Episode 127. The One Who Departs
Prince Meteo was summoned immediately.
Since Renisha couldn't fly to Shamdir right away, summoning Prince Meteo and clearing her doubts was the priority.
"What is the Prince's brother thinking?"
Prince Meteo chuckled wryly.
"No matter how many times I knocked, he wouldn't answer."
A hint of disappointment filled his face. Renisha snickered.
"I think I need time to figure out what Prince Meteo is thinking. I'm not used to being indebted. The help Shamdir and the Prince gave me went too far to be considered a favor. Now, the tables have turned."
"Are you concluding our relationship like that?"
Prince Meteo's eyes flashed with passion, then vanished.
She was a woman who had fallen miserably and risen spectacularly.
Anyone with discerning eyes could not help but be captivated by Renisha.
"Well then."
Renisha whispered affectionately.
However, her voice was as cold as her words.
Renisha glared at Prince Meteo with a razor-sharp gaze.
“Do you think there’s something between us? To be precise, I asked if I ever gave the Prince any room to speak.”
Meteo blinked slowly.
“It was your choice to remain by my side, and it was your choice to offer help beyond the line. I appreciate your service and intend to reward you appropriately. But isn’t that all there is to our relationship?”
“Your Majesty...”
Meteo’s voice boiled.
“No Emperor has ever failed to have a concubine. So please take me in as your concubine. Let me remain not as the Prince of Shamdir, but as your lover.”
That was Meteo’s ultimate wish.
At first, he had planned to escape to Shamdir with Renisha.
There, to envision a new future with her.
He'd dreamed of such a sweet dream, but with his partner unmoving, Meteo had to seek another path.
Becoming an empress meant she could have concubines. This meant she could marry multiple men.
His pride was hurt, and he wondered if he should go this far, but thinking of Renisha, he felt suffocating, almost clogged inside, and he couldn't help it.
"Prince Meteo..."
Yesterday's controversy surfaced again.
Renisha squeezed her eyes shut.
"That's impossible. As you know, Prince, if that happens, there will be more people targeting concubines. Ultimately, it will lead to chaos. I have absolutely no intention of taking concubines. The government is no different. I don't intend to leave any doubts about my succession."
"...You know that a marriage alliance is the most powerful alliance, don't you? It's also the easiest way to appease the ministers. One day, the door will open."
Renisha nodded.
"You intend to protect him?"
"Kassius?"
Renisha smiled.
It was a refreshing laugh, unlike the conversation they were having.
Renisha touched her lips.
"No, it's my love I'm protecting. I want to protect my heart. I love Kassius. I don't want to betray that heart."
Meteor sighed. There was no room for further discussion.
"You should go back. Staying here will only fuel your empty dreams."
Now that she had ordered his expulsion, he had no more strength to endure.
Meteo's gaze wavered. He had been prepared for this, hadn't he?
From the moment Renisha's gaze deepened as she gazed at Kassius.
Renisha was a one-sided person.
That's why she sat here.
It was hard to imagine her gaze on Kassius wavering.
Meteo swallowed hard.
Even after drinking all the water from the glass, the burning feeling in his heart wouldn't subside.
Still, Meteo didn't forget that he sat here not as a man, but as a Prince.
"...Since you won't give me even a shred of your heart, I'll have to accept something in return."
Renisha crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair.
The face of an arrogant ruler.
"That's how it should be. The King of Shamdir wants his youngest Princess. What does that mean?"
"That child has been falling in love with Your Majesty the Emperor for a long time, demanding to come here. The side effects of Rosha's tears have also improved somewhat. Although her vision isn't clear, she can now distinguish objects."
“What does that mean?”
“...She wants to work in Your Majesty the Emperor’s court. She said she doesn’t care what form it takes. She wants to watch and learn from Your Majesty the Emperor, and serve you closely. She’s a holy woman.”
“The youngest Princess of Shamdir holds the right to the throne. Does the King want to let the child with the right to the throne leave?”
“She’s already signed a waiver.”
Meteo chuckled.
Sometimes, he envied his youngest sister’s decisiveness and stubbornness.
Raised with nothing but love, she didn’t know what she lacked, so she didn’t think she could be rejected.
And the King wanted to do anything for his youngest sister, who had endured such hardship.
“...Even a waiver. The Princess’s determination is remarkable.”
“That’s why I ask you to accept it. Use her as you see fit. And I hope she will serve as a bridgehead for the alliance between our two nations.”
Renisha stroked her chin.
The alliance with Shamdir.
In fact, considering the size of the entire nation, Shamdir wasn't worthy of standing on equal footing with the Hientri Empire.
Renisha was determined to elevate Hientri to the highest position.
"An alliance..."
"I know Your Majesty, the Emperor. After you've secured your position internally, you'll turn your attention externally. That's where we ask you to eliminate us."
"Please."
Renisha chuckled.
In truth, Renisha was now in debt.
Meteo could have easily asserted his superiority.
But Meteo lowered himself and said, "Please," to Renisha.
Not a legitimate request.
He liked that.
Meteo smiled, echoing her cheerful expression.
Renisha smiled like that. He hoped her path would be smooth.
Meteo's assistance was limited to guiding Renisha to the throne.
There would be no Meteo again. That was a pity in many ways.
“I understand. The Prince believes I can do it.”
“Because no one on the continent can bring about a storm like Your Majesty.”
“I will accept the Prince’s offer. As the Prince said, the Hientri Empire will not forget Shamdir’s grace. And as the King wishes, I will accept the Princess. The Princess will be recognized for her abilities and will be able to live here.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
That was the end of Renisha and Meteo’s private conversation.
Once Meteo left this place, he would not return for a while.
Perhaps ever.
Leline stared at the doctor with trembling eyes.
“Are you sure I am pregnant? It’s been four weeks since I stopped having periods.”
“...That’s right! Congratulations.”
The doctor fell flat on the floor.
Leline had finally achieved the pregnancy she had longed for. She felt one step closer to becoming Empress.
Leline smiled brightly.
“Father!”
"Yes, Leline. You've suffered."
Leline nodded, her face filled with emotion.
How humiliating it had been to invite a man she barely knew into her bedroom.
Count Flans cleared everyone out of the room.
Leline asked in a pitiful voice,
"So what will become of this child's father?"
"What shall we do? Since you've done this much for me, I'll do whatever you ask."
Leline smiled coldly.
It was time to repay the shame she'd felt.
"Kill everyone who knows about this."
Count Flans's eyes widened.
"What do you mean..."
"Yes. Not just the nanny, but the maid, and that man. Everything. Make sure no one finds out."
"Very well, Leline. For something so important, you need that level of courage."
"And the Emperor..."
Leline's eyes sparkled.
The pain in her neck from Laxus's earlier stranglehold seemed to be resurfacing.
Laxus was breaking down beyond repair.
"Please kill the Emperor too."
It was a pointless request anyway.
Leline wanted revenge on Laxus, too.
She wanted to see that man crawling at her feet.
Laxus wanted to go to the Imperial Palace, but that was nonsense.
"I want to see that man beg me, Father."
“I will do everything as you wish. Then Helena...”
It was the name of the maid Leline had been following around lately.
Leline tapped her lips with her finger.
Helena had taught Leline many things.
Things she hadn’t known during her short time in the palace.
What Helena had taught her had become a new asset for Leline.
However, wouldn’t those who could fill that role eventually spread around her? Once Leline had a child and seized power, people would flock to her.
Leline had decided that Helena was a used pawn.
“I don’t need Helena anymore.”
Leline was already wearing the splendid empress crown in her imagination.
And the day her child inherited the throne, she would become Empress Dowager.
Helena carefully left the room.
“You don’t even know the subject.”
Helena gritted her teeth.
She hadn’t come here to die at the hands of someone like Leline.
And she hadn’t waited until now to hand over Laxus’ life to someone like Leline.
Helena's lips curled up coldly.
It seemed time to enlist the help of the knights roaming outside.
Helena relayed the news, and the note was passed along to Luna and Kien through various hands.
"What did they say?"
"It's time, so they want Emperor Laxus and Helena out."
"It's time..."
"It seems she's pregnant."
Kien spat out the grass he'd been chewing.
Since capturing Henry, they'd been killing time, but now they finally had something to do.
Luna and Kien looked up at the tall, yet not-so-tall, wall of Count Flans.
The surrounding forest was thick, and they'd probably think they were concealing their location.
But what if they found out they'd been seen through from the start?
"We need to rescue two bodies. They'll be burned anyway, so let's just guess the sexes."
"Burn?"
Luna tilted her head innocently.
"Wouldn't Count Flans be the best way to cover up the Emperor's death?"
"Oh, why would you do something like that to save him?"
"Because the Emperor hasn't ordered Lexus's death yet."
Kien shrugged, as if asking such an obvious question.
Prince Meteo was summoned immediately.
Since Renisha couldn't fly to Shamdir right away, summoning Prince Meteo and clearing her doubts was the priority.
"What is the Prince's brother thinking?"
Prince Meteo chuckled wryly.
"No matter how many times I knocked, he wouldn't answer."
A hint of disappointment filled his face. Renisha snickered.
"I think I need time to figure out what Prince Meteo is thinking. I'm not used to being indebted. The help Shamdir and the Prince gave me went too far to be considered a favor. Now, the tables have turned."
"Are you concluding our relationship like that?"
Prince Meteo's eyes flashed with passion, then vanished.
She was a woman who had fallen miserably and risen spectacularly.
Anyone with discerning eyes could not help but be captivated by Renisha.
"Well then."
Renisha whispered affectionately.
However, her voice was as cold as her words.
Renisha glared at Prince Meteo with a razor-sharp gaze.
“Do you think there’s something between us? To be precise, I asked if I ever gave the Prince any room to speak.”
Meteo blinked slowly.
“It was your choice to remain by my side, and it was your choice to offer help beyond the line. I appreciate your service and intend to reward you appropriately. But isn’t that all there is to our relationship?”
“Your Majesty...”
Meteo’s voice boiled.
“No Emperor has ever failed to have a concubine. So please take me in as your concubine. Let me remain not as the Prince of Shamdir, but as your lover.”
That was Meteo’s ultimate wish.
At first, he had planned to escape to Shamdir with Renisha.
There, to envision a new future with her.
He'd dreamed of such a sweet dream, but with his partner unmoving, Meteo had to seek another path.
Becoming an empress meant she could have concubines. This meant she could marry multiple men.
His pride was hurt, and he wondered if he should go this far, but thinking of Renisha, he felt suffocating, almost clogged inside, and he couldn't help it.
"Prince Meteo..."
Yesterday's controversy surfaced again.
Renisha squeezed her eyes shut.
"That's impossible. As you know, Prince, if that happens, there will be more people targeting concubines. Ultimately, it will lead to chaos. I have absolutely no intention of taking concubines. The government is no different. I don't intend to leave any doubts about my succession."
"...You know that a marriage alliance is the most powerful alliance, don't you? It's also the easiest way to appease the ministers. One day, the door will open."
Renisha nodded.
“That might happen. I don't think being Emperor means I can do whatever I want. But I intend to watch as much as I can.”
"Kassius?"
Renisha smiled.
It was a refreshing laugh, unlike the conversation they were having.
Renisha touched her lips.
"No, it's my love I'm protecting. I want to protect my heart. I love Kassius. I don't want to betray that heart."
Meteor sighed. There was no room for further discussion.
"You should go back. Staying here will only fuel your empty dreams."
Now that she had ordered his expulsion, he had no more strength to endure.
Meteo's gaze wavered. He had been prepared for this, hadn't he?
From the moment Renisha's gaze deepened as she gazed at Kassius.
Renisha was a one-sided person.
That's why she sat here.
It was hard to imagine her gaze on Kassius wavering.
Meteo swallowed hard.
Even after drinking all the water from the glass, the burning feeling in his heart wouldn't subside.
Still, Meteo didn't forget that he sat here not as a man, but as a Prince.
"...Since you won't give me even a shred of your heart, I'll have to accept something in return."
Renisha crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair.
The face of an arrogant ruler.
"That's how it should be. The King of Shamdir wants his youngest Princess. What does that mean?"
"That child has been falling in love with Your Majesty the Emperor for a long time, demanding to come here. The side effects of Rosha's tears have also improved somewhat. Although her vision isn't clear, she can now distinguish objects."
“What does that mean?”
“...She wants to work in Your Majesty the Emperor’s court. She said she doesn’t care what form it takes. She wants to watch and learn from Your Majesty the Emperor, and serve you closely. She’s a holy woman.”
“The youngest Princess of Shamdir holds the right to the throne. Does the King want to let the child with the right to the throne leave?”
“She’s already signed a waiver.”
Meteo chuckled.
Sometimes, he envied his youngest sister’s decisiveness and stubbornness.
Raised with nothing but love, she didn’t know what she lacked, so she didn’t think she could be rejected.
And the King wanted to do anything for his youngest sister, who had endured such hardship.
“...Even a waiver. The Princess’s determination is remarkable.”
“That’s why I ask you to accept it. Use her as you see fit. And I hope she will serve as a bridgehead for the alliance between our two nations.”
Renisha stroked her chin.
The alliance with Shamdir.
In fact, considering the size of the entire nation, Shamdir wasn't worthy of standing on equal footing with the Hientri Empire.
Renisha was determined to elevate Hientri to the highest position.
"An alliance..."
"I know Your Majesty, the Emperor. After you've secured your position internally, you'll turn your attention externally. That's where we ask you to eliminate us."
"Please."
Renisha chuckled.
In truth, Renisha was now in debt.
Meteo could have easily asserted his superiority.
But Meteo lowered himself and said, "Please," to Renisha.
Not a legitimate request.
He liked that.
Meteo smiled, echoing her cheerful expression.
Renisha smiled like that. He hoped her path would be smooth.
Meteo's assistance was limited to guiding Renisha to the throne.
There would be no Meteo again. That was a pity in many ways.
“I understand. The Prince believes I can do it.”
“Because no one on the continent can bring about a storm like Your Majesty.”
“I will accept the Prince’s offer. As the Prince said, the Hientri Empire will not forget Shamdir’s grace. And as the King wishes, I will accept the Princess. The Princess will be recognized for her abilities and will be able to live here.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
That was the end of Renisha and Meteo’s private conversation.
Once Meteo left this place, he would not return for a while.
Perhaps ever.
***
Leline stared at the doctor with trembling eyes.
“Are you sure I am pregnant? It’s been four weeks since I stopped having periods.”
“...That’s right! Congratulations.”
The doctor fell flat on the floor.
Leline had finally achieved the pregnancy she had longed for. She felt one step closer to becoming Empress.
Leline smiled brightly.
“Father!”
"Yes, Leline. You've suffered."
Leline nodded, her face filled with emotion.
How humiliating it had been to invite a man she barely knew into her bedroom.
Count Flans cleared everyone out of the room.
Leline asked in a pitiful voice,
"So what will become of this child's father?"
"What shall we do? Since you've done this much for me, I'll do whatever you ask."
Leline smiled coldly.
It was time to repay the shame she'd felt.
"Kill everyone who knows about this."
Count Flans's eyes widened.
"What do you mean..."
"Yes. Not just the nanny, but the maid, and that man. Everything. Make sure no one finds out."
"Very well, Leline. For something so important, you need that level of courage."
"And the Emperor..."
Leline's eyes sparkled.
The pain in her neck from Laxus's earlier stranglehold seemed to be resurfacing.
Laxus was breaking down beyond repair.
"Please kill the Emperor too."
It was a pointless request anyway.
Leline wanted revenge on Laxus, too.
She wanted to see that man crawling at her feet.
Laxus wanted to go to the Imperial Palace, but that was nonsense.
"I want to see that man beg me, Father."
“I will do everything as you wish. Then Helena...”
It was the name of the maid Leline had been following around lately.
Leline tapped her lips with her finger.
Helena had taught Leline many things.
Things she hadn’t known during her short time in the palace.
What Helena had taught her had become a new asset for Leline.
However, wouldn’t those who could fill that role eventually spread around her? Once Leline had a child and seized power, people would flock to her.
Leline had decided that Helena was a used pawn.
“I don’t need Helena anymore.”
Leline was already wearing the splendid empress crown in her imagination.
And the day her child inherited the throne, she would become Empress Dowager.
***
Helena carefully left the room.
“You don’t even know the subject.”
Helena gritted her teeth.
She hadn’t come here to die at the hands of someone like Leline.
And she hadn’t waited until now to hand over Laxus’ life to someone like Leline.
Helena's lips curled up coldly.
It seemed time to enlist the help of the knights roaming outside.
Helena relayed the news, and the note was passed along to Luna and Kien through various hands.
"What did they say?"
"It's time, so they want Emperor Laxus and Helena out."
"It's time..."
"It seems she's pregnant."
Kien spat out the grass he'd been chewing.
Since capturing Henry, they'd been killing time, but now they finally had something to do.
Luna and Kien looked up at the tall, yet not-so-tall, wall of Count Flans.
The surrounding forest was thick, and they'd probably think they were concealing their location.
But what if they found out they'd been seen through from the start?
"We need to rescue two bodies. They'll be burned anyway, so let's just guess the sexes."
"Burn?"
Luna tilted her head innocently.
"Wouldn't Count Flans be the best way to cover up the Emperor's death?"
"Oh, why would you do something like that to save him?"
"Because the Emperor hasn't ordered Lexus's death yet."
Kien shrugged, as if asking such an obvious question.
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