Episode 65. Into the Storm
There was much to accomplish in this capital.
Attending the Canary's banquet was a given, but the silent war was slowly revealing itself.
It was a game where someone had to die to end.
Kassius turned his head in the direction Renisha was pointing.
Just as Renisha had said, the capital was drawing closer by the day.
Meteo remained in Hiloshine with the Duke and Duchess.
They were leaving Meteo behind and heading towards Laxus.
Kassius's jaw clenched tightly.
Renisha and Kassius were in the same place, yet seeing different things and thinking different thoughts.
Canary visited Madame Turiel's dress shop.
Seeing the close relationship between the two, who were practically enemies, the gossipers started gossiping that Turiel moved with power like a migratory bird.
Such rumors were understandable because Canary insisted on wearing only Turiel's clothes.
Moreover, even after becoming Empress, she spared no effort in visiting Turiel's dress shop in person.
Turiel smiled faintly.
Now it was time to wonder.
Did she really think Turiel would take Canary's side?
Did she think she had made Turiel her own with just a few words?
Canary smiled at Turiel.
Canary, cradling her swollen lower abdomen with her hand, seemed more at peace than before.
“Renisha will arrive in the islands soon, Madame Turiel.”
Turiel chuckled at her now natural lower body.
“Yes, I know.”
“Renisha will accept my invitation and attend the social gathering, right? She will support me there, of course.”
Canary firmly believed that if she had Turiel, she would also have Renisha.
Turiel continued to arrange for Canary to meet the ladies.
Canary carefully chose her words and actions.
It was a complete change from her previous attitude of choosing a dress.
Barbara was delighted to see Canary changing.
“It seems you are gradually developing your qualities as an Empress, Your Majesty! You will be a wonderful Empress!”
Things that had been squabbling seemed to be falling into place.
Moreover, even Laxus had become more docile these days.
He was now able to have normal meals and conversations with Canary.
The child was growing up well, so there was no reason for Canary to be sad or in pain.
Turiel swallowed a sigh as she looked at her peaceful, smiling face.
"How could she be so shameless!"
Canary, one of the people who had driven Renisha to hell, was looking for Renisha's support.
Turiel stared at Canary impassively.
"Renisha seems to be losing her mind, so I'm going to prepare a dress for her. As you know, noble ladies are very sensitive to trends. Renisha must have been left behind during her time in Hiloshine. As Empress, shouldn't I help her?"
Canary nodded, seemingly impressed by herself.
"...You're right. So you're ordering a dress for Renisha?"
"Yes. I've decided on red as the dress code this time."
Canary's eyes sparkled as she spoke.
Turiel realized that Canary hadn't completely forgotten the past.
Red.
It was the color Renisha had once used to tease Canary.
Turiel smiled coolly.
"Red, you mean?"
"That's right. I'm planning to make a new dress for myself, along with Renisha's. I even got permission from Laxus."
Canary smiled proudly.
During their last dinner, Laxus had allowed Canary to have a new dress tailored.
The budget allocated to Canary was practically ridiculous.
Complaining about it was pointless, as Laxus had already said.
"If an idle Empress spends money, people will criticize her."
For now, Canary decided to accept the situation.
Even buying a single dress meant having to get permission from Laxus, but that was okay.
The reason Canary had received a larger sum than expected this time was because of Renisha.
The face of the man who had readily given the money when he heard she could even have Renisha's dress tailored.
"Son of a bitch."
Just as the people harbored other thoughts, Canary, too, harbored other thoughts.
If only the child were born... Just this child...
Canary clutched the hem of her skirt.
Behind her, Canary was preparing for Laxus's end.
She could vaguely picture her sitting on the throne, crowned with the baby in her arms.
Barbara's words had awakened Canary.
Hiding all her inner thoughts, Canary smiled cheerfully.
"Red always suited Renisha particularly well. But, Turiel, as you know, things have changed considerably. The dress I'll be wearing needs to be more ornate and grand. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And when Renisha arrives, I'll speak with her, so tell her I want to see her privately. I suppose our past apologies have cleared up any animosity between us."
She planned to see if Renisha truly intended to return to the capital.
"Yes, I will."
"Oh, and this time, I've been entrusted with establishing a new orphanage."
Canary smiled as if she were drawing.
She finally had a patron.
A nobleman had supported her.
This must mean he recognized her as Empress.
Her heart swelled with excitement, like a spring breeze.
Perhaps thanks to this, Laxus had entrusted Canary with establishing the orphanage.
Finally, Canary could fulfill her duties as Empress.
She felt elated.
“The Marquis has agreed to help with this. However, I also want your advice, Turiel. You know, this is my first time in this situation. Men and women are viewed differently. I want to do well this time and gain His Majesty the Emperor’s approval. Will you help me?”
Marquis, Marquis.
Turiel ran his tongue across his lips.
Canary’s excited face felt like it was turning bloodshot.
Canary may have thought she was preparing to fly, but the thorns surrounding her were tightening their grip.
Stupid woman.
She can’t even tell the difference between a hand she shouldn’t hold and a hand she can, and that’s why she’s getting into trouble.
She needs to know when to give up when she’s out of her element.
If she had just crouched in the shadows, she might have at least saved her life.
“And the Emperor said that if I successfully host this social gathering, he’ll let me entertain the ambassadors.”
Canary felt as if she were strangling herself with her own hands.
Turiel bowed his head.
“I will do my best to help you.”
Clink.
Late at night, the door to Turiel’s dressing room opened once again.
A guest, permeated by darkness, took her seat as if in a familiar place.
“Lady Renisha...!”
Turiel’s voice was moist.
It had only been a few months since Renisha left, yet it felt like an entire year had passed.
Turiel sat down in front of Renisha.
Renisha removed her hood, looking at Turiel, who was overcome with joy.
“Did you come alone?”
“No.”
Kassius and his knights accompanied her.
They seemed accustomed to moving stealthily in the darkness.
They had arrived here without being noticed.
“When did you arrive in the capital?”
“It was early this morning. Thanks to you tidying up the mansion in advance, I was able to rest comfortably.”
“No, Lady Renisha! It was my job to do this.”
Turiel spoke with the excitement of a girl meeting her first love.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. Hiloshine is more... vibrant than I thought.”
“Did Prince Meteo arrive safely? He said he had a gift for Lady Renisha.”
“I received the gift safely. Thanks to your consideration.”
“Thank goodness, thank goodness. In fact, Canary visited today.”
“Hmm?”
Renisha tilted her head with an amused expression.
Renisha fiddled with her golden hair.
“She ordered a red dress. She said she chose red as the dress code for the social gathering she’s hosting. She also ordered a dress for you, Lady Renisha.”
“Haha...”
Renisha let out a small laugh.
“She even bothered with that. Canary seems to have some free time now, huh?”
“Are you planning on wearing that dress?”
Renisha slowly raised her lips.
“I don’t know.”
Canary’s tireless provocation of Renisha was both ironic and amusing.
In a way, Canary’s continued awareness of Renisha was even pitiful.
“The Marquis succeeded in approaching Canary. He said she’d be in charge of establishing an orphanage and welcoming the delegation.”
“If he’s even going to tell Turiel that, he must have earned her trust.”
“It wasn’t difficult. For Lady Renisha, if only.”
Renisha slowly looked around the costume shop.
Nothing had changed.
And Turiel before her.
She had never once thought Turiel would betray her.
She was a loyal and upright subject.
She would readily entrust everything she had to Turiel.
But it was worth testing her at least once.
“Turiel. I have no intention of following Canary’s every whim.”
“Yes, Lady Renisha!”
“The dress code that day is blue, not red. It should be blue. I want the ladies attending the social gathering to wear blue dresses. Can you handle it?”
Turiel nodded, her eyes sparkling.
This was both a test of Turiel and a test of Renisha’s influence.
Renisha planned to steadily remind the nobles of her existence.
“And she said she was going to establish an orphanage?”
“Yes, Lady Renisha!”
“Canary needs to know her place.”
Renisha smiled arrogantly.
“The orphanage will never be built, Turiel.”
Renisha is back.
There was much to accomplish in this capital.
Attending the Canary's banquet was a given, but the silent war was slowly revealing itself.
It was a game where someone had to die to end.
Kassius turned his head in the direction Renisha was pointing.
Just as Renisha had said, the capital was drawing closer by the day.
Meteo remained in Hiloshine with the Duke and Duchess.
They were leaving Meteo behind and heading towards Laxus.
Kassius was more concerned about the men desperate to be by Renisha's side than anything else.
Laxus.
The madman who had been glaring at Renisha.
Count Calliot gave Kassius a final warning.
"The Emperor's obsession with Lady Renisha is abnormal. It is illogical and without reason. Do you know that the Emperor is building a mansion outside for Lady Renisha? Emperor Laxus will do anything to recapture Lady Renisha. Be careful. Where you are going is the system. It's a place where you can cut off your nose in the blink of an eye."
Laxus.
The madman who had been glaring at Renisha.
Count Calliot gave Kassius a final warning.
"The Emperor's obsession with Lady Renisha is abnormal. It is illogical and without reason. Do you know that the Emperor is building a mansion outside for Lady Renisha? Emperor Laxus will do anything to recapture Lady Renisha. Be careful. Where you are going is the system. It's a place where you can cut off your nose in the blink of an eye."
Kassius's jaw clenched tightly.
Renisha and Kassius were in the same place, yet seeing different things and thinking different thoughts.
***
Canary visited Madame Turiel's dress shop.
Seeing the close relationship between the two, who were practically enemies, the gossipers started gossiping that Turiel moved with power like a migratory bird.
Such rumors were understandable because Canary insisted on wearing only Turiel's clothes.
Moreover, even after becoming Empress, she spared no effort in visiting Turiel's dress shop in person.
Turiel smiled faintly.
Now it was time to wonder.
Did she really think Turiel would take Canary's side?
Did she think she had made Turiel her own with just a few words?
Canary smiled at Turiel.
Canary, cradling her swollen lower abdomen with her hand, seemed more at peace than before.
“Renisha will arrive in the islands soon, Madame Turiel.”
Turiel chuckled at her now natural lower body.
“Yes, I know.”
“Renisha will accept my invitation and attend the social gathering, right? She will support me there, of course.”
Canary firmly believed that if she had Turiel, she would also have Renisha.
Turiel continued to arrange for Canary to meet the ladies.
Canary carefully chose her words and actions.
It was a complete change from her previous attitude of choosing a dress.
Barbara was delighted to see Canary changing.
“It seems you are gradually developing your qualities as an Empress, Your Majesty! You will be a wonderful Empress!”
Things that had been squabbling seemed to be falling into place.
Moreover, even Laxus had become more docile these days.
He was now able to have normal meals and conversations with Canary.
The child was growing up well, so there was no reason for Canary to be sad or in pain.
Turiel swallowed a sigh as she looked at her peaceful, smiling face.
"How could she be so shameless!"
Canary, one of the people who had driven Renisha to hell, was looking for Renisha's support.
Turiel stared at Canary impassively.
"Renisha seems to be losing her mind, so I'm going to prepare a dress for her. As you know, noble ladies are very sensitive to trends. Renisha must have been left behind during her time in Hiloshine. As Empress, shouldn't I help her?"
Canary nodded, seemingly impressed by herself.
"...You're right. So you're ordering a dress for Renisha?"
"Yes. I've decided on red as the dress code this time."
Canary's eyes sparkled as she spoke.
Turiel realized that Canary hadn't completely forgotten the past.
Red.
It was the color Renisha had once used to tease Canary.
Turiel smiled coolly.
"Red, you mean?"
"That's right. I'm planning to make a new dress for myself, along with Renisha's. I even got permission from Laxus."
Canary smiled proudly.
During their last dinner, Laxus had allowed Canary to have a new dress tailored.
The budget allocated to Canary was practically ridiculous.
Complaining about it was pointless, as Laxus had already said.
"If an idle Empress spends money, people will criticize her."
For now, Canary decided to accept the situation.
Even buying a single dress meant having to get permission from Laxus, but that was okay.
The reason Canary had received a larger sum than expected this time was because of Renisha.
The face of the man who had readily given the money when he heard she could even have Renisha's dress tailored.
"Son of a bitch."
Just as the people harbored other thoughts, Canary, too, harbored other thoughts.
If only the child were born... Just this child...
Canary clutched the hem of her skirt.
Behind her, Canary was preparing for Laxus's end.
She could vaguely picture her sitting on the throne, crowned with the baby in her arms.
Barbara's words had awakened Canary.
Hiding all her inner thoughts, Canary smiled cheerfully.
"Red always suited Renisha particularly well. But, Turiel, as you know, things have changed considerably. The dress I'll be wearing needs to be more ornate and grand. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And when Renisha arrives, I'll speak with her, so tell her I want to see her privately. I suppose our past apologies have cleared up any animosity between us."
She planned to see if Renisha truly intended to return to the capital.
"Yes, I will."
"Oh, and this time, I've been entrusted with establishing a new orphanage."
Canary smiled as if she were drawing.
She finally had a patron.
A nobleman had supported her.
This must mean he recognized her as Empress.
Her heart swelled with excitement, like a spring breeze.
Perhaps thanks to this, Laxus had entrusted Canary with establishing the orphanage.
Finally, Canary could fulfill her duties as Empress.
She felt elated.
“The Marquis has agreed to help with this. However, I also want your advice, Turiel. You know, this is my first time in this situation. Men and women are viewed differently. I want to do well this time and gain His Majesty the Emperor’s approval. Will you help me?”
Marquis, Marquis.
Turiel ran his tongue across his lips.
Canary’s excited face felt like it was turning bloodshot.
Canary may have thought she was preparing to fly, but the thorns surrounding her were tightening their grip.
Stupid woman.
She can’t even tell the difference between a hand she shouldn’t hold and a hand she can, and that’s why she’s getting into trouble.
She needs to know when to give up when she’s out of her element.
If she had just crouched in the shadows, she might have at least saved her life.
“And the Emperor said that if I successfully host this social gathering, he’ll let me entertain the ambassadors.”
Canary felt as if she were strangling herself with her own hands.
Turiel bowed his head.
“I will do my best to help you.”
***
Clink.
Late at night, the door to Turiel’s dressing room opened once again.
A guest, permeated by darkness, took her seat as if in a familiar place.
“Lady Renisha...!”
Turiel’s voice was moist.
It had only been a few months since Renisha left, yet it felt like an entire year had passed.
Turiel sat down in front of Renisha.
Renisha removed her hood, looking at Turiel, who was overcome with joy.
“Did you come alone?”
“No.”
Kassius and his knights accompanied her.
They seemed accustomed to moving stealthily in the darkness.
They had arrived here without being noticed.
“When did you arrive in the capital?”
“It was early this morning. Thanks to you tidying up the mansion in advance, I was able to rest comfortably.”
“No, Lady Renisha! It was my job to do this.”
Turiel spoke with the excitement of a girl meeting her first love.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. Hiloshine is more... vibrant than I thought.”
“Did Prince Meteo arrive safely? He said he had a gift for Lady Renisha.”
“I received the gift safely. Thanks to your consideration.”
“Thank goodness, thank goodness. In fact, Canary visited today.”
“Hmm?”
Renisha tilted her head with an amused expression.
Renisha fiddled with her golden hair.
“She ordered a red dress. She said she chose red as the dress code for the social gathering she’s hosting. She also ordered a dress for you, Lady Renisha.”
“Haha...”
Renisha let out a small laugh.
“She even bothered with that. Canary seems to have some free time now, huh?”
“Are you planning on wearing that dress?”
Renisha slowly raised her lips.
“I don’t know.”
Canary’s tireless provocation of Renisha was both ironic and amusing.
In a way, Canary’s continued awareness of Renisha was even pitiful.
“The Marquis succeeded in approaching Canary. He said she’d be in charge of establishing an orphanage and welcoming the delegation.”
“If he’s even going to tell Turiel that, he must have earned her trust.”
“It wasn’t difficult. For Lady Renisha, if only.”
Renisha slowly looked around the costume shop.
Nothing had changed.
And Turiel before her.
She had never once thought Turiel would betray her.
She was a loyal and upright subject.
She would readily entrust everything she had to Turiel.
But it was worth testing her at least once.
“Turiel. I have no intention of following Canary’s every whim.”
“Yes, Lady Renisha!”
“The dress code that day is blue, not red. It should be blue. I want the ladies attending the social gathering to wear blue dresses. Can you handle it?”
Turiel nodded, her eyes sparkling.
This was both a test of Turiel and a test of Renisha’s influence.
Renisha planned to steadily remind the nobles of her existence.
“And she said she was going to establish an orphanage?”
“Yes, Lady Renisha!”
“Canary needs to know her place.”
Renisha smiled arrogantly.
“The orphanage will never be built, Turiel.”
Renisha is back.
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