Episode 87. A New Phase
“Your Majesty, congratulations!”
Laxus narrowed his eyes.
His head ached as if it were going to split open.
The alcohol he had consumed yesterday felt like it was churning his insides.
He had drunk more after fleeing Renisha's bedroom.
The rage, like a blackening of his hair, gripped him and wouldn't let him go.
“What are you talking about?”
Laxus spat out in a hoarse voice.
He looked up to see the servants bowing their heads around his bed.
“Congratulations on what?”
Was there something worthy of such a thing?
Lately, Laxus's life had been as sticky as a swamp.
Laxus sighed.
The smell of alcohol was strong.
Shaking his head didn't bring him back to his senses, but rather, his brain shook.
It felt like the alcohol from yesterday was creeping up on him.
Laxus narrowed his eyes and, with the help of the chamberlain, climbed out of bed.
“...Tell me.”
"Her Majesty Empress Canary has given birth. A Prince has been born to the Hientri Imperial Family!"
The agitated voice of the chamberlain made Laxus pause.
A child was born?
Laxus slowly lifted his head from his palm.
With a pale face, Laxus asked the chamberlain,
"Canary gave birth to a child?"
"Yes, indeed!"
It was certainly a joyful event.
The previously unheralded imperial family now had one, and Laxus had another claim to the throne.
But rather than being happy, he felt displeased.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
It had been the same when Canary first became pregnant.
The news of Canary's pregnancy hadn't been entirely joyful.
'Ah.'
Laxus chuckled to himself.
This absurd display of emotion was obvious.
In the past, Laxus had dreamed of a child born between him and Renisha.
A cute child who resembled both Laxus and Renisha.
He had imagined such sweet things before.
But the child wasn't born, and the relationship between Laxus and Renisha only worsened.
Just like yesterday.
He remembered her, wary as if Laxus might harm Renisha.
Renisha, who only ran away from Lexus.
Now that his wife, the Empress, had given birth to a child, all he could think about was his ex-wife.
He burst out laughing at his own actions.
Wasn't this incredibly ridiculous, no matter who looked at it?
"...Who did you say he resembled?"
He wishes he resembled Renisha.
He wishes he had warm, blonde hair and pink eyes like hers.
He wishes he had a child as strong as Renisha.
"I heard he resembles half His Majesty the Emperor and half Her Majesty the Canary. They say he's a Prince with silver hair and green eyes."
“Your Majesty, congratulations!”
Laxus narrowed his eyes.
His head ached as if it were going to split open.
The alcohol he had consumed yesterday felt like it was churning his insides.
He had drunk more after fleeing Renisha's bedroom.
The rage, like a blackening of his hair, gripped him and wouldn't let him go.
“What are you talking about?”
Laxus spat out in a hoarse voice.
He looked up to see the servants bowing their heads around his bed.
“Congratulations on what?”
Was there something worthy of such a thing?
Lately, Laxus's life had been as sticky as a swamp.
Laxus sighed.
The smell of alcohol was strong.
Shaking his head didn't bring him back to his senses, but rather, his brain shook.
It felt like the alcohol from yesterday was creeping up on him.
Laxus narrowed his eyes and, with the help of the chamberlain, climbed out of bed.
“...Tell me.”
"Her Majesty Empress Canary has given birth. A Prince has been born to the Hientri Imperial Family!"
The agitated voice of the chamberlain made Laxus pause.
A child was born?
Laxus slowly lifted his head from his palm.
With a pale face, Laxus asked the chamberlain,
"Canary gave birth to a child?"
"Yes, indeed!"
It was certainly a joyful event.
The previously unheralded imperial family now had one, and Laxus had another claim to the throne.
But rather than being happy, he felt displeased.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
It had been the same when Canary first became pregnant.
The news of Canary's pregnancy hadn't been entirely joyful.
'Ah.'
Laxus chuckled to himself.
This absurd display of emotion was obvious.
In the past, Laxus had dreamed of a child born between him and Renisha.
A cute child who resembled both Laxus and Renisha.
He had imagined such sweet things before.
But the child wasn't born, and the relationship between Laxus and Renisha only worsened.
Just like yesterday.
He remembered her, wary as if Laxus might harm Renisha.
Renisha, who only ran away from Lexus.
Now that his wife, the Empress, had given birth to a child, all he could think about was his ex-wife.
He burst out laughing at his own actions.
Wasn't this incredibly ridiculous, no matter who looked at it?
"...Who did you say he resembled?"
He wishes he resembled Renisha.
He wishes he had warm, blonde hair and pink eyes like hers.
He wishes he had a child as strong as Renisha.
"I heard he resembles half His Majesty the Emperor and half Her Majesty the Canary. They say he's a Prince with silver hair and green eyes."
Laxus blinked.
"...Take the Prince to Renisha."
"Huh?"
"You're saying I'll leave the Prince's upbringing to Renisha. What would Canary know? It's better to learn from Renisha than from someone like that."
"Ha, but..."
The chamberlain's face clouded.
He had received such an outrageous order.
To have his ex-wife raise the child born to his current wife.
Only Laxus could have come up with such an idea.
Even for an Emperor with no shame, he wondered if this was right.
The chamberlain lowered his head with anxiety.
To have to deliver such news to Canary, who was just recovering from giving birth?
He wanted to run away.
"...Why don't you go? The Empress will be waiting."
"Which Empress?"
"Her Majesty, Empress Canary."
"Haha..."
Laxus staggered through the servants.
He felt as if his heart was about to burst.
Jessica, the maid who used to wash Renisha's feet, had become Empress Canary.
Where could a comedy be more ridiculous than this?
Every time he regained consciousness, the situation spiraled out of control.
Laxus issued countless orders in his name, half of which he couldn't even understand.
Laxus, Laxus.
Why did he keep committing such terrible acts?
Ever since he inherited the throne, maintaining his sanity had been a struggle.
The weight of the throne was crushing Laxus.
“Take the child to Renisha.”
Laxus bit her lip.
“I will watch the child with Renisha.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,”
The chamberlain reluctantly answered.
Canary hugged the child.
It was a child with brilliant silver hair and green eyes.
Exactly half of Laxus.
Canary looked around.
When Canary awoke from a deep sleep, she was left alone with Barbara.
The pain of yesterday vanished like a lie.
As if nothing had happened.
Canary held the child’s small hand and shook it.
“...This child is the Emperor’s child. Barbara, don’t you think he looks just like His Majesty?”
“That’s right, Your Majesty.”
“This child... will become the next Emperor.”
Canary’s voice was wet.
A maternal love she had never felt before seemed to well up within her.
Canary was an abandoned orphan.
She grew up on the streets and somehow found her way into the palace.
From Renisha's maid to this position, her singing skills, once considered useless, and her unexpectedly pretty looks shone through.
Canary will become a noble Empress.
When this child grows up and safely becomes Emperor!
All of this with Duke Cloud... with Duke Cloud, not the child's father.
Canary swallowed hard.
She had never imagined such courage lurking within her.
"I'll protect you, baby."
In place of Laxus, who hadn't returned even after the child was born.
"I'll protect you no matter what."
This child wasn't Laxus's, but Canary's.
Only Canary's.
Canary commanded Barbara.
"There's no way to predict what Laxus might do. Contact Duke Cloud immediately, Barbara."
"Yes!"
Barbara left the bedroom with a joyful face.
From the moment the child was born, Barbara had been beaming.
She had believed everything would go as planned.
However, what Barbara brought wasn't such happy news.
"Your Majesty."
Barbara, her smile fading, lowered her head.
Feeling a strange sense of unease, Canary hugged the child.
"His Majesty the Emperor has told me to send the Prince to Lady Renisha... and tell you that she will raise him better. His Majesty the Emperor's maids will be here soon."
Canary burst out laughing.
"What?"
As expected, Laxus was a bastard. How could he say such a thing!
This child was Canary's.
It's unknown whose seed it was, but it was Canary's child!
"Bring Duke Cloud, quickly!"
"Yes!"
It was customary not to show the child to anyone for a week after birth.
However, it was Laxus, who was supposed to be the guardian, who broke that custom.
Laxus was foul.
Canary gritted her teeth while holding the child.
The sound of Duke Cloud's wand echoed throughout Canary's palace.
Fortunately, Duke Cloud arrived before Laxus's maids.
Barbara had sneaked over to check on the situation and found that Laxus had a terrible hangover, and the maids were going crazy. He was sobbing, vomiting, and his fever was soaring.
This was punishment.
Canary pouted.
It was a good thing.
After all, this was the chance to bring Duke Cloud in.
“Duke. Come in. I still look terrible. Please understand.”
Canary spoke, holding the sleeping child as if it were her lifeline.
Her lips were pale and pale.
It couldn’t be helped, considering she had just given birth.
Still, Canary composed herself as best she could, out of respect for the Duke.
“...It’s alright. The person you hold in your arms is the prince.”
“That’s right. Duke Cloud, Laxus is sending this child to Renisha.”
"...Take the Prince to Renisha."
"Huh?"
"You're saying I'll leave the Prince's upbringing to Renisha. What would Canary know? It's better to learn from Renisha than from someone like that."
"Ha, but..."
The chamberlain's face clouded.
He had received such an outrageous order.
To have his ex-wife raise the child born to his current wife.
Only Laxus could have come up with such an idea.
Even for an Emperor with no shame, he wondered if this was right.
The chamberlain lowered his head with anxiety.
To have to deliver such news to Canary, who was just recovering from giving birth?
He wanted to run away.
"...Why don't you go? The Empress will be waiting."
"Which Empress?"
"Her Majesty, Empress Canary."
"Haha..."
Laxus staggered through the servants.
He felt as if his heart was about to burst.
Jessica, the maid who used to wash Renisha's feet, had become Empress Canary.
Where could a comedy be more ridiculous than this?
Every time he regained consciousness, the situation spiraled out of control.
Laxus issued countless orders in his name, half of which he couldn't even understand.
Laxus, Laxus.
Why did he keep committing such terrible acts?
Ever since he inherited the throne, maintaining his sanity had been a struggle.
The weight of the throne was crushing Laxus.
“Take the child to Renisha.”
Laxus bit her lip.
“I will watch the child with Renisha.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,”
The chamberlain reluctantly answered.
***
Canary hugged the child.
It was a child with brilliant silver hair and green eyes.
Exactly half of Laxus.
Canary looked around.
When Canary awoke from a deep sleep, she was left alone with Barbara.
The pain of yesterday vanished like a lie.
As if nothing had happened.
Canary held the child’s small hand and shook it.
“...This child is the Emperor’s child. Barbara, don’t you think he looks just like His Majesty?”
“That’s right, Your Majesty.”
“This child... will become the next Emperor.”
Canary’s voice was wet.
A maternal love she had never felt before seemed to well up within her.
Canary was an abandoned orphan.
She grew up on the streets and somehow found her way into the palace.
From Renisha's maid to this position, her singing skills, once considered useless, and her unexpectedly pretty looks shone through.
Canary will become a noble Empress.
When this child grows up and safely becomes Emperor!
All of this with Duke Cloud... with Duke Cloud, not the child's father.
Canary swallowed hard.
She had never imagined such courage lurking within her.
"I'll protect you, baby."
In place of Laxus, who hadn't returned even after the child was born.
"I'll protect you no matter what."
This child wasn't Laxus's, but Canary's.
Only Canary's.
Canary commanded Barbara.
"There's no way to predict what Laxus might do. Contact Duke Cloud immediately, Barbara."
"Yes!"
Barbara left the bedroom with a joyful face.
From the moment the child was born, Barbara had been beaming.
She had believed everything would go as planned.
However, what Barbara brought wasn't such happy news.
"Your Majesty."
Barbara, her smile fading, lowered her head.
Feeling a strange sense of unease, Canary hugged the child.
"His Majesty the Emperor has told me to send the Prince to Lady Renisha... and tell you that she will raise him better. His Majesty the Emperor's maids will be here soon."
Canary burst out laughing.
"What?"
“The child to Her Majesty the Empress...”
This child was Canary's.
It's unknown whose seed it was, but it was Canary's child!
"Bring Duke Cloud, quickly!"
"Yes!"
It was customary not to show the child to anyone for a week after birth.
However, it was Laxus, who was supposed to be the guardian, who broke that custom.
Laxus was foul.
Canary gritted her teeth while holding the child.
***
The sound of Duke Cloud's wand echoed throughout Canary's palace.
Fortunately, Duke Cloud arrived before Laxus's maids.
Barbara had sneaked over to check on the situation and found that Laxus had a terrible hangover, and the maids were going crazy. He was sobbing, vomiting, and his fever was soaring.
This was punishment.
Canary pouted.
It was a good thing.
After all, this was the chance to bring Duke Cloud in.
“Duke. Come in. I still look terrible. Please understand.”
Canary spoke, holding the sleeping child as if it were her lifeline.
Her lips were pale and pale.
It couldn’t be helped, considering she had just given birth.
Still, Canary composed herself as best she could, out of respect for the Duke.
“...It’s alright. The person you hold in your arms is the prince.”
“That’s right. Duke Cloud, Laxus is sending this child to Renisha.”
Duke Cloud hesitated.
“You, Duke, protect this child.”
The first thing that came to mind was Renisha.
A woman who suits the throne better than anyone else.
It was a wise decision for Laxus to take this child to Renisha.
No one would be able to touch him.
However, it was much better for Duke Cloud to have him all to himself.
Canary seemed to have completely turned to him.
“I will give my life, Your Majesty. This Prince will definitely become Emperor.”
“Of course, you will.”
Canary muttered slowly.
The sleeping child’s pale cheek brought tears to her eyes.
“You, Duke, protect this child.”
The first thing that came to mind was Renisha.
A woman who suits the throne better than anyone else.
It was a wise decision for Laxus to take this child to Renisha.
No one would be able to touch him.
However, it was much better for Duke Cloud to have him all to himself.
Canary seemed to have completely turned to him.
“I will give my life, Your Majesty. This Prince will definitely become Emperor.”
“Of course, you will.”
Canary muttered slowly.
The sleeping child’s pale cheek brought tears to her eyes.
“Since his father won't protect this child, shouldn't I protect him myself?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“This child shouldn’t go to Renisha. Do you know what she’ll do?”
“That’s right. So I will protect him. My people and I will always be here. Your Majesty, you only need to worry about the Prince.”
Duke Cloud bowed his head.
Renisha, having heard the whole story, smiled.
“It’s been a while since Canary has been so clever.”
“Isn’t this inconvenient for us?”
“For now, yes. Duke Cloud has entered the palace. I heard Laxus is very angry. I wonder if the child will even receive a name.”
Renisha smiled happily.
“It’s good that Duke Cloud has joined forces with Canary. We can now defeat that old fox together.”
“This child shouldn’t go to Renisha. Do you know what she’ll do?”
“That’s right. So I will protect him. My people and I will always be here. Your Majesty, you only need to worry about the Prince.”
Duke Cloud bowed his head.
***
Renisha, having heard the whole story, smiled.
“It’s been a while since Canary has been so clever.”
“Isn’t this inconvenient for us?”
“For now, yes. Duke Cloud has entered the palace. I heard Laxus is very angry. I wonder if the child will even receive a name.”
Renisha smiled happily.
“It’s good that Duke Cloud has joined forces with Canary. We can now defeat that old fox together.”
“This may have caused a rift between Duke Cloud and Emperor Laxus.”
“That may be so. However, their relationship wasn’t very good to begin with. They simply needed each other. Duke Cloud doesn’t acknowledge Laxus’s lowly bloodline, and Laxus hates him for that. Their alliance stems from a purely self-serving relationship.”
Canary brought Duke Cloud’s private soldiers into her palace.
This was a complete disregard for the Emperor.
Canary claimed that someone was threatening her child.
Since Canary had no family, she would need Duke Cloud’s help.
And Duke Cloud was insisting on registering Canary on his family register.
And she wanted the young Prince to marry her granddaughter.
He was trying to control everything.
He wanted to take Canary as her daughter, claim her rights, and by marrying the young Prince, she would seize the future.
In this situation, Renisha was merely a bystander.
“I heard the Emperor was so angry that he wouldn’t even give him a name. What a pitiful child.”
“That may be so. However, their relationship wasn’t very good to begin with. They simply needed each other. Duke Cloud doesn’t acknowledge Laxus’s lowly bloodline, and Laxus hates him for that. Their alliance stems from a purely self-serving relationship.”
Canary brought Duke Cloud’s private soldiers into her palace.
This was a complete disregard for the Emperor.
Canary claimed that someone was threatening her child.
Since Canary had no family, she would need Duke Cloud’s help.
And Duke Cloud was insisting on registering Canary on his family register.
And she wanted the young Prince to marry her granddaughter.
He was trying to control everything.
He wanted to take Canary as her daughter, claim her rights, and by marrying the young Prince, she would seize the future.
In this situation, Renisha was merely a bystander.
“I heard the Emperor was so angry that he wouldn’t even give him a name. What a pitiful child.”
She wondered what Duke Cloud’s expression would be when Gale stepped forward, and she dragged out the forest guard.
Everything was flowing as if by fate.
And then, a gift from Kassius arrived for Renisha.
“...It’s been a long time.”
A woman with a brusque face, as if she had no manners, like a thunderbolt.
“You’re alive.”
Luna had arrived at the palace.
What kind of wind would this bring?
Everything was flowing as if by fate.
And then, a gift from Kassius arrived for Renisha.
“...It’s been a long time.”
A woman with a brusque face, as if she had no manners, like a thunderbolt.
“You’re alive.”
Luna had arrived at the palace.
What kind of wind would this bring?
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