Episode 93. Kiss Me
As Kassius was captured by the Emperor's knights, Laxus slowly turned his head. Their eyes met.
Kassius wanted to kill him. If he were released from this place, he would break his delicate body without hesitation! Never let him harass Renisha again!
"Your Majesty,"
Renisha called to Laxus in an icy voice.
"Do not forget what this meeting is about, and in what capacity I am present. The continent is watching. Do you intend to reveal your conflict with the Hiloshines here? Are you going to start a civil war?"
She spoke calmly, but Renisha was impatient. If she made a mistake, he might even threaten to kill Kassius.
"Kassius is a hero to all. The entire empire is watching. Kassius achieved a victory that was thought impossible on the Chorpa Plains and saved the empire."
“So, he’s above me?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Renisha slapped Laxus’ hand away. Her jaw was numb. This crazy guy. If Kassius hadn’t gotten up, what would Laxus have done here in front of everyone?
“What I’m talking about is Your Majesty’s honor. The way they look at you. Even though Hientri is a great empire, we can’t ignore its gaze.”
Laxus smiled slowly.
“They’re above the Emperor’s head?”
The sarcasm in every word was disgusting. Even having to talk to such a guy right now was extremely deplorable. Renisha snickered.
"Then do as you wish. Cut off Kassius's head before their eyes, and destroy me. They'll be happy. With civil war breaking out in the delicious Hientri, anyone would covet the border. Let's think about it the other way around. If you end it here, they'll turn all their arrows against Canary."
Renisha's pink eyes were frosted.
Laxus's gaze swept over her face. Renisha hadn't changed. She was still noble.
As if she stood on some level, untouchable by Laxus. Before her, everyone felt equal. Kassius included, even Laxus!
Even Laxus felt compelled to kneel at her feet and lick her feet. This always fueled Laxus's feelings of inferiority and jealousy.
Why was Renisha still the same, despite the cruel way she'd been banished?
'She's just born different.'
Laxus raised his head.
'My daughter is different from yours in terms of birth. You are the Emperor I created. But my daughter was noble from birth. No one questioned Renisha's noble status. Is that the same thing?'
The ghost circled around Laxus and Renisha.
'You constantly had to prove your worth. But my daughter? She's acknowledged simply for existing. That's the difference, you idiot!'
Laxus gritted his teeth. He felt like a helpless rat. What was even more infuriating was that Renisha wasn't wrong. It was undoubtedly Renisha who had dragged Gale into this situation. But without evidence, he couldn't even question Renisha.
And Laxus knew, implicitly, that Renisha had gone to such lengths.
'I have evidence.'
Laxus stared at Renisha's beautiful face, as if entranced. In the end, Laxus was nothing more than a ghost, acting at Renisha's whim.
"...That's right. You're always right."
Laxus raised his hand.
"Release the ball."
His low, calm voice seemed to have forgotten everything that had just happened. Kassius's heavy breathing echoed through the hall.
Laxus mechanically turned, his mind racing. The empty Canary seat gnawed at him.
"...I think it would be inappropriate to begin the banquet here, Your Majesty. Is there a hall available?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The chamberlain bowed.
"We will move. Please treat our guests with respect."
"Yes!"
The first curtain fell.
Renisha's lips twitched, hidden behind Lexus.
How ironic.
Isn't everything completely different now? Renisha had always had to endure it. Her parents were fighting on the battlefield. But now, everything was completely reversed.
"Ugh."
Renisha let out a small laugh. She saw Laxus's fist clench, but he didn't turn around.
"What's so amusing?"
Kassius asked, his face gleaming with discontent.
"You don't seem to be enjoying yourself at all, Kassius."
Renisha tilted her head.
Everyone had moved alone, leaving only Renisha and Kassius. Kassius leaped up onto the platform and grabbed Renisha's hand.
"It felt like I had put Renisha in the jaws of a crocodile. What if Laxus had harmed you? And that didn't matter?"
Renisha's eyes widened. The anger Laxus had fueled still burned within Kassius.
Kassius's expression was one of humiliation.
"I imagined everything in that moment. I slaughtered the Emperor countless times. But in reality, I was helpless and just watched you... Is this happening over and over again? Before, and now! Where is Luna?"
"Shhh."
Renisha grabbed Kassius' hand in return. The grip he had once held tightly slowly relaxed. Kassius took a breath.
“Don’t be angry, Kassius. You saved me from all those moments.”
Renisha said as gently as she could. True to Kassius’s words, Renisha was always in danger. Laxus was a madman, ready to commit any act at any moment.
“From now on, Luna is by your side. From what I’ve seen, Luna is not only an excellent swordsman, but also—”
“...”
“She’s no better than an animal, unable to discern right from wrong,”
Renisha commented caustically.
“If I were in that situation, I think Luna would kill Laxus. What do you think?”
He had a slight smile on his face. Of course, Renisha would stop that from happening. He and Luna had agreed to a proper stun, in case Laxus came at night when no one was around.
“...Laxus, on the other hand, is nothing but a murderer. He’s probably forgotten how to properly hold a sword.”
Renisha gently shook Kassius’ hand. Kassius let out the breath he'd been holding. It felt like everything that had been pent up was being released. Kassius ran his palm down his face.
Renisha was unharmed.
"Luna, I suppose so."
"Luna will be with you at the banquet tonight. I couldn't bring her here."
Renisha lifted Cassius's hand. She slowly kissed the back of his hand, which seemed twice as large as hers, so that Renisha could see everything he was doing.
The back of Cassius's hand felt as if it were on fire.
"Are you still angry with me?"
Renisha whispered.
"...I didn't mean to be angry."
"I know."
"I wasn't angry with you."
"I know."
Renisha reached out her arm to Kassius. Kassius bent obediently. Renisha wrapped her arms around his neck as he got closer. Kassius, swaying, reached for the armrest of Renisha's chair.
Renisha spoke, still embracing Kassius.
Renisha and Kassius.
“Kiss me, Kassius.”
Kassius’s eyes wavered. Until just a moment ago, there had been many eyes watching.
Laxus sat beside Renisha, and envoys from various countries and nobles of Hientri were gathered there. Moreover, servants might come in and look for them at any moment.
“Quickly.”
A sense of betrayal gripped Kassius. Renisha stroked her fingertips along the back of his reddened neck.
“Are you just going to watch?”
Renisha surreptitiously pressed herself against Kassius. Her soft, curved eyes were seductive. Even a siren, bewitching a boatman, wouldn’t be this seductive. Renisha’s slender fingers irritated Kassius.
In the end, it was Kassius who fell. Kassius lowered his head.
“Ugh...”
Renisha let out a pleased sound, having obtained what she wanted.
A deep sense of satisfaction washed over him. No one would be able to drag Renisha out of here. Not even Laxus.
Renisha was as dazzling as ever, as if she had never been out of place. Kassius fiddled with his tie, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
It was hard to believe that she had been hanging out with him just a moment ago. Even as Madame Turiel's people redressed Renisha, she still held her composure.
In any case, the meal continued. Princess Donata was no longer speaking to Laxus.
Instead, she rolled her eyes, as if searching for another goal. And Princess Gallus seemed quite satisfied with her choice of Renisha.
Amidst the heavy silence, someone interrupted.
In truth, those who had been eagerly awaiting the day they would meet the Emperor of Hientri would have found this silence unbearable.
"May I speak, Your Majesty, even at the risk of being rude?"
Laxus raised his cold eyes.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
“...Why?”
He was a Prince from Illian. The Crown Prince of Illian was a Prince of solid, established lineage.
Prince Nerill, who had come here, was born to a government official and adopted by the Queen. He was practically held hostage, with no support.
Renisha narrowed her eyes.
“Did you say Prince Nerill was considering exile to another country?”
Marquis Danvers had brought with him a complete understanding of the rapidly changing political situation on the continent. Renisha admired the Marquis Danvers’s quick wit. It wouldn’t be wrong to say he had the most accurate grasp of current events in the Empire.
“Even if it’s rotten, it’s still a good idea. If you're going to do it, you’d rather be in the Empire.”
As Kassius was captured by the Emperor's knights, Laxus slowly turned his head. Their eyes met.
Kassius wanted to kill him. If he were released from this place, he would break his delicate body without hesitation! Never let him harass Renisha again!
"Your Majesty,"
Renisha called to Laxus in an icy voice.
"Do not forget what this meeting is about, and in what capacity I am present. The continent is watching. Do you intend to reveal your conflict with the Hiloshines here? Are you going to start a civil war?"
She spoke calmly, but Renisha was impatient. If she made a mistake, he might even threaten to kill Kassius.
"Kassius is a hero to all. The entire empire is watching. Kassius achieved a victory that was thought impossible on the Chorpa Plains and saved the empire."
“So, he’s above me?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Renisha slapped Laxus’ hand away. Her jaw was numb. This crazy guy. If Kassius hadn’t gotten up, what would Laxus have done here in front of everyone?
“What I’m talking about is Your Majesty’s honor. The way they look at you. Even though Hientri is a great empire, we can’t ignore its gaze.”
Laxus smiled slowly.
“They’re above the Emperor’s head?”
The sarcasm in every word was disgusting. Even having to talk to such a guy right now was extremely deplorable. Renisha snickered.
"Then do as you wish. Cut off Kassius's head before their eyes, and destroy me. They'll be happy. With civil war breaking out in the delicious Hientri, anyone would covet the border. Let's think about it the other way around. If you end it here, they'll turn all their arrows against Canary."
Renisha's pink eyes were frosted.
Laxus's gaze swept over her face. Renisha hadn't changed. She was still noble.
As if she stood on some level, untouchable by Laxus. Before her, everyone felt equal. Kassius included, even Laxus!
Even Laxus felt compelled to kneel at her feet and lick her feet. This always fueled Laxus's feelings of inferiority and jealousy.
Why was Renisha still the same, despite the cruel way she'd been banished?
'She's just born different.'
Laxus raised his head.
'My daughter is different from yours in terms of birth. You are the Emperor I created. But my daughter was noble from birth. No one questioned Renisha's noble status. Is that the same thing?'
The ghost circled around Laxus and Renisha.
'You constantly had to prove your worth. But my daughter? She's acknowledged simply for existing. That's the difference, you idiot!'
Laxus gritted his teeth. He felt like a helpless rat. What was even more infuriating was that Renisha wasn't wrong. It was undoubtedly Renisha who had dragged Gale into this situation. But without evidence, he couldn't even question Renisha.
And Laxus knew, implicitly, that Renisha had gone to such lengths.
'I have evidence.'
Laxus stared at Renisha's beautiful face, as if entranced. In the end, Laxus was nothing more than a ghost, acting at Renisha's whim.
"...That's right. You're always right."
Laxus raised his hand.
"Release the ball."
His low, calm voice seemed to have forgotten everything that had just happened. Kassius's heavy breathing echoed through the hall.
Laxus mechanically turned, his mind racing. The empty Canary seat gnawed at him.
"...I think it would be inappropriate to begin the banquet here, Your Majesty. Is there a hall available?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The chamberlain bowed.
"We will move. Please treat our guests with respect."
"Yes!"
The first curtain fell.
Renisha's lips twitched, hidden behind Lexus.
How ironic.
Isn't everything completely different now? Renisha had always had to endure it. Her parents were fighting on the battlefield. But now, everything was completely reversed.
"Ugh."
Renisha let out a small laugh. She saw Laxus's fist clench, but he didn't turn around.
***
"What's so amusing?"
Kassius asked, his face gleaming with discontent.
"You don't seem to be enjoying yourself at all, Kassius."
Renisha tilted her head.
Everyone had moved alone, leaving only Renisha and Kassius. Kassius leaped up onto the platform and grabbed Renisha's hand.
"It felt like I had put Renisha in the jaws of a crocodile. What if Laxus had harmed you? And that didn't matter?"
Renisha's eyes widened. The anger Laxus had fueled still burned within Kassius.
Kassius's expression was one of humiliation.
"I imagined everything in that moment. I slaughtered the Emperor countless times. But in reality, I was helpless and just watched you... Is this happening over and over again? Before, and now! Where is Luna?"
"Shhh."
Renisha grabbed Kassius' hand in return. The grip he had once held tightly slowly relaxed. Kassius took a breath.
“Don’t be angry, Kassius. You saved me from all those moments.”
Renisha said as gently as she could. True to Kassius’s words, Renisha was always in danger. Laxus was a madman, ready to commit any act at any moment.
“From now on, Luna is by your side. From what I’ve seen, Luna is not only an excellent swordsman, but also—”
“...”
“She’s no better than an animal, unable to discern right from wrong,”
Renisha commented caustically.
“If I were in that situation, I think Luna would kill Laxus. What do you think?”
He had a slight smile on his face. Of course, Renisha would stop that from happening. He and Luna had agreed to a proper stun, in case Laxus came at night when no one was around.
“...Laxus, on the other hand, is nothing but a murderer. He’s probably forgotten how to properly hold a sword.”
Renisha gently shook Kassius’ hand. Kassius let out the breath he'd been holding. It felt like everything that had been pent up was being released. Kassius ran his palm down his face.
Renisha was unharmed.
"Luna, I suppose so."
"Luna will be with you at the banquet tonight. I couldn't bring her here."
Renisha lifted Cassius's hand. She slowly kissed the back of his hand, which seemed twice as large as hers, so that Renisha could see everything he was doing.
The back of Cassius's hand felt as if it were on fire.
"Are you still angry with me?"
Renisha whispered.
"...I didn't mean to be angry."
"I know."
"I wasn't angry with you."
"I know."
Renisha reached out her arm to Kassius. Kassius bent obediently. Renisha wrapped her arms around his neck as he got closer. Kassius, swaying, reached for the armrest of Renisha's chair.
Renisha spoke, still embracing Kassius.
Renisha and Kassius.
“Kiss me, Kassius.”
Kassius’s eyes wavered. Until just a moment ago, there had been many eyes watching.
Laxus sat beside Renisha, and envoys from various countries and nobles of Hientri were gathered there. Moreover, servants might come in and look for them at any moment.
“Quickly.”
A sense of betrayal gripped Kassius. Renisha stroked her fingertips along the back of his reddened neck.
“Are you just going to watch?”
Renisha surreptitiously pressed herself against Kassius. Her soft, curved eyes were seductive. Even a siren, bewitching a boatman, wouldn’t be this seductive. Renisha’s slender fingers irritated Kassius.
In the end, it was Kassius who fell. Kassius lowered his head.
“Ugh...”
Renisha let out a pleased sound, having obtained what she wanted.
A deep sense of satisfaction washed over him. No one would be able to drag Renisha out of here. Not even Laxus.
***
Renisha was as dazzling as ever, as if she had never been out of place. Kassius fiddled with his tie, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
It was hard to believe that she had been hanging out with him just a moment ago. Even as Madame Turiel's people redressed Renisha, she still held her composure.
In any case, the meal continued. Princess Donata was no longer speaking to Laxus.
Instead, she rolled her eyes, as if searching for another goal. And Princess Gallus seemed quite satisfied with her choice of Renisha.
Amidst the heavy silence, someone interrupted.
In truth, those who had been eagerly awaiting the day they would meet the Emperor of Hientri would have found this silence unbearable.
"May I speak, Your Majesty, even at the risk of being rude?"
Laxus raised his cold eyes.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
“...Why?”
He was a Prince from Illian. The Crown Prince of Illian was a Prince of solid, established lineage.
Prince Nerill, who had come here, was born to a government official and adopted by the Queen. He was practically held hostage, with no support.
Renisha narrowed her eyes.
“Did you say Prince Nerill was considering exile to another country?”
Marquis Danvers had brought with him a complete understanding of the rapidly changing political situation on the continent. Renisha admired the Marquis Danvers’s quick wit. It wouldn’t be wrong to say he had the most accurate grasp of current events in the Empire.
“Even if it’s rotten, it’s still a good idea. If you're going to do it, you’d rather be in the Empire.”
She wondered what the Prince would say. Which side would he take?
“Your Majesty, the Emperor seems to have a keen eye for choosing a good wife.”
Prince Nerill glanced between Renisha and Canary's empty seats.
"Hmm?"
"Renisha, both politically and socially gifted, and Her Majesty the Empress, who will bear her child. What could be more perfect?"
Renisha's expression was amused.
Several faces turned pale. Didn't they even remember the hell they'd just experienced? The nobleman who'd been soaked in Gale's blood for being nearby wiped his face with a handkerchief.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor seems to have a keen eye for choosing a good wife.”
Prince Nerill glanced between Renisha and Canary's empty seats.
"Hmm?"
"Renisha, both politically and socially gifted, and Her Majesty the Empress, who will bear her child. What could be more perfect?"
Renisha's expression was amused.
Several faces turned pale. Didn't they even remember the hell they'd just experienced? The nobleman who'd been soaked in Gale's blood for being nearby wiped his face with a handkerchief.
"There's another madman here."
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