed like waking up earlier than usual was the problem.
'I could sleep a little more,'
Henry shook his head and lay down on the bed.
Dozing off the day's toll, he quickly became overcome with drowsiness.
***
"Lady Renisha! We're in trouble!"
A pale, exhausted Lindy came running to Renisha early in the morning and called her.
Renisha, just now shaking off the afterglow and fatigue of the night before, blinked.
Lindy was never one to act rashly.
There had to be a reason for such a reaction.
"What's so urgent?"
Renisha tilted her head.
Today was going to be another long day.
It was the first day Isabella had seen her parents in a long time.
It was a day when she was more worried about mental fatigue than physical.
And yet, something big happened this morning?
Kassius, who was eating in the sunroom with Renisha, raised an eyebrow.
Kassius hated those who disturbed Renisha's peace.
And he hated the things that prevented him from focusing on her, even for such a short time.
A little, or maybe, a lot...?
Kassius was often surprised at his own pettiness.
Kassius glanced at Lindy, hoping the big deal he was talking about was truly trivial.
Kassius, who had been listening intently to Lindy while pretending not to care, lightly bit his lip.
Lindy, completely unaware of Kassius's feelings, spoke.
"Something has happened to the head butler. He has been blind since this morning!"
Renisha half-risen. Kassius's gaze froze.
His hopes were shattered.
The head butler was the Emperor's man.
"You mean he can't see?"
“The doctor is currently examining him, but he says his eyesight will likely never recover.”
“And why?”
“I think it might be poison... For now, I’m going to keep this quiet from the butler.”
Renisha nodded slowly.
“Good job. I’ll decide on that later. How is the head butler now?”
“They say everything is blurry. They can only distinguish human figures, that’s all... It’s the first time I’ve seen the head butler so disoriented.”
Renisha sat back down.
Slowly inhaling and exhaling, gathering her thoughts.
“The timing is so perfect.”
If that’s the case, then it could be Renisha’s people who orchestrated this.
Many plots were brewing within this castle.
“What did I miss?”
Henry would surely be a stumbling block for Brixton and Haylin.
Renisha was also considering taking action.
But before she could move, someone...
“Renisha.”
Kassius called out to her in a low voice.
Renisha slowly turned her head to look at Kassius.
“...There were people who secretly left the mansion early last night and returned.”
“Who was that?”
Kassius had shrugged it off.
Renisha wasn’t one to restrict the actions of her servants.
Rather, she observed their actions and made judgments.
Kassius said.
“Helena and Jane. The maids are away,”
Kassius said slowly.
Lindy’s face paled beyond recognition.
Renisha frowned slightly.
Helena and Jane. Those children were the ones Renisha had brought from the palace.
The ones she thought she knew better than anyone...
‘I never expected that.’
Why those children?
“Linda. Bring them here right now.”
“Yes, Lady Renisha!”
Lindy left the sunroom without hesitation.
Renisha ran a hand through her hair.
“What are you thinking about?”
Kassius asked Renisha.
“Hmm. Those kids are full of loyalty, Kassius. They’re the ones who gave me the confidence that they’d never betray me. However, I don’t think I’ve ever allowed them to act alone like this...”
Renisha smiled.
Her smile was cold.
“Are you angry?”
“In a way, yes.”
“But you also seem happy.”
“And in a way, yes. I think I can understand them.”
Kassius couldn’t understand Renisha’s complicated feelings.
“...Under military law, those who do this are punishable by death. Regardless of their intentions, it’s considered disobedience. The reason is that it could be problematic for the Commander in his preparations for a battle, and it could cause damage. Therefore, only the Commander can judge and issue orders.”
“Kassius, you don’t think this is right.”
“Exactly.”
Renisha nodded.
She rose and kissed Kassius’s forehead.
Their lips gently touched and parted, forming a gentle arc.
“Kassius, my puppy. I understand what you mean. But I won’t punish them.”
“Why?”
“I’m clearly at a disadvantage right now. I can’t afford to reduce my number in the run-up to the war with Laxus. It’s obvious what those blindly loyal children must have been thinking. They must have wanted to prevent Henry from telling Laxus about the situation here. Since he's Laxus’s people, they can’t kill him, so they must have thought of their own plan.”
Kassius nodded.
Renisha was always right.
And this was Renisha’s battlefield. It was right to act as Renisha planned. Kassius hesitated, then took Renisha’s hand. He whispered, his hot lips brushing her wrist.
“And in a way, yes. I think I can understand them.”
Kassius couldn’t understand Renisha’s complicated feelings.
“...Under military law, those who do this are punishable by death. Regardless of their intentions, it’s considered disobedience. The reason is that it could be problematic for the Commander in his preparations for a battle, and it could cause damage. Therefore, only the Commander can judge and issue orders.”
“Kassius, you don’t think this is right.”
“Exactly.”
Renisha nodded.
She rose and kissed Kassius’s forehead.
Their lips gently touched and parted, forming a gentle arc.
“Kassius, my puppy. I understand what you mean. But I won’t punish them.”
“Why?”
“I’m clearly at a disadvantage right now. I can’t afford to reduce my number in the run-up to the war with Laxus. It’s obvious what those blindly loyal children must have been thinking. They must have wanted to prevent Henry from telling Laxus about the situation here. Since he's Laxus’s people, they can’t kill him, so they must have thought of their own plan.”
Kassius nodded.
Renisha was always right.
And this was Renisha’s battlefield. It was right to act as Renisha planned. Kassius hesitated, then took Renisha’s hand. He whispered, his hot lips brushing her wrist.
“I have a question.”
Renisha smiled, surprised by the thin, hot epidermis moving over her skin. Kassius often displayed remarkable adaptability. Like now. The pure white teeth gently gnawed at Renisha's skin and fell away. The pale skin flushed red. Kassius pressed his lips against hers again and opened his mouth.
"Will you be merciful to me, too?"
"What do you mean?"
Renisha swallowed involuntarily. Kassius's large hand slowly crawled up Renisha's wrist.
Renisha placed her other hand on the table.
Her body hung precariously over the narrow table.
“Kassius, danger...!”
If this continued, she might end up toppling over with her food. Just as Renisha let out a shrill scream, Kassius moved with skill.
It was a stark contrast to his usual cautious and slow movements around her.
Like a slender and graceful animal, he swiftly snatched Renisha and placed her on his lap.
Renisha couldn’t even confirm what had happened, as it had happened so suddenly.
Kassius brushed his lips against Renisha’s collarbone.
“I meant, could you be as merciful to me as you are to your people?”
“So that’s...!”
Renisha’s eyes widened.
Kassius hugged her tightly.
Even Kassius couldn’t understand why he was constantly changing so pathetically.
He wanted to possess everything about Renisha.
Locking Renisha away where no one could see her and just stopping.
All sorts of inappropriate thoughts swirled around.
He was anxious.
Even Laxus and Meteo.
Every single gaze that kept ogling Renisha made him anxious.
If Renisha had just said so, if she needed it, Kassius could have done it himself.
Killing Henry wouldn't have been so difficult.
But there were too many people working for Renisha.
Many were faster than Kassius.
Kassius sighed slowly.
His hot breath seeped into Renisha's skin.
Renisha blushed at the firmness of his touch against her dantian.
His hand on her shoulder tightened.
"When I need you, in moments like these, will you always be by my side?"
Kassius's golden eyes gleamed obsessively.
Renisha swallowed without realizing it.
Kassius's body temperature was hotter than others'.
It felt like it would burn Renisha.
Red scales appeared on Kassius's cheeks, then disappeared.
Kassius pulled Renisha closer to his waist and hugged her.
"Huh?"
Renisha, move your clever tongue.
Renisha scolded herself.
Renisha was always the one who embarrassed Kassius.
But now, now...
"...Not now."
That was all Renisha could say.
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