TSMMT Ch 113

Misaligned Gazes

As Dianna finally mingled with the crowd, the tense atmosphere dissipated. The guests, initially fixated on her, quickly dispersed to enjoy the banquet before time slipped away. Some danced, while others engaged in lively conversation.

From atop the dais, Guiscard watched his wife conversing with a blond man. He knew the man's name all too well—he had seen him relentlessly during his days as a slave.

Philip.

His violet eyes locked onto the pair. Philip's gentle, luminous face remained unchanged, upright and unburdened by guilt, looking at his woman with a dignified grace Guiscard himself could never possess.

His wife visibly trembled as she looked at Philip. Guiscard's tightly set lips parted slightly. Seeing emotion finally etch itself across her usually indifferent face and tears well in her eyes, he clenched and unclenched his fists.

[Revius] "So that's the one?"

Guiscard glanced sideways at the sudden arrival. It was Revius. Though dressed properly, he appeared thoroughly exhausted, as if he had rushed over in frantic haste.

[Guiscard] "You returned quickly."

[Revius] "I had to hurry back for a rare spectacle like this."

He glanced toward Dianna and Philip. Just then, Philip extended his hand to request a dance, and she accepted it. Together, they stepped onto the dance floor once more.

[Revius] "To think Our Queen Her Majesty's first love is Grand Duke Kilcos—how fascinating."

He chuckled softly, but a subtle wave of killing intent instantly chilled the air. Realizing he had prodded a sensitive nerve, Revius shrank back in alarm. Calling Philip her first love had clearly crossed the line...

[Guiscard] "Our Queen, Her Majesty?"

[Revius] "Ah, so that's what set you off?"

Revius stammered in bewilderment.

[Guiscard] "What do you mean, our Queen, Her Majesty?"

Under his relentless stare, Revius broke into a cold sweat.

[Revius] "Well, I only meant that she is etched in my heart as the Queen... Surely you know what 'Queen' means? The king's consort! As in... acknowledging, respecting, and revering your wife..."

Guiscard's icy glare didn't soften.

[Guiscard] "Should I send you back out there?"

[Revius] "My apologies. I spoke out of turn."

Revius immediately backed down. As punishment for ordering Dianna onto the monster subjugation, he had nearly become a pincushion for the elves' arrows before securing permission to mine a tiny quantity of orichalcum. Remembering how he had stared helplessly at murderously hostile elves aiming bows at him while tied to a tree still made his knees tremble.

[Guiscard] "How about dealing with mermaids this time? Your Queen loves pearls."

[Revius] "I can't swim!"

The mere thought of mermaids appalled him; Revius shook his head violently. His only saving grace was his understanding of diverse races and his innate diplomacy. Without those, he might have been executed long ago. Recalling Guiscard's terrifying expression when Dianna was injured still made his stomach churn.

Guiscard turned his gaze back to Dianna and Philip, satisfied with the threat.

Revius narrowed his eyes. The last remaining royalty and high noble of a fallen kingdom—a prince and a highborn lady. They suited each other impeccably. Anyone familiar with their history could easily infer the unspoken tragedy between them.

[Guiscard] "Assign the finest quarters to that man and her three friends over there. Do the same for Lady Alexa as soon as she arrives."

[Revius] "Shouldn't Her Majesty—"

[Guiscard] "You handle it."

[Revius] "Understood."

Having Revius arrange it spared Dianna from potential backlash and kept appearances clean. He nodded in agreement, though Guiscard's somber expression weighed heavily on his mind.

Whether by coercion or abduction, Guiscard had secured Dianna by his side. She was a woman of extraordinary talent and intellect. In every sense, he had emerged victorious. So why did he look down at them with the face of a defeated man?

No, perhaps he had never won to begin with.

Revius had never known Guiscard as a slave. Yet, looking at him now, he could vividly imagine the desperate longing with which the slave had once gazed upon Dianna.

That must be why he became king.

Even now, he stared at her unblinkingly, like an abandoned dog gazing at its master. He had brought her here by force, but in truth, he had never conquered her.

He simply stood by her side, quietly watching her face as if that alone sufficed. The mere warning that Dianna would despise his actions made him completely powerless. That was why he hadn't moved despite knowing about her abduction scheme, and why he couldn't refuse her request to meet the prisoner.

[Revius] "So, Guiscard... are you going to stand idle this time as well?"

[Guiscard] "Regarding what?"

[Revius] "Her Majesty used Lady Alexa to summon Emil Brienne."

[Guiscard] "If he is her brother, he deserves a warm welcome."

Revius clicked his tongue, observing a man willing to extend hospitality even to her abuser solely for her sake.

---

In her eyes, Philip had changed significantly. Once a vibrant young man, his gaze was now subdued and composed. His formerly short hair had grown long enough to be tied neatly back, and his once-lively complexion had drained to a pale hue. Yet he had grown taller, his facial features hardening into a distinctly masculine sharp edge.

She tried to speak, but no words escaped her lips. Even holding his gaze felt daunting. Though caught up in the dance, she kept her eyes fixed strictly on her own feet. Was he looking at her face? She couldn't tell.

[Philip] "Ann."

She looked up at his gentle voice.

[Philip] "Why won't you look at me?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "I am right here."

She nodded quietly.

[Dianna] "Philip, you attended my wedding, didn't you?"

[Philip] "Yes. Briefly."

She offered an awkward smile. An unusual silence descended between them. Though held in close embrace for the dance, words failed them both.

[Philip] "I am glad you are alive and well."

[Dianna] "Yes..."

She tried to speak further, but the words lodged in her throat. As the music drew to a close, they parted. Fearing any lingering touch might resemble yearning, Dianna stepped back instantly.

Too many eyes watched for them to exchange deep sentiments. A single dance had to suffice for now. Yet she couldn't forget him.

[Dianna] "Philip."

[Philip] "Yes?"

[Dianna] "I have something I must tell you."

[Philip] "What is it?"

[Lady] "Your Majesty!"

Interrupted, Dianna turned as a young noblewoman from an acquainted family approached.

[Lady] "Your Majesty, that was a breathtaking dance!"

A count who had been her father's friend joined in as well. The Panborough nobility clearly had no intention of letting her go.

As Philip began to step back, Dianna searched his face before summoning her courage.

[Dianna] "Tomorrow. Let us speak tomorrow."

Philip nodded, giving her a sense of relief.

---

The banquet proved a resounding success. Surrounded by nobility from both realms, Dianna introduced them to one another, maintaining an atmosphere of outward cordiality. In truth, an unexpected figure had played a crucial role in facilitating this harmony.

Grand Duke Kilcos.

He was the first to cooperate in Panborough's capitulation, earning the title of Grand Duke as a result—a move driven entirely by Philip's presence. Panborough was no longer an independent kingdom; under his leadership, it had become a vassal state swearing fealty to the king. The Grand Duke's cooperative stance influenced the remaining aristocrats.

Amidst the crowd, Dianna glanced toward Guiscard standing in the distance. Come to think of it, he had made no effort to approach her.

For a brief second, she worried his absence signaled silent displeasure, but observing the Panborough nobles brought sudden understanding.

Had Guiscard stepped forward, every Panborough aristocrat would have been forced to bow and kneel in submission as subjugated subjects. True to his promise of inviting her countrymen for her sake, he kept his distance to spare them that humiliation.

A man watching the crowd from afar.

What is he thinking?

In her past life, she had asked him countless times what went on in his head, but he had never answered.

Would he answer me now?

Yet Guiscard turned away, engaging with those approaching him.

Most were commanders she remembered from her past life. As he conversed with them, his stern expression occasionally softened into a smile. His demeanor grew noticeably more expressive when interacting with the Vargrhati or Revius. Realizing this, Dianna offered a bitter smile.

Though he acted gently toward her, she knew the truth. He was constantly suppressing something. She had never seen him smile with genuine, unreserved joy.

That is an expression I will likely never see in my lifetime.

She averted her eyes from him. Dwelling on known realities served no purpose.

---

The next morning, Dianna moved swiftly as soon as she finished preparing. She had already informed Guiscard in advance that she would be unable to join him for their scheduled lunch due to receiving guests.

Clenching her hands as she walked toward Philip's chamber, she steeled herself. She needed closure. Beyond her ill-fated ties with Emil, she had words that must be delivered to Philip.

Before entering his room, she instructed Mable and her trusted maids to restrict all traffic near the entrance. The moment she stepped inside, a pleasant fragrance greeted her, a scent she had encountered in the past.

Rising from his seat, Philip stepped forward with a warm greeting.

[Philip] "Welcome, Ann. I should have come to see you instead."

She shook her head. Her eyes fell upon the teacups; he had prepared the very tea she favored.

Dismissing the maids with a subtle nod, Dianna sat down where Philip indicated.

[Dianna] "Did you enjoy the banquet yesterday?"

[Philip] "How could I possibly enjoy it?"

The atmosphere froze instantly. Though a smile remained on his face, his words were ice-cold. Caressing the rim of his teacup, he looked down.

[Philip] "Just as you advised, Kilcos declared surrender first. That made it effortless for the Lodbrog Kingdom to swallow Panborough."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "I essentially abandoned my own kingdom as royalty."

Dianna observed the somber gloom in his eyes. Philip, too, had confronted his own darkness and quietly collapsed under its weight. His pale skin and hollow gaze bore undeniable proof. If only everything were simple.

He offered a feeble laugh.

[Philip] "You don't need to feel guilty. This was my choice. The kingdom was ruined by my father, my elder brother, and the queen."

Thoughtfully, he spared her any mention of Duke Brienne. Grown into adulthood, neither had flourished into healthy trees; instead, they faced each other as decayed remnants.

[Philip] "Forgive me. It has been so long, yet I brought up such an uncomfortable topic, especially to the Queen of Lodbrog."

He chuckled helplessly.

Looking at his face, she spoke quietly.

[Dianna] "The reason I came here today..."

Her breathing quickened, her heart thumping against her ribs. Parting her pressed lips, she continued.

[Dianna] "I came to apologize."

[Philip] "I already told you that you don't need to feel—"

[Dianna] "Philip, I am not in the least bit sorry for becoming Lodbrog's queen or advising you to surrender. What I am sorry for is something else entirely."

She offered a somber smile at his bewildered expression. She had lacked the courage back then, too ashamed of her past self to utter the truth.

When she was at her lowest and most miserable, broken beyond repair, what had she hurled at Philip—the very person who saved her? The memory remained vivid in her mind.

Inside Count Kilcos's castle, in the secluded room at the far edge of the corridor bathed in warm, cozy sunlight, Dianna had resorted to the most cowardly defense.

[Dianna] "Why did you do it?! Why! Why did you run away?!"

[Philip] "..."

[Dianna] "Because you ran, I tried to escape too! And I got caught because of it!"

He was blameless.

[Dianna] "If only you had stayed in the capital! If only you had saved me!"

[Philip] "Ann."

[Dianna] "It is all your fault!"

Even knowing the truth, she had desperately needed someone to blame.

Inheriting her bloodline's cowardly, despicable nature, Dianna had wounded Philip in that very manner. To a man who was merely trying to flee his stepmother's lethal threats, she had inflicted that terrible scar.

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