Episode 67. Blue Waves
Canary knew she could gain more by flirting with Laxus than by resisting him.
Perhaps she had been too greedy just because she was the Empress.
And against Lexus at that.
Even when stretching her legs, she should have been careful to be considerate of her opponent.
'Tsk.'
Canary patted Laxus's chest.
"That's because Lady Renisha still doesn't understand Laxus's heart. If she knew how much Laxus cares for her, she would understand you."
Laxus pressed his throbbing head.
"Of course."
With evil spirits tormenting him at night and drugs and alcohol constantly in his hand during the day, he could feel his body gradually weakening.
When would this excruciating headache ever end?
No, was there an end at all? Laxus bit his lip.
Sometimes, the pain would suffocate Laxus, making him want to vomit blood and die.
His doctor offered sound advice: to ease his mind and cut down on his medication and drinking.
Of course, Laxus locked the old woman in the dungeon, who only talked nonsense.
The reason Laxus couldn't give up alcohol and drugs was because of the evil spirits that ruled his nights.
It had been mild before, but it had become increasingly intense recently.
Laxus let out a bitter sigh and leaned his head against Canary's chest.
"Canary, I can't sleep. Sing me a song."
"Yes, Laxus. I'll sing you a lullaby. After a moment of sleep, everything will be alright."
Canary's voice softened.
"But Laxus, my baby, seems to want a lot of food. Am I overeating? I spent all the money Laxus gave me on food."
"...I felt it had to be this way."
"And you too, Kassius. Shall we go now?"
Kassius nodded.
The difference between before and today was stark.
Before, to Kassius, Renisha had been unreachable.
Someone he could only gaze upon.
But now, Renisha was Kassius's.
That very fact filled his heart with pride.
No one would dare to look down on Renisha.
At least as long as Kassius was around!
Lindy carefully observed the maids' actions.
Renisha trusted no one.
That trait had rubbed off on Lindy, and she couldn't help but feel suspicious of the people who had been like family until recently.
Renisha might have done something else while she was away.
However, the maids were busy chatting excitedly, oblivious to Lindy's thoughts.
"Oh my. I told you I really wanted to come back, didn't I? Lindy, do you have any idea how unsightly that Canary thing was?"
"That's right. You're so arrogant, despite your lack of qualifications. Madame Turiel hosted a gathering before, and my mother went, and Canary looked so unattractive. Is the Emperor not treating her well?"
"...What's your point?"
"I really hope Lady Renisha disciplines Canary. So she learns her place and learns to humble herself."
Lindy sensed a deep sense of disgust in them. She seemed to understand.
Canary had originally been a maid who washed Renisha's feet.
They were displeased that she had risen above them.
It was the pride of the nobles.
To live as nobles, they studied and mastered much. They had to move according to a set schedule from morning to night, attending up to four classes all day.
Canary had been elevated to the Emperor's favor without any of that.
The nobles, with their high self-esteem, couldn't possibly welcome such a Canary.
Lindy's tension eased.
He remembered what Renisha had said the day she'd welcomed them back.
"They can't betray me. Not even for their own sake."
She seemed to understand the meaning of those words.
They welcomed and worshipped Renisha for their own sake.
To protect their own pride and self-esteem.
Lindy stuck out her tongue.
Renisha sat down, gazing into the distance.
Where on earth did such foresight come from?
Lindy patted the maids on the back.
"Trust Renisha. When has she ever let us down?"
"No!"
Canary knew she could gain more by flirting with Laxus than by resisting him.
Perhaps she had been too greedy just because she was the Empress.
And against Lexus at that.
Even when stretching her legs, she should have been careful to be considerate of her opponent.
'Tsk.'
Canary patted Laxus's chest.
"That's because Lady Renisha still doesn't understand Laxus's heart. If she knew how much Laxus cares for her, she would understand you."
Laxus pressed his throbbing head.
"Of course."
With evil spirits tormenting him at night and drugs and alcohol constantly in his hand during the day, he could feel his body gradually weakening.
When would this excruciating headache ever end?
No, was there an end at all? Laxus bit his lip.
Sometimes, the pain would suffocate Laxus, making him want to vomit blood and die.
His doctor offered sound advice: to ease his mind and cut down on his medication and drinking.
Of course, Laxus locked the old woman in the dungeon, who only talked nonsense.
The reason Laxus couldn't give up alcohol and drugs was because of the evil spirits that ruled his nights.
It had been mild before, but it had become increasingly intense recently.
Laxus let out a bitter sigh and leaned his head against Canary's chest.
"Canary, I can't sleep. Sing me a song."
"Yes, Laxus. I'll sing you a lullaby. After a moment of sleep, everything will be alright."
Canary's voice softened.
"But Laxus, my baby, seems to want a lot of food. Am I overeating? I spent all the money Laxus gave me on food."
It was a lie.
Canary had poured all the money into buying trinkets.
At the social gatherings that Renisha attended, she couldn't have been worse than her.
"...I'll bring you more money. So sing."
"Thank you, Laxus."
Canary, who had kissed Laxus's cheek, parted her lips.
A pleasant song flowed out softly.
The servants who heard it also felt relieved.
After listening to Canary's song, Laxus would often sleep soundly for a while.
It was a song that brought peace to everyone.
Renisha was quiet, except for the occasional outing with Kassius.
She rarely left the mansion.
Canary and the other nobles who had been listening closely to Renisha's movements couldn't hide their disappointment. They had clearly expected a clash between Laxus and Renisha, or between Canary and Renisha, but it was quiet.
And amidst that silence, the day of the social gathering Canary was hosting dawned.
Renisha added a crimson smile.
"A little more extravagantly, Lindy."
“Yes, Lady Renisha.”
Lindy nodded.
As soon as Renisha returned to the capital, the two maids she had sent away returned, begging to be allowed to serve her while she was there. Renisha gladly welcomed them in.
Regardless of their inner thoughts, they acted as if they still trusted and followed her.
“You are truly beautiful, Lady Renisha! You seem to have gotten even prettier while you were in Hiloshine...”
“I was worried you were so thin, but thankfully, I think you’ve gained some weight.”
The maids chattered and played with their hands.
Renisha’s hair was braided and put up, adorned with white flowers and pearls.
Madame Turiel had brought the most beautiful dress for Renisha today.
It was the aquamarine color she had requested.
Renisha, reflected in the mirror, was as resplendent and majestic as she had been as the former Empress.
The blue pearls around her eyes added weight to Renisha, and the fresh flowers and pearls that adorned her hair gave her an air of elegance.
The dress was a harmonious blend of blue, black, and gold.
“I think this is enough.”
Renisha held a black lace fan in her hand.
The fan contrasted with her blue silk gloves.
The tip of the fan was also decorated with pearls and fresh flowers to match her outfit.
This was also Madame Turiel’s work.
“Fighting, Lady Renisha!”
“Please flatten Canary’s nose today, too!”
The maids cheerfully clenched their fists.
Renisha left the room, leaving behind the cheering.
Today's escort was, of course, Kassius's.
It had been a while.
Renisha had been living in Hiloshine, enjoying a simple wardrobe.
It was for comfort, and there was no need for extravagance there.
So, it had been a long time since Kassius had seen her formally dressed.
He'd always thought Renisha was beautiful, but now... she was in full bloom, as if she'd found the right place.
Kassius realized once again that Renisha suited this kind of place.
Renisha wasn't one to be confined to a remote place like Hiloshine.
Her beauty was breathtaking.
Kassius kissed the back of Renisha's hand.
"Kassius? What are you doing?"
Renisha burst into a laugh as if marbles were rolling.
Her smile, fan resting on her lips, was the epitome of elegance.
Canary had poured all the money into buying trinkets.
At the social gatherings that Renisha attended, she couldn't have been worse than her.
"...I'll bring you more money. So sing."
"Thank you, Laxus."
Canary, who had kissed Laxus's cheek, parted her lips.
A pleasant song flowed out softly.
The servants who heard it also felt relieved.
After listening to Canary's song, Laxus would often sleep soundly for a while.
It was a song that brought peace to everyone.
***
Renisha was quiet, except for the occasional outing with Kassius.
She rarely left the mansion.
Canary and the other nobles who had been listening closely to Renisha's movements couldn't hide their disappointment. They had clearly expected a clash between Laxus and Renisha, or between Canary and Renisha, but it was quiet.
And amidst that silence, the day of the social gathering Canary was hosting dawned.
Renisha added a crimson smile.
"A little more extravagantly, Lindy."
“Yes, Lady Renisha.”
Lindy nodded.
As soon as Renisha returned to the capital, the two maids she had sent away returned, begging to be allowed to serve her while she was there. Renisha gladly welcomed them in.
Regardless of their inner thoughts, they acted as if they still trusted and followed her.
“You are truly beautiful, Lady Renisha! You seem to have gotten even prettier while you were in Hiloshine...”
“I was worried you were so thin, but thankfully, I think you’ve gained some weight.”
The maids chattered and played with their hands.
Renisha’s hair was braided and put up, adorned with white flowers and pearls.
Madame Turiel had brought the most beautiful dress for Renisha today.
It was the aquamarine color she had requested.
Renisha, reflected in the mirror, was as resplendent and majestic as she had been as the former Empress.
The blue pearls around her eyes added weight to Renisha, and the fresh flowers and pearls that adorned her hair gave her an air of elegance.
The dress was a harmonious blend of blue, black, and gold.
“I think this is enough.”
Renisha held a black lace fan in her hand.
The fan contrasted with her blue silk gloves.
The tip of the fan was also decorated with pearls and fresh flowers to match her outfit.
This was also Madame Turiel’s work.
“Fighting, Lady Renisha!”
“Please flatten Canary’s nose today, too!”
The maids cheerfully clenched their fists.
Renisha left the room, leaving behind the cheering.
Today's escort was, of course, Kassius's.
It had been a while.
Renisha had been living in Hiloshine, enjoying a simple wardrobe.
It was for comfort, and there was no need for extravagance there.
So, it had been a long time since Kassius had seen her formally dressed.
He'd always thought Renisha was beautiful, but now... she was in full bloom, as if she'd found the right place.
Kassius realized once again that Renisha suited this kind of place.
Renisha wasn't one to be confined to a remote place like Hiloshine.
Her beauty was breathtaking.
Kassius kissed the back of Renisha's hand.
"Kassius? What are you doing?"
Renisha burst into a laugh as if marbles were rolling.
Her smile, fan resting on her lips, was the epitome of elegance.
Kassius answered with a heavy voice.
"...I felt it had to be this way."
"And you too, Kassius. Shall we go now?"
Kassius nodded.
The difference between before and today was stark.
Before, to Kassius, Renisha had been unreachable.
Someone he could only gaze upon.
But now, Renisha was Kassius's.
That very fact filled his heart with pride.
No one would dare to look down on Renisha.
At least as long as Kassius was around!
***
Lindy carefully observed the maids' actions.
Renisha trusted no one.
That trait had rubbed off on Lindy, and she couldn't help but feel suspicious of the people who had been like family until recently.
Renisha might have done something else while she was away.
However, the maids were busy chatting excitedly, oblivious to Lindy's thoughts.
"Oh my. I told you I really wanted to come back, didn't I? Lindy, do you have any idea how unsightly that Canary thing was?"
"That's right. You're so arrogant, despite your lack of qualifications. Madame Turiel hosted a gathering before, and my mother went, and Canary looked so unattractive. Is the Emperor not treating her well?"
"...What's your point?"
"I really hope Lady Renisha disciplines Canary. So she learns her place and learns to humble herself."
Lindy sensed a deep sense of disgust in them. She seemed to understand.
Canary had originally been a maid who washed Renisha's feet.
They were displeased that she had risen above them.
It was the pride of the nobles.
To live as nobles, they studied and mastered much. They had to move according to a set schedule from morning to night, attending up to four classes all day.
Canary had been elevated to the Emperor's favor without any of that.
The nobles, with their high self-esteem, couldn't possibly welcome such a Canary.
Lindy's tension eased.
He remembered what Renisha had said the day she'd welcomed them back.
"They can't betray me. Not even for their own sake."
She seemed to understand the meaning of those words.
They welcomed and worshipped Renisha for their own sake.
To protect their own pride and self-esteem.
Lindy stuck out her tongue.
Renisha sat down, gazing into the distance.
Where on earth did such foresight come from?
Lindy patted the maids on the back.
"Trust Renisha. When has she ever let us down?"
"No!"
"I trust her!"
Peace returned to Lindy's heart.
Luna and Kien hurried to Hiloshine.
Kien couldn't help but be taken aback by how drastically different Hiloshine had become since he'd left.
It had clearly been a desolate place, but now it was filled with green grass, small flowers, and trees just starting to grow.
It had become a place more vibrant and full of life than before.
"T-This isn't...?"
"What are you talking about? If we're going the right way, then this is the right place."
Luna retorted annoyedly to Kien.
He kept circling the area, and it was starting to get frustrating.
Luna sighed and grabbed Kien.
"It looks like you planted some seeds while you were gone!"
"That's not it..."
Kien was led by Luna's hand into Hiloshine.
Still, something familiar remained.
Hiloshine Castle, now in the midst of renovations, welcomed them.
It still had the appearance of a castle.
"Oh, you're back?"
Those who recognized Kien greeted him. Only then did Kien feel at ease.
"Who's next to you? Did you bring a woman back from the mission?"
"That's not it!"
Kien shouted in denial.
If caught in the wrong place, he could become the butt of a joke.
Considering the beautiful lady Kassius, he absolutely could not afford to give her any room.
Kien frowned and introduced Luna.
"She's the one His Excellency has been waiting for. Where is he?"
"...Oh, you must have missed it because you were gone. His Excellency is currently in the capital...? It'll take some time for him to return."
"What?"
Kien gave a hollow laugh.
"Who's in charge here now?"
It was Terion who answered Luna's question.
"It's me. I'm Terron, acting on behalf of His Excellency the Duke."
Terion and Luna's eyes met. Luna and Terion thought simultaneously,
'This is not an easy opponent.'
Renisha walked briskly.
Kassius escorted Renisha to the palace and then left.
Renisha, alone, was attracting all sorts of attention.
The palace servants whispered Renisha's name.
They didn't pay any attention to what they were saying.
A strangely sweet, mixed scent of perfumes filled Renisha's nose.
This meant the ladies had already arrived.
Canary opened the palace hall.
Perhaps wanting to flaunt her status as Empress, the interior was dazzlingly ornate.
Renisha frowned at the sight.
'Frivolous.'
There was not a shred of elegance or sophistication.
Renisha covered her mouth with her fan.
She hadn't expected Canary to pull it off so perfectly, but...
Still, she didn't expect it to be this bad.
The dignity and pride Renisha had maintained for so long felt like they were crumbling.
Even though she'd left this place, perhaps she still had some sense of responsibility.
Renisha clicked her tongue lightly.
She arrived at the meeting place.
She gave Turiel one command: to fill this place with the color Renisha had chosen.
Blue waves adorned her eyes.
Peace returned to Lindy's heart.
***
Luna and Kien hurried to Hiloshine.
Kien couldn't help but be taken aback by how drastically different Hiloshine had become since he'd left.
It had clearly been a desolate place, but now it was filled with green grass, small flowers, and trees just starting to grow.
It had become a place more vibrant and full of life than before.
"T-This isn't...?"
"What are you talking about? If we're going the right way, then this is the right place."
Luna retorted annoyedly to Kien.
He kept circling the area, and it was starting to get frustrating.
Luna sighed and grabbed Kien.
"It looks like you planted some seeds while you were gone!"
"That's not it..."
Kien was led by Luna's hand into Hiloshine.
Still, something familiar remained.
Hiloshine Castle, now in the midst of renovations, welcomed them.
It still had the appearance of a castle.
"Oh, you're back?"
Those who recognized Kien greeted him. Only then did Kien feel at ease.
"Who's next to you? Did you bring a woman back from the mission?"
"That's not it!"
Kien shouted in denial.
If caught in the wrong place, he could become the butt of a joke.
Considering the beautiful lady Kassius, he absolutely could not afford to give her any room.
Kien frowned and introduced Luna.
"She's the one His Excellency has been waiting for. Where is he?"
"...Oh, you must have missed it because you were gone. His Excellency is currently in the capital...? It'll take some time for him to return."
"What?"
Kien gave a hollow laugh.
"Who's in charge here now?"
It was Terion who answered Luna's question.
"It's me. I'm Terron, acting on behalf of His Excellency the Duke."
Terion and Luna's eyes met. Luna and Terion thought simultaneously,
'This is not an easy opponent.'
***
Renisha walked briskly.
Kassius escorted Renisha to the palace and then left.
Renisha, alone, was attracting all sorts of attention.
The palace servants whispered Renisha's name.
They didn't pay any attention to what they were saying.
A strangely sweet, mixed scent of perfumes filled Renisha's nose.
This meant the ladies had already arrived.
Canary opened the palace hall.
Perhaps wanting to flaunt her status as Empress, the interior was dazzlingly ornate.
Renisha frowned at the sight.
'Frivolous.'
There was not a shred of elegance or sophistication.
Renisha covered her mouth with her fan.
She hadn't expected Canary to pull it off so perfectly, but...
Still, she didn't expect it to be this bad.
The dignity and pride Renisha had maintained for so long felt like they were crumbling.
Even though she'd left this place, perhaps she still had some sense of responsibility.
Renisha clicked her tongue lightly.
She arrived at the meeting place.
She gave Turiel one command: to fill this place with the color Renisha had chosen.
Blue waves adorned her eyes.
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