TSMMT Ch 112

Reunion with an Old Friend

Guests poured into the hall as the banquet commenced. It was the grandest and most lavish gathering in the history of Lodbrog, boasting the highest nobleman attendance since its founding.

The Panborough aristocrats and the Lodbrog nobility stood at a clear distance from one another. Conquerors and the conquered could hardly mix amicably.

The king had issued a strict decree forbidding plunder, enforcing it by beheading several nobles who disobeyed. Fearing any misinterpretation, the two groups barely exchanged words.

The attendant’s voice boomed across the hall.

[Attendant] "His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen enter!"

Every eye turned toward the entrance. Deep down, the guests eagerly anticipated what the royal couple—especially the queen—would wear.

Panborough attire? Or Lodbrog traditional dress?

Clad in vibrant pink, Dianna appeared to be wearing Panborough fashion at first glance. In truth, it was merely a subtle modification of standard Lodbrog attire.

The lively gown lent the queen a breathtaking, radiant beauty. Mesmerized by her dazzling presence, the crowd fell under her spell.

[Crowd ] "She's stunning."

Delicate pink blossoms adorned her hair, while peridots at her ears and throat cast an enchanting shimmer. The soft blush on her cheeks harmonized flawlessly with the elegant pink hues, captivating everyone in attendance.

She looked as ethereal and lovely as a forest fairy.

Naturally, Dianna had planned every detail. Unlike Panborough, the Lodbrog Royal Palace lacked extravagant ornamentation, and the grand hall was equally plain. Consequently, a bright, solid-colored gown stood out far more strikingly than an overly embellished dress.

She looked up at Guiscard standing beside her. Styled neatly upward, his hair highlighted his sharp, refined features. She had always acknowledged that his appearance was undeniably striking—his towering stature, perfectly proportioned athletic frame, captivating violet eyes, and clean, elegant facial structure.

Sensing her gaze, those violet eyes softened with warmth as they turned toward her. Flustered by the intimacy, Dianna looked away, feeling her artfully blushed cheeks flush even darker.

Maintaining a polite smile, she settled into the seat Leonie indicated. Among the crowd assembled below the dais, she spotted several familiar faces.

Ah... my friends.

Suppressing a sudden surge of emotional warmth, she maintained a composed expression as Guiscard began to speak.

[Guiscard] "I have invited you here today for my wife's sake."

Silence blanketed the room.

[Guiscard] "To say more would only dull the mood."

He scanned the crowd with an unyielding gaze.

[Guiscard] "By royal decree, I command you all to show proper respect to my wife's homeland."

Murmurs rippled through the hall. Dianna was equally astonished. She had heard that Guiscard banned the exploitation of Panborough nobility—unlike in her previous life—but she had not expected him to issue a formal royal decree restraining his own nobles. Expressions of shock washed over the Panborough aristocrats as well.

[Guiscard] "Now then..."

He gestured, and music echoed through the hall. He extended a hand toward Dianna.

It was the opening dance of the banquet, performed traditionally by the royal couple. Dianna took his hand, feeling his large, calloused fingers envelop hers. The small slave boy was gone; a fully grown man looked down at her.

His grip tightened firmly around hers. Rising from her seat, she walked out onto the dance floor with him, stepping in a deliberate, unhurried rhythm.

She knew the dances of Lodbrog intimately. She had no choice. In her past life, whether due to Saruvia's scheme or Mirva's sabotage, Dianna had been given defective shoes, nearly causing her to stumble during a banquet just like this.

Guiscard had caught her mid-fall back then, his face contorted with open disgust.

[Guiscard] "Can a young lady not even dance properly?"

How deeply those words had wounded her.

After that humiliating night, Dianna had practiced Lodbrog dances relentlessly without a partner until she could execute every step blindfolded.

In this life, even Leonie and Mable had applauded her mastery when seeing her practice.

As Dianna moved with effortless grace, Guiscard matched her rhythm flawlessly.

Moving silently across the floor, he spoke up.

[Guiscard] "Why are you so good at this?"

Puzzled by the faint trace of dissatisfaction in his voice, Dianna responded smoothly.

[Dianna] "I am the queen. I hardly neglect such duties."

[Guiscard] "Who taught you to dance like this?"

Why is he interrogating me about this?

She knitted her brows, wondering if her proficiency seemed suspicious. After a brief hesitation, she answered.

[Dianna] "Grand Duke Blake."

His hand around her waist tightened abruptly.

Dianna continued dancing in silence. It was the truth. Adel had taught her to dance during their time at the Neust Academy. If Guiscard found out later, she didn't want to be accused of hiding things—besides, there had been no romance between her and Adel.

[Guiscard] "I see..."

Silence stretched between them.

[Guiscard] "I am never your first, am I?"

Dianna missed his quiet murmur as they twirled across the floor.

Her delicate pink dress whirled like falling petals, heralding spring with a beauty no one could replicate. With elegant footwork and a partner whose eyes never strayed from her, the performance seemed flawless.

Yet, as the dance concluded, she stumbled slightly. Her shoes had slicked against the freshly polished marble floor—not due to sabotage this time, but because the stone was excessively smooth. The misstep lasted only a fraction of a second.

Guiscard caught her instantly. Instinctively bracing for disgust, Dianna looked up in apprehension. Instead, he chuckled softly.

[Guiscard] "Should I be the one teaching you from now on?"

Dianna remained silent. Seeing the genuine affection in his face, she felt a sudden wave of relief alongside an inexplicable sting behind her eyes. Averting her gaze to hide her emotion, she spoke quietly.

[Dianna] "It was the shoes."

He said nothing.

[Dianna] "The new marble is too smooth for them."

[Guiscard] "I will have them replaced immediately."

I could have done that myself.

Before she could speak, he stepped back. Aware of the crowd's intense gaze, he smirked and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

Gasps echoed throughout the hall.

Dianna blinked in astonishment, staring at him.

Is he trying to act like an affectionate couple?

Flustered, she pushed him away gently, provoking affectionate laughter from the onlookers—not mockery, but warm murmurs admiring a newlywed couple. Her minor stumble had shattered the tense atmosphere.

As the opening dance concluded, the Lodbrog nobles took to the floor. Dianna watched them until Guiscard spoke quietly beside her.

[Guiscard] "Go on."

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Guiscard] "This gathering was arranged for you."

She hesitated.

[Guiscard] "Go."

Bolstered by his permission, she stepped toward the Panborough aristocrats. The crowd parted before her as if shunning a plague, creating a wide berth.

She knew those hostile gazes all too well. In her past life, the Panborough nobles had hurled bitter insults at her, taking out their frustration over Lodbrog's pillaging on her.

[P. Noble] "Our kingdom fell because of your family!"

[P. Noble] "My daughter died because of you!"

[P. Noble] "You whore, spreading your legs for a Lodbrog savage!"

Even her countrymen, whom she had longed for so desperately, had never stood by her. They had despised her.

My friends...

Dianna scanned the crowd for them. She knew they had survived the war and arrived early, yet fear had held her back from seeking them out sooner.

Would they condemn her for marrying the enemy king, just as the others had? Try as she might to think otherwise, the scars of her past life ran deep.

A cheerful voice broke the silence.

[Celano] "Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen!"

Dianna looked up to see Lady Celano beaming brightly with a playful smile, unchanged from her youth. The sight took her breath away.

Another voice joined in.

[Carlea] "Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen."

Ever timid, Lady Carlea avoided direct eye contact, yet a soft smile graced her face.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, choking Dianna with emotion.

[Novara] "Have you been well?"

Dianna turned toward the gentle voice. Dressed in elegant attire, Lady Novara smiled warmly.

They are really here... My friends.

Reunited at last, Dianna swallowed back her rising tears.

[Dianna] "Seeing my old friends fills me with immense joy."

She offered a soft, genuine smile, uncertain how to fully convey her overwhelming joy.

Just as she stepped forward to greet them properly—

[P. Noble] "Ah, Your Majesty! It has been far too long."

The Panborough nobles swarmed around her. Now that her friends had broken the ice, everyone rushed forward to pay their respects.

[P. Noble] "Do you remember me? My goodness, you have grown so beautifully!"

Familiar faces made empty pleasantries. Dianna looked at them with dismay.

I want to talk to my friends... Why are they crowding around me?

Yet, seeing their desperate attempts to curry favor, she couldn't bring herself to coldly brush them off.

Fifty Panborough families had been invited. With spouses and relatives attending, nearly a hundred people crowded around her, weighing heavily on her patience.

[Philip] "Enough."

A smooth, commanding voice cut through the clamor.

[Philip] "You are making Her Majesty uncomfortable."

[P. Noble] "Grand Duke Kilcos!"

Grand Duke Kilcos?

Dianna felt every nerve in her body go taut. Turning slowly in shock, she saw a man with hair tied neatly back, bow before her.

[Philip] "Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen."

She froze.

[Philip] "And to my childhood friend."

Warm green eyes met hers.

Tears finally spilled down her cheeks as he bowed deeply in reverence.

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