TSMMT Ch 111

What Were We to Them?

The cultural divide between Lodbrog and Panborough ran deep—a stark reality Dianna understood all too well. While the conquerors despised Panborough's weakness, they simultaneously envied its flourishing culture.

Under Saruvia's influence, Panborough fashion had gradually taken hold of high society. Shortly before Dianna's death in her past life, noblemen and ladies had even begun wearing garments identical to those she once wore in her homeland.

Paradoxically, Dianna's current role mirrored Saruvia's past position.

During the war, House Levian had claimed the lion's share of conquered territory, allowing them to absorb and leverage Panborough culture faster than anyone else. But circumstances differed now. Saruvia was gone.

Dianna continuously and meticulously inspected the royal palace facilities. Most visiting nobles would reside here during their stay.

At least this much is a relief.

The local nobility favored inviting Panborough's elite. Upon learning of the palace renovations, many discreetly gifted her artwork and sculptures.

Why are they so obsessed with Panborough...?

Innumerable letters poured in from aristocrats hoping to stand beside Dianna when she hosted banquets with the Panborough guests. She knew they admired Panborough culture, but the extent of their obsession caught her off guard.

That meant Saruvia had charmed high society by using a Panborough-born queen and adopting the fallen kingdom's refined customs.  That was how she had blossomed into the centerpiece of the social season.

All ducal houses shared equal standing. Yet a mere duke's daughter—rather than a duchess—had dominated high society while acting on the queen's behalf, all thanks to Panborough's cultural prestige.

Dianna remembered the shift clearly. During her past life as queen, annual festivities had gradually escalated until rivaling Panborough's legendary grand galas.

Leonie stepped forward.

[Leonie] "Are you alright?"

Dianna turned around.

[Dianna] "About what?"

[Leonie] "A few things... Um, are you fine with inviting people from Panborough?"

Checking the shade of the newly laid marble hallway, Dianna inspected the clean walls for dust.

[Dianna] "What do you mean?"

[Leonie] "It's your homeland. Even if it became a vassal state, are you genuinely okay with this?"

[Dianna] "How unusually thoughtful of you."

She snapped, her cheeks flushing.

[Leonie] "I-I only asked because I was forced to! Someone made me ask!"

[Dianna] "Forced by whom?"

[Leonie] "They kept nagging me because you never say whether you're actually okay!"

[Dianna] "Who told you to—"

[Leonie] "Anyway, are you alright or not?! Just answer me if you want to save my life!"

Leonie clearly had no intention of revealing her instigator. Still, catching the subtle flicker of genuine worry in the young woman's eyes, Dianna chuckled.

[Dianna] "I don't really have any thoughts about it."

[Leonie] "Pardon? You don't intend to tell me?"

[Dianna] "I mean, I don't care. I told you before, I abandoned Panborough long ago."

No affection remained for Panborough. The Lordbord nobles' paradoxical fascination with her fallen homeland struck her neither as amusing nor repulsive. It evoked no pain.

[Leonie] "...That sounds awfully cold coming from a queen." 

[Dianna] "Knights, royalty, and righteous nobles cherish homelands—not a mere noble's daughter."

[Leonie] "..."

[Dianna] "If Panborough were going to lose a war so helplessly, they should have behaved themselves to avoid giving cause for conflict, or rallied the nobility for a fight to the death... They accomplished neither. Pure incompetence."

Moreover, she knew precisely what Princess Ionia's mother had done. In her past life, Dianna had harbored affection for her birth country. But could a nation incapable of protecting its own capital truly be called a kingdom? The king neglected his duty, and the aristocracy failed theirs.

Still, she cut her train of thought short.

[Leonie] "Your Majesty, are you sure you aren't secretly native to Lodbrog?"

[Dianna] "I am not."

[Leonie] "You seem remarkably accustomed to the law of the jungle."

Dianna smiled faintly.

[Dianna] "Besides, why would anyone dislike meeting long-lost faces?"

[Leonie] "Long-lost faces?"

[Dianna] "My friends."

Leonie's expression instantly froze. Seeing the shocked look on her face, Dianna spoke up.

[Dianna] "Are you alright, Lady Kragel?"

[Leonie] "No, I am not! You aren't going to abandon me, are you?"

Surprised by the sudden insecurity, Dianna burst into laughter at her rigid face.

---

The Panborough aristocrats checked into their quarters upon arrival. Dianna's heart pounded against her ribs.

[Dianna] "Has Emil arrived?"

[Mable] "Not yet."

Hearing Mable's confirmation, Dianna nodded. Her chest thrummed with nervous energy.

[Dianna] "Is Alexa waiting for me?"

Mable nodded, and Dianna made her way toward the guest room.

The moment she saw Alexa lounging inside the prepared chamber, a sudden wave of breathlessness washed over her.

Alexa waved lazily from the bed.

[Alexa] "Sister!"

The sight evoked vivid memories of the past. Back then, Alexa had been bedridden, too frail to sit upright.

Is her health stable now?

Though she knew Alexa was being given remedies targeting lung ailments and that preparations were underway for her condition...

[Alexa] "Ah, this room is lovely. Grandpa will be thrilled to see you like this."

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "So, when do we meet Emil?"

A sharp pang pierced Dianna's heart. Perhaps Alexa missed him—he was her brother, after all. But catching her strained expression, Alexa's demeanor darkened.

[Alexa] "I didn't lend you my name out of ignorance."

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "Grandpa told me."

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "He told me Father killed our mother."

Stunned, Dianna found herself speechless. Why would he reveal such a horrifying truth to her?

Still reclining on the mattress, Alexa stared blankly at the ceiling without looking at Dianna.

[Alexa] "I think Father deserved to die."

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "And I think Brother needs to die, too."

She uttered the heavy words nonchalantly.

[Dianna] "Don't... don't say such things, Alexa."

[Alexa] "But you're going to kill him, aren't you? That's why you asked to use my name and had me brought here. You brought me here knowing I had figured something out, didn't you? Let's be honest with each other."

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "Sister, do you know why you ended up suffering?"

Cold sweat trickled down Dianna's spine at the blunt question. Alexa still wasn't looking at her, but she scrutinized her sister's pale face, desperate to read her thoughts.

The corners of Alexa's lips curled upward into a chilled smirk.

[Alexa] "Emil showed you to me himself."

[Dianna] "What?!"

[Alexa] "He made me watch Father beating you."

[Dianna] "That insane bastard!"

Dianna shrieked in anger. How could he do such a monstrous thing!

Seeing her violent outrage, Alexa smirked.

[Alexa] "I was only watching. Don't be angry at my account."

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "Emil told me that if I didn't want to turn out like that, I had better not throw tantrums. He told me to be quiet and obedient."

Her tone sounded completely detached, cool, and indifferent on the surface. Yet Dianna—and only Dianna—knew how many tears her sister must have shed before arriving at such numbness.

[Alexa] "Do you know how I looked at our brother back then?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "I thought... I have to save you. I have to kill that monster."

Dianna clamped a hand over her mouth in sheer horror. To Alexa, Emil had ceased being a brother from that moment on; he was a ruthless master keeping a pet.

Dianna bowed her head, robbed of speech. No wonder Alexa had gone along so willingly when Dianna secretly extracted her and entrusted her to Grandpa.

[Alexa] "I don't care if a brother like him dies. I don't care if our house collapses when it has a father like him. Sister, you are my only family."

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "I respect your choice. No—please do it on my behalf."

Dianna had intended to ask how much she knew. She had planned to confess everything—that she used Alexa's name to lure Emil to his demise—and beg for forgiveness. But Alexa knew all along. Emil had joined their father in abusing Dianna, forcing her to witness the horror. Deep-rooted hatred boiled through Dianna's veins.

In moments like this, regressing in time felt less like a gift and more like a curse. She had forged a new hell not just for herself, but for Alexa as well. In her past life, Alexa had succumbed miserably to illness, yet her memories of home had likely remained peaceful and warm.

[Alexa] "Sister, I was the one who summoned Prince Philip."

[Dianna] "..."

[Alexa] "That was the only thing I could do."

Dianna's eyes widened in shock.

[Alexa] "Sister, what were we to those people? No... what were you to Brienne?"

Dianna couldn't offer an answer. Imprisoned in the cellar and subjected to their "disciplining," she had already reached a bitter conclusion long ago.

She had been nothing more than a prized pet. A well-bred, pretty, and clever lapdog to be married off to a lucrative suitor when the time came. They stroked her head whenever she wagged her tail and played cute. But they harbored no mercy for a dog that bit the hand that fed it.

A pet belonged in its place. The moment she dared to stand against them as a human being, her disposal was sealed. She had realized it far too late.

The sisters wept together for a long time. Yet, neither could comfort the other. They released their pent-up agony, collected themselves in silence, and spent the remainder of the day smiling as though nothing had happened.

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