Episode 126. Paying the Price
Peace had come to Hiloshine, albeit at a slow, turtle-like pace.
Brixton's rehabilitation had begun. His wheat-colored skin had paled from lack of sunlight, and his body, bedridden, had lost some of its muscle mass, making him appear even more withered.
Nevertheless, his thick eyebrows and tightly pressed lips radiated a will and tenacity for life. Sweat beaded on Brixton's forehead.
"You're doing great, Brixton!"
Haylin cheered, clenching her fists. Haylin's small face, which had been pensive for a moment, now showed a faint smile. Brixton blinked at this.
There had certainly been moments when he wanted to give up. His legs wouldn't move, and he couldn't even train with this body.
For Brixton, who had spent his entire life wielding a sword, this was hell. But seeing Haylin smiling like that, he couldn't give up.
Brixton had to live long enough to protect Haylin and Isabella. Just as he had failed to protect them!
While Brixton lay in bed, Haylin had ably protected not only Isabella and Brixton but also Hiloshine. Haylin hadn't given up, so how could he?
"Just a little more, just a little more..."
Brixton overcame the pain and took his last step. Haylin hugged Brixton tightly. Haylin said in a voice choked with tears.
"Thank you, Brixton. Thank you so much, thank you so much."
Brixton relaxed as he listened to her breathless voice. His heart pounded. Every day was painful when he thought of rehabilitation, but thinking of Haylin's smiling face brought a new dawn.
Sometimes, he thought, "Thank you, Brixton, for enduring this." He didn't want to share this pain with Haylin or Isabella. Brixton leaned gently against Haylin.
“Thank you too, Hayley... I love you,”
Brixton whispered. Haylin nuzzled her head into Brixton’s embrace.
At first, she’d been upset when they’d decided to send Isabella to the capital. It felt like they were being too incompetent and too little, separating the child from her.
But looking back, Isabella was having a wonderful time in this new world, and Haylin was able to focus on Brixton.
And now, it seemed like Brixton was thinking of Isabella as well.
“Isabella is doing well, right?”
‘I cannot bear the young Prince, who has received Renisha’s grace, making such a fuss. I wish you would take him in.’
Peace had come to Hiloshine, albeit at a slow, turtle-like pace.
Brixton's rehabilitation had begun. His wheat-colored skin had paled from lack of sunlight, and his body, bedridden, had lost some of its muscle mass, making him appear even more withered.
Nevertheless, his thick eyebrows and tightly pressed lips radiated a will and tenacity for life. Sweat beaded on Brixton's forehead.
"You're doing great, Brixton!"
Haylin cheered, clenching her fists. Haylin's small face, which had been pensive for a moment, now showed a faint smile. Brixton blinked at this.
There had certainly been moments when he wanted to give up. His legs wouldn't move, and he couldn't even train with this body.
For Brixton, who had spent his entire life wielding a sword, this was hell. But seeing Haylin smiling like that, he couldn't give up.
Brixton had to live long enough to protect Haylin and Isabella. Just as he had failed to protect them!
While Brixton lay in bed, Haylin had ably protected not only Isabella and Brixton but also Hiloshine. Haylin hadn't given up, so how could he?
"Just a little more, just a little more..."
Brixton overcame the pain and took his last step. Haylin hugged Brixton tightly. Haylin said in a voice choked with tears.
"Thank you, Brixton. Thank you so much, thank you so much."
Brixton relaxed as he listened to her breathless voice. His heart pounded. Every day was painful when he thought of rehabilitation, but thinking of Haylin's smiling face brought a new dawn.
Sometimes, he thought, "Thank you, Brixton, for enduring this." He didn't want to share this pain with Haylin or Isabella. Brixton leaned gently against Haylin.
“Thank you too, Hayley... I love you,”
Brixton whispered. Haylin nuzzled her head into Brixton’s embrace.
At first, she’d been upset when they’d decided to send Isabella to the capital. It felt like they were being too incompetent and too little, separating the child from her.
But looking back, Isabella was having a wonderful time in this new world, and Haylin was able to focus on Brixton.
And now, it seemed like Brixton was thinking of Isabella as well.
“Isabella is doing well, right?”
“You don’t distrust Renisha, do you? Isabella is getting better little by little. She’s meeting new people and experiencing new things there.”
“...Because her memories here won’t be happy,”
Brixton said bitterly. It felt like Isabella’s hurt was all his fault. Haylin rubbed Brixton’s back.
“Brixton, but we still protected Isabella.”
"Maybe that child survived. She's stronger than us."
The war and the circumstances may have cast a sad shadow over her face, but Isabella was strong.
"She wants to go to Academia. She says there's so much she wants to learn there."
"Pfft. Sometimes I see her like Renisha. Renisha used to be like that, too."
"That's because Renisha always carried Isabella around."
Haylin smiled faintly.
"She's been like that since she was little. So it's only natural they'd resemble each other."
This peaceful daily life was so precious. Haylin was trying to have as many conversations with Brixton as possible and spend as much time together as possible.
If Haylin had learned anything this time, it was that regrets are too late.
If Brixton hadn't woken up, Haylin would have sent him away without being able to say a single word she had in her heart.
"I love you, Brixton."
Please, let this daily life continue. Sometimes, it hurts and I feel sad, but I hope I can be by your side even in those moments. I hope that happiness will last until you tire of it.
Haylin prayed fervently.
Henry arrived in peaceful Hiloshine that afternoon. He, the traitor of Hiloshine, had returned. It was time for the weight of blood to be added once again to Hiloshine's dark shadow.
"Today, we will discuss Lottera."
Renisha smiled gently. Renisha had changed considerably. Unlike her previous sharp and cold demeanor, she now exuded a gentle and elegant air.
Of course, that didn't mean Renisha's inherent dignity or charisma had vanished. Rather, it was as if she harbored a sense of intimidation within the abyss, enveloped in a calm surface.
What is unseen is more frightening.
Lottera in such a situation. Just hearing the name made their head spin. The deposed Emperor had unjustly destroyed Lottera, and the Emperor sitting before her was a descendant of Lottera.
Moreover, hadn't Lottera's surviving descendants returned? Furthermore, Kassius was carrying on Lottera's legacy.
The cabinet ministers wore tense expressions.
There was no clear answer. It seemed like any words would inevitably lead to a loophole. What did Renisha want now?
Everyone was watching each other closely to see who would speak first. The Marquis of Danvers spoke first. He had recently risen to become Renisha's closest confidant, thrilling the hearts of noblewomen with unmarried daughters.
"Lottera must regain its former status. We must return Lottera's confiscated assets and clear their names."
That was it. Though she had become Emperor, Renisha's roots lay in Lottera. In this peculiar situation, the Marquis of Danvers offered a path.
"That's right! Lottera is not a criminal, but a hero. They deserve rewards, not punishments!"
The nobles raised their voices. Renisha smiled. Why, at times like this, did those spring-pink eyes appear blood-red? The nobles shrugged. Renisha asked the next question.
"Since everyone agrees, I'll consider it too. Now, then, who should be the master of Lottera?"
It was a question that once again silenced the cabinet ministers. Marquis Danvers sighed, watching them keep their mouths shut like lilies. Seeing this, he envied Turiel, who must be working comfortably in the costume shop.
Didn't he just throw everything away, saying he didn't want to be in a situation like this? Marquis Danvers clicked his tongue. How could they, who always ate the food served, have the courage to speak?
"I believe that the master of Lottera should be Brixton and his descendants."
As expected, Danvers spoke first.
"Not Duke Kassius?"
“Duke Kassius’s descendants are of royal blood. We don’t know whether Her Majesty the Emperor will give birth to a Prince or a Princess, but one of them will become Emperor.”
The nobles nodded.
“That’s right.”
“I agree.”
Renisha rolled her eyes at the pathetic bastards and then returned her gaze to Marquis Danvers.
“So, the title of Lottera is of no importance to them. However, Lottera is the first family to step forward in times of national crisis. Therefore, I believe it is only fitting that Lady Haylin, who has fulfilled that duty, take that position. Unfortunately, Lord Brixton has acquired a disability. It will be difficult for him to assume the position of head of Lottera. However, Lord Brixton has mastered all of Lottera’s swordsmanship.”
Marquis Danvers paused and quenched his thirst with water. No one dared to speak after Marquis Danvers. Finally, Marquis Danvers continued with a sigh.
“The war has greatly reduced the number of knights in Lottera. Therefore, I entrust Lord Brixton with the task of training new knights.”
“Oh! That would be fine.”
The finance minister, who had begun speaking, clenched his jaw. His incompetence in not having thought of such a thing first was evident.
“Furthermore, I believe it is right to bestow a new title on Lord Kassius. He has not yet been properly rewarded for his deeds on the Chorpa Plains.”
“...Oh. I will accept the Marquis’s opinion. We will continue this discussion later. Afterwards, we will discuss what kind of compensation we should bestow on Prince Meteo and Shamdir.”
Renisha then brought up the next topic. Meteo was still in the capital. He was helping Renisha stabilize the island.
However, not all help comes without a price. Renisha intended to pay Meteo a fair price, if only to relieve the burden of indebtedness that weighed heavily on her heart.
“…Hmm.”
The cabinet ministers remained silent once again. Renisha laughed.
“I’ve brought in some tight-lipped people.”
Fortunately, there was at least one person with some sense of purpose.
“Prince Meteo was a great help in Your Majesty’s rise to this position. In fact, considering his status and his position, I believe it’s only right to have him as a concubine.”
A concubine! Yes, there was such a system!
A commotion erupted among the cabinet ministers. Once Prince Meteo was in the concubine’s fold, the next step would be easier. New candidates would undoubtedly emerge.
And the next...
Renisha chuckled. The commotion quickly subsided.
“Unfortunately, I’m too much for just one person. How can I possibly look after them all with so much to do? I’m sure there will be some who are disappointed.”
And Renisha didn’t want to hurt Kassius. In Kassius’s world, Renisha was everything.
She hated seeing that kind man tremble at her words and shed tears. Renisha was very generous and generous to her dog, so she decided to make a choice for him this time as well.
"There will be no more concubines in the future."
“But, Your Majesty!”
“Originally, the concubine system was established to ensure the royal family had many descendants. But this time, on the contrary, I’m the only one who can bear a child.”
Renisha smiled crookedly, her chin resting on her hand.
“Let’s think about it when the time comes when men can bear children.”
This meant, don’t even dream about it. The nobles clenched their jaws.
“How about giving Prince Meteo a fitting title? And it would also be a good idea to negotiate with Shamdir and grant him what he wants.”
“Oh. Just what Shamdir wants.”
Meteo insisted that he was simply repaying a favor. However, when you factor in the total, it was Renisha who actually had to repay the favor.
Renisha was lost in thought.
The meeting ended without any idea what Shamdir would demand. And the answer came from Shamdir.
To summarize.
“...Because her memories here won’t be happy,”
Brixton said bitterly. It felt like Isabella’s hurt was all his fault. Haylin rubbed Brixton’s back.
“Brixton, but we still protected Isabella.”
"Maybe that child survived. She's stronger than us."
The war and the circumstances may have cast a sad shadow over her face, but Isabella was strong.
"She wants to go to Academia. She says there's so much she wants to learn there."
"Pfft. Sometimes I see her like Renisha. Renisha used to be like that, too."
"That's because Renisha always carried Isabella around."
Haylin smiled faintly.
"She's been like that since she was little. So it's only natural they'd resemble each other."
This peaceful daily life was so precious. Haylin was trying to have as many conversations with Brixton as possible and spend as much time together as possible.
If Haylin had learned anything this time, it was that regrets are too late.
If Brixton hadn't woken up, Haylin would have sent him away without being able to say a single word she had in her heart.
"I love you, Brixton."
Please, let this daily life continue. Sometimes, it hurts and I feel sad, but I hope I can be by your side even in those moments. I hope that happiness will last until you tire of it.
Haylin prayed fervently.
Henry arrived in peaceful Hiloshine that afternoon. He, the traitor of Hiloshine, had returned. It was time for the weight of blood to be added once again to Hiloshine's dark shadow.
***
"Today, we will discuss Lottera."
Renisha smiled gently. Renisha had changed considerably. Unlike her previous sharp and cold demeanor, she now exuded a gentle and elegant air.
Of course, that didn't mean Renisha's inherent dignity or charisma had vanished. Rather, it was as if she harbored a sense of intimidation within the abyss, enveloped in a calm surface.
What is unseen is more frightening.
Lottera in such a situation. Just hearing the name made their head spin. The deposed Emperor had unjustly destroyed Lottera, and the Emperor sitting before her was a descendant of Lottera.
Moreover, hadn't Lottera's surviving descendants returned? Furthermore, Kassius was carrying on Lottera's legacy.
The cabinet ministers wore tense expressions.
There was no clear answer. It seemed like any words would inevitably lead to a loophole. What did Renisha want now?
Everyone was watching each other closely to see who would speak first. The Marquis of Danvers spoke first. He had recently risen to become Renisha's closest confidant, thrilling the hearts of noblewomen with unmarried daughters.
"Lottera must regain its former status. We must return Lottera's confiscated assets and clear their names."
That was it. Though she had become Emperor, Renisha's roots lay in Lottera. In this peculiar situation, the Marquis of Danvers offered a path.
"That's right! Lottera is not a criminal, but a hero. They deserve rewards, not punishments!"
The nobles raised their voices. Renisha smiled. Why, at times like this, did those spring-pink eyes appear blood-red? The nobles shrugged. Renisha asked the next question.
"Since everyone agrees, I'll consider it too. Now, then, who should be the master of Lottera?"
It was a question that once again silenced the cabinet ministers. Marquis Danvers sighed, watching them keep their mouths shut like lilies. Seeing this, he envied Turiel, who must be working comfortably in the costume shop.
Didn't he just throw everything away, saying he didn't want to be in a situation like this? Marquis Danvers clicked his tongue. How could they, who always ate the food served, have the courage to speak?
"I believe that the master of Lottera should be Brixton and his descendants."
As expected, Danvers spoke first.
"Not Duke Kassius?"
“Duke Kassius’s descendants are of royal blood. We don’t know whether Her Majesty the Emperor will give birth to a Prince or a Princess, but one of them will become Emperor.”
The nobles nodded.
“That’s right.”
“I agree.”
Renisha rolled her eyes at the pathetic bastards and then returned her gaze to Marquis Danvers.
“So, the title of Lottera is of no importance to them. However, Lottera is the first family to step forward in times of national crisis. Therefore, I believe it is only fitting that Lady Haylin, who has fulfilled that duty, take that position. Unfortunately, Lord Brixton has acquired a disability. It will be difficult for him to assume the position of head of Lottera. However, Lord Brixton has mastered all of Lottera’s swordsmanship.”
Marquis Danvers paused and quenched his thirst with water. No one dared to speak after Marquis Danvers. Finally, Marquis Danvers continued with a sigh.
“The war has greatly reduced the number of knights in Lottera. Therefore, I entrust Lord Brixton with the task of training new knights.”
“Oh! That would be fine.”
The finance minister, who had begun speaking, clenched his jaw. His incompetence in not having thought of such a thing first was evident.
“Furthermore, I believe it is right to bestow a new title on Lord Kassius. He has not yet been properly rewarded for his deeds on the Chorpa Plains.”
“...Oh. I will accept the Marquis’s opinion. We will continue this discussion later. Afterwards, we will discuss what kind of compensation we should bestow on Prince Meteo and Shamdir.”
Renisha then brought up the next topic. Meteo was still in the capital. He was helping Renisha stabilize the island.
However, not all help comes without a price. Renisha intended to pay Meteo a fair price, if only to relieve the burden of indebtedness that weighed heavily on her heart.
“…Hmm.”
The cabinet ministers remained silent once again. Renisha laughed.
“I’ve brought in some tight-lipped people.”
Fortunately, there was at least one person with some sense of purpose.
“Prince Meteo was a great help in Your Majesty’s rise to this position. In fact, considering his status and his position, I believe it’s only right to have him as a concubine.”
A concubine! Yes, there was such a system!
A commotion erupted among the cabinet ministers. Once Prince Meteo was in the concubine’s fold, the next step would be easier. New candidates would undoubtedly emerge.
And the next...
Renisha chuckled. The commotion quickly subsided.
“Unfortunately, I’m too much for just one person. How can I possibly look after them all with so much to do? I’m sure there will be some who are disappointed.”
And Renisha didn’t want to hurt Kassius. In Kassius’s world, Renisha was everything.
She hated seeing that kind man tremble at her words and shed tears. Renisha was very generous and generous to her dog, so she decided to make a choice for him this time as well.
"There will be no more concubines in the future."
“But, Your Majesty!”
“Originally, the concubine system was established to ensure the royal family had many descendants. But this time, on the contrary, I’m the only one who can bear a child.”
Renisha smiled crookedly, her chin resting on her hand.
“Let’s think about it when the time comes when men can bear children.”
This meant, don’t even dream about it. The nobles clenched their jaws.
“How about giving Prince Meteo a fitting title? And it would also be a good idea to negotiate with Shamdir and grant him what he wants.”
“Oh. Just what Shamdir wants.”
Meteo insisted that he was simply repaying a favor. However, when you factor in the total, it was Renisha who actually had to repay the favor.
Renisha was lost in thought.
The meeting ended without any idea what Shamdir would demand. And the answer came from Shamdir.
To summarize.
‘I cannot bear the young Prince, who has received Renisha’s grace, making such a fuss. I wish you would take him in.’
Comments
Post a Comment