TSMMT Ch 103

A Predictable Wedge

[Mirva] "Attire like this is unfit for Her Majesty! It pales in comparison to Panborough!"

From early morning, a sharp voice echoed in Dianna's bedchamber. When Mirva threw all the clothes to the floor, the maid offering Dianna's outfit flinched.

[Dianna] "Enough."

When Dianna interjected coldly, Mirva's vicious expression transformed into a servile display of innocence.

[Mirva] "A-Ah, My Lady! Forgive me! I overstepped out of ignorance once again. This foolish old woman……"

[Dianna] "……"

[Mirva] "However, these are not the clothes My Lady desires to wear! I have known everything My Lady loves since childhood."

The maid looked at Dianna, silently asking if Mirva's claim held truth. Yet Dianna, who always met the maids' eyes warmly, focused her gaze strictly on Mirva as she spoke.

[Dianna] "Whether in Panborough or Lodbrog, I can't wear only the clothes I desire. I know you consider my well-being."

Despair crossed the maid's face at those words.

That woman considers the Queen's well-being?! Your Majesty! Please snap out of it!

The maid, along with the attendants standing behind her, released heavy sighs.

Since Mirva's arrival, much had changed. The maids serving the Queen's quarters, led by Mable, suffered frequent confusion under constantly shifting instructions.

Claiming Dianna loved things from Panborough, Mirva strove to furnish everything with Panborough items. Food, clothing, even bedding—she replaced all of it with Panborough goods.

Though Mable tried to stop her, Mirva condemned the staff as ruthless barbarians attempting to eradicate the pitied Queen's culture, driving a wedge between Dianna and her maids.

The issue lay with Dianna herself.

Dianna usually overruled Mirva and picked what the palace maids offered, yet it was clear she secretly felt more at ease with Mirva's choices.

Having served Dianna continuously, the maids recognized it. She took joy in Panborough goods, favoring them deeply.

Does she long for Panborough items because she is a native of Panborough?

Though the maids strove to serve her flawlessly within the Lodbrog Kingdom, heartache consumed them.

Repeating that they must serve Dianna with utmost devotion since she was forced into marriage, Mirva's tyranny reached its peak.

[Mirva] "My Lady dislikes heat! Who built a fire in here?!"

At her furious shouting, the maids bowed. Though a maid herself, Mirva acted like an exalted figure merely by becoming Dianna's direct attendant, proving utterly repulsive.

Nevertheless, fearing they might displease the Queen, the maids had no choice but to obey her commands.

That woman is strange.

Several maids whispered in suspicion.

She claims to act for Her Majesty's sake, yet is she not isolating her as a result? She seems to be plotting something.

Mirva constantly denigrated the gifts provided by His Majesty as worthless, framing every gesture as an insult aimed at Dianna.

The knights endured the same treatment. The Vargrhati knights shook their heads in disbelief at Mirva's outrageous claim that no one could be a true knight without noble lineage. Logaple specifically voiced reluctance to visit the quarters because of that woman, occasionally swapping guard shifts.

An uneasy mood filled the palace. Some staff grumbled about the Queen’s favoritism, while others acknowledged that the bond between those who had lost their homeland was unbreakable. Still, others just hoped this turbulent time would pass quickly.

Because Saruvia stated that Mirva was hired with His Majesty's approval, the maids could voice no objections despite their grievances.

Among them, Mable alone served Dianna with unwavering devotion.

*****

[Dianna] "Mirva, why is it so cold today?"

[Mirva] "Good heavens! I will deal with these wretched wretches!"

Mirva flared with rage. Observing her outburst, Dianna recognized the familiar scene. Similar occurrences had happened frequently in the past.

[Mirva] "That Mable creature must have schemed this."

[Dianna] "Schemed?"

[Mirva] "She tries to tame My Lady. Seeing me by your side, jealousy has consumed her."

[Dianna] "Ah, I see."

Dianna nodded. Memories of her past life surfaced. Ever since she slapped Mable's cheek in her past life, Mable had tormented her using the heating.

Mirva gauged Dianna's reaction carefully.

[Mirva] "I shall kindle the fire immediately. Though spring has arrived, the nights remain cold as winter."

Mirva lit the fire so everyone could see. Feeling the room warm up quickly, Dianna gave a soft laugh.

[Dianna] "I can't manage without you."

[Mirva] "Of course, My Lady. Trust only in me. We have no one but each other."

[Dianna] "That is right, Mirva. We have no one but each other."

Dianna smiled brightly. Mirva matched her with an even deeper smile, radiating affection as if looking upon her own daughter.

*****

Dianna dined alongside Guiscard. Thanks to his indirect consideration, the Panborough dishes prepared for her proved palatable, suiting her taste.

During the meal, neither uttered a word. This quiet routine had continued for several days. Naturally so, as they had never shared affectionate conversations in her past life or in the present. Silence dominated the dining table.

Dianna suppressed a sudden urge to cough. Because heating had failed properly for the past few days, a cough had plagued her since morning. Right then, a voice broke the silence.

[Guiscard] "I heard from Revius how you restructured affairs."

The sudden remark nearly caused her to drop her fork. He continued without looking at her.

[Guiscard] "You did well. Flawlessly."

[Dianna] "……You praise me too highly."

Why the sudden praise?

At her puzzled expression, he spoke quietly.

[Guiscard] "I merely wished to say you did well during my absence."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "You performed admirably."

Dianna stared fixedly at her food. Though she had criticized him for withholding praise, receiving compliments directly felt awkward.

Perhaps Guiscard noticed her reaction. Though she had not sought his praise, hearing it brought a quiet wave of satisfaction.

[Dianna] "I merely fulfilled the duties required of a queen. Even then, Revius forced those tasks upon me……"

[Guiscard] "Forced?"

[Dianna] "Yes. He left me absolutely no room to decline."

[Guiscard] "You two have grown quite close."

At his strange tone, Dianna raised her gaze, but Guiscard ate his carved meat without casting a glance in her direction.

Seeing a former slave dine so elegantly felt strange anew. However, the fork appeared slightly bent into a strange shape.

I must arrange for the tableware to be repaired.

Just as she entertained that thought, Guiscard suddenly looked at her. As if remembering something, displeasure covered his face.

[Guiscard] "You are fascinating. How, during my absence……"

[Dianna] "……Pardon?"

[Guiscard] "I mean, how those bastards forgot their place and dared to……"

With a sharp snap, the awkwardly bent fork snapped completely in half.

His words grew increasingly incomprehensible. Guiscard offered no further explanation.

Though she didn't know who those bastards referred to, something had clearly transpired. Dianna considered asking, but observing her husband's sudden foul mood, she decided to remain silent.

It was a strange meal. Yet it was not bad.

*****

[Mirva] "Did you see how that man acted?"

[Dianna] "……"

[Mirva] "That creature thoroughly despises Her Majesty!"

She insulted Guiscard until Dianna's ears throbbed with irritation.

[Dianna] "Why do you think that?"

[Mirva] "It is obvious! The meal pales in comparison to Panborough's cuisine, and 'you did well'? What kind of attitude is that?!"

[Dianna] "What is wrong with that?"

[Mirva] "I hear he stayed away for three entire months, and only offers praise now?! Does it make sense to offer nothing more than a single Panborough gown as a gift?!"

[Dianna] "……"

[Mirva] "You are a queen in name only. Had My Lady become Queen of Panborough, he would never dare treat you this way. He looks down on us because our nation fell. Think of how magnificent My Lady truly is!"

Dianna sat down. Pondering how to tune out that shrill voice, she turned her head slightly.

[Dianna] "Mirva."

[Mirva] "Yes?"

[Dianna] "Do you honestly believe that?"

[Mirva] "Yes! Of course!"

Dianna observed her face. Recognizing that only Saruvia remained in the room, Dianna offered a smile.

[Dianna] "You are the only one who considers my well-being."

[Mirva] "……"

[Dianna] "I always felt suffocated and wronged. Living among foreigners proves difficult, after all."

[Mirva] "My Lady……"

[Dianna] "I am glad you came here. You may step outside."

She offered Mirva a bright smile.

Bowing, Mirva departed with light steps. The moment the door closed, Dianna addressed Saruvia.

[Dianna] "Where did you find Mirva?"

[Saruvia] "By chance, purely by chance. I was searching for a Panborough servant."

Saruvia chuckled. As Dianna maintained a look demanding further explanation, she continued.

[Saruvia] "My, among the Panborough refugees I sought, she presented the most pitiful sight. Upon inquiring about her story, I learned she was Your Majesty's former lady-in-waiting!"

[Dianna] "……"

[Saruvia] "What an incredible coincidence! Surely this is destiny?"

Saruvia smiled brightly. Dianna matched her smile. Calling it destiny was complete nonsense. Yet Dianna possessed a clear objective.

[Dianna] "Thanks to Lady Levian, I reunited with a cherished bond. Thank you."

[Saruvia] "……My! Your Majesty."

Tears welled in Saruvia's eyes. Observing her, Dianna spoke calmly.

[Dianna] "Lady Kragel lacks a certain delicate touch."

[Saruvia] "……"

[Dianna] "I wish for you to assist me by my side."

At her request, Saruvia nodded.

[Saruvia] "In truth, I felt hurt, assuming you favored Lady Kragel exclusively. I am serving Your Majesty with complete devotion as well."

Dianna held Saruvia's pristine white hand warmly. Offering no spoken reply, she merely smiled as she looked at her.

Thump!

Right then, a violent crash accompanied a short, piercing scream. A heavy thud shook the wall. Dianna exchanged looks with Saruvia.

When furious shrieks from women followed the heavy thud, Dianna rose from her seat. Assassins had hardly arrived……

When she opened the door personally and stepped outside, the maids' faces drained of color.

[Dianna] "What is this commotion?"

[Maid] "Th-Th-Th-That is!"

Dianna observed a knight standing in front of her door, scratching his head.

[Dianna] "Does this pose a threat to my safety?"

The knight cleared his throat and gestured a refusal.

[Vargrhati] "It might be best if you don't go out there, Your Majesty."

His deterrence felt hesitant. Had genuine danger existed, the knights would have already burst into her chamber.

What is Mable doing?

Mable would usually quell such a disturbance immediately. What on earth was happening?

Dianna approached the gathering maids. Spotting her approach, the maids gasped in terror.

Two women rolled across the floor, locked in violent combat. Fighting ruthlessly, their bodies slammed against the wall with heavy thuds. This was the source of the noise they had heard.

[Mirva] "Ack! Let go!"

[Mable] "You let go first!"

Listening to their enraged screams, Dianna stood dumbfounded.

[Dianna] "What…… is going on?"

The two women tearing at each other's hair were unmistakably Mirva and Mable.

Why were they tangled together in a fistfight? Why on earth?

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