Episode 78. The Fugitive
Isabella supported Henry's arm.
The stubborn old gentleman would often give in to his stubbornness and bathe in the hands of servants, but Isabella was the only one who could support him.
Helena and Jane stared at his back with discontent.
"You gloomy old man,"
Helena cursed fiercely.
"Why did you have to come all the way here to see a doctor?"
"I told you I wouldn't trust anyone. Shh. Just look."
Jane pulled Helena away.
"What if I look?"
There was no longer any guilt left.
Helena was certain.
If Helena hadn't taken such extreme measures, Henry would have betrayed Hiloshine. He would have betrayed Renisha and betrayed her family.
"...It would be best if only Miss Isabella and I were allowed into the clinic,"
Henry said coldly.
At first, it seemed like they were just being considerate, but now they were openly expressing their malice. Henry was equally displeased with the maids.
He swore those maids would kill Henry if their numbers were off.
The deep rift between them showed no sign of bridging.
Isabella smiled awkwardly and went into the clinic with Henry.
She'd put on new clothes and shoes for the day.
Isabella was as excited as a child to be out for the first time in a while.
Henry was sick, and she knew she shouldn't be, but she was thrilled.
While Henry was examining him, Isabella looked around the clinic.
"...I don't think his eyesight will return. "
Henry asked, his face clouded.
Even though he'd made an excuse, there was still a small hope. A blind old man could do very little.
The Marquis of Danvers was a capable man.
He'd promised to invest in Canary's child, but he'd taught her how to embezzle money while building an orphanage.
She'd purchased materials more cheaply and manipulated the ledgers.
That alone would have yielded a significant profit, but Canary planned to use the money to buy a mansion abroad.
It was a choice based on Barbara's advice. She'd suggested that going abroad might be a better option, even if it meant saving her life.
Canary, though disappointed, agreed.
Renisha had already discovered that the child wasn't Laxus's.
Renisha was the type of person who would exploit that.
Isabella supported Henry's arm.
The stubborn old gentleman would often give in to his stubbornness and bathe in the hands of servants, but Isabella was the only one who could support him.
Helena and Jane stared at his back with discontent.
"You gloomy old man,"
Helena cursed fiercely.
"Why did you have to come all the way here to see a doctor?"
"I told you I wouldn't trust anyone. Shh. Just look."
Jane pulled Helena away.
"What if I look?"
There was no longer any guilt left.
Helena was certain.
If Helena hadn't taken such extreme measures, Henry would have betrayed Hiloshine. He would have betrayed Renisha and betrayed her family.
"...It would be best if only Miss Isabella and I were allowed into the clinic,"
Henry said coldly.
At first, it seemed like they were just being considerate, but now they were openly expressing their malice. Henry was equally displeased with the maids.
He swore those maids would kill Henry if their numbers were off.
The deep rift between them showed no sign of bridging.
Isabella smiled awkwardly and went into the clinic with Henry.
She'd put on new clothes and shoes for the day.
Isabella was as excited as a child to be out for the first time in a while.
Henry was sick, and she knew she shouldn't be, but she was thrilled.
While Henry was examining him, Isabella looked around the clinic.
"...I don't think his eyesight will return. "
Henry asked, his face clouded.
Even though he'd made an excuse, there was still a small hope. A blind old man could do very little.
"...Thank you."
As soon as Henry stood up after confirming, Isabella supported him. Henry clenched his fists. His heart was pounding like crazy. Outside, maids and knights awaited them. Hiloshine was guarding Isabella tightly.
“...Miss. How about having a meal and a drink before heading back?”
“Uh, is that okay? Hmm.”
Isabella rolled her eyes. Since she’s come this far, wouldn’t that be okay? Isabella hesitated, then nodded vigorously. That’s all a sick person would ask for, right? With such kindness. It was a moment when Henry’s contrasting malice shone through.
***
Meanwhile, in the system. Canary sat next to Laxus, flirting. She was trying to please him and get what she wanted. The Barbara incident had made Canary realize how precarious her position was. She could crumble at any moment. Before that happened, she realized she had to stockpile a lot of things at her feet.
“You need money?”
Laxus asked, slurping his food. Lately, his appetite had been waning. Even when he ate, it didn’t seem to be eating, and he continued to lose weight. Only Renisha lingered before Laxus's eyes. He stroked the corner of his mouth. Everything was unsatisfactory. Would holding Renisha in his arms make things better?
'Damn it.'
He couldn't shake the feeling of being a ghost. Canary's words were also going in one ear and out the other. It was a symptom that had persisted since meeting Renisha. Laxus put down his spoon.
"Your Majesty? Eat more. Canary made this with her swollen belly."
Canary grinned. She hadn't gotten what she wanted yet, and she couldn't let Laxus go.
"...What do you want?"
"Oh, Your Majesty, my greatest wish is for you to be healthy, and my second is for the baby to be born safely."
"..."
Laxus snickered. With a sigh, Laxus said,
"Sing a song, and I'll give you all the money you want."
"I told you it wasn't like that. But I'll still sing. Whatever Your Majesty desires, Canary will do."
Canary began to sing, still in Laxus's arms. But her mind was preoccupied with the money.
The Marquis of Danvers was a capable man.
He'd promised to invest in Canary's child, but he'd taught her how to embezzle money while building an orphanage.
She'd purchased materials more cheaply and manipulated the ledgers.
That alone would have yielded a significant profit, but Canary planned to use the money to buy a mansion abroad.
It was a choice based on Barbara's advice. She'd suggested that going abroad might be a better option, even if it meant saving her life.
Canary, though disappointed, agreed.
Renisha had already discovered that the child wasn't Laxus's.
Renisha was the type of person who would exploit that.
"I've given you a weakness, so you should turn tail and run."
She sang, her voice as pretty as the amount of money Canary wanted.
"So that Lexus would be satisfied."
Canary sank down onto the sofa.
The Marquis of Danvers, who had been drinking coffee, chuckled.
"You look tired."
"It's getting harder and harder to please Laxus by the day."
Canary pouted.
Barbara had also told Marquis Danvers that their plans must never be discovered.
Barbara was a capable person in many ways. She was also incredibly intelligent.
Danvers supported Canary for one reason: for the child she would bear.
To make that child the Emperor. What if Danvers discovered that Canary's child wasn't the Emperor's and that she was planning to run away?
Danvers's support would be cut off.
'That can't be happening.'
Canary clenched her fists.
"Is the medication that Laxus is taking making any difference?"
"If it's something that clears your mind and calms your spirit... You're still taking it, but I can't tell you anything about the progress. I'm not a doctor."
Danvers shrugged.
"I can see the baby growing. You should definitely have a healthy baby."
Danvers glanced at Canary's belly and smiled.
As if that were his only intention.
Canary gently stroked her belly.
No matter how much she thought about it, choosing to get pregnant back then was the right decision.
With the child, Canary would become Empress, and now she'd be preparing to buy a mansion abroad.
And she'd be treated with respect by a noble like Marquis Danvers.
She might even make Renisha bow her head.
Canary didn't think she'd regret that decision even after thinking about it a hundred times.
"Don't worry about that, Marquis. I'm taking excellent care of our Prince."
"Are you sure it's the Prince?"
"I called the midwives and asked them. Experienced midwives can tell if it's a boy or a girl just by looking at the shape of the belly. They all unanimously said it's a boy. I'll give birth to a son who resembles His Majesty the Emperor."
Danvers swallowed a laugh.
He'd probably be the first to have doubts when Canary became pregnant.
Laxus had never been able to have children before.
And for Canary to become pregnant at such a coincidental timing?
It felt more natural to have engineered the pregnancy.
Danvers was naturally suspicious.
Once he had his suspicions, he wouldn't let them go, and eventually, Renisha told him that the child was likely to be a peasant's heir.
"How shallow."
She sang, her voice as pretty as the amount of money Canary wanted.
"So that Lexus would be satisfied."
***
Canary sank down onto the sofa.
The Marquis of Danvers, who had been drinking coffee, chuckled.
"You look tired."
"It's getting harder and harder to please Laxus by the day."
Canary pouted.
Barbara had also told Marquis Danvers that their plans must never be discovered.
Barbara was a capable person in many ways. She was also incredibly intelligent.
Danvers supported Canary for one reason: for the child she would bear.
To make that child the Emperor. What if Danvers discovered that Canary's child wasn't the Emperor's and that she was planning to run away?
Danvers's support would be cut off.
'That can't be happening.'
Canary clenched her fists.
"Is the medication that Laxus is taking making any difference?"
"If it's something that clears your mind and calms your spirit... You're still taking it, but I can't tell you anything about the progress. I'm not a doctor."
Danvers shrugged.
"I can see the baby growing. You should definitely have a healthy baby."
Danvers glanced at Canary's belly and smiled.
As if that were his only intention.
Canary gently stroked her belly.
No matter how much she thought about it, choosing to get pregnant back then was the right decision.
With the child, Canary would become Empress, and now she'd be preparing to buy a mansion abroad.
And she'd be treated with respect by a noble like Marquis Danvers.
She might even make Renisha bow her head.
Canary didn't think she'd regret that decision even after thinking about it a hundred times.
"Don't worry about that, Marquis. I'm taking excellent care of our Prince."
"Are you sure it's the Prince?"
"I called the midwives and asked them. Experienced midwives can tell if it's a boy or a girl just by looking at the shape of the belly. They all unanimously said it's a boy. I'll give birth to a son who resembles His Majesty the Emperor."
Danvers swallowed a laugh.
He'd probably be the first to have doubts when Canary became pregnant.
Laxus had never been able to have children before.
And for Canary to become pregnant at such a coincidental timing?
It felt more natural to have engineered the pregnancy.
Danvers was naturally suspicious.
Once he had his suspicions, he wouldn't let them go, and eventually, Renisha told him that the child was likely to be a peasant's heir.
"How shallow."
She was far from being the Empress of the empire.
And to talk about a child resembling Laxus?
Of course, if a child resembling Laxus were born, that would be a disaster, too.
But, more than that...
"No. I wonder if seeing Laxus carrying a child that wasn't even his would make me feel better."
Marquis Danvers's lips twisted as he thought of Jails.
To hide it, Danvers drank tea.
"The baby will do many things for you. He'll be the Emperor of the empire, so of course he'll have to study hard... And learn horseback riding. And swordsmanship?"
Canary counted them off on her fingers.
"Ugh, it's suffocating."
It would be far better for the child to leave and live with Canary than to live like that.
"...Of course. If that child is to become Emperor as you wish, then that's the way it should be."
Danvers roughly matched Canary's rhythm.
"By the way, Marquis, what happened to what I told you back then?"
Canary cleared her throat.
“Are you talking about welcoming the delegation?”
“Yes! That’s it.”
Canary nodded.
“I’ve been diligently studying Gelt these days, to prepare for the delegation. Honestly, who else in the imperial court would do something like that? Who else would? The Emperor doesn’t trust me yet, but... if Marquis Danvers offers his help, he’ll allow it.”
Canary spoke with a dreamy expression.
Of all the things Renisha had done, the one she envied most was welcoming the delegation.
Renisha spoke fluently in foreign languages, conversing with them.
They desperately tried to exchange even a single word with her, and Renisha was surrounded by the gifts they brought.
And even the arrogant Prince Meteo of the mighty Shamdir had become Renisha’s captive.
It was all due to her exceptional social skills.
Canary believed she could do the same.
“...I’ll try.”
And to talk about a child resembling Laxus?
Of course, if a child resembling Laxus were born, that would be a disaster, too.
But, more than that...
"No. I wonder if seeing Laxus carrying a child that wasn't even his would make me feel better."
Marquis Danvers's lips twisted as he thought of Jails.
To hide it, Danvers drank tea.
"The baby will do many things for you. He'll be the Emperor of the empire, so of course he'll have to study hard... And learn horseback riding. And swordsmanship?"
Canary counted them off on her fingers.
"Ugh, it's suffocating."
It would be far better for the child to leave and live with Canary than to live like that.
"...Of course. If that child is to become Emperor as you wish, then that's the way it should be."
Danvers roughly matched Canary's rhythm.
"By the way, Marquis, what happened to what I told you back then?"
Canary cleared her throat.
“Are you talking about welcoming the delegation?”
“Yes! That’s it.”
Canary nodded.
“I’ve been diligently studying Gelt these days, to prepare for the delegation. Honestly, who else in the imperial court would do something like that? Who else would? The Emperor doesn’t trust me yet, but... if Marquis Danvers offers his help, he’ll allow it.”
Canary spoke with a dreamy expression.
Of all the things Renisha had done, the one she envied most was welcoming the delegation.
Renisha spoke fluently in foreign languages, conversing with them.
They desperately tried to exchange even a single word with her, and Renisha was surrounded by the gifts they brought.
And even the arrogant Prince Meteo of the mighty Shamdir had become Renisha’s captive.
It was all due to her exceptional social skills.
Canary believed she could do the same.
“...I’ll try.”
The Marquis of Danvers continued.
“Her Majesty the Emperor isn’t in a good mood these days. It’s not a situation where I can do anything.”
“Oh, my. There’s a festival coming up soon. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people...”
Canary pouted.
It was true that a grand festival would be held in a month.
It was a festival to honor the three snake gods who were said to have rectified the chaos on the continent. Many foreigners would visit to attend this continental festival.
“Just trust me, Your Majesty. I will help you.”
“Promise?”
The Marquis of Danvers nodded.
She couldn’t even handle the proper duties of an Empress.
He kept his sneer hidden.
Henry’s gaze gleamed sinisterly.
Now was his chance.
He couldn’t stay trapped here any longer.
He wished he could escape with Isabella, but that would probably be difficult.
He’d laced his food with sleeping pills while eating at the restaurant.
He’d even used Isabella to swap the handkerchiefs Helena and Jane were using.
Everything was going smoothly.
Isabella's head fell down, unable to overcome her drowsiness.
Henry's smile deepened.
"...Yes, Isabella. You should have sweet dreams."
It was when Henry patted Isabella's head as a final greeting.
"...So who rules Hiloshine? I heard there's a temporary head of household right now."
"Are you really planning to move?"
"Well. If possible."
"It's Brick right now. I heard Brick took over as the temporary head of household while the Duke was away. I don't know who it is either."
Brick...?
Henry's hazy eyes dilated.
“Her Majesty the Emperor isn’t in a good mood these days. It’s not a situation where I can do anything.”
“Oh, my. There’s a festival coming up soon. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people...”
Canary pouted.
It was true that a grand festival would be held in a month.
It was a festival to honor the three snake gods who were said to have rectified the chaos on the continent. Many foreigners would visit to attend this continental festival.
“Just trust me, Your Majesty. I will help you.”
“Promise?”
The Marquis of Danvers nodded.
She couldn’t even handle the proper duties of an Empress.
He kept his sneer hidden.
***
Henry’s gaze gleamed sinisterly.
Now was his chance.
He couldn’t stay trapped here any longer.
He wished he could escape with Isabella, but that would probably be difficult.
He’d laced his food with sleeping pills while eating at the restaurant.
He’d even used Isabella to swap the handkerchiefs Helena and Jane were using.
Everything was going smoothly.
Isabella's head fell down, unable to overcome her drowsiness.
Henry's smile deepened.
"...Yes, Isabella. You should have sweet dreams."
It was when Henry patted Isabella's head as a final greeting.
"...So who rules Hiloshine? I heard there's a temporary head of household right now."
"Are you really planning to move?"
"Well. If possible."
"It's Brick right now. I heard Brick took over as the temporary head of household while the Duke was away. I don't know who it is either."
Brick...?
Henry's hazy eyes dilated.
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