Episode 62. I Will Stay By Your Side
It was a solemn funeral, just as Renisha had hoped.
Nothing was out of place, and many people attended.
The one who presided over the funeral was Solein.
He had strongly expressed his desire to be allowed to officiate at the funeral of the deceased Duke and Duchess.
Solein had a deep affection for the Duke and Duchess.
"May you two, now embarking on a journey from which you will never return, rest in peace with God."
Solein's voice was damp with moisture.
It was a way to bid farewell to the couple.
Renisha stared blankly.
Her heart felt as if it had stopped. She would never see them again.
In fact, she hadn't seen them often since Renisha entered the palace and they left for the battlefield.
But even so, knowing they were alive somewhere was different from the realization that she would never see them again.
"Renisha...!"
Kassius supported Renisha, who was staggering.
Renisha grabbed Cassius's arm roughly.
"Never... never see me again?"
Renisha asked childishly.
It was a stark contrast to her previous expression.
Renisha's eyes were filled with tears.
"Never see me again? Really...?"
Renisha's whispered words were soaked with her own blood and tears.
Her heart felt like it was being torn apart.
Her world felt like it was crumbling.
She had buried the two of them deep inside, never bringing up their deaths, because she knew this would happen.
She couldn't bear this loss, this grief that tore at her heart.
Renisha's legs gave out.
She relied solely on Kassius's strength.
Kassius pulled Renisha's shoulders into his embrace.
Kassius's jaw clenched tightly.
"I never imagined... that my parents would leave me... that they would leave me first... I... don't want to,"
Renisha whined.
“No! No... What should I do...?”
Renisha slid down, still holding Kassius.
Kassius crouched down, following Renisha as she collapsed.
The cliffs were filled with sobs.
Even the sound of the crashing waves couldn’t overcome the sadness.
Tears streamed down Kassius’s cheeks.
Kassius pressed his lips to Renisha’s forehead.
“It’ll be okay, Renisha. This isn’t the way you two are leaving. Always, always by Renisha’s side...”
“Huh...”
A muffled sob burst from Renisha’s lips, yesterday’s dignity falling to the ground.
Isabella, Brixton, and Haylin’s sobs mingled with Renisha’s.
They, too, had lost the sturdy fence that had protected them.
They could hear the nanny soothing Isabella as she cried herself to sleep.
Solein tried her best to conduct the funeral as calmly as possible.
The casket containing the two people's remains was buried in the ground.
Renisha ran and fell on it.
"What are we going to do if you go like this, Father... Mother, what are we going to do if you leave like this... In this cold... Our father hates the cold."
Brixton pushed Renisha away.
Born the beloved youngest child, Renisha had never left her parents' embrace since childhood.
Brixton held Renisha tightly in his arms and said,
"I... I will protect Renisha, Father. I will definitely protect the youngest daughter you love. So don't worry too much... Don't worry, just go."
Brixton's heart was crumbling as well.
"Brixton. I might not come back. No, I definitely will. Renisha... I entrust her to you."
"Father! Is Renisha your only child? Can't you even see me?"
"Why wouldn't you? What finger doesn't hurt? But, Brixton. You have Haylin and Isabella. And Renisha... she’s all alone in that lonely palace."
Brixton now understands her feelings.
Now that he’s almost lost Isabella, and now that he’s got her back, now that he’s seen the always graceful Renisha crumble.
‘Brixton, you’re stronger and more resilient than I know. I have no doubt you’ll pull through. But Renisha... she’s more fragile and soft than I thought. Don’t leave her alone.’
He knew Renisha would say this.
“Brixton, don’t be sad. We love you too. With all our hearts. How could I ever forget you, my first child? Brixton, our baby. We love you. We love you so much.”
Brixton’s loving mother, who had been comforting him, also knew this situation.
Brixton roughly wiped the tears streaming down his face.
He had lived a life where he was loved, a life he had taken for granted.
Brixton and Renisha were able to live like that because of their parents.
“...I love you, Father, Mother.”
Brixton confessed belatedly to those he would never see again.
“Aaaah!”
Brixton stepped back, holding Renisha, who was struggling, in his arms.
Flowers were scattered.
The first flowers to bloom on the newly born Hiloshine were all dedicated to the two.
Everyone at the funeral mourned their deaths.
When the deep hole was half-filled with flowers, they covered it with dirt.
“Brixton... Don’t let me! There’s something I haven’t said yet! I haven’t!”
Renisha slammed her shoulder into Brixton’s hand.
Didn’t they say the strongest fall the most painfully?
Renisha was just like that.
Brixton held Renisha tightly, her mind lost.
“Renisha... It’s okay. It’ll be okay,”
Brixton muttered blankly.
It was a moment when no words could comfort either Renisha or Brixton.
Pure white flowers bloomed on the flat grave.
It was the power of Kassius.
A headstone was erected in their honor, and Isabella read a memorial poem.
The poem, mixed with the sobbing voice of a child, was a mess, but no one pointed it out.
And so the two departed, amidst everyone’s farewells.
Meteo checked on Renisha’s well-being.
And Meteo made a judgment based on the information he had and the situation in Hiloshine.
Renisha had declared her intention to become Emperor, and Shamdir had expressed his support, so if we were going to help, we had to do it properly!
In that sense, Hiloshine was not a suitable place for Renisha.
For some reason, he had seen new shoots sprouting in Hiloshine in just one day, but that was all.
The castle was still far from being renovated, and Renisha would have to live in this harsh environment. Was this the right environment for someone who would become Emperor?
Meteo could provide a better place.
He couldn't move all the troops from Hiloshine, but if it was just Renisha and her family...!
The funeral was safely over, and it was time to discuss the future with Renisha.
Meteo cleared his throat and knocked on Renisha's reception room door.
"Meteo."
"I've been waiting."
With permission from inside, Meteo opened the door and entered.
Her pale face was red only around her eyes.
Her lips were pale, and a sorrowful expression hung over her barely formed smile.
She was different from the Renisha who had recently declared her intention to become Emperor.
But why did that sight strike Meteo's heart?
Meteo's gaze was riveted.
"You attended the funeral, right? I was so out of it that day, I didn't notice. Thank you. I'm sure my parents were delighted."
"...Of course, it was something I should have attended... but it wasn't something I should be grateful for."
Meteo managed to say in a choked voice. He knew Renisha was beautiful.
Even when she was Empress, her beauty had stirred the continent.
However, Renisha's human side was not something that just anyone could grasp.
Meteo's mouth went dry.
"Not taking the obvious for granted. That's also a necessary virtue. I heard you have something to say. But, before that..."
Renisha rose from her seat and bowed her head.
“Lady Renisha...!”
“Thank you for bringing my family back safely, Prince Meteo. Thanks to you, I wasn’t left alone.”
Renisha continued softly.
“Thank you for saving them. The Prince would say that Shamdir was only repaying a favor, but...”
Renisha trailed off.
To Renisha, it meant more than just repaying a favor.
“Thank you, Prince Meteo.”
“...I thank you too. For giving me the chance to repay the favor.”
An awkwardness hung between them.
After formalities were established, silence descended.
It was Meteo who broke the silence.
“Actually, I have something to tell you.”
“Go ahead. If there’s anything the Prince wishes, I will do my best to help.”
“...Shamdir will support Lady Renisha’s path. I believe it’s in line with the greater good.”
“...”
“However, I believe Hiloshine is a barren and insufficient land for such an engagement.”
Renisha listened silently to Meteo.
“That’s why I would like to welcome Lady Renisha and your family. We have a separate residence near the border between the Empire and Shamdir. If we could...”
“Unfortunately, Prince Meteo. While I greatly appreciate your offer, I must decline.”
Renisha smiled.
Meteo’s heart sank at the sadness.
“I love Hiloshine. It is the root of Lottera, and there is much to be done here.”
“...Lady Renisha.”
Meteo’s heart grew anxious.
The thought of returning to Shamdir vanished.
Initially, he had planned to return after finding the Duke and Duchess and Isabella.
Meteo's family was waiting for him in Shamdir, and he felt that would be enough to repay their kindness. He thought it would be enough to continue to be Renisha's steadfast ally.
But he didn't want to leave.
Here, Meteo saw Renisha.
He saw Renisha declaring her will, and he saw Renisha as a person, crumbling in the face of her parents' death.
He saw Renisha as she spent time with her family and interacted with her servants.
And finally, he saw Renisha as she was with Kassius. Renisha is full of playfulness and a fairy-like spirit. Renisha, radiant with a multitude of colors.
He began to covet that image, the one he'd only seen with Kassius. He wished Renisha would consider Meteo special.
"...I, too, will remain by your side until you achieve your goal."
It might have been a hasty decision, but it was sincere.
It was a solemn funeral, just as Renisha had hoped.
Nothing was out of place, and many people attended.
The one who presided over the funeral was Solein.
He had strongly expressed his desire to be allowed to officiate at the funeral of the deceased Duke and Duchess.
Solein had a deep affection for the Duke and Duchess.
"May you two, now embarking on a journey from which you will never return, rest in peace with God."
Solein's voice was damp with moisture.
It was a way to bid farewell to the couple.
Renisha stared blankly.
Her heart felt as if it had stopped. She would never see them again.
In fact, she hadn't seen them often since Renisha entered the palace and they left for the battlefield.
But even so, knowing they were alive somewhere was different from the realization that she would never see them again.
"Renisha...!"
Kassius supported Renisha, who was staggering.
Renisha grabbed Cassius's arm roughly.
"Never... never see me again?"
Renisha asked childishly.
It was a stark contrast to her previous expression.
Renisha's eyes were filled with tears.
"Never see me again? Really...?"
Renisha's whispered words were soaked with her own blood and tears.
Her heart felt like it was being torn apart.
Her world felt like it was crumbling.
She had buried the two of them deep inside, never bringing up their deaths, because she knew this would happen.
She couldn't bear this loss, this grief that tore at her heart.
Renisha's legs gave out.
She relied solely on Kassius's strength.
Kassius pulled Renisha's shoulders into his embrace.
Kassius's jaw clenched tightly.
"I never imagined... that my parents would leave me... that they would leave me first... I... don't want to,"
Renisha whined.
“No! No... What should I do...?”
Renisha slid down, still holding Kassius.
Kassius crouched down, following Renisha as she collapsed.
The cliffs were filled with sobs.
Even the sound of the crashing waves couldn’t overcome the sadness.
Tears streamed down Kassius’s cheeks.
Kassius pressed his lips to Renisha’s forehead.
“It’ll be okay, Renisha. This isn’t the way you two are leaving. Always, always by Renisha’s side...”
“Huh...”
A muffled sob burst from Renisha’s lips, yesterday’s dignity falling to the ground.
Isabella, Brixton, and Haylin’s sobs mingled with Renisha’s.
They, too, had lost the sturdy fence that had protected them.
They could hear the nanny soothing Isabella as she cried herself to sleep.
Solein tried her best to conduct the funeral as calmly as possible.
The casket containing the two people's remains was buried in the ground.
Renisha ran and fell on it.
"What are we going to do if you go like this, Father... Mother, what are we going to do if you leave like this... In this cold... Our father hates the cold."
Brixton pushed Renisha away.
Born the beloved youngest child, Renisha had never left her parents' embrace since childhood.
Brixton held Renisha tightly in his arms and said,
"I... I will protect Renisha, Father. I will definitely protect the youngest daughter you love. So don't worry too much... Don't worry, just go."
Brixton's heart was crumbling as well.
"Brixton. I might not come back. No, I definitely will. Renisha... I entrust her to you."
"Father! Is Renisha your only child? Can't you even see me?"
"Why wouldn't you? What finger doesn't hurt? But, Brixton. You have Haylin and Isabella. And Renisha... she’s all alone in that lonely palace."
Brixton now understands her feelings.
Now that he’s almost lost Isabella, and now that he’s got her back, now that he’s seen the always graceful Renisha crumble.
‘Brixton, you’re stronger and more resilient than I know. I have no doubt you’ll pull through. But Renisha... she’s more fragile and soft than I thought. Don’t leave her alone.’
He knew Renisha would say this.
“Brixton, don’t be sad. We love you too. With all our hearts. How could I ever forget you, my first child? Brixton, our baby. We love you. We love you so much.”
Brixton’s loving mother, who had been comforting him, also knew this situation.
Brixton roughly wiped the tears streaming down his face.
He had lived a life where he was loved, a life he had taken for granted.
Brixton and Renisha were able to live like that because of their parents.
“...I love you, Father, Mother.”
Brixton confessed belatedly to those he would never see again.
“Aaaah!”
Brixton stepped back, holding Renisha, who was struggling, in his arms.
Flowers were scattered.
The first flowers to bloom on the newly born Hiloshine were all dedicated to the two.
Everyone at the funeral mourned their deaths.
When the deep hole was half-filled with flowers, they covered it with dirt.
“Brixton... Don’t let me! There’s something I haven’t said yet! I haven’t!”
Renisha slammed her shoulder into Brixton’s hand.
Didn’t they say the strongest fall the most painfully?
Renisha was just like that.
Brixton held Renisha tightly, her mind lost.
“Renisha... It’s okay. It’ll be okay,”
Brixton muttered blankly.
It was a moment when no words could comfort either Renisha or Brixton.
Pure white flowers bloomed on the flat grave.
It was the power of Kassius.
A headstone was erected in their honor, and Isabella read a memorial poem.
The poem, mixed with the sobbing voice of a child, was a mess, but no one pointed it out.
And so the two departed, amidst everyone’s farewells.
***
Meteo checked on Renisha’s well-being.
And Meteo made a judgment based on the information he had and the situation in Hiloshine.
Renisha had declared her intention to become Emperor, and Shamdir had expressed his support, so if we were going to help, we had to do it properly!
In that sense, Hiloshine was not a suitable place for Renisha.
For some reason, he had seen new shoots sprouting in Hiloshine in just one day, but that was all.
The castle was still far from being renovated, and Renisha would have to live in this harsh environment. Was this the right environment for someone who would become Emperor?
Meteo could provide a better place.
He couldn't move all the troops from Hiloshine, but if it was just Renisha and her family...!
The funeral was safely over, and it was time to discuss the future with Renisha.
Meteo cleared his throat and knocked on Renisha's reception room door.
"Meteo."
"I've been waiting."
With permission from inside, Meteo opened the door and entered.
Her pale face was red only around her eyes.
Her lips were pale, and a sorrowful expression hung over her barely formed smile.
She was different from the Renisha who had recently declared her intention to become Emperor.
But why did that sight strike Meteo's heart?
Meteo's gaze was riveted.
"You attended the funeral, right? I was so out of it that day, I didn't notice. Thank you. I'm sure my parents were delighted."
"...Of course, it was something I should have attended... but it wasn't something I should be grateful for."
Meteo managed to say in a choked voice. He knew Renisha was beautiful.
Even when she was Empress, her beauty had stirred the continent.
However, Renisha's human side was not something that just anyone could grasp.
Meteo's mouth went dry.
"Not taking the obvious for granted. That's also a necessary virtue. I heard you have something to say. But, before that..."
Renisha rose from her seat and bowed her head.
“Lady Renisha...!”
“Thank you for bringing my family back safely, Prince Meteo. Thanks to you, I wasn’t left alone.”
Renisha continued softly.
“Thank you for saving them. The Prince would say that Shamdir was only repaying a favor, but...”
Renisha trailed off.
To Renisha, it meant more than just repaying a favor.
“Thank you, Prince Meteo.”
“...I thank you too. For giving me the chance to repay the favor.”
An awkwardness hung between them.
After formalities were established, silence descended.
It was Meteo who broke the silence.
“Actually, I have something to tell you.”
“Go ahead. If there’s anything the Prince wishes, I will do my best to help.”
“...Shamdir will support Lady Renisha’s path. I believe it’s in line with the greater good.”
“...”
“However, I believe Hiloshine is a barren and insufficient land for such an engagement.”
Renisha listened silently to Meteo.
“That’s why I would like to welcome Lady Renisha and your family. We have a separate residence near the border between the Empire and Shamdir. If we could...”
“Unfortunately, Prince Meteo. While I greatly appreciate your offer, I must decline.”
Renisha smiled.
Meteo’s heart sank at the sadness.
“I love Hiloshine. It is the root of Lottera, and there is much to be done here.”
“...Lady Renisha.”
Meteo’s heart grew anxious.
The thought of returning to Shamdir vanished.
Initially, he had planned to return after finding the Duke and Duchess and Isabella.
Meteo's family was waiting for him in Shamdir, and he felt that would be enough to repay their kindness. He thought it would be enough to continue to be Renisha's steadfast ally.
But he didn't want to leave.
Here, Meteo saw Renisha.
He saw Renisha declaring her will, and he saw Renisha as a person, crumbling in the face of her parents' death.
He saw Renisha as she spent time with her family and interacted with her servants.
And finally, he saw Renisha as she was with Kassius. Renisha is full of playfulness and a fairy-like spirit. Renisha, radiant with a multitude of colors.
He began to covet that image, the one he'd only seen with Kassius. He wished Renisha would consider Meteo special.
"...I, too, will remain by your side until you achieve your goal."
It might have been a hasty decision, but it was sincere.
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