Chapter 101. Those Who Leave and Those Left Behind
The High Priest touched his forehead.
The troublesome child had become their lot.
He was sulking, his face flushed red, as if aware of his mother's misfortune.
"...I want you to identify the baby's father?"
"Yes, Your High Priest."
The High Priest sobbed.
That was impossible to begin with.
There wasn't any great trace left in the royal bloodline.
His words could determine the child's life.
It was a pure soul, without any sin.
So soon after his birth, all he could do was cry like that.
Was he truly so great as to take an innocent life?
Worry settled over the High Priest's wrinkled face.
"...What decision did Lady Renisha make?"
The High Priest asked in a heavy voice.
In the end, all he could do was rely on others.
Even if the child died, he could simply blame Renisha for it.
The High Priest raised his eyes, narrow as grains of rice.
Cloudy, gray eyes revealed through his eyelids gleamed.
The priest bowed his head.
“Lady Renisha only asked for the truth to be revealed.”
That’s right.
The high priest beckoned the priest.
“Write down what I say. This is a letter to be sent to His Majesty the Emperor. And I must convey the temple’s official position.”
“Yes, Your High Priest!”
The high priest covered his ears, trying to forget the sound of the baby crying, as if to announce his presence.
“It’s not my fault. It’s your fault for being born.”
He felt only old and ugly.
Laxus sat down and checked the letter.
“...So the Prince isn’t mine.”
Laxus tossed the letter he was holding.
Duke Cloud picked it up and let out a somber groan.
“You impudent woman.”
To call another seed a Prince?
Thinking of Canary’s clean face, who had whispered that the child could replace the Emperor, made him swear.
Because of this, a deep rift had formed between him and the Emperor.
Duke Cloud laughed cowardly.
“To commit such a terrible act. There are so many crazy people.”
“That’s right.”
Laxus lowered his eyes and stared at his palm.
“With these hands, I made that foolish woman the Empress. Isn’t it ridiculous, seeing servant and master playing together?”
“...I was wrong, Your Majesty.”
Duke Cloud slid to the floor and knelt.
He had no more cards left. There was no way Renisha would accept Cloud, who had helped drive Lottera to death. Laxus was his only hope.
“Damn it, damn it, damn it!!”
The High Priest touched his forehead.
The troublesome child had become their lot.
He was sulking, his face flushed red, as if aware of his mother's misfortune.
"...I want you to identify the baby's father?"
"Yes, Your High Priest."
The High Priest sobbed.
That was impossible to begin with.
There wasn't any great trace left in the royal bloodline.
His words could determine the child's life.
It was a pure soul, without any sin.
So soon after his birth, all he could do was cry like that.
Was he truly so great as to take an innocent life?
Worry settled over the High Priest's wrinkled face.
"...What decision did Lady Renisha make?"
The High Priest asked in a heavy voice.
In the end, all he could do was rely on others.
Even if the child died, he could simply blame Renisha for it.
The High Priest raised his eyes, narrow as grains of rice.
Cloudy, gray eyes revealed through his eyelids gleamed.
The priest bowed his head.
“Lady Renisha only asked for the truth to be revealed.”
That’s right.
The high priest beckoned the priest.
“Write down what I say. This is a letter to be sent to His Majesty the Emperor. And I must convey the temple’s official position.”
“Yes, Your High Priest!”
The high priest covered his ears, trying to forget the sound of the baby crying, as if to announce his presence.
“It’s not my fault. It’s your fault for being born.”
He felt only old and ugly.
***
Laxus sat down and checked the letter.
“...So the Prince isn’t mine.”
Laxus tossed the letter he was holding.
Duke Cloud picked it up and let out a somber groan.
“You impudent woman.”
To call another seed a Prince?
Thinking of Canary’s clean face, who had whispered that the child could replace the Emperor, made him swear.
Because of this, a deep rift had formed between him and the Emperor.
Duke Cloud laughed cowardly.
“To commit such a terrible act. There are so many crazy people.”
“That’s right.”
Laxus lowered his eyes and stared at his palm.
“With these hands, I made that foolish woman the Empress. Isn’t it ridiculous, seeing servant and master playing together?”
“...I was wrong, Your Majesty.”
Duke Cloud slid to the floor and knelt.
He had no more cards left. There was no way Renisha would accept Cloud, who had helped drive Lottera to death. Laxus was his only hope.
“Damn it, damn it, damn it!!”
He felt like tearing Canary to pieces if he had one in front of him.
It was that woman who had turned Cloud into this. That witch-like bitch. She should have died alone, not dragged someone else into it!
“I was blinded by my misguided loyalty and have upset Your Majesty.”
He tried to soothe Laxus in the most gentle way possible.
Duke Cloud swallowed.
Laxus had no one but Duke Cloud.
Renisha was growing in power.
He couldn't tell what was going on in her mind, though.
He knew she was aiming her sword at Laxus.
Laxus needed a shield to protect him.
Cloud was the best shield Laxus could wield.
"Forgive this lowly servant, Your Majesty. I was blind and did something I shouldn't have done."
Laxus snickered.
Seeing Cloud, flat on the ground, begging, was incredibly amusing.
The one who had boldly blocked his path was gone. Instead, there was only a wretched old man, watching Laxus's every move.
"I see. It seems your judgment is clouded by age."
Duke Cloud swallowed.
"Did you plan to make that young thing the Emperor? Perhaps it was a plan to use him as a puppet to swallow up Hientri."
"How could that be possible! I never had even the slightest thought of that. What I wanted was for Hientri to become a wealthy and powerful nation..."
"What good would lip service do now?"
Laxus shook his head.
“There is a way to prove your loyalty.”
Cloud raised his face, his face tense.
This was his last chance.
“Bring me Kassius’s head. I want the head of that arrogant slave knight who shamelessly covets my wife.”
Laxus smiled sweetly.
Cloud’s face paled.
“Kassius... if...”
“Can’t you do it?”
Duke Cloud shook his head.
“No! I will definitely do it.”
Duke Cloud made a tentative promise.
Kassius was being surrounded by Renisha.
His own strength was outstanding, but Renisha’s protection was also formidable.
Kassius, who had been a slave knight, was now standing shoulder to shoulder with the most powerful men in Hientri.
“If Renisha dislikes me...”
Just the thought sent chills down his spine.
But now he couldn’t back down.
He had no choice but to witness the might of Kassius!
Haylin stroked the head of the sleeping child in her arms.
Isabella had experienced so much at such a young age that she shouldn't have.
She was deeply traumatized.
Even the sight of red made her dizzy.
Haylin swallowed a sigh.
The journey here hadn't felt long at all.
Until the moment she ran to Isabella and held her in her arms, an eternity felt like a second.
She was anxious that something might go wrong with Isabella, too.
Haylin kissed Isabella's forehead.
She'd just calmed the crying child down with a tranquilizer.
She didn't want to disturb her child's restful sleep.
Haylin slowly sat up.
"...Lady Haylin."
The maids, their faces flushed with yellow, swarmed over her.
"...Keep an eye on Isabella. If anything happens, let me know immediately."
"Yes, Lady Haylin!"
The maids nodded.
With Haylin's return, the castle was finally beginning to stabilize. Haylin left.
Her face was pale, her fists clenched.
Her steps down the dark hallway were powerful, yet unsteady.
The head maid, following Haylin, sighed.
“Haylin...”
“I need to see Brixton.”
“It’s late. You haven’t had enough rest. So...”
“Even if I lie down now, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”
Haylin shook her head.
Looking as if she were about to collapse, Haylin arrived at Brixton’s bedroom.
The servant, who had been nodding off in front of Brixton’s bed, suddenly stood up.
“Everyone, leave.”
“Yes!”
Only then were Haylin and Brixton left alone.
Haylin slowly walked towards Brixton, pulling a chair closer and sitting near the bed.
Haylin raised her hand and stroked Brixton’s rough cheek.
“Brixton...”
Haylin’s voice trembled.
“Brick... my love. Can you hear me?”
There was no answer.
Brixton was barely holding on.
A soft breath pounded through Haylin's heart.
The man, always so strong, lay helpless.
It was terrifying.
"...You promised to protect me... You promised to protect us forever... Brixton, my love, my husband, my... my..."
Haylin barely held back tears. She remembered the first time she'd met him in Lottera, the day he'd proposed.
The shy young knight had offered Haylin a single, crushed wildflower.
"I don't know how to speak with elegance. I'm not like my sister... I'm not good at such embarrassing things. But I will never leave you alone. I will make you happy for the rest of your life. I promise you that."
She remembered the flower barely clinging to his rough fingertips.
The flower, carefully placed between thick poetry books and dried, had withered with time, but the memory remained.
A sob escaped her.
"I love you, Haylin."
How could she forget that shy confession?
Haylin buried her face in Brixton's chest.
"Wake up, Brixton... Wake up now. This isn't right... You, you have a different appointment!!! I said Wake up!!!"
Haylin's voice was trembling.
Unable to control her emotions, she shook.
The blanket tore apart in her hands.
Everything was a mess.
Haylin wasn't ready to lose Brixton.
She was insecure.
Haylin screamed and sobbed.
"Please wake up!!!! Don't leave me alone!!!"
Her voice cracked.
Grief welled up in her throat, threatening to suffocate her.
It took Haylin a long time to regain consciousness after sobbing for so long.
"...I can't let you go, Brixton,"
She muttered in a cracked voice.
"Even if you're miserable and pathetic, you can't leave me."
Her eyes were gleaming with heat.
She glared at Brixton with reddened eyes.
Haylin spoke sharply.
"So, hold on. Endure it somehow and come back to me."
Haylin sat up.
As she emerged from the bedroom, the fidgety maids bowed their heads.
They had been waiting for Haylin's decision.
"Tell the attending doctor."
"...."
"Prolong Brixton's life by any means necessary. Just hold on to his breath."
Haylin might regret this decision.
She might collapse countless times under the endless torture of hope.
But Haylin could not abandon this path.
Haylin held her head high.
A new sun was rising.
A sun that bathed the horizon of Hiloshine in a fiery glow.
Haylin summoned the nobles of Hiloshine.
"From today on, Hiloshine will obey my command. This is at the behest of His Excellency Duke Kassius and Duchess Renisha, and they will always support my will."
"Yes, Haylin!!"
Therion bowed first.
The knights who lived closest to death followed.
They had thought bloodshed only raged on the battlefield.
But that was foolish.
Blood raged even in the deepest inland.
"Lord's name!"
The knights' voices boomed through the front yard.
The vassals, exhausted, bowed their heads in frustration.
The power structure of Hiloshine had been reorganized.
Behind them, Jane stood, embracing Isabella.
Isabella blinked, her head resting on Jane's chest.
"...The world seems to be changing too quickly."
"Miss..."
"I like the old days..."
Isabella's voice trembled.
"I miss my aunt."
"She'll be back soon. Very soon."
"...And my father?"
"He'll definitely wake up, miss."
Isabella turned her head and buried her head in Jane's chest.
She wished time would stop like this.
So that no one could leave Isabella anymore.
This world was too harsh for a child to live in.
It was that woman who had turned Cloud into this. That witch-like bitch. She should have died alone, not dragged someone else into it!
“I was blinded by my misguided loyalty and have upset Your Majesty.”
He tried to soothe Laxus in the most gentle way possible.
Duke Cloud swallowed.
Laxus had no one but Duke Cloud.
Renisha was growing in power.
He couldn't tell what was going on in her mind, though.
He knew she was aiming her sword at Laxus.
Laxus needed a shield to protect him.
Cloud was the best shield Laxus could wield.
"Forgive this lowly servant, Your Majesty. I was blind and did something I shouldn't have done."
Laxus snickered.
Seeing Cloud, flat on the ground, begging, was incredibly amusing.
The one who had boldly blocked his path was gone. Instead, there was only a wretched old man, watching Laxus's every move.
"I see. It seems your judgment is clouded by age."
Duke Cloud swallowed.
"Did you plan to make that young thing the Emperor? Perhaps it was a plan to use him as a puppet to swallow up Hientri."
"How could that be possible! I never had even the slightest thought of that. What I wanted was for Hientri to become a wealthy and powerful nation..."
"What good would lip service do now?"
Laxus shook his head.
“There is a way to prove your loyalty.”
Cloud raised his face, his face tense.
This was his last chance.
“Bring me Kassius’s head. I want the head of that arrogant slave knight who shamelessly covets my wife.”
Laxus smiled sweetly.
Cloud’s face paled.
“Kassius... if...”
“Can’t you do it?”
Duke Cloud shook his head.
“No! I will definitely do it.”
Duke Cloud made a tentative promise.
Kassius was being surrounded by Renisha.
His own strength was outstanding, but Renisha’s protection was also formidable.
Kassius, who had been a slave knight, was now standing shoulder to shoulder with the most powerful men in Hientri.
“If Renisha dislikes me...”
Just the thought sent chills down his spine.
But now he couldn’t back down.
He had no choice but to witness the might of Kassius!
***
Haylin stroked the head of the sleeping child in her arms.
Isabella had experienced so much at such a young age that she shouldn't have.
She was deeply traumatized.
Even the sight of red made her dizzy.
Haylin swallowed a sigh.
The journey here hadn't felt long at all.
Until the moment she ran to Isabella and held her in her arms, an eternity felt like a second.
She was anxious that something might go wrong with Isabella, too.
Haylin kissed Isabella's forehead.
She'd just calmed the crying child down with a tranquilizer.
She didn't want to disturb her child's restful sleep.
Haylin slowly sat up.
"...Lady Haylin."
The maids, their faces flushed with yellow, swarmed over her.
"...Keep an eye on Isabella. If anything happens, let me know immediately."
"Yes, Lady Haylin!"
The maids nodded.
With Haylin's return, the castle was finally beginning to stabilize. Haylin left.
Her face was pale, her fists clenched.
Her steps down the dark hallway were powerful, yet unsteady.
The head maid, following Haylin, sighed.
“Haylin...”
“I need to see Brixton.”
“It’s late. You haven’t had enough rest. So...”
“Even if I lie down now, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”
Haylin shook her head.
Looking as if she were about to collapse, Haylin arrived at Brixton’s bedroom.
The servant, who had been nodding off in front of Brixton’s bed, suddenly stood up.
“Everyone, leave.”
“Yes!”
Only then were Haylin and Brixton left alone.
Haylin slowly walked towards Brixton, pulling a chair closer and sitting near the bed.
Haylin raised her hand and stroked Brixton’s rough cheek.
“Brixton...”
Haylin’s voice trembled.
“Brick... my love. Can you hear me?”
There was no answer.
Brixton was barely holding on.
A soft breath pounded through Haylin's heart.
The man, always so strong, lay helpless.
It was terrifying.
"...You promised to protect me... You promised to protect us forever... Brixton, my love, my husband, my... my..."
Haylin barely held back tears. She remembered the first time she'd met him in Lottera, the day he'd proposed.
The shy young knight had offered Haylin a single, crushed wildflower.
"I don't know how to speak with elegance. I'm not like my sister... I'm not good at such embarrassing things. But I will never leave you alone. I will make you happy for the rest of your life. I promise you that."
She remembered the flower barely clinging to his rough fingertips.
The flower, carefully placed between thick poetry books and dried, had withered with time, but the memory remained.
A sob escaped her.
"I love you, Haylin."
How could she forget that shy confession?
Haylin buried her face in Brixton's chest.
"Wake up, Brixton... Wake up now. This isn't right... You, you have a different appointment!!! I said Wake up!!!"
Haylin's voice was trembling.
Unable to control her emotions, she shook.
The blanket tore apart in her hands.
Everything was a mess.
Haylin wasn't ready to lose Brixton.
She was insecure.
Haylin screamed and sobbed.
"Please wake up!!!! Don't leave me alone!!!"
Her voice cracked.
Grief welled up in her throat, threatening to suffocate her.
It took Haylin a long time to regain consciousness after sobbing for so long.
"...I can't let you go, Brixton,"
She muttered in a cracked voice.
"Even if you're miserable and pathetic, you can't leave me."
Her eyes were gleaming with heat.
She glared at Brixton with reddened eyes.
Haylin spoke sharply.
"So, hold on. Endure it somehow and come back to me."
Haylin sat up.
As she emerged from the bedroom, the fidgety maids bowed their heads.
They had been waiting for Haylin's decision.
"Tell the attending doctor."
"...."
"Prolong Brixton's life by any means necessary. Just hold on to his breath."
Haylin might regret this decision.
She might collapse countless times under the endless torture of hope.
But Haylin could not abandon this path.
Haylin held her head high.
A new sun was rising.
A sun that bathed the horizon of Hiloshine in a fiery glow.
Haylin summoned the nobles of Hiloshine.
"From today on, Hiloshine will obey my command. This is at the behest of His Excellency Duke Kassius and Duchess Renisha, and they will always support my will."
"Yes, Haylin!!"
Therion bowed first.
The knights who lived closest to death followed.
They had thought bloodshed only raged on the battlefield.
But that was foolish.
Blood raged even in the deepest inland.
"Lord's name!"
The knights' voices boomed through the front yard.
The vassals, exhausted, bowed their heads in frustration.
The power structure of Hiloshine had been reorganized.
Behind them, Jane stood, embracing Isabella.
Isabella blinked, her head resting on Jane's chest.
"...The world seems to be changing too quickly."
"Miss..."
"I like the old days..."
Isabella's voice trembled.
"I miss my aunt."
"She'll be back soon. Very soon."
"...And my father?"
"He'll definitely wake up, miss."
Isabella turned her head and buried her head in Jane's chest.
She wished time would stop like this.
So that no one could leave Isabella anymore.
This world was too harsh for a child to live in.
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