TSMMT Ch 114

Words Left Unsaid

Philip stared at Dianna with a blank expression, his emerald eyes trembling in shock.

She steeled her face, forcing herself to remain calm. They were the words she had always longed to say, words she had lacked the courage to utter until now.

[Dianna] "I knew I had to apologize to you. You did nothing wrong..."

[Philip] "Ann..."

[Dianna] "I am so sorry."

Confessing her wrongdoing, she lowered her head. She had harbored countless targets for her resentment, yet she had directed her darkest emotions toward the one person who least deserved them.

[Dianna] "I suppose I found you easy to target. You were the only one who treated me like a child, who cherished me... I took advantage of that."

No one had come to her aid. She had tried summoning spirits, but those cursed restraints were imbued with ancient magic, blocking even spirit summoning.

Rendered a helpless human, she became their scapegoat. She had screamed for rescue, but no one listened. The estate ignored her cries. Time passed as her spirit broke.

The memory remained vivid. She was barely rescued from that frigid cellar, her mind so fractured she didn't even register her salvation at first.

Fearing the warmth of human touch, she had tried to flee, ignoring Philip's sobbing. As time passed, her sanity returned with terrifying swiftness. The moment she realized she was safe, she screamed in anguish.

Her own family had broken her. Her own blood had humiliated and trampled her. Her own family had killed 'her'!

Dianna had wept like a wounded beast, realizing the full horror of what was done to her. And how had she treated Philip? She vented her rage upon him, screaming that it was all his fault.

Stunned, Philip had begged for forgiveness. Knowing full well he was a victim, Dianna had transformed herself into his tormentor. She closed her heart to him, while he tiptoed around her as if bearing an unforgivable sin.

She had been too consumed by self-preservation to question their twisted dynamic. Claiming to make rational and 'right' choices, she overlooked her own cowardice, acting normal as if that horrific day had never occurred.

Through it all, Philip never stopped believing in her. That trust allowed her to use a fake 'prophecy' about Panborough's future to shelter Alexa. Time slipped away.

[Philip] "Ann, I am sending you to Neust Academy."

She stared at him blankly.

[Philip] "No one knows you there. No one will ever hurt you again."

He embraced her tightly.

[Philip] "I am sorry... I am so sorry I failed to protect you."

Dianna had rejected his apology. She couldn't accept it because that embrace forced her to realize what she had done. Driven by the pathetic excuse of being a victim, she had accepted his devotion while feeding off his guilt.

She went to Neust Academy without a word, carving out a life for herself. Only during that time of healing did she look back and recognize her cruelty. She wanted to apologize, but Philip never sent letters, Panborough fell into ruin, and she remained hidden.

But now, she could finally speak the truth.

[Dianna] "I wanted to tell you how sorry I am if we ever meet again."

She whispered.

[Philip] "How could you...?"

Tears streamed down his face.

Watching his silent weeping, Dianna waited for her judgment. Her confession was complete. He had every right to resent her or lash out with harsh words.

[Philip] "Just to say that...? After all this time... you still carried it...?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "It was my fault, Ann. It was entirely my fault. Even now, you blame yourself for others..."

He buried his face in his hands, falling silent for a long time. Dianna waited quietly as time passed. Eventually, he lowered his hands.

[Philip] "Ann, do you know something?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "I actually tried to overthrow my brother for your sake, together with Grandfather."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "But we lacked power. We were far too weak."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "Your resentment was justified. Even after rescuing you, I lacked the power to avenge you against your father. I wanted to give up on everything, so I ran away."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "In truth... I wanted you."

It was a quiet confession. Dianna looked at his tear-stained face.

[Philip] "I truly wanted you... enough to abandon everything."

She nodded quietly.

Clenching his teeth to suppress his sobs, he spoke.

[Philip] "Take my hand and run away with me right now, Ann."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "Are you going to stay here in a miserable marriage? You fled from him once before, didn't you?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "This is no place for you to live. A foreign queen's life is brutal. Look at what happened to Aunt Herya, how she was ousted and how she died!"

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "Please, Ann, let us leave. It is safe now. I won't run away. I will protect you this time."

Dianna listened to his sweet offer. To be protected and cherished, what a tempting comfort. She wouldn't need to struggle or fight here. Yet her answer was decided from the start.

[Dianna] "I can't do that, Philip."

[Philip] "...Ann."

She smiled gently.

[Dianna] "I don't love you in that way."

[Philip] "..."

[Dianna] "It is the truth."

She finally understood the nature of that strange first affection. She had simply longed for a dependable brother or father figure, someone who treated her like a precious child. Like a child enjoying sweets, she had merely relished the comfort Phillip offered. She had wanted to rely on him, nothing more. But he could never be that, nor could she return to being an innocent girl.

She smiled, sparing him the harsh analytical breakdown of her feelings.

[Dianna] "I love my husband."

His eyes widened, his expression contorting in shock.

[Dianna] "Being by his side is my happiness."

Those words echoed with absolute clarity. Frozen in shock, Philip smiled faintly after a long silence.

[Philip] "I see."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "Yes... I see."

Relief settled over his face.

[Philip] "It makes sense. You were always looking at that slave, worrying over him."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "The two of you always shared secrets."

He accepted the truth easily.

[Philip] "Then I ought to congratulate you."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "Congratulations, Ann."

She nodded. He extended his hand with a smile.

[Philip] "We will always remain good friends."

He took his offered hand gently.

[Philip] "You don't need to feel sorry anymore."

[Dianna] "..."

[Philip] "Live as you wish."

She nodded, tears finally slipping down her cheeks.

---

Stepping into the corridor, Dianna wiped her tears. She needed to prepare and choose another evening gown, though her appetite had vanished.

As expected, Philip had forgiven her. His innate goodness always pained her heart. He was someone who made her feel safe, someone who made her want to be a child again. But was that love? Could she hold his hand and flee based on such an ambiguous feeling?

Never.

Dianna entered her bedroom, wanting to gather her thoughts in solitude and skip the evening banquet if possible.

[Guiscard] "Did your conversation run long?"

Her eyes widened at the voice. Guiscard stood inside. When had he arrived?

Emerging from the corner, he stepped toward her as if he had been waiting. Though it was a bright afternoon, heavy drapes were drawn, allowing only faint shafts of light to penetrate the room. His face was shadowed, yet his violet eyes gleamed intensely.

Approaching her, he wiped the corner of her eye with his thumb.

[Guiscard] "You cried a lot."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "My wife cried a lot."

In an instant, he pressed her down onto the bed. Dianna looked up at her husband, who hovered above her like a predatory beast.

[Guiscard] "Because of him."

His voice was a whisper, yet chills ran down her spine.

[Guiscard] "Did you miss that bastard so much?"

[Dianna] "It wasn't like that."

He spoke coldly.

[Dianna] "Why are you here?"

[Guiscard] "Is it unusual for a husband to enter his wife's room?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "Or is it unusual that a husband and wife have separate bedrooms...?"

Laughing self-mockingly, he caressed her eye.

[Guiscard] "My wife refused to dine with me, met another man, and returned to her room in tears. What do you think I should make of this?"

[Dianna] "I did nothing dishonorable—mmph!"

Guiscard captured her lips abruptly.

Ah, again.

He had a habit of kissing her without warning. Pressing his tongue inside, he kissed her fiercely, drinking in her breath as if attempting to consume her entirely. She shuddered as his heavy tongue swept the roof of her mouth.

When she struggled to breathe, he broke the kiss. Watching her gasp for air, he stared down at her in silence.

He was on the verge of stripping her clothes and taking her body. Yet strangely, the beast pinning her down looked at her with an odd gaze, like an abandoned stray begging not to be cast aside.

Though clearly furious, he emanated an overwhelming helplessness rather than anger. Just like her past self, he appeared to be crumbling in helpless inaction.

With those slave eyes, Guiscard stared at Dianna with deep resentment. Impulse drove her to speak softly.

[Dianna] "I told you I did nothing."

His eyes widened slightly at her gentle tone.

[Dianna] "Come here."

[Guiscard] "What?"

[Dianna] "Come here, Guiscard."

As she opened her arms, he relaxed and buried himself in her embrace, lying beside her. At this point, it was impossible to tell who was master and who was captive.

Wrapping her arms around the man who submitted so willingly to her embrace, Dianna pondered the baffling situation. An unstable emotion radiated from him.

Anxiety. Yes, it was anxiety.

Why? Simply because she met Philip? Was he afraid she would run away? Was he... anxious that she might abandon him?

Absurd. She reminded herself not to presume anyone's feelings. Yet Dianna gently stroked his back to soothe him. She felt his stiffened body gradually relax.

Is he afraid? Is he truly afraid?

Still uncertain, she spoke softly.

[Dianna] "We made a promise, Guiscard."

[Guiscard] "..."

[Dianna] "I will not leave before then. I will live as your wife."

[Guiscard] "..."

[Dianna] "Are you anxious?"

Guiscard pulled back slightly, staring into her eyes without offering a yes or no.

Looking at his clear, boyish gaze, she raised her waist slightly and whispered to him.

[Dianna] "Then sleep with me."

[Guiscard] "What?"

---

T/N: Here's the family tree I've put together so far:

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