TSMMT Ch 102

The Slave of the Greenhouse

Guiscard gripped her hair and kissed her. Dianna stood frozen, studying his expression. This brought sheer confusion. His demeanor differed entirely from his recent cold indifference.

The harsh lines of his face relaxed softly, echoing the warmth of spring. A strange vitality animated his features. As though the sight of her wearing the gown he brought delighted him, Guiscard stared intently at Dianna.

An atmosphere soft as a spring breeze wrapped around them. She gazed at him with indescribable emotion.

[Guiscard] "A person occasionally misses their homeland."

[D. Levian] "Still…… Panborough is hardly a place filled with fond memories."

Someone cleared his throat repeatedly, scanning Dianna's attire with cold eyes. She instantly recognized the face—Duke Levian, a man with cold green eyes.

Clicking his tongue, Duke Levian evaluated Dianna from head to toe. It was an excessively insolent gaze toward a queen.

[D. Levian] "How could she wear a Panborough gown……"

[Guiscard] "A gown is merely a gown."

Cutting off his words with a cold rebuke, Guiscard stared at him.

Did Guiscard wish to deny the cold rift between husband and wife? Dianna offered a bright smile and took his hand.

[Dianna] "I shall cherish Your Majesty's gift. I never expected you to bring me something from Panborough."

[Guiscard] "……"

[Dianna] "Then……"

She bowed gracefully in farewell. She offered a subtle nod to the men standing behind Guiscard. Turning slightly, she caught Revius offering a cheerful grin of recognition, but she turned away, ignoring him coldly.

This worked out well.

Since Guiscard publicly declared the gown a gift, no one dared criticize her.

In truth, Dianna anticipated her reputation taking a hit after bringing Mirva into the palace.

Reputation meant nothing for a position she would abandon after three years. Though she had raised it above a certain baseline, what mattered to her was preventing them from turning into enemies who tormented her, not earning their reverence or submission. Thus, maintaining an adequate reputation sufficed.

Right then, a voice called out from behind.

[Guiscard] "Ann!"

Turning around, she saw Guiscard sprinting toward her.

The King himself ran?

Staring blankly at his disheveled hair, which differed from moments ago, Dianna watched Guiscard dismiss her entire entourage with a gesture before stepping to her side.

[Guiscard] "I am taking a walk."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "With my wife."

Dianna looked around at his statement. Did he wish to publicly announce that the King and Queen had reconciled? Yet only ladies-in-waiting and maids stood nearby.

[Guiscard] "Ann, I never expected you to wear that gown."

He looked at Dianna as if uttering those words required great effort. What was it about this gown that made him act this way? Panborough held only painful memories for him.

[Dianna] "……So it was indeed a gift from Your Majesty."

Her stiff tone narrowed the space between his brows. He recognized that her earlier smile was a mere facade.

[Guiscard] "Has your anger…… not subsided?"

What does he mean?

He looked at her with disbelief.

[Guiscard] "What was your true motive for wearing this?"

At his cold tone, Dianna pointed toward one of her maids.

[Dianna] "Because of the gift Your Majesty provided."

Guiscard narrowed his eyes toward the bowing maid. Right then—

[Dianna] "You seem to have grown quite close with Lady Levian."

She flinched in shock at her own words.

Ah, no, Dianna. Why add such a remark?

She wanted to clamp her hand over her mouth.

[Guiscard] "Why bring up Lady Levian all of a sudden?"

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "And…… wait, why is that woman standing there?"

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Guiscard] "That annoying woman."

She widened her eyes as Guiscard scowled at Mirva. Dianna was the one caught off guard.

[Guiscard] "Why is that woman here?"

She wanted to ask that exact question.

You were the one who approved it.

Before she could utter a word, Guiscard gripped his chin and spoke.

[Guiscard] "Lady Levian mentioned you hired a maid from Panborough, so it was that woman."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "Did she act out of ignorance? Choosing that woman of all people."

Guiscard ran a hand through his hair in frustration, grasping the situation.

Yet the trust toward Saruvia implied in his statement—did she act out of ignorance?—settled uncomfortably within Dianna. Forcing that feeling aside, she asked:

[Dianna] "It seems Your Majesty didn't approve of her presence, knowing who she was."

[Guiscard] "Why would I ever…… Execution would barely suffice for that woman……"

He was not a man who deceived Dianna. Even so, relief washed over her. Relief filled her chest. The current Guiscard had not intentionally placed Mirva by her side. It was purely Saruvia's scheme.

[Guiscard] "Do you intend to keep that woman by your side?"

Perhaps because Dianna's expectations were low, laughter bubbled up instead. Strangely enough, it did. Knowing Guiscard harbored no malice brought a sense of gratitude. He had not acted intentionally to harm her.

In any case, this man was not her enemy.

[Dianna] "What a relief that you were not the one who brought her here."

Tears spilled from her eyes.

[Guiscard] "Ann."

The moment those tears fell, Dianna recognized her own tension and fear. Though living a life different from her past existence, she remained hyper-vigilant, terrified that someone would suddenly turn on her and lure her into a trap.

What a relief.

Relief filled her that he had not stooped to such cruelty. Dianna wiped away the tears falling from her eyes.

Guiscard observed her with a hardened expression, then released a dry chuckle, grasping the context behind her words.

[Guiscard] "How am I supposed to interpret these tears?"

Releasing a heavy sigh, he took her hand and led her away. Dismissing their followers with a wave of his hand, he quickly pulled Dianna into the greenhouse alongside him.

Hearing the door slam shut, she wore a puzzled look.

What is he trying to do?

As she flinched in tension, Guiscard looked at her.

His face drew near. His rough hand awkwardly wiped away her tears. The moment their eyes met, his face twisted in agony.

Then, as if reaching a resolution, he pressed his lips to hers. Dianna couldn't keep pace with this sudden surge of emotion. Holding the kiss, Guiscard wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.

Warm breath brushed against her skin. He claimed her breath, entangling his tongue with hers, and she accepted his kiss while standing motionless.

[Guiscard] "I would never do such a thing to you."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "I……"

Observing Dianna accept his kiss with passive detachment, he offered a dry chuckle.

[Guiscard] "I would never do anything to harm you."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "I……"

He buried his face in her shoulder. Once more, his hands trembled.

[Guiscard] "I……"

He struggled to continue, understanding why Dianna had assumed the worst. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the woman who had been weeping moments ago and whispered:

[Guiscard] "My Lady, I was wrong."

She flinched at the sudden formal speech.

[Guiscard] "I have never viewed you as a slave, nor do I ever intend to."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "I am telling you that I will never bring you harm."

Desperation resonated in his voice. He stroked her hair repeatedly.

Clad in Panborough attire, Dianna felt as though she had returned to being Lady Brienne of Panborough.

[Guiscard] "I hated the thought of My Lady running away."

Did he experience something similar?

Reverting to a slave and adopting the speech of a slave, he looked at Dianna with a desperate expression.

Having stepped back into the past, the two could finally see each other clearly.

[Dianna] "Running away? I have done no such thing."

She spoke, biting her lip.

[Guiscard] "Running away into death."

His words revealed his inner thoughts to Dianna.

[Guiscard] "There are countless ways to die. Fighting gargoyles out there, you stood on the brink of death. I wanted to put slave restraints around your neck just to keep you bound to me."

Closing her eyes, Dianna released a slow sigh. He had clearly not abandoned his obsession with those cursed restraints.

[Guiscard] "I know this place is far drabber than Panborough. I know being Queen here is far harsher than the royal throne of Panborough."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "I will never treat you as a slave."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "So please, look at me now……"

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "Please."

The word please always carried a strange spell.

Dianna looked at his face. Pained purple eyes met hers with unbearable intensity.

Should I interpret this as fear that I might die, that he was terrified of losing me?

He occasionally acted like this, as if unable to shed his identity as a slave. Even though their dynamic had inverted, making Dianna the one under his power, he acted as if she held all the choice.

Dianna gazed at this beast whimpering in her embrace—the monster that had ruined her past life. Kissing her, blurting out his raw emotions, offering an apology.

In any case, remaining a queen who despised a king brought far too many disadvantages.

That was why, that was why, that was why her heart wavered.

Dianna stroked his cheek as if taming him. Instantly, he sat up and nipped lightly at her fingertips.

[Dianna] "……What are you—"

He licked her hand, a warm, moist sensation enveloping her fingers. Because he bit down gently, Dianna tried to pull her hand away, her skin twitching at the ticklish sensation.

[Dianna] "Does accepting your apology mean you can act like this right away?"

[Guiscard] "Your fingertips have been red for a while, making me want to bite them."

When she pulled her hand back, Guiscard didn't stop her, offering a low chuckle instead. Her cheeks flushed red.

[Guiscard] "You are my wife."

I know.

He looked at her fingers as he spoke.

[Guiscard] "If you are angry, express your anger."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "If you have complaints, speak them aloud."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "However, never ignore me again."

Did he assume he was forgiven?

Guiscard grasped the hand he had bitten and licked, his large palm easily enveloping her fingers.

[Guiscard] "Now that I have returned, dine with me from now on."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "Dining with my wife once a day is only natural."

Dianna nodded without resistance.

Right then, sunlight breaking through the clouds bathed the greenhouse in golden light. Standing amidst the spring sunshine filtering through the leaves, the man appeared strangely gentle.

It felt strange. His gaze differed entirely from her past life. Though issuing commands, his assent felt like granting permission. A sweet, warm atmosphere seemed to settle between them.

Right then, his eyes turned menacing once more.

[Guiscard] "And cast that woman out. No, I shall cast her out—"

[Dianna] "No."

She gestured a refusal.

---

A reader request—hope you enjoy it. If you do, feel free to leave a rating or review on Naver Series and KakaoPage.