Episode 98. The Weight of Haylin
No one in Hiloshine could act as the Duke's deputy.
Brixton was on the brink of death, Isabella was too young, and Therion was too inexperienced for such a task.
Ultimately, Meteo took over as the Duke's deputy for a brief period.
While Therion was the one who took the lead, Meteo was the one who saw the inside.
Meteo appeared in the dungeon.
The man's face was swollen beyond recognition from brutal torture.
The knights of Hiloshine had captured the man who had harmed Brixton and tried to escape.
Meteo had something to gain from the interest.
The situation was already happening.
So, shouldn't he be thinking about how to turn the situation to his advantage?
Meteo crouched before the bound man.
"You'll have to listen carefully to what I have to say from now on."
The man raised his head.
"...Ugh, you'd better kill me..."
A terrible pain was gnawing at the man.
Hiloshine and Meteo didn't forgive him for dragging Brixton down.
His voice trembled involuntarily.
"Not only did you kill Hiloshine's knight, but you're also accused of attempting to kill Brixton Lottera. Brixton Lottera could easily die at any moment."
"Well, I was wrong..."
The man spat out reflexively.
Meteo shook his head. He wasn't here to hear such words.
Meteo's expression sank coldly.
"I have a request. Do as I say, and I'll grant you your wish. I promise."
Meteo gently soothed the man.
The man lifted his face, his face trembling with fear.
Meteo was quick to assess a situation.
He quickly calculated what would benefit Renisha.
This man was hired by Henry.
And Henry was the Emperor's man.
With all these connections clearly revealed, Meteo's task was set.
"You will now be my witness."
"..."
The man, dazed by pain, nodded roughly.
Meteo smiled slowly.
A monarch who rejects his loyal subjects is not welcome.
And a monarch who rejects Kassius, the hero of the people, is even less welcome.
If the people turn their backs, even the Emperor is bound to lose power.
Meteo's lips parted.
"That's what happened."
Kassius, who had heard the whole story, looked distraught.
Kassius rubbed his face with his hand.
"...Could you sneak Haylin out and tell Lady Renisha this story?"
"It's not difficult to tell."
If Renisha hears this, she will prepare a new plan.
Why had Renisha been acting in the shadows, keeping quiet all this time?
To avoid provoking the people.
To win them over to Renisha's side?
With this, Renisha would have a justification and could use Lottera's death to stir public sentiment.
"Then I will only trust Duke Kassius. I will prepare to bring Lady Haylin. I won't be away for long. There's a limit to how much Therion can handle alone."
"What's going on?"
Kassius sat down across from her.
Burying his face in his palm, Kassius let out a slow sigh.
"...Brixton's life is in danger."
Renisha squeezed her eyes shut.
A dark anxiety gripped her ankles.
"Henry, who had escaped, hired mercenaries and attacked Hiloshine. It was an attack targeting Isabella. And Brixton sacrificed himself to protect Isabella."
From the moment she spotted Kassius, a pitch-black fear had gaped at her.
Renisha closed her eyes for a moment, overcoming her fear.
“...He's still alive, right?”
“Yes. However, Prince Meteo says it’s dangerous… For Isabella’s sake, Haylin’s return is urgent.”
Brixton was more likely to die.
Kassius hesitated, then stood up.
He moved to sit next to Renisha and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
It wasn’t just Isabella and Hylin who were on the verge of losing Brixton.
Renisha was no exception.
Kassius knew Renisha’s attachment to her family.
The guilt that underlay it all.
“Brixton won’t blame you. No one.”
Renisha tried to control her emotions.
“...I have to save Brixton.”
Renisha buried her head in Kassius’s embrace, choosing to seek comfort in Kassius’s warmth rather than endure alone.
Renisha was gradually learning to keep pace with Kassius.
“The spirit of the black serpent resides in Brixton’s blood. The reason it’s holding on without stopping is probably because it’s Hiloshine.”
“...They say we might be able to keep Brixton alive by inducing him into a vegetative state.”
“It’s the same story.”
Renisha exhaled slowly.
She didn’t know if this was what Brixton wanted.
This would be a life-or-death gamble, and a very long wait.
She couldn’t even imagine the emotions that would be eroded along the way.
“The spirit of the black serpent will protect Brixton. Someday... Brixton might wake up. Who knows if it’ll take ten years or one year? But I want to try.”
“I will.”
Kassius kissed Renisha’s forehead.
No words could comfort her now.
Instead of breaking down, Kassius could only hold her as she stood up.
“I’ll talk to Haylin.”
Kassius nodded.
Renisha's face, lifting from Kassius's embrace, was smooth. Uncharacteristic of the despair she'd just moments ago been so immersed in.
Haylin's eyes scanned the table.
Her heart pounded. Her body temperature rose without her realizing it.
"Brixton..."
“Haylin. I’m sorry, but you don’t have time right now. Isabella isn’t old enough to make decisions. And if we’re late and Isabella is left alone, she...”
Haylin swallowed. Her heartbeat filled her ears. Her head felt dizzy and lightheaded.
Brixton’s face kept flashing back.
Death was always there, lurking.
The pain Haylin had endured wasn’t over.
“I want Brixton...”
“Would he want that?”
Haylin asked in a trembling voice.
Her eyes, now pitch-black, stared at Renisha.
The despair within seemed to pull her closer.
“Brixton is a proud man, Renisha. He’s never been discouraged by anything. To leave Brixton helpless, in that state... isn’t that selfish of me?”
“Brixton would be even more afraid of leaving Haylin and Isabella behind.”
Renisha said firmly.
At this moment, Haylin seemed to need support.
Renisha's legs were shaking, and her hands were sore from the strain.
"Even if it's dishonorable, Brixton would want us to stay."
Confused.
She couldn't tell if this was true or, as Haylin had said, selfish.
But Renisha remembered Brixton's promise.
'I will protect you all. With my life, for the rest of my life.'
There was no way Brixton would leave them. He couldn't have made that choice.
"Haylin, brace yourself. Prince Meteo is waiting for you outside. He's come to take you. And when you go to Hiloshine, you'll rule it with Prince Meteo."
"Prince Meteo...?"
"He's our friend. We must seize Hiloshine with Meteo's help. All sorts of forces are gathering in Hiloshine right now. Just as Brixton and I intended."
Haylin's eyes trembled.
"Brixton harbored ambitions to make Hiloshine the base of Lottera, and even its second capital."
"A second capital?"
"We, Hientri, are preparing for a new beginning. The throne will pass from Hientri to Lottera. In fact, the capital of Hientri is vulnerable."
"Well..."
"And it's off-center. It's too far south. Hiloshine is closer to the center."
Haylin understood the grand narrative Renisha was telling.
They were now trying to make Hiloshine the capital of the empire.
"It will take time. It may be a dream for our next generation to achieve. We need to lay the foundation for that. Haylin, you can help us do that."
Brixton's rise wasn't the only challenge
Haylin faced. An equally weighty task awaited her.
No one in Hiloshine could act as the Duke's deputy.
Brixton was on the brink of death, Isabella was too young, and Therion was too inexperienced for such a task.
Ultimately, Meteo took over as the Duke's deputy for a brief period.
While Therion was the one who took the lead, Meteo was the one who saw the inside.
Meteo appeared in the dungeon.
The man's face was swollen beyond recognition from brutal torture.
The knights of Hiloshine had captured the man who had harmed Brixton and tried to escape.
Meteo had something to gain from the interest.
The situation was already happening.
So, shouldn't he be thinking about how to turn the situation to his advantage?
Meteo crouched before the bound man.
"You'll have to listen carefully to what I have to say from now on."
The man raised his head.
"...Ugh, you'd better kill me..."
A terrible pain was gnawing at the man.
Hiloshine and Meteo didn't forgive him for dragging Brixton down.
His voice trembled involuntarily.
"Not only did you kill Hiloshine's knight, but you're also accused of attempting to kill Brixton Lottera. Brixton Lottera could easily die at any moment."
"Well, I was wrong..."
The man spat out reflexively.
Meteo shook his head. He wasn't here to hear such words.
Meteo's expression sank coldly.
"I have a request. Do as I say, and I'll grant you your wish. I promise."
Meteo gently soothed the man.
The man lifted his face, his face trembling with fear.
Meteo was quick to assess a situation.
He quickly calculated what would benefit Renisha.
This man was hired by Henry.
And Henry was the Emperor's man.
With all these connections clearly revealed, Meteo's task was set.
"You will now be my witness."
"..."
The man, dazed by pain, nodded roughly.
Meteo smiled slowly.
A monarch who rejects his loyal subjects is not welcome.
And a monarch who rejects Kassius, the hero of the people, is even less welcome.
If the people turn their backs, even the Emperor is bound to lose power.
Meteo's lips parted.
***
"That's what happened."
Kassius, who had heard the whole story, looked distraught.
Kassius rubbed his face with his hand.
"...Could you sneak Haylin out and tell Lady Renisha this story?"
"It's not difficult to tell."
If Renisha hears this, she will prepare a new plan.
Why had Renisha been acting in the shadows, keeping quiet all this time?
To avoid provoking the people.
To win them over to Renisha's side?
With this, Renisha would have a justification and could use Lottera's death to stir public sentiment.
"Then I will only trust Duke Kassius. I will prepare to bring Lady Haylin. I won't be away for long. There's a limit to how much Therion can handle alone."
Kassius sighed. Kassius knew Therion's limitations well. Therion was still inadequate to manage the Duke's extensive household. Right now, Hiloshine was no different from a battlefield.
Kassius called someone over.
***
"Sshhh..."
Renisha gestured to Luna.
"Close the door and keep watch from the outside. Not a single ant is allowed to come or go. Understood?"
"...Yes."
Luna nodded discontentedly.
After checking Luna as she dragged her dress outside, Renisha opened the balcony.
A cute red snake slithered in.
Kassius circled at Renisha's feet.
Kassius had never humanized himself in front of Renisha before.
Kassius thought that was truly embarrassing. Naked!
But now was no time to hesitate in such embarrassment.
Kassius circled just one more time and squeezed his eyes shut. He quickly turned away.
With his back to Renisha, Kassius disappeared into the bathroom and then returned. Renisha held her breath, giving Kassius time.
It was because she saw the bright red nape of his neck.
"Are you all dressed?"
Kassius nodded, his face at least somewhat restored.
Renisha smiled faintly.
"So that's why you didn't want to show me?"
"That's...!"
Kassius, who had almost been dragged into Renisha's grasp, quickly shook his head.
Now was not the time for such an argument.
And it was not the time to dwell on what had happened not long ago.
"Renisha, I have something to tell you."
Kassius said urgently.
Renisha swallowed a sigh and sat down on the sofa.
She had suspected this since Kassius showed up at this hour.
Her heart ached.
Renisha wiped her lips with her palm. She turned her gaze out the window.
After checking Luna as she dragged her dress outside, Renisha opened the balcony.
A cute red snake slithered in.
Kassius circled at Renisha's feet.
Kassius had never humanized himself in front of Renisha before.
Kassius thought that was truly embarrassing. Naked!
But now was no time to hesitate in such embarrassment.
Kassius circled just one more time and squeezed his eyes shut. He quickly turned away.
With his back to Renisha, Kassius disappeared into the bathroom and then returned. Renisha held her breath, giving Kassius time.
It was because she saw the bright red nape of his neck.
"Are you all dressed?"
Kassius nodded, his face at least somewhat restored.
Renisha smiled faintly.
"So that's why you didn't want to show me?"
"That's...!"
Kassius, who had almost been dragged into Renisha's grasp, quickly shook his head.
Now was not the time for such an argument.
And it was not the time to dwell on what had happened not long ago.
"Renisha, I have something to tell you."
Kassius said urgently.
Renisha swallowed a sigh and sat down on the sofa.
She had suspected this since Kassius showed up at this hour.
Her heart ached.
Renisha wiped her lips with her palm. She turned her gaze out the window.
"What's going on?"
Kassius sat down across from her.
Burying his face in his palm, Kassius let out a slow sigh.
"...Brixton's life is in danger."
Renisha squeezed her eyes shut.
A dark anxiety gripped her ankles.
"Henry, who had escaped, hired mercenaries and attacked Hiloshine. It was an attack targeting Isabella. And Brixton sacrificed himself to protect Isabella."
From the moment she spotted Kassius, a pitch-black fear had gaped at her.
Renisha closed her eyes for a moment, overcoming her fear.
“...He's still alive, right?”
“Yes. However, Prince Meteo says it’s dangerous… For Isabella’s sake, Haylin’s return is urgent.”
Brixton was more likely to die.
Kassius hesitated, then stood up.
He moved to sit next to Renisha and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
It wasn’t just Isabella and Hylin who were on the verge of losing Brixton.
Renisha was no exception.
Kassius knew Renisha’s attachment to her family.
The guilt that underlay it all.
“Brixton won’t blame you. No one.”
Renisha tried to control her emotions.
“...I have to save Brixton.”
Renisha buried her head in Kassius’s embrace, choosing to seek comfort in Kassius’s warmth rather than endure alone.
Renisha was gradually learning to keep pace with Kassius.
“The spirit of the black serpent resides in Brixton’s blood. The reason it’s holding on without stopping is probably because it’s Hiloshine.”
“...They say we might be able to keep Brixton alive by inducing him into a vegetative state.”
“It’s the same story.”
Renisha exhaled slowly.
She didn’t know if this was what Brixton wanted.
This would be a life-or-death gamble, and a very long wait.
She couldn’t even imagine the emotions that would be eroded along the way.
“The spirit of the black serpent will protect Brixton. Someday... Brixton might wake up. Who knows if it’ll take ten years or one year? But I want to try.”
“I will.”
Kassius kissed Renisha’s forehead.
No words could comfort her now.
Instead of breaking down, Kassius could only hold her as she stood up.
“I’ll talk to Haylin.”
Kassius nodded.
Renisha's face, lifting from Kassius's embrace, was smooth. Uncharacteristic of the despair she'd just moments ago been so immersed in.
***
Haylin's eyes scanned the table.
Her heart pounded. Her body temperature rose without her realizing it.
"Brixton..."
“Haylin. I’m sorry, but you don’t have time right now. Isabella isn’t old enough to make decisions. And if we’re late and Isabella is left alone, she...”
Haylin swallowed. Her heartbeat filled her ears. Her head felt dizzy and lightheaded.
Brixton’s face kept flashing back.
Death was always there, lurking.
The pain Haylin had endured wasn’t over.
“I want Brixton...”
“Would he want that?”
Haylin asked in a trembling voice.
Her eyes, now pitch-black, stared at Renisha.
The despair within seemed to pull her closer.
“Brixton is a proud man, Renisha. He’s never been discouraged by anything. To leave Brixton helpless, in that state... isn’t that selfish of me?”
“Brixton would be even more afraid of leaving Haylin and Isabella behind.”
Renisha said firmly.
At this moment, Haylin seemed to need support.
Renisha's legs were shaking, and her hands were sore from the strain.
"Even if it's dishonorable, Brixton would want us to stay."
Confused.
She couldn't tell if this was true or, as Haylin had said, selfish.
But Renisha remembered Brixton's promise.
'I will protect you all. With my life, for the rest of my life.'
There was no way Brixton would leave them. He couldn't have made that choice.
"Haylin, brace yourself. Prince Meteo is waiting for you outside. He's come to take you. And when you go to Hiloshine, you'll rule it with Prince Meteo."
"Prince Meteo...?"
"He's our friend. We must seize Hiloshine with Meteo's help. All sorts of forces are gathering in Hiloshine right now. Just as Brixton and I intended."
Haylin's eyes trembled.
"Brixton harbored ambitions to make Hiloshine the base of Lottera, and even its second capital."
"A second capital?"
"We, Hientri, are preparing for a new beginning. The throne will pass from Hientri to Lottera. In fact, the capital of Hientri is vulnerable."
"Well..."
"And it's off-center. It's too far south. Hiloshine is closer to the center."
Haylin understood the grand narrative Renisha was telling.
They were now trying to make Hiloshine the capital of the empire.
"It will take time. It may be a dream for our next generation to achieve. We need to lay the foundation for that. Haylin, you can help us do that."
Brixton's rise wasn't the only challenge
Haylin faced. An equally weighty task awaited her.
Comments
Post a Comment