“What promise did you receive from Canary? Oh, a seat next to my son? Planning to try holding this empire in your hands someday? Can that child really become the emperor?”
Canary properly dressed herself for the first time in a while. To think of her as a bird confined to a cage, told to sing, yet biting her owner.
“What did you promise Canary? Ah, a seat next to my son? Planning to try holding this empire in your hands someday? Can that child really become the emperor?”
“Your Majesty, what are you talking about? Your Majesty is in such good health. And according to the natural order, Prince Lexis will succeed Your Majesty later. It’s only natural.”
“What if I don’t allow that? Duke Cloud, isn’t it too early of a choice?”
“Your Majesty, please don’t act like a child.”
Duke Cloud lifted his pointed chin.
If he gave in here, he would be behind for the rest of his life.
There were too many onlookers, and he couldn’t afford to yield.
Duke Cloud’s power had come from Lexus all this time.
Because Lexus had given him a chance. And it had to remain that way.
Duke Cloud’s heart pounded.
“…If that’s what you think, then it must be true. If I seem like a child, and if you think that child could become an emperor. Right, Duke Cloud?”
“…”
“If that’s the case, then so be it. I brought you as my mentor to check on Rothera. But now it seems I’ve raised a hunting dog that bites its owner.”
Lexus straightened up.
He had come to take the child from Canary, but the goal had failed.
Lexus smirked.
“I won’t reveal the prince’s name. No one should name the child. Except for Renisha!”
Even Duke Cloud couldn’t prevent this.
Because only the emperor or someone permitted by the emperor could name a direct imperial.
Duke Cloud swept his beard with an unpleasant expression.
Still, where could the emperor retreat?
Lexus turned sharply.
Canary. What punishment should be given to the bird that betrayed him?
His pupils glowed with anger.
With a deep purple hue.
“Thuriel, you’ve heard the news, right? Duke Cloud is holding out in Canary’s palace.”
“Yes, I heard. Duke Cloud’s soldiers fill that palace.”
“Duke Cloud is openly rebelling against Lexus. Lexus won’t abandon Duke Cloud yet. He needs more hands to catch.”
Thuriel nodded.
There was joy on Thuriel’s face, having met Renisha after a long time.
“I’m glad you’ve been well. I was so worried after entering the palace…!”
Thuriel grinned.
Renisha sharpened her gaze.
When Renisha decided to enter the imperial palace to save Haelin, it seemed like Thuriel’s eyes were rolling.
At least Cassius thought of bringing Luna with him because she could skillfully wield a sword and could be helpful in emergencies.
The imperial palace was, of course, not the place for Luna, who didn’t even suit the dress she had made. However, for Renisha, Luna could endure anything.
Moreover, Haelin was here too, and there were those captured by Thuriel.
“If there’s anything uncomfortable, feel free to say, Lady Renisha.”
“No. I’m doing well now. Luna, have you changed into the clothes?”
“Ah, I really hate this!”
Luna screamed.
She was being led by the hands of those brought in by Thuriel to change clothes.
Thuriel’s laughter and Luna’s scream put a damper on the atmosphere.
“Do you know how much that dress costs!”
Thuriel stood up abruptly.
“Then try on another dress. All of them!”
“Ugh! I’m not a doll!”
In the end, Luna, who ran out in a mess, raised her head.
If she had known that the imperial palace was like this, she would never have come in! She was deceived by Cassius.
“Luna, didn’t you want to become like me?”
“What?”
“Your expression said exactly that.”
Renisha giggled.
With a smile, her bent pink eyes turned towards Luna.
Luna was taken aback.
Did she want to become like Renisha?
Of course she did.
Because Cassius seemed to like women like Renisha.
She thought that if she wore a dress, Luna could be as beautiful as Renisha. Even more than Renisha!
“In everything, it takes bone-chilling effort, Luna. It takes a lifetime to act and speak like me. Just like you train with a sword, I achieved this appearance.”
“…Holding a sword is more difficult. It requires a very long practice.”
“I’m the same, Luna. I trained all my life. From these gestures, eye expressions, and even the way of thinking and speaking. So if you want to be like me, you have to make an effort.”
Luna puffed her cheeks.
“You don’t have to!”
“No. I need you now, Luna. There are three days left. It’s a festival honoring the Three Snake Gods. The emperor is thinking of taking me there. And I will willingly attend. Do you think I’ll let myself go alone?”
Renisha tilted her head with a smirk.
This time, she looked like an innocent little girl.
Luna raised her eyebrows.
When Luna came here, she promised Cassius.
She promised to protect Renisha at all costs.
She wouldn’t let Renisha go alone anywhere.
If Renisha ended up going alone, it would be a breach of the promise.
“No… Absolutely not!”
“Good. Then go in and choose a dress that you like. Choose the one that suits you the best.”
Luna stomped her foot and rolled back inside.
Renisha drank tea elegantly.
It felt like she had gained a mischievous younger sister. Quite adorable.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
