Guiscard didn't clearly remember those times. However, he remembered Herya's sharp voice. The forest was vast, and they slept with cave ceilings for roofs and piles of grass for beds. Having grown up in human civilization, Guiscard found it harder than expected. Grumbling, she gave him berries or mushrooms, managing to stave off starvation to some degree, though it was never enough. Yet, Herya survived effortlessly on just a couple of fruits. Unlike Guiscard, who grew increas

In truth, Guiscard Lodbrog had never been granted the Lodbrog surname. He was merely the son of a maid whom Herya had brought from Panborough. Everyone believed this, even Guiscard himself. [Herya] "Shut that kid up! He's too loud!" That was Herya, the woman in his memories. Young Guiscard swallowed his sobs as the woman he believed to be his mother roughly gagged his mouth. He looked up at Herya, covering her ears, glaring down at him. With radiant golden hair and striking g

Unprepared, his aura failed to unleash its full power and was gradually swallowed by the dragon's beam. Dianna could only stare at the back of the man standing in front of her. Fearing that calling his name or touching him might break his resolve, she remained motionless. It was only a fleeting moment, yet time stretched agonizingly slow. The sound of sizzling flesh resonated alongside the acrid stench of burning hair. Overwhelmed by dread, she finally screamed. [Dianna] "Get

She would rarely have reason to return to the capital. Once she mastered spirit arts, she could settle in Cagliari or work alongside Barot, the Mercenary King, in her grandfather's merchant guild. Even so, Dianna kept gazing out the window. Is he still asleep? Does he have no intention of seeing me off? Or is this truly the end now that our ties are severed? [Sasha] "You left behind so much." Dianna flinched, feeling struck to the core. Sasha possessed an uncanny ability to s

She didn't even know why she engaged in such intimacy. Following his confession, her feelings had tangled into an intricate web, offering no clear answer beyond her absolute resolve to leave. She wished to spend time with him without the burden of their past, to share his warmth. That was all. Just as he lusted for her body, she lusted for his. Whether stemming from lingering attachment or vengeance mattered little. Dianna looked down at the man lying beneath her. Lustrous bl

[O Dragon, entity destined for eternal dawn, Was the one you loved a flower destined to wither? Was the one you loved a star that shines only in the night? The maiden weeps, burying her face in pale hands, O beloved, In the forest where I met you, ah— You, who resembled the night dew. I shall cherish the withered wasteland where you lingered. I no longer fear a morning bereft of stars. Here with you, ah— The sorrow-stricken maiden weeps bitterly. Thus did sorrow drench the ea

[Sasha] "It has been far too long. Ah, I suppose I should greet you as Her Majesty the Queen of the Lodbrog Kingdom now." [Dianna] "..." [Sasha] "Greetings to Her Majesty, the Queen of Lodbrog." Sasha bowed in reverence. Dianna bit her lip in indescribable emotion. [Dianna] "Please, speak casually with me. This feels uncomfortable." [Sasha] "Still..." [Dianna] "It is a position I will be stepping down from soon anyway." Receiving such formal deference from Sasha felt agonizin

It was a ridiculous conclusion. In the end, everything she possessed was destroyed by the slave she had saved. Forced into such a state, she struggled to turn away from her feelings, and this was the result of that denial. Too much time had passed, far too much. In this second life, Dianna deliberately blocked out her feelings for Guiscard, striving never to dwell on them. Human emotions were treacherous, making self-deception frighteningly easy. She convinced herself that sh

She stared at him, her expression frozen. What could she possibly say? The comb slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the floor. It was a sudden confession. Or was it? Deep down, she knew it was not sudden. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Love? Love? Did I mishear him? Like a single drop of ink spreading in clear water, shock slowly washed across her face. He looked directly into her eyes. [Guiscard] "I know. You never wanted to know this." [Dianna] "..." [Guiscard]

The path the young girl walked was righteous. Because she walked a righteous path, there ought to have been a happy ending. She lived a second life. Knowing the future, she should have escaped every danger. Life should have been better than before. Only then would her past agony and misfortune be compensated. That was how the world was supposed to work. Yet, the laws of the world Dianna believed in betrayed her entirely. In the pitch-black nights, all she could do was repeat

Guiscard received the report. Because Alexa had tipped him off upon entering the palace, he maintained a cautious eye on a certain guest who had entered. [Logaple] "Attacking Her Majesty?! I will kill him myself!" Logaple shouted, grinding his teeth. The Vargrhati Order shared his outrage. Guiscard pinched the bridge of his nose. Emil and Dianna were hardly on good terms. In fact, he had once instigated Guiscard to harm her. Yet, Dianna had let it slide even while knowing the

[Alexa] "Oh, what should I do, Sister? I'm terrified!" Cupping her hands over her mouth, she cried out in distress. It was an astonishing performance. When did she grow so adept at acting? Dianna offered a hollow chuckle as Alexa buried herself in her arms, feigning fright. She watched Emil being dragged away. She could have formally summoned her brother and executed him in her capacity as queen. The list of his crimes was extensive, she could condemn him for years of abuse o