Episode 95. What if You Get Hurt?
Renisha and Kassius created a spectacular spectacle.
Until then, it had been a clown show, but now the handsome man and beautiful woman were creating a mesmerizing scene.
Marquis Danvers blurted out,
"They're a beautiful pair."
Those gathered around strained their senses to discern the Marquis Danvers's intentions. The Marquis Danvers held considerable power within the Empire.
His words likely contained multiple motives.
How did Hientri's political circles view this situation?
Did the Emperor truly intend to make Renisha Empress again?
The Empress, who had been a maid, now had a legitimate child, so shouldn't he prioritize political influence over children?
Marquis Danvers dismissed the concentrated attention with a gentle smile.
"Hientri has truly benefited greatly from Lady Renisha's grace. The imperial palace wouldn't have functioned properly without Lady Renisha. Hientri's administration would have collapsed. Hientri truly needs Lady Renisha."
So they're trying to make Renisha the Empress again!
The envoys, who had been listening intently, turned their gazes to the floor.
Renisha, holding Kassius's hand, lightly jumped.
The lace, painstakingly woven by the artisans, unfolded and retracted like flower petals.
Under the light, the gold threads shone brilliantly.
The meticulous attention to detail, both inside and out, was evident.
'Turiel poured her heart into this.'
Danvers chuckled. It was a fitting presentation.
Furthermore, Kassius's clothes were clearly Turiel's work.
The lace weave of Renisha's was subtly incorporated into Kassius's.
"What... is going on within Hientri? In fact, I think it's the hottest topic internationally."
"How could the outside world and the Hientri be any different? Opinions are divided even here."
"Oh. What does Marquis Danvers think?"
Marquis Danvers's lips curled at the direct question.
Danvers also turned his gaze to Renisha and Kassius.
The waltz was coming to an end.
The dazzling lights of the chandelier piercing the darkness matched him perfectly.
Renisha was a natural protagonist.
"You're all stuck in your ruts, so it's hard for me to add anything."
"Routine?"
"If you just shift your gaze a little, you'll see something new. Isn't that a shame?"
"Haven't the Marquis maintained neutrality all along?"
"Now is the time for a choice."
Danvers turned his head to survey the delegation.
The Princes, Dukes, and others from each country swallowed nervously.
“If the fate of a nation is at stake, shouldn’t we move, no matter how heavy our butts are?”
Marquis Danvers raised his lips.
“What do you mean?”
Finally, a useful question was asked. Marquis Danvers turned his gaze to the man with a sullen expression.
“It literally means to see the situation with a fresh perspective. I’ve already answered that question. Ah, it’s time to get up. The song is over, so I’ll also step away. My fiancé is waiting for me.”
Marquis Danvers rose leisurely and moved away.
Those who had waited until he was completely gone spoke.
“Do you know what that means?”
“Do you have any idea, Your Highness? I don’t even have a clue.”
“Break the prejudice. Hientri won’t run without Lady Renisha. Up until now, Marquis Danvers has only talked about Renisha. Do you still not understand what that means?”
The one who had asked the most effective question sighed slowly.
Perhaps fear was blocking their path, or perhaps they couldn’t even think.
"The Marquis of Danvers hasn't given the Emperor any consideration."
The Prince glanced at the demon on the throne.
The reason he wasn't even daring to step onto the floor was to avoid Laxus's gaze.
Wasn't there already a precedent for someone being upset because Laxus noticed?
"That would apply to those who follow the Marquis of Danvers. According to my sources, the Marquis of Danvers claims neutrality, but he may be secretly communicating with Renisha's side."
Renisha and Kassius created a spectacular spectacle.
Until then, it had been a clown show, but now the handsome man and beautiful woman were creating a mesmerizing scene.
Marquis Danvers blurted out,
"They're a beautiful pair."
Those gathered around strained their senses to discern the Marquis Danvers's intentions. The Marquis Danvers held considerable power within the Empire.
His words likely contained multiple motives.
How did Hientri's political circles view this situation?
Did the Emperor truly intend to make Renisha Empress again?
The Empress, who had been a maid, now had a legitimate child, so shouldn't he prioritize political influence over children?
Marquis Danvers dismissed the concentrated attention with a gentle smile.
"Hientri has truly benefited greatly from Lady Renisha's grace. The imperial palace wouldn't have functioned properly without Lady Renisha. Hientri's administration would have collapsed. Hientri truly needs Lady Renisha."
So they're trying to make Renisha the Empress again!
The envoys, who had been listening intently, turned their gazes to the floor.
Renisha, holding Kassius's hand, lightly jumped.
The lace, painstakingly woven by the artisans, unfolded and retracted like flower petals.
Under the light, the gold threads shone brilliantly.
The meticulous attention to detail, both inside and out, was evident.
'Turiel poured her heart into this.'
Danvers chuckled. It was a fitting presentation.
Furthermore, Kassius's clothes were clearly Turiel's work.
The lace weave of Renisha's was subtly incorporated into Kassius's.
"What... is going on within Hientri? In fact, I think it's the hottest topic internationally."
"How could the outside world and the Hientri be any different? Opinions are divided even here."
"Oh. What does Marquis Danvers think?"
Marquis Danvers's lips curled at the direct question.
Danvers also turned his gaze to Renisha and Kassius.
The waltz was coming to an end.
The dazzling lights of the chandelier piercing the darkness matched him perfectly.
Renisha was a natural protagonist.
"You're all stuck in your ruts, so it's hard for me to add anything."
"Routine?"
"If you just shift your gaze a little, you'll see something new. Isn't that a shame?"
"Haven't the Marquis maintained neutrality all along?"
"Now is the time for a choice."
Danvers turned his head to survey the delegation.
The Princes, Dukes, and others from each country swallowed nervously.
“If the fate of a nation is at stake, shouldn’t we move, no matter how heavy our butts are?”
Marquis Danvers raised his lips.
“What do you mean?”
Finally, a useful question was asked. Marquis Danvers turned his gaze to the man with a sullen expression.
“It literally means to see the situation with a fresh perspective. I’ve already answered that question. Ah, it’s time to get up. The song is over, so I’ll also step away. My fiancé is waiting for me.”
Marquis Danvers rose leisurely and moved away.
Those who had waited until he was completely gone spoke.
“Do you know what that means?”
“Do you have any idea, Your Highness? I don’t even have a clue.”
“Break the prejudice. Hientri won’t run without Lady Renisha. Up until now, Marquis Danvers has only talked about Renisha. Do you still not understand what that means?”
The one who had asked the most effective question sighed slowly.
Perhaps fear was blocking their path, or perhaps they couldn’t even think.
"The Marquis of Danvers hasn't given the Emperor any consideration."
The Prince glanced at the demon on the throne.
The reason he wasn't even daring to step onto the floor was to avoid Laxus's gaze.
Wasn't there already a precedent for someone being upset because Laxus noticed?
"That would apply to those who follow the Marquis of Danvers. According to my sources, the Marquis of Danvers claims neutrality, but he may be secretly communicating with Renisha's side."
"How do you know that? The Marquis of Danvers has connections to the Empress of Canary, too."
"I heard the Marquis of Danvers has been using Turiel's dressing room more frequently lately. Isn't it common knowledge that Madame Turiel and Renisha are in the same boat?"
“So what are you trying to say?”
“Stupid,”
The Prince said cynically.
“The Marquis of Danvers is considering making Renisha the Emperor.”
“That’s...!”
“You’re saying you’re going to change Hientri’s surname.”
A momentary silence fell.
Those words were terrifying.
The symbolic significance and power of Hientri, believed to be the origin of the Three Serpent Gods, were immense.
The people cowered in fear.
Hientri’s surname was being changed!
“You’re denying the divinity bestowed upon the royal family. Will you remain silent in the temple? Even if the imperial power surpasses the divine, you cannot ignore them. If the divinity of the royal family disappears, who will look up to the Emperor? Do you not know why the current Emperor holds power despite his madness? Because he is known as the son of the Three Serpent Gods. Because of the divinity bestowed upon Hientri in the past!”
The one who had spoken clenched his jaw, as if out of breath.
His face flushed, his anger and fear pouring out.
The first speaker, who had been listening, spoke up.
“...Renisha has Kassius. Kassius may be a knight born from slavery, but have you forgotten how he led the Chorpa War to victory?”
“What are you saying...?”
“Kassius inherited the power of the red snake. What does that mean? If Kassius’s child is born from Renisha’s womb, that child will acquire divinity!”
The man hugged his arm with both hands.
Everyone’s hearts sank.
The eyes that looked at Kassius and Renisha wavered.
He had accurately pointed out a point no one had considered.
Kassius’s child could acquire a new divinity!
The royal family could truly be turned upside down.
"And the Lottera family does have Hientri blood. In the distant past, a Princess became a Duchess. And what kind of land is Hiloshine? Wasn't that land originally a wasteland called the Black Serpent's Graveyard? Rumors are rife that Kassius revived it... Grass grows on that grave, right? The power of the three serpent gods might awaken!"
Silence fell once more.
Prejudice shattered, and their blinded vision brightened.
They saw the truth. The precious treasure that had been nestled within.
The Marquis of Danvers awakened them just in time.
"...It truly is time to choose. Hientri or Lottera?"
"Oh..."
A sigh flowed. It couldn't have been more difficult.
A soul-shaking fear gripped them.
Even the melody flowing through the hall felt like a thorn piercing them.
The Emperor's knights guarding the door seemed poised to slaughter them.
And then, a long, drawn-out second piece of music began.
Kassius and Renisha began their second dance.
Spin, spin.
The dazzling lights scattered brightly, making them stand out.
Kassius and Renisha! Aren't they the perfect pair?
In so many ways.
Renisha pursed her lips.
It felt effortless to be thrust into the public eye after so long.
In fact, it felt even better than before.
Whereas pity had been the norm before, now they were all admiring her.
Danvers had dropped a well-timed bomb.
She could already guess what they were talking about.
When Renisha first grasped the Emperor's intentions —when she learned Kassius was her match—she had a gut feeling.
A new world was ready to open up for her.
Kassius!
Renisha's biggest problem as Emperor was her lack of legitimacy and divinity.
But with Kassius, imbued with the power of the Red Serpent, all that was solved.
Legitimacy was a simple matter of fitting it in.
However, through Kassius, she was able to obtain a sacredness that was difficult to carelessly assert.
By making the child between him and Renisha the successor!
It was something she had envisioned ever since she heard of Laxus's intentions from Henry. Every moment.
Renisha pursed her lips.
"Are you feeling well?"
"Is Kassius unwell? You're dancing with me."
"...This world is truly strange. Such things are happening one after another, yet they dance with indifferent faces."
"We have to let go of those who need to be let go."
Renisha smiled faintly.
“It’s none of my business, Kassius. What’s important right now is Kassius and me. How about we talk about something else before Laxus interferes with us?”
Renisha was dancing with Kassius repeatedly, partly to avoid Laxus.
Even if he was a ruthless Emperor, what could he do with Kassius and Renisha in this situation?
“Laxus’s eyes are wide open.”
“...What is the Marquis of Danvers doing?”
“Waking up the people. Those who stupidly close their eyes and can’t even think of seeing the situation clearly.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?”
Kassius tightened his grip on Renisha’s waist.
“I’ve been holding back the urge to drag you out of there right now. What can I do to get you out sooner?”
“Soon, Kassius,”
Renisha whispered sweetly.
“Laxus will have to make a hard decision. Surrender or go to war. The latter is likely, but Duke Cloud will abandon Canary and choose Laxus again. But can a broken vessel be mended again? Time is on our side, Kassius.”
Kassius frowned.
“Don’t worry. Luna will secure our escape route.”
“How will we find out whose child Canary’s child is?”
“The temple has already been prepared. Someone has already come forward as the father, so people will have their suspicions firmly established. Otherwise, they’ll think there’s no smoke rising from the chimney. Laxus is even more suspicious. So if we just wait a little longer...”
“And what if you get hurt?”
Kassius asked through gritted teeth.
Kassius pulled Renisha close.
Their bodies were pressed together without a single gap, and they could feel each other’s body heat.
It was something that thin fabric couldn’t hide.
"I heard the Marquis of Danvers has been using Turiel's dressing room more frequently lately. Isn't it common knowledge that Madame Turiel and Renisha are in the same boat?"
“So what are you trying to say?”
“Stupid,”
The Prince said cynically.
“The Marquis of Danvers is considering making Renisha the Emperor.”
“That’s...!”
“You’re saying you’re going to change Hientri’s surname.”
A momentary silence fell.
Those words were terrifying.
The symbolic significance and power of Hientri, believed to be the origin of the Three Serpent Gods, were immense.
The people cowered in fear.
Hientri’s surname was being changed!
“You’re denying the divinity bestowed upon the royal family. Will you remain silent in the temple? Even if the imperial power surpasses the divine, you cannot ignore them. If the divinity of the royal family disappears, who will look up to the Emperor? Do you not know why the current Emperor holds power despite his madness? Because he is known as the son of the Three Serpent Gods. Because of the divinity bestowed upon Hientri in the past!”
The one who had spoken clenched his jaw, as if out of breath.
His face flushed, his anger and fear pouring out.
The first speaker, who had been listening, spoke up.
“...Renisha has Kassius. Kassius may be a knight born from slavery, but have you forgotten how he led the Chorpa War to victory?”
“What are you saying...?”
“Kassius inherited the power of the red snake. What does that mean? If Kassius’s child is born from Renisha’s womb, that child will acquire divinity!”
The man hugged his arm with both hands.
Everyone’s hearts sank.
The eyes that looked at Kassius and Renisha wavered.
He had accurately pointed out a point no one had considered.
Kassius’s child could acquire a new divinity!
The royal family could truly be turned upside down.
"And the Lottera family does have Hientri blood. In the distant past, a Princess became a Duchess. And what kind of land is Hiloshine? Wasn't that land originally a wasteland called the Black Serpent's Graveyard? Rumors are rife that Kassius revived it... Grass grows on that grave, right? The power of the three serpent gods might awaken!"
Silence fell once more.
Prejudice shattered, and their blinded vision brightened.
They saw the truth. The precious treasure that had been nestled within.
The Marquis of Danvers awakened them just in time.
"...It truly is time to choose. Hientri or Lottera?"
"Oh..."
A sigh flowed. It couldn't have been more difficult.
A soul-shaking fear gripped them.
Even the melody flowing through the hall felt like a thorn piercing them.
The Emperor's knights guarding the door seemed poised to slaughter them.
And then, a long, drawn-out second piece of music began.
Kassius and Renisha began their second dance.
Spin, spin.
The dazzling lights scattered brightly, making them stand out.
Kassius and Renisha! Aren't they the perfect pair?
In so many ways.
***
Renisha pursed her lips.
It felt effortless to be thrust into the public eye after so long.
In fact, it felt even better than before.
Whereas pity had been the norm before, now they were all admiring her.
Danvers had dropped a well-timed bomb.
She could already guess what they were talking about.
When Renisha first grasped the Emperor's intentions —when she learned Kassius was her match—she had a gut feeling.
A new world was ready to open up for her.
Kassius!
Renisha's biggest problem as Emperor was her lack of legitimacy and divinity.
But with Kassius, imbued with the power of the Red Serpent, all that was solved.
Legitimacy was a simple matter of fitting it in.
However, through Kassius, she was able to obtain a sacredness that was difficult to carelessly assert.
By making the child between him and Renisha the successor!
It was something she had envisioned ever since she heard of Laxus's intentions from Henry. Every moment.
Renisha pursed her lips.
"Are you feeling well?"
"Is Kassius unwell? You're dancing with me."
"...This world is truly strange. Such things are happening one after another, yet they dance with indifferent faces."
"We have to let go of those who need to be let go."
Renisha smiled faintly.
“It’s none of my business, Kassius. What’s important right now is Kassius and me. How about we talk about something else before Laxus interferes with us?”
Renisha was dancing with Kassius repeatedly, partly to avoid Laxus.
Even if he was a ruthless Emperor, what could he do with Kassius and Renisha in this situation?
“Laxus’s eyes are wide open.”
“...What is the Marquis of Danvers doing?”
“Waking up the people. Those who stupidly close their eyes and can’t even think of seeing the situation clearly.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?”
Kassius tightened his grip on Renisha’s waist.
“I’ve been holding back the urge to drag you out of there right now. What can I do to get you out sooner?”
“Soon, Kassius,”
Renisha whispered sweetly.
“Laxus will have to make a hard decision. Surrender or go to war. The latter is likely, but Duke Cloud will abandon Canary and choose Laxus again. But can a broken vessel be mended again? Time is on our side, Kassius.”
Kassius frowned.
“Don’t worry. Luna will secure our escape route.”
“How will we find out whose child Canary’s child is?”
“The temple has already been prepared. Someone has already come forward as the father, so people will have their suspicions firmly established. Otherwise, they’ll think there’s no smoke rising from the chimney. Laxus is even more suspicious. So if we just wait a little longer...”
“And what if you get hurt?”
Kassius asked through gritted teeth.
Kassius pulled Renisha close.
Their bodies were pressed together without a single gap, and they could feel each other’s body heat.
It was something that thin fabric couldn’t hide.
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