The children's mischief hurt each other.
Perhaps they knew some might resent Lottera, but they were complacent.
Lottera was the only one they could rely on.
It could have been mistaken that Lottera had abandoned them, especially the children who didn't know the situation.
It felt bad, as if all the arrows were pointed at Isabella.
However, seeing Kassius, who awkwardly said he had come to comfort her, a smile formed on his face.
Kassius extended a hand to Renisha.
"Isabella seems to be asleep, so let's go back too."
Renisha took his hand.
Kassius's body temperature was now familiar.
After spending the night curled up in his arms, the mornings felt refreshing.
Perhaps due to the power of the red snake, Kassius had a particularly high body temperature, but being held in his arms felt warm even to her heart.
She had been infected before she knew it, and eventually, she had become addicted.
Renisha snickered.
She'd thought herself so great, but looking back, she was just a woman, just like everyone else.
"What are you going to do when you get back? How will you comfort her?"
Renisha asked in a sweet voice.
"...I'm not good at singing."
"Huh?"
Kassius said to Renisha with a serious expression.
"I asked the maids about effective ways to comfort her."
"So?"
"Eating delicious food together is good, singing a song is good, writing a letter is good. They recommended many things... I might be able to imitate the others, but I don't think I can sing. What do you like best, Renisha?"
“What are you thinking, Kassius?”
Renisha faked a surprised expression.
She understood Kassius’s full intentions.
She knew that her words could be interpreted that way.
And she couldn’t say she completely lacked such feelings.
Kassius had seeped into Renisha so naturally.
Kassius had long been a part of her daily life.
And yet, just seeing Kassius made her want to tease him so much.
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Renisha? I, no. Then what did you mean...?”
“I just wanted to hug you like this.”
Renisha hugged Massius tightly, oblivious to the fact that it was the hallway and that others were watching.
The maids turned their heads away from the friendly Duke and Duchess.
“But if Kassius took it that way... I’m fine. I understand Kassius.”
“Lenisha! I, I... I just... it wasn’t like that!”
Kassius spoke with a flustered expression and then took a deep breath.
He wasn’t one to be easily flustered.
And he certainly wasn’t one to reveal his feelings easily.
Being naive would easily lead to a cut on the battlefield.
Only by knowing how to conceal one’s true feelings could one become a true knight.
Kassius was praised as a knight on the battlefield, so why did he turn into such a fool in front of Renisha?
Kassius bit his tongue.
If he was going to say something like that, he might as well not have a tongue.
Renisha burst out laughing.
Kassius’ flustered face seemed amusing.
Lately, Renisha seemed to be living for the pleasure of teasing Kassius.
Laxus took a deep breath and exhaled.
“...So bring her here. So that your honor won’t be tarnished any further. Duke Lottera asked me to take care of her, so I have to look after her until the end.”
Calliot remained silent.
The chamberlain simply shook his head, indicating that Laxus wouldn’t hear anything.
Calliot bit the tip of his tongue.
In the end, Laxus was missing Renisha.
Perhaps he was harboring feelings for her.
Stupidly.
Finally, they were leaving.
Meteo looked back, his face tense.
The little Duchess and her husband were also in the carriage for the maids.
He exchanged glances with Count Calliot.
Count Calliot knew who was in that carriage.
Contacting Turiel was a very good choice.
Turiel had made the best choice for Meteo.
“The Emperor may have sent someone else. You two...”
“I will try my best not to get off.”
Count Calliot nodded.
“Then we will depart.”
“Good luck, Count.”
The group departed after Meteo and Count Calliot’s conversation.
They were headed to Hiloshine.
Meteo ran a hand through his hair, feeling a strange excitement.
The image of Renisha he had seen at the previous banquet lingered in his mind.
Renisha was a beautiful and impressive person, enough to leave a lasting impression on someone.
A person who never loses her noble light, no matter where she is.
He wondered if that would be the case in Hiloshine.
'What if it's a mess...?'
Perhaps they knew some might resent Lottera, but they were complacent.
Lottera was the only one they could rely on.
It could have been mistaken that Lottera had abandoned them, especially the children who didn't know the situation.
It felt bad, as if all the arrows were pointed at Isabella.
However, seeing Kassius, who awkwardly said he had come to comfort her, a smile formed on his face.
Kassius extended a hand to Renisha.
"Isabella seems to be asleep, so let's go back too."
Renisha took his hand.
Kassius's body temperature was now familiar.
After spending the night curled up in his arms, the mornings felt refreshing.
Perhaps due to the power of the red snake, Kassius had a particularly high body temperature, but being held in his arms felt warm even to her heart.
She had been infected before she knew it, and eventually, she had become addicted.
Renisha snickered.
She'd thought herself so great, but looking back, she was just a woman, just like everyone else.
"What are you going to do when you get back? How will you comfort her?"
Renisha asked in a sweet voice.
"...I'm not good at singing."
"Huh?"
Kassius said to Renisha with a serious expression.
"I asked the maids about effective ways to comfort her."
"So?"
"Eating delicious food together is good, singing a song is good, writing a letter is good. They recommended many things... I might be able to imitate the others, but I don't think I can sing. What do you like best, Renisha?"
"Since you can't sing, you should avoid that?"
Doesn't this man know that even finding such sincere ways to comfort her is adorable? She wished he had never known this. At least for Renisha.
"I... like Kassius's embrace the best."
Kassius stopped walking.
His golden eyes, flushed red, glanced at Renisha with a bashful gleam in his eyes.
“Ahem. That is...”
“That is?”
“Hmm. It’s not yet late at night.”
“But?”
“I thought you hadn’t had dinner yet...”
Doesn't this man know that even finding such sincere ways to comfort her is adorable? She wished he had never known this. At least for Renisha.
"I... like Kassius's embrace the best."
Kassius stopped walking.
His golden eyes, flushed red, glanced at Renisha with a bashful gleam in his eyes.
“Ahem. That is...”
“That is?”
“Hmm. It’s not yet late at night.”
“But?”
“I thought you hadn’t had dinner yet...”
“What are you thinking, Kassius?”
Renisha faked a surprised expression.
She understood Kassius’s full intentions.
She knew that her words could be interpreted that way.
And she couldn’t say she completely lacked such feelings.
Kassius had seeped into Renisha so naturally.
Kassius had long been a part of her daily life.
And yet, just seeing Kassius made her want to tease him so much.
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Renisha? I, no. Then what did you mean...?”
“I just wanted to hug you like this.”
Renisha hugged Massius tightly, oblivious to the fact that it was the hallway and that others were watching.
The maids turned their heads away from the friendly Duke and Duchess.
“But if Kassius took it that way... I’m fine. I understand Kassius.”
“Lenisha! I, I... I just... it wasn’t like that!”
Kassius spoke with a flustered expression and then took a deep breath.
He wasn’t one to be easily flustered.
And he certainly wasn’t one to reveal his feelings easily.
Being naive would easily lead to a cut on the battlefield.
Only by knowing how to conceal one’s true feelings could one become a true knight.
Kassius was praised as a knight on the battlefield, so why did he turn into such a fool in front of Renisha?
Kassius bit his tongue.
If he was going to say something like that, he might as well not have a tongue.
Renisha burst out laughing.
Kassius’ flustered face seemed amusing.
Lately, Renisha seemed to be living for the pleasure of teasing Kassius.
Kassius sighed softly.
“...If Renisha is happy, then so am I.”
His voice was slightly weak.
Renisha took Kassius's hand again.
"I like how cute Cassius is. You may look cute, but your thoughts are dirty."
Kassius sighed again.
“That kind of gap is what makes it so charming. A lewd and voluptuous lady.”
Renisha’s eyes sparkled like vibrant flowers.
Lewd and voluptuous lady... Lewd and voluptuous lady...
Kassius was lost in thought.
Is this really...?
He began to doubt.
Count Calliot remembered his oath with Renisha.
And before she left, he had sent Kassius to remind her of that promise.
Count Calliot had to act for Renisha.
Moreover, he had obtained the Emperor’s permission to act in a way that would make Turiel look good.
Count Calliot had entered the palace after a long time.
He wanted to see the Emperor before leaving.
It was a natural procedure, since he was mobilizing the army.
“Huh.”
Laxus raised his lips.
He held a glass in his hand.
Judging by the purple liquid soaking Laxus’s forehead, he had clearly been drinking heavily since the middle of the day.
"Count Calliot. I see your face like this. Seeing you is as difficult as picking stars from the sky, isn't it?"
His voice was languid, drenched in alcohol.
Laxus was a remarkable Emperor in many ways.
Even though he wasted his time drinking and drugging, his country ran smoothly.
Cowards, desperate to preserve their own necks, even if their hearts were rotting, were doing the work Laxus should have done.
But that was the end of it.
Wasn't Renisha missing?
Everyone knows that Renisha played a significant role in Laxus's country's standing. It was thanks to her that he gained the hearts of the people, and that reverence allowed him to maintain his throne.
Calliot was one of those who expected Laxus's downfall.
Calliot loathed both Laxus's alcohol and his freewheeling ways.
Even when Laxus drove his own child to death, he was drunk.
“No, Your Majesty. Now that I’m old, I just need to take care of my health first.”
Calliot replied stiffly.
“I see. Still, you’re willing to move your heavy butt at the Emperor’s command. I should be grateful.”
Laxus chuckled briefly.
“It’s a shame for those guarding the palace to move, and I can’t send the Prince off alone. He's been in the Empire for a long time, and he was looking for a bride, wasn’t he? Since I’m sad to be returning, I needed someone to see the Prince off, and how could I not think of you?”
Laxus continued, his voice languid and his expression thin. He seemed quite drunk, as if he’d already had quite a bit to drink.
However, a piercing glint of madness still lingered in his violet eyes.
Calliot bowed his head, hiding his anger.
“I’m grateful that you haven’t forgotten me, my lord.”
“How could I forget your loyalty? When you go to see Renisha, I have a favor to ask of you.”
Calliot swallowed a laugh.
He's already heard the Emperor had told him to tell Renisha.
Calliot saw the servant blushing with embarrassment as he spoke.
Couldn't Laxus know that the servant was also aware of his shame?
He'd offer her a place in the empire if she returned?
He couldn't understand Laxus's feelings for Renisha.
Wasn't it Laxus who had driven her out into that wasteland?
"If you can, bring Renisha with you."
Laxus rubbed his lips with the back of his hand.
"Renisha must be suffering there, isn't she?"
Laxus tossed the cup to the floor and stood up.
He stepped down from the platform and thrust his face into Calliot's.
Calliot, his head thrown back by his collar, stifled a groan.
“Think about it, Calliot. You may be old, but you still have a brain. Renisha has always lived a noble life, never straying from the capital. How much longer can she endure such a place? I’m about to forgive Renisha. She might even see other men out of curiosity.”
Those weren’t the words of Laxus, who was about to marry Canary.
But Laxus seemed completely unconcerned.
“I forgive her all, so tell her to come back.”
The smell of alcohol was strong.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the chamberlain turn his head in confusion.
Calliot gritted his teeth.
"How could the old man bring her here? If His Majesty gave the order...”
“Me? Will she even listen if I speak?”
Laxus burst into laughter.
With a hand clammy with alcohol, Laxus shoved Calliot.
Calliot stumbled, regaining his balance.
“Everyone says I was bad, but who would know that woman was truly terrible?”
Laxus bit his lip.
“...Bring her here. Bring her before me, you mean?”
“Your Majesty...!”
“I’m going crazy!!”
Laxus suddenly shouted.
Grabbing his head, Laxus glared at Calliot with sharp eyes.
“That woman keeps appearing in my head. Doing dirty things with that damn slave...!”
“...If Renisha is happy, then so am I.”
His voice was slightly weak.
Renisha took Kassius's hand again.
"I like how cute Cassius is. You may look cute, but your thoughts are dirty."
Kassius sighed again.
“That kind of gap is what makes it so charming. A lewd and voluptuous lady.”
Renisha’s eyes sparkled like vibrant flowers.
Lewd and voluptuous lady... Lewd and voluptuous lady...
Kassius was lost in thought.
Is this really...?
He began to doubt.
***
Count Calliot remembered his oath with Renisha.
And before she left, he had sent Kassius to remind her of that promise.
Count Calliot had to act for Renisha.
Moreover, he had obtained the Emperor’s permission to act in a way that would make Turiel look good.
Count Calliot had entered the palace after a long time.
He wanted to see the Emperor before leaving.
It was a natural procedure, since he was mobilizing the army.
“Huh.”
Laxus raised his lips.
He held a glass in his hand.
Judging by the purple liquid soaking Laxus’s forehead, he had clearly been drinking heavily since the middle of the day.
"Count Calliot. I see your face like this. Seeing you is as difficult as picking stars from the sky, isn't it?"
His voice was languid, drenched in alcohol.
Laxus was a remarkable Emperor in many ways.
Even though he wasted his time drinking and drugging, his country ran smoothly.
Cowards, desperate to preserve their own necks, even if their hearts were rotting, were doing the work Laxus should have done.
But that was the end of it.
Wasn't Renisha missing?
Everyone knows that Renisha played a significant role in Laxus's country's standing. It was thanks to her that he gained the hearts of the people, and that reverence allowed him to maintain his throne.
Calliot was one of those who expected Laxus's downfall.
Calliot loathed both Laxus's alcohol and his freewheeling ways.
Even when Laxus drove his own child to death, he was drunk.
“No, Your Majesty. Now that I’m old, I just need to take care of my health first.”
Calliot replied stiffly.
“I see. Still, you’re willing to move your heavy butt at the Emperor’s command. I should be grateful.”
Laxus chuckled briefly.
“It’s a shame for those guarding the palace to move, and I can’t send the Prince off alone. He's been in the Empire for a long time, and he was looking for a bride, wasn’t he? Since I’m sad to be returning, I needed someone to see the Prince off, and how could I not think of you?”
Laxus continued, his voice languid and his expression thin. He seemed quite drunk, as if he’d already had quite a bit to drink.
However, a piercing glint of madness still lingered in his violet eyes.
Calliot bowed his head, hiding his anger.
“I’m grateful that you haven’t forgotten me, my lord.”
“How could I forget your loyalty? When you go to see Renisha, I have a favor to ask of you.”
Calliot swallowed a laugh.
He's already heard the Emperor had told him to tell Renisha.
Calliot saw the servant blushing with embarrassment as he spoke.
Couldn't Laxus know that the servant was also aware of his shame?
He'd offer her a place in the empire if she returned?
He couldn't understand Laxus's feelings for Renisha.
Wasn't it Laxus who had driven her out into that wasteland?
"If you can, bring Renisha with you."
Laxus rubbed his lips with the back of his hand.
"Renisha must be suffering there, isn't she?"
Laxus tossed the cup to the floor and stood up.
He stepped down from the platform and thrust his face into Calliot's.
Calliot, his head thrown back by his collar, stifled a groan.
“Think about it, Calliot. You may be old, but you still have a brain. Renisha has always lived a noble life, never straying from the capital. How much longer can she endure such a place? I’m about to forgive Renisha. She might even see other men out of curiosity.”
Those weren’t the words of Laxus, who was about to marry Canary.
But Laxus seemed completely unconcerned.
“I forgive her all, so tell her to come back.”
The smell of alcohol was strong.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the chamberlain turn his head in confusion.
Calliot gritted his teeth.
"How could the old man bring her here? If His Majesty gave the order...”
“Me? Will she even listen if I speak?”
Laxus burst into laughter.
With a hand clammy with alcohol, Laxus shoved Calliot.
Calliot stumbled, regaining his balance.
“Everyone says I was bad, but who would know that woman was truly terrible?”
Laxus bit his lip.
“...Bring her here. Bring her before me, you mean?”
“Your Majesty...!”
“I’m going crazy!!”
Laxus suddenly shouted.
Grabbing his head, Laxus glared at Calliot with sharp eyes.
“That woman keeps appearing in my head. Doing dirty things with that damn slave...!”
Laxus took a deep breath and exhaled.
“...So bring her here. So that your honor won’t be tarnished any further. Duke Lottera asked me to take care of her, so I have to look after her until the end.”
Calliot remained silent.
The chamberlain simply shook his head, indicating that Laxus wouldn’t hear anything.
Calliot bit the tip of his tongue.
In the end, Laxus was missing Renisha.
Perhaps he was harboring feelings for her.
Stupidly.
***
Finally, they were leaving.
Meteo looked back, his face tense.
The little Duchess and her husband were also in the carriage for the maids.
He exchanged glances with Count Calliot.
Count Calliot knew who was in that carriage.
Contacting Turiel was a very good choice.
Turiel had made the best choice for Meteo.
“The Emperor may have sent someone else. You two...”
“I will try my best not to get off.”
Count Calliot nodded.
“Then we will depart.”
“Good luck, Count.”
The group departed after Meteo and Count Calliot’s conversation.
They were headed to Hiloshine.
Meteo ran a hand through his hair, feeling a strange excitement.
The image of Renisha he had seen at the previous banquet lingered in his mind.
Renisha was a beautiful and impressive person, enough to leave a lasting impression on someone.
A person who never loses her noble light, no matter where she is.
He wondered if that would be the case in Hiloshine.
'What if it's a mess...?'
If that were true, he was considering taking Renisha and the Duke and his wife and leaving this place.
Faking death is easy.
Faking death is easy.
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