Episode 41. Someone's Gaze
Laxus ran his hand through his hair.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
He had never seen Renisha look like that.
Renisha's expression when she looked at him was always the same: blank, cold, or filled with anger.
The subtle anger in her eyes made Renisha seem even colder.
He tried everything to break Renisha's composure, but she never once crumbled before him. Renisha's pride always defeated him.
"Ha. Isn't it truly incomprehensible?"
Canary poked her head out.
Things that had been hidden from her view became visible for the first time.
"Huh?"
No matter how much she covered her face, there was no way Canary wouldn't recognize Renisha.
Renisha was both the object of Canary's desire and her jealousy.
Even in her sleep, it wasn't Laxus's face that came to mind, but Renisha's.
"Why is that woman here..."
Canary, unconsciously condescendingly addressing Renisha, glanced at Laxus.
However, Laxus didn't seem particularly interested in Canary.
His gaze was fixed on Renisha.
Renisha's face, hidden by the umbrella, was revealed.
The man with Renisha was Kassius.
"I don't know what you're doing with that childish umbrella. And that vulgar attire? I can't even imagine you as Empress. You must be so shameless to show yourself like this."
Laxus remained silent.
Canary instinctively hugged Laxus's arm.
How much effort had she put into showing the bond between them by going out together today?
She tried to please Laxus by gently flirting with him.
It was something she always did, but now that she was pregnant, she also wanted to be treated well.
But even now, Canary was worse than a beast crawling under Laxus's feet.
Even though she was already marked as Empress.
An Empress acknowledged by all the nobles.
And yet, she was still being treated like this.
No matter how much Laxus treated Renisha, it wasn't as bad as Canary's.
That suddenly made her sad.
She hated how he pretended not to hear her now, no matter what she was saying.
'It's still Renisha, Renisha, Renisha!'
Canary suppressed her anger.
The only improvement was that Canary could now call Laxus by his name comfortably.
"Laxus,"
Canary whispered in a teasing voice.
"Don't worry about that. They're going to leave anyway. Yes? Canary's been pestering me like this."
Canary waved her arm cutely.
Laxus narrowed his eyes.
His anger at Kassius surged and subsided repeatedly.
Why, what on earth, Kassius?
What difference does that man make from Laxus that Renisha treats him like that?
If only Renisha had acted like that, their marriage wouldn't have been so torn apart.
Maybe Laxus would have been more forgiving and saved Lottera's life.
'Yeah, it's not entirely my fault.'
Laxus's persistent attachment and inferiority complex grabbed the back of his neck.
"Laxus!"
Canary called to Laxus in a shrill voice.
Laxus scowled coldly.
"Shut up. Right now, I..."
Laxus gritted his teeth.
He's looking at Renisha.
She was someone he might never see again after this moment passed.
Why now...
Was he seeing Renisha smiling like any other woman he'd ever seen on the street?
"Laxus...!"
Laxus roughly turned and grabbed Canary's hair.
He kissed Canary roughly, biting her lip.
Canary hugged Laxus, whose eyes were sparkling.
Still, Canary was by Laxus's side.
Not Renisha...!
Kassius recalled yesterday's memories.
Another memory with Renisha had emerged.
When their eyes met after kissing, he thought he couldn't help but get slapped.
But Renisha smiled back. Soaked in the rain, yet beautiful.
That alone filled Kassius with contentment.
The childish grin she'd had while eating ice cream lingered in his mind like a brand.
"Ahem. What are you thinking?"
The Prince of Shamdir asked, tilting his head.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Kassius cleared his throat. He'd been absent-minded all day and had been scolded more than once.
"It seems something good had happened to you."
"No."
Meteo snickered.
Kassius was the kind of person whose face spoke volumes.
A person whose true feelings were absolutely clear.
And yet he acted so innocent.
"Why? Isn't it better to share good things?"
"...I have no desire to share my memories."
Kassius's golden eyes glowed yellow.
"Haha."
He knew Kassius was a great hero and a remarkable knight.
And judging by their expressions, he didn't seem like a cunning man who would deceive others.
Still, if you were to ask if Kassius was the right person for Renisha?
Well.
Meteo wasn't sure.
Renisha was a strong person, capable of saving others' lives and taking responsibility.
Her abilities were also exceptional.
No one doubted or resented Renisha's status as Empress.
Meteo studied Kassius with sharp eyes.
"Is he trustworthy?"
Everything hinged on Meteo's judgment.
Renisha had shown her trust in Kassius by sending him in her place.
"Is the Empress always right?"
Renisha was trustworthy, but the situation she was currently facing was not normal.
Few could maintain their composure in such a situation.
"I would like to know why you came to see me like this."
"Renisha said the Prince seemed to wish to meet."
Kassius said calmly.
He shouldn't be flustered by such an abrupt question.
He couldn't be so blunt on their third meeting.
"If you have nothing to say, I need not stay here long, Your Highness."
"Well, the Duke seems to have a short temper."
Meteo smiled.
Kassius realized that Meteo resembled Laxus.
He was a serpentine man.
If what Kassius held in his arms was a sizzling, fiery serpent, then Meteo, on the other hand, was truly a cunning man.
“I don’t enjoy wasting time on useless things.”
“No one likes that. I think it would be best to discuss my matter another time.”
Meteo was careful.
“However, I assure Lady Renisha, she will not be disappointed.”
“I will convey that to her.”
Meteo clearly possessed some kind of key to Renisha.
He was curious to know what it was.
However, it would be wrong to reveal his true feelings so prematurely.
Kassius knew that much.
That was the end of their meeting today.
It had been quite a journey.
The Hiloshine territory in the northwest was truly magnificent, and even after entering its borders, it took a while to reach the castle.
He had been riding so much that her body seemed to have frozen on the horse.
Renisha exhaled softly, gazing at the castle she'd arrived at.
It had been a week-long journey.
Born and raised in the Isles, Renisha had rarely ventured beyond, save for another Lottera fief in the south.
She'd cared for Hiloshine until it was taken away as a dowry for her marriage, but she'd never actually visited.
"I never thought I'd end up here," she thought.
She'd thought she'd live and die in the Isles.
Of course, Renisha's life hadn't gone as planned since meeting the Emperor.
As she scanned the castle, a rough hand suddenly reached out to her.
It was Kassius.
"Take hold of it."
He was telling her to take it.
This was the first time Kassius had reached out to Renisha, and even this was incredibly clumsy. Perhaps it was because he'd spent his entire life as a knight, fighting on battlefields, that he lacked any tact.
Renisha smiled.
Kassius's unwavering honesty was something she found endearing.
The rain and kisses that had moistened her heart remained hot and shook her.
The past week's journey had tested Renisha several times.
The hot, manly scent mixed with the horse's scent made her tremble.
It was uncharacteristic of her.
Kassius often observed her in silence.
Renisha leaned toward Kassius's hand.
"Ah."
Her stiff body tumbled from the horse and landed in Kassius's arms.
Her flabby body touched Kassius's firm frame.
Kassius's eyes widened.
"Ha."
Fortunately, thanks to Kassius's hold, Renisha avoided injury, and she placed her hand on Kassius's chest for balance.
Renisha raised her head and looked at Kassius.
Every time she stood here, she felt that he was definitely big. Too big.
Even if Renisha had suffered a serious illness as a child and had not grown much, this man seemed particularly tall.
He towered over the others.
"Hmm. Kassius?"
Renisha tilted her head and called out to Kassius.
“What’s wrong?”
Renisha chased after Kassius, who was walking slowly.
However, no matter how fast she increased her speed, she couldn't keep up with him. Feeling a pang of resignation, she even ran, but there was nothing she could do about the height difference.
Renisha stood tall and called out to Kassius.
"Kassius. I'm not used to walking behind someone."
Kassius, now that Renisha knew him, would turn away without going any further.
And she was right. Kassius turned to Renisha, his embarrassment still intact.
Renisha walked lightly and stopped beside Kassius, who had stopped.
"I like walking side by side. I wish we could."
When she walked side by side with the Emperor, even brushing their fingers had been eerie.
But now, she wondered.
Kassius matched Renisha's pace.
It was becoming familiar.
The broken window, the fallen leaves on the floor, the worn-out window frames and doors.
They looked as if they couldn't block even a single breeze.
Renisha never imagined she'd find herself in a place like this during her lifetime.
Lindy, who'd been inspecting the mansion, came running, her face pale.
"Lady Renisha!!"
Laxus ran his hand through his hair.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
He had never seen Renisha look like that.
Renisha's expression when she looked at him was always the same: blank, cold, or filled with anger.
The subtle anger in her eyes made Renisha seem even colder.
He tried everything to break Renisha's composure, but she never once crumbled before him. Renisha's pride always defeated him.
"Ha. Isn't it truly incomprehensible?"
Canary poked her head out.
Things that had been hidden from her view became visible for the first time.
"Huh?"
No matter how much she covered her face, there was no way Canary wouldn't recognize Renisha.
Renisha was both the object of Canary's desire and her jealousy.
Even in her sleep, it wasn't Laxus's face that came to mind, but Renisha's.
"Why is that woman here..."
Canary, unconsciously condescendingly addressing Renisha, glanced at Laxus.
However, Laxus didn't seem particularly interested in Canary.
His gaze was fixed on Renisha.
Renisha's face, hidden by the umbrella, was revealed.
The man with Renisha was Kassius.
"I don't know what you're doing with that childish umbrella. And that vulgar attire? I can't even imagine you as Empress. You must be so shameless to show yourself like this."
Laxus remained silent.
Canary instinctively hugged Laxus's arm.
How much effort had she put into showing the bond between them by going out together today?
She tried to please Laxus by gently flirting with him.
It was something she always did, but now that she was pregnant, she also wanted to be treated well.
But even now, Canary was worse than a beast crawling under Laxus's feet.
Even though she was already marked as Empress.
An Empress acknowledged by all the nobles.
And yet, she was still being treated like this.
No matter how much Laxus treated Renisha, it wasn't as bad as Canary's.
That suddenly made her sad.
She hated how he pretended not to hear her now, no matter what she was saying.
'It's still Renisha, Renisha, Renisha!'
Canary suppressed her anger.
The only improvement was that Canary could now call Laxus by his name comfortably.
"Laxus,"
Canary whispered in a teasing voice.
"Don't worry about that. They're going to leave anyway. Yes? Canary's been pestering me like this."
Canary waved her arm cutely.
Laxus narrowed his eyes.
His anger at Kassius surged and subsided repeatedly.
Why, what on earth, Kassius?
What difference does that man make from Laxus that Renisha treats him like that?
If only Renisha had acted like that, their marriage wouldn't have been so torn apart.
Maybe Laxus would have been more forgiving and saved Lottera's life.
'Yeah, it's not entirely my fault.'
Laxus's persistent attachment and inferiority complex grabbed the back of his neck.
"Laxus!"
Canary called to Laxus in a shrill voice.
Laxus scowled coldly.
"Shut up. Right now, I..."
Laxus gritted his teeth.
He's looking at Renisha.
She was someone he might never see again after this moment passed.
Why now...
Was he seeing Renisha smiling like any other woman he'd ever seen on the street?
"Laxus...!"
Laxus roughly turned and grabbed Canary's hair.
He kissed Canary roughly, biting her lip.
Canary hugged Laxus, whose eyes were sparkling.
Still, Canary was by Laxus's side.
Not Renisha...!
***
Kassius recalled yesterday's memories.
Another memory with Renisha had emerged.
When their eyes met after kissing, he thought he couldn't help but get slapped.
But Renisha smiled back. Soaked in the rain, yet beautiful.
That alone filled Kassius with contentment.
The childish grin she'd had while eating ice cream lingered in his mind like a brand.
"Ahem. What are you thinking?"
The Prince of Shamdir asked, tilting his head.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Kassius cleared his throat. He'd been absent-minded all day and had been scolded more than once.
"It seems something good had happened to you."
"No."
Meteo snickered.
Kassius was the kind of person whose face spoke volumes.
A person whose true feelings were absolutely clear.
And yet he acted so innocent.
"Why? Isn't it better to share good things?"
"...I have no desire to share my memories."
Kassius's golden eyes glowed yellow.
"Haha."
He knew Kassius was a great hero and a remarkable knight.
And judging by their expressions, he didn't seem like a cunning man who would deceive others.
Still, if you were to ask if Kassius was the right person for Renisha?
Well.
Meteo wasn't sure.
Renisha was a strong person, capable of saving others' lives and taking responsibility.
Her abilities were also exceptional.
No one doubted or resented Renisha's status as Empress.
Meteo studied Kassius with sharp eyes.
"Is he trustworthy?"
Everything hinged on Meteo's judgment.
Renisha had shown her trust in Kassius by sending him in her place.
"Is the Empress always right?"
Renisha was trustworthy, but the situation she was currently facing was not normal.
Few could maintain their composure in such a situation.
"I would like to know why you came to see me like this."
"Renisha said the Prince seemed to wish to meet."
Kassius said calmly.
He shouldn't be flustered by such an abrupt question.
He couldn't be so blunt on their third meeting.
"If you have nothing to say, I need not stay here long, Your Highness."
"Well, the Duke seems to have a short temper."
Meteo smiled.
Kassius realized that Meteo resembled Laxus.
He was a serpentine man.
If what Kassius held in his arms was a sizzling, fiery serpent, then Meteo, on the other hand, was truly a cunning man.
“I don’t enjoy wasting time on useless things.”
“No one likes that. I think it would be best to discuss my matter another time.”
Meteo was careful.
“However, I assure Lady Renisha, she will not be disappointed.”
“I will convey that to her.”
Meteo clearly possessed some kind of key to Renisha.
He was curious to know what it was.
However, it would be wrong to reveal his true feelings so prematurely.
Kassius knew that much.
That was the end of their meeting today.
***
It had been quite a journey.
The Hiloshine territory in the northwest was truly magnificent, and even after entering its borders, it took a while to reach the castle.
He had been riding so much that her body seemed to have frozen on the horse.
Renisha exhaled softly, gazing at the castle she'd arrived at.
It had been a week-long journey.
Born and raised in the Isles, Renisha had rarely ventured beyond, save for another Lottera fief in the south.
She'd cared for Hiloshine until it was taken away as a dowry for her marriage, but she'd never actually visited.
"I never thought I'd end up here," she thought.
She'd thought she'd live and die in the Isles.
Of course, Renisha's life hadn't gone as planned since meeting the Emperor.
As she scanned the castle, a rough hand suddenly reached out to her.
It was Kassius.
"Take hold of it."
He was telling her to take it.
This was the first time Kassius had reached out to Renisha, and even this was incredibly clumsy. Perhaps it was because he'd spent his entire life as a knight, fighting on battlefields, that he lacked any tact.
Renisha smiled.
Kassius's unwavering honesty was something she found endearing.
The rain and kisses that had moistened her heart remained hot and shook her.
The past week's journey had tested Renisha several times.
The hot, manly scent mixed with the horse's scent made her tremble.
It was uncharacteristic of her.
Kassius often observed her in silence.
Renisha leaned toward Kassius's hand.
"Ah."
Her stiff body tumbled from the horse and landed in Kassius's arms.
Her flabby body touched Kassius's firm frame.
Kassius's eyes widened.
"Ha."
Fortunately, thanks to Kassius's hold, Renisha avoided injury, and she placed her hand on Kassius's chest for balance.
Renisha raised her head and looked at Kassius.
Every time she stood here, she felt that he was definitely big. Too big.
Even if Renisha had suffered a serious illness as a child and had not grown much, this man seemed particularly tall.
He towered over the others.
"Hmm. Kassius?"
Renisha tilted her head and called out to Kassius.
“What’s wrong?”
Kassius, frozen as a stone, remained motionless. Renisha looked him over from top to bottom.
Her eyes caught the flushed nape of his neck.
“What?”
Renisha muttered unconsciously.
“You’re embarrassed by this?”
The Emperor, who rotated between three women a day, would be shocked and dumbfounded if he found out.
Besides, Renisha and Kassius had already spent the night together.
Kassius always blushed like a newlywed.
Renisha pursed her lips and whispered sweetly,
“How old are you, Kassius?”
Kassius clenched his jaw at the laughter in her voice.
Renisha burst into laughter, and Kassius’s face lit up, like his own hair.
“It’s strange that people are used to this kind of thing.”
Kassius said curtly and turned away from Renisha.
Her eyes caught the flushed nape of his neck.
“What?”
Renisha muttered unconsciously.
“You’re embarrassed by this?”
The Emperor, who rotated between three women a day, would be shocked and dumbfounded if he found out.
Besides, Renisha and Kassius had already spent the night together.
Kassius always blushed like a newlywed.
Renisha pursed her lips and whispered sweetly,
“How old are you, Kassius?”
Kassius clenched his jaw at the laughter in her voice.
Renisha burst into laughter, and Kassius’s face lit up, like his own hair.
“It’s strange that people are used to this kind of thing.”
Kassius said curtly and turned away from Renisha.
Renisha chased after Kassius, who was walking slowly.
However, no matter how fast she increased her speed, she couldn't keep up with him. Feeling a pang of resignation, she even ran, but there was nothing she could do about the height difference.
Renisha stood tall and called out to Kassius.
"Kassius. I'm not used to walking behind someone."
Kassius, now that Renisha knew him, would turn away without going any further.
And she was right. Kassius turned to Renisha, his embarrassment still intact.
Renisha walked lightly and stopped beside Kassius, who had stopped.
"I like walking side by side. I wish we could."
When she walked side by side with the Emperor, even brushing their fingers had been eerie.
But now, she wondered.
Kassius matched Renisha's pace.
It was becoming familiar.
***
The broken window, the fallen leaves on the floor, the worn-out window frames and doors.
They looked as if they couldn't block even a single breeze.
Renisha never imagined she'd find herself in a place like this during her lifetime.
Lindy, who'd been inspecting the mansion, came running, her face pale.
"Lady Renisha!!"
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