Episode 99. The Decision Not to Return
“...How do you plan to let me go? Even if I do as Renisha says, I'm still the Emperor's captive. How can I leave this place? The Emperor's eyes are on me.”
The more she spoke, the darker Haylin's expression became.
Ultimately, Haylin would sink here like a ship on a reef.
She wouldn't be able to stay by Brixton's side or embrace Isabella.
If Haylin ran away, there would be many who would suffer in her stead.
Including Renisha, who was right before her eyes.
Renisha was the guidepost for their path.
With Renisha, their work would be worthwhile.
Haylin couldn't ruin what Brixton wanted.
Brixton might leave, but if she could grant him even one wish...
At the very least, Haylin shouldn't stand in his way.
"The Emperor could hurt Renisha."
Haylin shook her head.
“I can’t leave.”
Renisha smiled faintly.
“I knew you’d say that. But I didn’t bring this up without a plan.”
Renisha continued with a soft smile.
Renisha’s legs were still shaking, but they were hidden by her voluminous skirt.
So Renisha’s fear and despair were undetected.
So all she had to do was remain undetected.
Renisha clenched her fists. With all her might, she stood firm.
“What Laxus needs is a hostage to hold me captive. Unfortunately, Laxus is obsessed with me.”
“...”
Haylin agreed.
“Laxus must have heard about Hiloshine’s plight. He’s probably aware of my moves. Even if I switch hostages, he won’t threaten me.”
“...A hostage to switch...”
“Don’t worry about that either. There’s always a way to find a solution.”
Renisha smiled slowly.
Haylin stared at Renisha with an anxious expression.
“Turiel will be coming in to replace Haylin.”
Haylin looked surprised.
“Did you discuss this with Madame Turiel?”
Renisha nodded.
Only then did Haylin look relieved.
Renisha, having sent Haylin away, had a sullen expression.
“Henry...”
She knew that the servant would betray them someday.
Even during her time in the palace, he hadn’t been able to shake off his opportunistic side.
“Damn it.”
Renisha chewed.
Every curse she knew raced through her mind.
Henry had done what was typical of him this time. He had attacked the youngest and weakest.
From the start, the strong were untouchable.
Renisha sank into the sofa.
The fear and terror she had been hiding surged back into her. Her fingertips trembled faintly.
“...Brixton.”
In truth, she wanted to follow Haylin.
Just once, she wanted to hold Brixton's hand.
She wanted to see the face of her brother, who might leave at any moment.
Renisha's shoulders shook. A silent sob filled her lips.
"Please... don't die."
Renisha's voice was damp.
"I beg you..."
"Is Miss Isabella okay? Has she eaten?"
Therion asked, his face pale.
Helena, who had been standing silently, shook her head.
"...Helena. I don't understand why you look like you're dying. Is her condition really not good?"
That was true, but the emotion stirring in Helena was something else.
"...Is Butler Henry really behind this?"
She asked in a rough voice.
Jane, standing nearby, glanced up at Helena.
"Yes."
"Ha. So that's true."
Helena lowered her head.
Helena's neck, noticeably thinner than before, was revealed.
Jane grabbed Helena's hand.
Helena was suffering from a deep sense of guilt.
"Lord Therion, if... if Butler Henry hadn't lost both eyes, wouldn't this have happened?"
Jane asked on Helena's behalf. Jane's face was filled with anxiety.
“I wonder if Butler Henry harbors a grudge against Hiloshine for some reason...”
“I don’t know. But what I know is that Butler Henry would have betrayed us at any time, not just now. He’s that kind of person. What can we do?”
Therion sighed.
“It’s not Helena’s fault.”
Helena clenched her fists.
Everyone tried to comfort Helena with such sweet words.
But ever since she heard Brixton was on the verge of death, she couldn’t come to her senses.
It felt like everything was Helena’s fault.
Helena shook her head.
“Please let me go to the palace.”
“Helena!”
“Send me to Lady Renisha, Sir Therion.”
Helena swallowed.
It seemed as if Brixton’s sense of responsibility had rubbed off on Helena.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll go there. I failed to properly fulfill the mission Lady Renisha entrusted to me.”
Helena continued in a wet voice.
Jane, pale and terrified, grabbed Helena, but it was no use.
“She asked me to protect Lady Isabella, didn’t she? She asked me to take care of her. But I’ve never been able to protect her.”
“So, is there anything you can do in the capital?”
Helena lowered her head.
“I don’t know. But, wouldn’t there be a place where you could be of use better than here?”
“Helena!”
Jane called out to Helena in a shrill voice.
Helena was going to die right now.
To die in peace, just as I wish...! Jane shook her head.
“D-Don’t. Don’t send her, Sir Therion. I can’t live without Helena...”
“...If you want to go, then go.”
However, Therion pretended not to hear Jane’s voice.
“I’ll send you to the capital, Helena. Find the use you desire, just as you said.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Helena bowed her head calmly.
Only then did the guilt that had threatened to kill her seem to ease.
Jane cried and clung to it, but it was no use.
Another cartwheel rolled with a creaking noise.
“Miss.”
Isabella didn’t look up at Helena’s call.
She was crouched in the corner, head buried between her knees.
Isabella seemed frozen in place.
Only the small rise and fall of her back indicated her survival.
“I’m going to the capital.”
Helena continued slowly.
“I’ll go there and see what I can do. Maybe this useless body can be of use somewhere?”
Isabella blinked.
The tears had dried and wouldn’t come.
If she left this room, she would have to face reality.
Brixton, where he might die at any moment, and the empty mansion.
Renisha, who had promised to return soon, hadn’t, and Haylin...
“It’s terrible.”
This place was more terrible than a battlefield.
Outside the window, laughter could be heard from the bustling city.
Isabella was losing everything she'd held onto, yet the world continued to function smoothly.
Did Isabella hope for anything grand?
She simply wanted to live happily with her loving family.
"I repeat, it's not your fault, young lady."
Isabella's shoulders shook.
Haylin had been kidnapped to save Isabella, and Brixton was dying to save her.
Everything felt like her fault.
She couldn't eat, couldn't breathe.
She couldn't sleep properly, afraid that if she closed her eyes, Brixton would leave her, too.
"It was my fault."
Helena pursed her lips.
"Miss, I'll take care of everything. So don't worry."
"...How?"
Isabella asked, her voice cracking.
With an uncharacteristically childish expression, Isabella opened her mouth again.
"Can Helena save my father? Or my mother..."
"I'll root out the more fundamental problem."
"...The fundamental problem?"
"It's all because of the Emperor."
Helena's eyes were filled with hatred.
She decided to blame the Emperor for all of this.
Renisha was being treated unfairly, Henry was roaming the streets like a free spirit, and Isabella was like this.
Everything else stemmed from Laxus.
“Emperor...? What are you going to do?”
Isabella asked unsteadily.
Crawling across the floor, Isabella grabbed Helena’s skirt and tugged.
Helena, dragged to the floor by the child’s grip, her expression hardened.
“Tell me what you’re going to do.”
Isabella’s eyes were gleaming with a brilliant vitality.
“I’ll make sure he dies the most miserable and painful death possible. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Even my aunt hasn’t done it yet. How can you? Even my great aunt has just stood by and watched.”
“Lady Renisha needs to think about what comes next. She’s the future of the empire. But it’s okay if someone like me disappears.”
“...That’s not it. I don’t want that.”
"Good girl."
Helena hugged Isabella.
Emotions surged through the child, who was like dry firewood.
The thought that she was the one who had caused the child to be like this made her feel like she was going crazy.
Helena kissed Isabella's forehead.
"May the protection of the three serpent gods be with you, young lady."
Helena rose.
"You must stay healthy, young lady."
Helena said her final goodbye.
Isabella couldn't hold on to Helena.
Isabella seemed to understand her feelings.
She, too, helplessly watched her loved ones get hurt.
Even children fight with swords on the battlefield.
Isabella was no exception.
She was certainly protected by knights, but in times of crisis, she had to escape on her own.
But here, Isabella felt utterly helpless.
"No..."
Isabella shook her head. She wanted to follow Helena.
But Isabella would only become an obstacle in Helena's path.
Isabella chewed her fingernails with a nervous expression.
Salvation came to that child.
“Miss, miss!”
Isabella turned her head at the urgent knock on the door.
Even though she didn’t answer, words were heard.
“Haylin is back! She’s looking for you now.”
“My mother...?”
“Yes, yes. Your mother is back.”
It was Jane.
Isabella’s room opened.
Jane burst into tears when she saw Isabella lying on the floor.
Everything was truly a mess.
Jane helped Isabella up.
“Helena is gone.”
“...I know.”
“She might not come back.”
“I know...”
Jane cried for a long time, hugging Isabella.
“...How do you plan to let me go? Even if I do as Renisha says, I'm still the Emperor's captive. How can I leave this place? The Emperor's eyes are on me.”
The more she spoke, the darker Haylin's expression became.
Ultimately, Haylin would sink here like a ship on a reef.
She wouldn't be able to stay by Brixton's side or embrace Isabella.
If Haylin ran away, there would be many who would suffer in her stead.
Including Renisha, who was right before her eyes.
Renisha was the guidepost for their path.
With Renisha, their work would be worthwhile.
Haylin couldn't ruin what Brixton wanted.
Brixton might leave, but if she could grant him even one wish...
At the very least, Haylin shouldn't stand in his way.
"The Emperor could hurt Renisha."
Haylin shook her head.
“I can’t leave.”
Renisha smiled faintly.
“I knew you’d say that. But I didn’t bring this up without a plan.”
Renisha continued with a soft smile.
Renisha’s legs were still shaking, but they were hidden by her voluminous skirt.
So Renisha’s fear and despair were undetected.
So all she had to do was remain undetected.
Renisha clenched her fists. With all her might, she stood firm.
“What Laxus needs is a hostage to hold me captive. Unfortunately, Laxus is obsessed with me.”
“...”
Haylin agreed.
“Laxus must have heard about Hiloshine’s plight. He’s probably aware of my moves. Even if I switch hostages, he won’t threaten me.”
“...A hostage to switch...”
“Don’t worry about that either. There’s always a way to find a solution.”
Renisha smiled slowly.
Haylin stared at Renisha with an anxious expression.
“Turiel will be coming in to replace Haylin.”
Haylin looked surprised.
“Did you discuss this with Madame Turiel?”
Renisha nodded.
Only then did Haylin look relieved.
Renisha, having sent Haylin away, had a sullen expression.
“Henry...”
She knew that the servant would betray them someday.
Even during her time in the palace, he hadn’t been able to shake off his opportunistic side.
“Damn it.”
Renisha chewed.
Every curse she knew raced through her mind.
Henry had done what was typical of him this time. He had attacked the youngest and weakest.
From the start, the strong were untouchable.
Renisha sank into the sofa.
The fear and terror she had been hiding surged back into her. Her fingertips trembled faintly.
“...Brixton.”
In truth, she wanted to follow Haylin.
Just once, she wanted to hold Brixton's hand.
She wanted to see the face of her brother, who might leave at any moment.
Renisha's shoulders shook. A silent sob filled her lips.
"Please... don't die."
Renisha's voice was damp.
"I beg you..."
***
"Is Miss Isabella okay? Has she eaten?"
Therion asked, his face pale.
Helena, who had been standing silently, shook her head.
"...Helena. I don't understand why you look like you're dying. Is her condition really not good?"
That was true, but the emotion stirring in Helena was something else.
"...Is Butler Henry really behind this?"
She asked in a rough voice.
Jane, standing nearby, glanced up at Helena.
"Yes."
"Ha. So that's true."
Helena lowered her head.
Helena's neck, noticeably thinner than before, was revealed.
Jane grabbed Helena's hand.
Helena was suffering from a deep sense of guilt.
"Lord Therion, if... if Butler Henry hadn't lost both eyes, wouldn't this have happened?"
Jane asked on Helena's behalf. Jane's face was filled with anxiety.
“I wonder if Butler Henry harbors a grudge against Hiloshine for some reason...”
“I don’t know. But what I know is that Butler Henry would have betrayed us at any time, not just now. He’s that kind of person. What can we do?”
Therion sighed.
“It’s not Helena’s fault.”
Helena clenched her fists.
Everyone tried to comfort Helena with such sweet words.
But ever since she heard Brixton was on the verge of death, she couldn’t come to her senses.
It felt like everything was Helena’s fault.
Helena shook her head.
“Please let me go to the palace.”
“Helena!”
“Send me to Lady Renisha, Sir Therion.”
Helena swallowed.
It seemed as if Brixton’s sense of responsibility had rubbed off on Helena.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll go there. I failed to properly fulfill the mission Lady Renisha entrusted to me.”
Helena continued in a wet voice.
Jane, pale and terrified, grabbed Helena, but it was no use.
“She asked me to protect Lady Isabella, didn’t she? She asked me to take care of her. But I’ve never been able to protect her.”
“So, is there anything you can do in the capital?”
Helena lowered her head.
“I don’t know. But, wouldn’t there be a place where you could be of use better than here?”
“Helena!”
Jane called out to Helena in a shrill voice.
Helena was going to die right now.
To die in peace, just as I wish...! Jane shook her head.
“D-Don’t. Don’t send her, Sir Therion. I can’t live without Helena...”
“...If you want to go, then go.”
However, Therion pretended not to hear Jane’s voice.
“I’ll send you to the capital, Helena. Find the use you desire, just as you said.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Helena bowed her head calmly.
Only then did the guilt that had threatened to kill her seem to ease.
Jane cried and clung to it, but it was no use.
Another cartwheel rolled with a creaking noise.
***
“Miss.”
Isabella didn’t look up at Helena’s call.
She was crouched in the corner, head buried between her knees.
Isabella seemed frozen in place.
Only the small rise and fall of her back indicated her survival.
“I’m going to the capital.”
Helena continued slowly.
“I’ll go there and see what I can do. Maybe this useless body can be of use somewhere?”
Isabella blinked.
The tears had dried and wouldn’t come.
If she left this room, she would have to face reality.
Brixton, where he might die at any moment, and the empty mansion.
Renisha, who had promised to return soon, hadn’t, and Haylin...
“It’s terrible.”
This place was more terrible than a battlefield.
Outside the window, laughter could be heard from the bustling city.
Isabella was losing everything she'd held onto, yet the world continued to function smoothly.
Did Isabella hope for anything grand?
She simply wanted to live happily with her loving family.
"I repeat, it's not your fault, young lady."
Isabella's shoulders shook.
Haylin had been kidnapped to save Isabella, and Brixton was dying to save her.
Everything felt like her fault.
She couldn't eat, couldn't breathe.
She couldn't sleep properly, afraid that if she closed her eyes, Brixton would leave her, too.
"It was my fault."
Helena pursed her lips.
"Miss, I'll take care of everything. So don't worry."
"...How?"
Isabella asked, her voice cracking.
With an uncharacteristically childish expression, Isabella opened her mouth again.
"Can Helena save my father? Or my mother..."
"I'll root out the more fundamental problem."
"...The fundamental problem?"
"It's all because of the Emperor."
Helena's eyes were filled with hatred.
She decided to blame the Emperor for all of this.
Renisha was being treated unfairly, Henry was roaming the streets like a free spirit, and Isabella was like this.
Everything else stemmed from Laxus.
“Emperor...? What are you going to do?”
Isabella asked unsteadily.
Crawling across the floor, Isabella grabbed Helena’s skirt and tugged.
Helena, dragged to the floor by the child’s grip, her expression hardened.
“Tell me what you’re going to do.”
Isabella’s eyes were gleaming with a brilliant vitality.
“I’ll make sure he dies the most miserable and painful death possible. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Even my aunt hasn’t done it yet. How can you? Even my great aunt has just stood by and watched.”
“Lady Renisha needs to think about what comes next. She’s the future of the empire. But it’s okay if someone like me disappears.”
“...That’s not it. I don’t want that.”
"Good girl."
Helena hugged Isabella.
Emotions surged through the child, who was like dry firewood.
The thought that she was the one who had caused the child to be like this made her feel like she was going crazy.
Helena kissed Isabella's forehead.
"May the protection of the three serpent gods be with you, young lady."
Helena rose.
"You must stay healthy, young lady."
Helena said her final goodbye.
Isabella couldn't hold on to Helena.
Isabella seemed to understand her feelings.
She, too, helplessly watched her loved ones get hurt.
Even children fight with swords on the battlefield.
Isabella was no exception.
She was certainly protected by knights, but in times of crisis, she had to escape on her own.
But here, Isabella felt utterly helpless.
"No..."
Isabella shook her head. She wanted to follow Helena.
But Isabella would only become an obstacle in Helena's path.
Isabella chewed her fingernails with a nervous expression.
Salvation came to that child.
“Miss, miss!”
Isabella turned her head at the urgent knock on the door.
Even though she didn’t answer, words were heard.
“Haylin is back! She’s looking for you now.”
“My mother...?”
“Yes, yes. Your mother is back.”
It was Jane.
Isabella’s room opened.
Jane burst into tears when she saw Isabella lying on the floor.
Everything was truly a mess.
Jane helped Isabella up.
“Helena is gone.”
“...I know.”
“She might not come back.”
“I know...”
Jane cried for a long time, hugging Isabella.
Comments
Post a Comment