Episode 100. Checkmate
Canary glanced at the cradle with a dead, blackened face.
Barbara was dragged away by the Emperor's knights.
She would ultimately die there.
Laxus wasn't a man of mercy like Renisha.
If Canary couldn't shake off her suspicions, Barbara would die.
But was there anything Canary could do?
Canary was actually afraid of Barbara's betrayal.
Barbara had been impatient before. She'd confessed the truth too quickly, fearing her own pain.
Canary blinked her dark eyes.
'I should've killed her then.'
In this imperial palace, a human life was as precious as a fly's.
Canary buried her face in her knees.
What if Barbara confessed Canary's infidelity to Laxus?
Canary's body trembled with fear.
Various thoughts raced through her mind.
It felt like Lexus would chase her with a sword and kill her.
If that door opened right now... Canary swallowed.
“No...”
She wanted to live. That’s why.
As she lived, she became greedy.
After catching Lexus’s eye and spending the night with him, she wanted more.
She knew she coveted things she shouldn’t have.
Canary’s eyelids fluttered.
“I want to live...”
Canary glanced at the cradle with a dead, blackened face.
Barbara was dragged away by the Emperor's knights.
She would ultimately die there.
Laxus wasn't a man of mercy like Renisha.
If Canary couldn't shake off her suspicions, Barbara would die.
But was there anything Canary could do?
Canary was actually afraid of Barbara's betrayal.
Barbara had been impatient before. She'd confessed the truth too quickly, fearing her own pain.
Canary blinked her dark eyes.
'I should've killed her then.'
In this imperial palace, a human life was as precious as a fly's.
Canary buried her face in her knees.
What if Barbara confessed Canary's infidelity to Laxus?
Canary's body trembled with fear.
Various thoughts raced through her mind.
It felt like Lexus would chase her with a sword and kill her.
If that door opened right now... Canary swallowed.
“No...”
She wanted to live. That’s why.
As she lived, she became greedy.
After catching Lexus’s eye and spending the night with him, she wanted more.
She knew she coveted things she shouldn’t have.
Canary’s eyelids fluttered.
“I want to live...”
Canary’s tears fell.
No matter how hard she tried, couldn’t a magpie ever become a stork?
Canary’s breathing slowed.
In her dream, she saw a younger Laxus.
The very day she had caught Laxus’s eye.
“Jessica! Hurry up and get some water. I think Her Majesty will be asleep soon.”
Jessica nodded at her grumbling urging.
The maids had also been decorating the Empress’s palace all day.
Today was quite a special day.
Wasn't it Renisha and Laxus's wedding anniversary?
Perhaps today would be the day their relationship would mend.
The maids in the Empress's palace were filled with such dreams.
If Renisha gave birth to a suitable heir and their relationship was restored...!
Perhaps this situation, like a candle in the wind, would improve even a little?
The maids in the Empress's palace were afraid of the bloody storm that could strike at any moment.
That was why the maids ran around at a brisk pace.
Jessica sighed.
Truthfully, Jessica didn't care much about such things. She did what she was told...
'My life is hard, so what does it matter to me?'
After being beaten by her father on the street, she was taken in by the Duke of Lottera.
Her drunken father sold Jessica for a few gold coins.
The Duke of Lottera was a compassionate man, and he said to Jessica, 'You're about the same age as my daughter. To think that you're suffering like this at an age when you should be dreaming.'
She'll never forget those warm hands stroking Jessica's hair.
And then Jessica became Renisha's maid.
Because she was young, she was given the job of washing Renisha's feet, and that's how it's been ever since.
At first, she was relieved that it didn't work out.
Then she was grateful for the warm bed and delicious food.
Now...
"I'm jealous. What's the difference between me and that woman?"
Jessica pouted.
How could fate be so different depending on the father you were born to?
Jessica walked nervously. "I told you to fetch water, so I'll do it. "
But then, her mood lifted, and she began humming a song.
That was one thing Jessica excelled at over Renisha.
She was quite a good singer. Even her colleagues acknowledged that.
Singing made her feel even better.
Jessica's clear, high-pitched voice slowly resonated through the hallway.
Her colleagues glared at her, but she ignored them.
Jessica was just walking, lost in her own emotions.
"What are you doing, maid?"
A heavy voice called out.
Jessica turned her head.
She saw Laxus leaning alone in the hallway.
"Ugh!!! Your Majesty... When, when..."
Jessica fell flat on the floor.
Even the lowest maid knew about Laxus's notoriety.
Laxus was a nightmare in itself.
“It’s been happening for a while now. My dear subjects have been pushing me. I’ve been hearing it so many times today that it’s been ingrained in my ears.”
Laxus shrugged.
“I’ve had a constant headache all day. I wanted to kill everyone.”
He tilted his head, his voice dark.
“But I felt perfectly fine just now.”
Laxus knelt down.
Lifting Jessica’s chin, he said,
“Your singing voice isn’t bad. Would you like to keep singing?”
Jessica’s eyes trembled.
The greed that had been dormant beneath her surface rose.
‘Now’s your chance, Jessica! This man is the Emperor. He can give you anything you want!’
Jessica’s lips parted.
“Then what will you give me?”
“What?”
Laxus’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t expected to hear such words.
Laxus burst into laughter.
Up close, Laxus was a strikingly handsome man. He didn't seem like the kind of rascal who'd swing his sword like people said.
Perhaps the claim that blood flowed in his wake was an exaggeration.
Jessica swallowed.
"Please, take me in... I'll sing for the rest of my life. Let me live by Your Majesty's side."
Jessica mustered up a surge of courage.
"There's so much I can do. Anything Your Majesty desires..."
"What kind of maid did you say you were?"
Laxus cut her off.
Jessica didn't notice the madness in those violet eyes.
"I-I'm a maid who washes the Empress's feet."
"Aha."
Laxus's eyes narrowed gently.
"That's what I like most of all."
"Huh?"
Laxus grabbed Jessica's wrist and lifted her up.
He found an empty room and pushed her in.
Jessica, who had collapsed on the bed, crawled forward.
No matter how hard she tried, couldn’t a magpie ever become a stork?
Canary’s breathing slowed.
In her dream, she saw a younger Laxus.
The very day she had caught Laxus’s eye.
***
“Jessica! Hurry up and get some water. I think Her Majesty will be asleep soon.”
Jessica nodded at her grumbling urging.
The maids had also been decorating the Empress’s palace all day.
Today was quite a special day.
Wasn't it Renisha and Laxus's wedding anniversary?
Perhaps today would be the day their relationship would mend.
The maids in the Empress's palace were filled with such dreams.
If Renisha gave birth to a suitable heir and their relationship was restored...!
Perhaps this situation, like a candle in the wind, would improve even a little?
The maids in the Empress's palace were afraid of the bloody storm that could strike at any moment.
That was why the maids ran around at a brisk pace.
Jessica sighed.
Truthfully, Jessica didn't care much about such things. She did what she was told...
'My life is hard, so what does it matter to me?'
After being beaten by her father on the street, she was taken in by the Duke of Lottera.
Her drunken father sold Jessica for a few gold coins.
The Duke of Lottera was a compassionate man, and he said to Jessica, 'You're about the same age as my daughter. To think that you're suffering like this at an age when you should be dreaming.'
She'll never forget those warm hands stroking Jessica's hair.
And then Jessica became Renisha's maid.
Because she was young, she was given the job of washing Renisha's feet, and that's how it's been ever since.
At first, she was relieved that it didn't work out.
Then she was grateful for the warm bed and delicious food.
Now...
"I'm jealous. What's the difference between me and that woman?"
Jessica pouted.
How could fate be so different depending on the father you were born to?
Jessica walked nervously. "I told you to fetch water, so I'll do it. "
But then, her mood lifted, and she began humming a song.
That was one thing Jessica excelled at over Renisha.
She was quite a good singer. Even her colleagues acknowledged that.
Singing made her feel even better.
Jessica's clear, high-pitched voice slowly resonated through the hallway.
Her colleagues glared at her, but she ignored them.
Jessica was just walking, lost in her own emotions.
"What are you doing, maid?"
A heavy voice called out.
Jessica turned her head.
She saw Laxus leaning alone in the hallway.
"Ugh!!! Your Majesty... When, when..."
Jessica fell flat on the floor.
Even the lowest maid knew about Laxus's notoriety.
Laxus was a nightmare in itself.
“It’s been happening for a while now. My dear subjects have been pushing me. I’ve been hearing it so many times today that it’s been ingrained in my ears.”
Laxus shrugged.
“I’ve had a constant headache all day. I wanted to kill everyone.”
He tilted his head, his voice dark.
“But I felt perfectly fine just now.”
Laxus knelt down.
Lifting Jessica’s chin, he said,
“Your singing voice isn’t bad. Would you like to keep singing?”
Jessica’s eyes trembled.
The greed that had been dormant beneath her surface rose.
‘Now’s your chance, Jessica! This man is the Emperor. He can give you anything you want!’
Jessica’s lips parted.
“Then what will you give me?”
“What?”
Laxus’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t expected to hear such words.
Laxus burst into laughter.
Up close, Laxus was a strikingly handsome man. He didn't seem like the kind of rascal who'd swing his sword like people said.
Perhaps the claim that blood flowed in his wake was an exaggeration.
Jessica swallowed.
"Please, take me in... I'll sing for the rest of my life. Let me live by Your Majesty's side."
Jessica mustered up a surge of courage.
"There's so much I can do. Anything Your Majesty desires..."
"What kind of maid did you say you were?"
Laxus cut her off.
Jessica didn't notice the madness in those violet eyes.
"I-I'm a maid who washes the Empress's feet."
"Aha."
Laxus's eyes narrowed gently.
"That's what I like most of all."
"Huh?"
Laxus grabbed Jessica's wrist and lifted her up.
He found an empty room and pushed her in.
Jessica, who had collapsed on the bed, crawled forward.
"Your Majesty!"
Laxus suppressed Jessica, who was trying to get up.
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Ha, but today...”
“Yes, because today is the day, do you understand that I like you better?”
Jessica turned her head to look at Laxus.
Only then did Jessica realize what Laxus wanted her to do.
Laxus was using Jessica to humiliate Renisha.
It wasn’t just Laxus who had been harassed all day.
Renisha had also been harassed all day by her maids, preparing to welcome the Emperor.
She remembers Renisha sighing with a pale, exhausted face.
She also remembers the expensive things that made her who she is.
The Duke of Lottera gave Renisha only the best.
Her husband was no exception.
The best match for Jessica would have been the stable keeper’s son.
However, Renisha didn’t know happiness even with the Emperor in her grasp.
“I’m different!”
Jessica nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m fine with that. Please give me a new name.”
“New name?”
“Yes. I don’t like the name of a foot-washing maid either. I want to live for Your Majesty, the Emperor. Please give me a new name for my new life.”
“You ask for a lot. How impudent.”
Laxus lightly kissed Jessica’s lips.
Still, the fact that this nagging woman didn’t bother him anymore was probably because the irritating headache had subsided.
Laxus rewarded her, feeling good about it.
“Canary, from now on, you will be called Canary. The bird that sings for me.”
The Emperor ripped the apron away.
Jessica smiled with joy.
Canary!
That was Jessica’s new name.
It was all just a dream.
Canary, forcibly awakened by the commotion, stood up.
Maids were rushing into the room.
Pushing through them, the head maid stood at the front.
“The sinner, come and obey the Emperor’s command!”
The sinner.
Canary chuckled.
“Did Barbara confess?”
The head maid stared at Canary with impassive eyes.
She was the woman who had brought flames to the already chaotic imperial palace.
How many more heads would be cut down by this incident?
This is why someone who isn't qualified shouldn't have too much!
"Barbara confessed that the child has another father."
"...What happened to Barbara?"
"Today, she is scheduled to be executed."
Canary's heart sank at the harsh declaration.
Canary closed her eyes. Tears flowed.
Now, she regretted it.
What if she hadn't held Laxus's hand that day?
After all, she would have been nothing more than a bird in a cage, so why was she so greedy?
If she had lived as an ordinary maid, would this fate have awaited her?
Canary lowered her head.
"The sinner is now sent to the dungeon. And the sinner's son will remain in the temple until the truth is revealed!"
"The truth is revealed...?"
"The confession has already been made, but it could be imperial blood! The child's fate will be decided by the temple's judgment."
Canary snickered.
It had to end like this.
She had lived too desperately.
There was no one by Canary's side now.
The path back to God would be lonely as well.
"...Please spare the child."
The head maid gave a cold nod. The maid in her closet left the bedroom with the child in her arms.
The baby's wailing cries lingered in Canary's heart.
This was all her fault.
Canary was trapped in the dungeon.
Renisha stared at the chessboard.
A piece she had been rolling in her hand fell to the floor with a clatter.
"Lady Renisha."
Turiel, who had been filling in for Haylin, looked surprised.
This was why tears were streaming down Renisha's cheeks.
"...Are you sad?"
"Well. I don't know what's sad."
Renisha calmly wiped her tears.
Canary would meet a miserable end there.
There was no way Laxus would forgive Canary for deceiving him.
The betrayal must have been even greater.
Unlike Renisha, Canary was someone he had kept by his side of his own free will, making her his Empress.
Perhaps that was why he had kept her company and not killed her.
Laxus had lost her, too.
“Do you find Canary pitiful?”
Turiel asked cautiously.
“Perhaps.”
Renisha remembered the day she first met Canary.
A bruised little girl. The girl who had thanked her father for saving her had glared at Renisha with greed.
She was a child who couldn’t hide her true feelings.
Born a maid, with those eyes, she had thought she would do anything.
Now that she had ascended to the position of Empress, perhaps that greed had been satisfied.
Renisha smiled faintly.
“It’s not her, but her life that I feel sorry for.”
Renisha picked up the fallen piece and put it back in its place.
“Checkmate.”
Renisha’s pink lips moved.
“I’ve captured the queen.”
Laxus suppressed Jessica, who was trying to get up.
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Ha, but today...”
“Yes, because today is the day, do you understand that I like you better?”
Jessica turned her head to look at Laxus.
Only then did Jessica realize what Laxus wanted her to do.
Laxus was using Jessica to humiliate Renisha.
It wasn’t just Laxus who had been harassed all day.
Renisha had also been harassed all day by her maids, preparing to welcome the Emperor.
She remembers Renisha sighing with a pale, exhausted face.
She also remembers the expensive things that made her who she is.
The Duke of Lottera gave Renisha only the best.
Her husband was no exception.
The best match for Jessica would have been the stable keeper’s son.
However, Renisha didn’t know happiness even with the Emperor in her grasp.
“I’m different!”
Jessica nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m fine with that. Please give me a new name.”
“New name?”
“Yes. I don’t like the name of a foot-washing maid either. I want to live for Your Majesty, the Emperor. Please give me a new name for my new life.”
“You ask for a lot. How impudent.”
Laxus lightly kissed Jessica’s lips.
Still, the fact that this nagging woman didn’t bother him anymore was probably because the irritating headache had subsided.
Laxus rewarded her, feeling good about it.
“Canary, from now on, you will be called Canary. The bird that sings for me.”
The Emperor ripped the apron away.
Jessica smiled with joy.
Canary!
That was Jessica’s new name.
***
It was all just a dream.
Canary, forcibly awakened by the commotion, stood up.
Maids were rushing into the room.
Pushing through them, the head maid stood at the front.
“The sinner, come and obey the Emperor’s command!”
The sinner.
Canary chuckled.
“Did Barbara confess?”
The head maid stared at Canary with impassive eyes.
She was the woman who had brought flames to the already chaotic imperial palace.
How many more heads would be cut down by this incident?
This is why someone who isn't qualified shouldn't have too much!
"Barbara confessed that the child has another father."
"...What happened to Barbara?"
"Today, she is scheduled to be executed."
Canary's heart sank at the harsh declaration.
Canary closed her eyes. Tears flowed.
Now, she regretted it.
What if she hadn't held Laxus's hand that day?
After all, she would have been nothing more than a bird in a cage, so why was she so greedy?
If she had lived as an ordinary maid, would this fate have awaited her?
Canary lowered her head.
"The sinner is now sent to the dungeon. And the sinner's son will remain in the temple until the truth is revealed!"
"The truth is revealed...?"
"The confession has already been made, but it could be imperial blood! The child's fate will be decided by the temple's judgment."
Canary snickered.
It had to end like this.
She had lived too desperately.
There was no one by Canary's side now.
The path back to God would be lonely as well.
"...Please spare the child."
The head maid gave a cold nod. The maid in her closet left the bedroom with the child in her arms.
The baby's wailing cries lingered in Canary's heart.
This was all her fault.
***
Canary was trapped in the dungeon.
Renisha stared at the chessboard.
A piece she had been rolling in her hand fell to the floor with a clatter.
"Lady Renisha."
Turiel, who had been filling in for Haylin, looked surprised.
This was why tears were streaming down Renisha's cheeks.
"...Are you sad?"
"Well. I don't know what's sad."
Renisha calmly wiped her tears.
Canary would meet a miserable end there.
There was no way Laxus would forgive Canary for deceiving him.
The betrayal must have been even greater.
Unlike Renisha, Canary was someone he had kept by his side of his own free will, making her his Empress.
Perhaps that was why he had kept her company and not killed her.
Laxus had lost her, too.
“Do you find Canary pitiful?”
Turiel asked cautiously.
“Perhaps.”
Renisha remembered the day she first met Canary.
A bruised little girl. The girl who had thanked her father for saving her had glared at Renisha with greed.
She was a child who couldn’t hide her true feelings.
Born a maid, with those eyes, she had thought she would do anything.
Now that she had ascended to the position of Empress, perhaps that greed had been satisfied.
Renisha smiled faintly.
“It’s not her, but her life that I feel sorry for.”
Renisha picked up the fallen piece and put it back in its place.
“Checkmate.”
Renisha’s pink lips moved.
“I’ve captured the queen.”
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