TSMMT Ch 101
A Tender Reunion
[Mirva] "My Lady…… Oh, my dear Lady……"
Mirva wept, caressing Dianna's face. She studied the old woman's features. The face that had looked reasonably pleasant when she was twelve years old had long withered under the harsh winds of time.
Mirva's hair was streaked with gray, and deep wrinkles carved her face. Her eyes, once glinting with cunning intelligence, had grown dim, and she even walked with a noticeable limp.
[Dianna] "Is this the person you brought?"
[Saruvia] "Yes. I wished to be of help to Your Majesty……"
[Dianna] "……"
[Saruvia] "It is best to employ a maid who functions like your own hands and feet. Hearing that you shared a connection back in Panborough, how could I refuse?"
Dianna stared silently at Mirva, then offered a cold smile. The absurdity of the situation staggered her.
[Dianna] "We shared a connection indeed……"
Saruvia had finally uncovered her weakness. A hollow laugh escaped her lips.
Saruvia spoke with a friendly smile.
[Saruvia] "I heard she was Your Majesty's nursemaid?"
[Dianna] "She was my brother's nursemaid, not mine. My mother cared for me personally."
She corrected Saruvia, then slowly closed and opened her eyes while observing the nursemaid.
Thoughts raced through her mind. If she wished to cast Mirva out immediately, she could do so. How had she driven Mirva away in the past?
Dianna had mobilized every resource at her disposal to banish Mirva back then. Her crimes were overwhelming, and Dianna could bring them to light even now.
[Mirva] "My Lady…… Please."
Mirva recognized what Dianna was contemplating. Right then, Saruvia spoke up.
[Saruvia] "His Majesty approved her entry as well."
[Dianna] "Aha, His Majesty approved as well?"
Dianna recalled Guiscard and Saruvia, whose relationship had grown suspiciously close lately. Cold ice seeped into her heart.
[Dianna] "If His Majesty desired it, I have no choice."
[Saruvia] "……"
[Dianna] "I shall accept Lady Levian's goodwill with gratitude as well."
She offered a bright smile, though her lips trembled. So many thoughts required sorting, swirling like a turbulent storm.
[Dianna] "Leave us. Everyone except Mirva, step outside."
Dismissing everyone, she remained alone in the room with Mirva.
[Mirva] "My Lady, thank you. Thank you for taking me back…… Sob……"
Tears streamed down her face. Observing those tears, Dianna sank into deep thought.
Why had Guiscard permitted Mirva's presence? For Dianna's sake? That was impossible.
In the past life, Dianna had expressed her desire to banish Mirva and had eventually driven the woman out.
Her present life was no different. Guiscard had personally witnessed how painstakingly Dianna worked to expel Mirva. If he wanted Mirva in the palace, it was because he wished to torment her.
Only then did a profound sense of isolation wash over her. Panic beat inside her chest. Dianna realized that even until this moment, she had unconsciously trusted Guiscard. She had assumed that he—he alone—would remain favorable toward her. She had believed this despite him being the very man who subjected her to such misery.
Did he arrange this to tame her because she had refused to obey lately? Was this a warning that he could surround her with such treacherous people at any time? Dark thoughts chained together incessantly.
Ah, what should she do then? Learned helplessness threatened to swallow her whole. Embracing Mirva might drag her back down that exact same path toward death.
[Mirva] "My Lady."
[Dianna] "What did you do with Emil before coming here?"
She composed her emotions calmly. Mirva widened her eyes in surprise.
[Dianna] "You should be caring for him. Why come here to serve me, someone who is practically a stranger to you now?"
[Mirva] "……"
[Dianna] "It is not as if Emil is dead."
Indeed. Unlike in her past life, he remained alive.
[Mirva] "That is…… because that boy refused to accept me……"
[Dianna] "……"
[Mirva] "Reflecting on everything, only My Lady remained. My Lady was the only one who treated me well in that estate, so……"
[Mirva] "I decided to live for My Lady's sake……"
Mirva sobbed uncontrollably. Dianna listened to the weeping with a cold expression. Had she cared for Dianna, she would never have appeared before her.
It felt thoroughly repulsive. She knew well that Mirva had not come with good intentions. Therefore, she decided to feign innocence.
[Dianna] "Very well."
[Mirva] "Pardon?"
[Dianna] "Very well. Stay here. Remain by my side in the closest position possible."
[Mirva] "Pardon?"
In that moment, Mirva stared fixedly at the mistress she had not seen in years. The face of the fully grown Dianna, ten years older, proved impossible to read. Observing the mysteriously beautiful smile upon her face, Mirva offered a smile as well.
How terrifying human malice could be—for anyone watching, this reunion appeared entirely affectionate.
Mable and the other maids were astonished by the sudden appearance of the old servant. Mirva, who claimed to be Dianna's former lady-in-waiting, became her closest attendant under Saruvia's orders, sticking relentlessly to her side.
[Mirva] "Oh, my poor Lady……!"
What baffled the maids was that Mirva wept constantly. Consequently, the maids dubbed her "Panborough's Sorrowful Flute." Constantly wailing every single day, she earned the moniker naturally. Whenever she caught sight of Dianna's face, she burst into lamentations, uttering bizarre remarks.
[Mirva] "Our poor, tragic Lady."
[Dianna] "……"
[Mirva] "Losing her homeland, forced into a marriage here. My heart aches so much for her that I can barely look at her face!"
She frequently wailed while blurting out such words.
Forced marriage.
That phrase was a taboo subject among the palace maids. Most people already knew Dianna had not desired this marriage. In fact, anyone with an ounce of perception knew it instantly, as Dianna had not smiled even once while standing as a bride back then.
Mirva loudly proclaimed that fact under the guise of pity. Fearing rumors would spread throughout the court, the maids scrambled to control the gossip.
However, the greater problem followed. Mirva treated the Lodbrog palace maids as enemy invaders who had trampled her homeland.
[Mirva] "I shall inspect this myself!"
[Mable] "Nothing harmful is inside."
Mirva routinely ignored Mable. Inspecting everything intended for Dianna's mouth, she threw tantrums, claiming Dianna desired nothing of the sort.
Saruvia, who should have mediated as a lady-in-waiting, showed utter respect toward Mirva instead. Since Leonie was not one to pay close attention to the maids, a strange atmosphere began to settle over the palace.
[Mirva] "It is only natural for a Panborough native to dress in Panborough fashion."
From goodness knows where, Mirva procured a Panborough gown, dressing Dianna in it with a bright smile.
Dianna offered no resistance. Looking at the dress, adorned with elaborate lace and ribbon ties, she fell into quiet reflection.
If asked whether she missed it, she didn't. Panborough had become that kind of ruined nation now.
As she gazed into the mirror, lost in sorrowful thought, Leonie, who was watching her, spoke up.
[Leonie] "Your Majesty, is this acceptable?"
She knit her brows, inspecting Dianna's attire with obvious disapproval.
[Leonie] "I usually don't care about such matters, but I know this crosses a line. Wearing a Panborough gown inside the Lodbrog Royal Palace? Are you unaware that eyes are watching you?"
[Leonie] "That maid was brought by Lady Levian, wasn't she? Her motive for dressing you in this is clearly—"
[Dianna] "Lady Kragel, I shall handle this myself."
At her words, Leonie released a heavy sigh.
[Leonie] "Yes, I suppose you will. You always have a plan in mind."
Seeing her pout, Dianna placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Looking puzzled for a moment, Leonie let out a dry chuckle.
[Leonie] "You are scheming something again."
She pretends she wants to do nothing, yet once the stage is set, she performs better than anyone.
Leonie shook her head softly.
Clad in the Panborough gown, Dianna glided down the corridor. Saruvia and the maids waiting outside fell into step behind her.
Glances from bystanders darted toward Dianna. Her hair, usually styled in a neat updo, cascaded down gracefully as it had during her youth. The vibrant, bright color of the dress stood out sharply against the stark, desolate background of the Lodbrog Palace.
[Saruvia] "Your Majesty, the weather is quite lovely today. How about taking a walk around the palace grounds?"
As Dianna headed toward her office, she encountered a group walking in her direction: Guiscard and the nobles emerging from a state council meeting. Conversing amongst themselves, the men halted upon spotting Dianna and her entourage.
Dianna released a dry chuckle. Ah. Their motive was to display her dressed in Panborough attire to the court. It was hardly unexpected, having occurred frequently in her past life.
The nobles standing behind Guiscard stiffened upon seeing Dianna. Before them stood a woman dressed unmistakably in Panborough fashion. Observing the uncomfortable expressions on the nobles' faces, Dianna knew Saruvia was giggling inwardly behind her back.
[Dianna] "I greet Your Majesty."
She offered an intentionally radiant smile as she bowed gracefully. At her fluid gesture, Guiscard's sharp purple gaze locked onto her.
A Lodbrog Queen wearing a Panborough gown. Far from showing awkwardness, her posture exuded absolute confidence. The vivid brilliance of the dress, akin to a flower in full bloom, complemented her pale blonde hair perfectly.
[Dianna] "How do I look?"
Maintaining a smile, she looked at Guiscard. He remained frozen, staring at her face, her small ears revealed by half-bound hair, her soft rosy skin, her slender neck, and the delicate hint of her collarbone and chest.
[Dianna] "It is a gift from Your Majesty."
The crowd turned to stare at Guiscard. Dianna's smile broadened. This dress was brought by Mirva.
Guiscard, this dress was brought by the maid you allowed in, so if this is not a gift from you, what else could it be?
At her nonchalant statement, the corners of his mouth curled upward. Was he astounded by her shifting the responsibility onto him?
[Guiscard] "Thinking you might occasionally miss the things of Panborough, I procured it on my way back. It felt like a dress that suited spring well."
[Dianna] "……"
[Guiscard] "I am merely grateful that you wore my gift out in public like this."
With those words, Guiscard gently took a strand of her hair in his hand. Dianna looked up at his face.
Huh……? Why is he smiling? Was this gift actually from him?
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