TSMMT Ch 124

The Morning of Farewell

She didn't even know why she engaged in such intimacy.

Following his confession, her feelings had tangled into an intricate web, offering no clear answer beyond her absolute resolve to leave.

She wished to spend time with him without the burden of their past, to share his warmth. That was all.

Just as he lusted for her body, she lusted for his. Whether stemming from lingering attachment or vengeance mattered little.

Dianna looked down at the man lying beneath her.

Lustrous black hair, closed eyes beneath bangs that lightly veiled his gaze, and long eyelashes caught her attention, along with a straight nose and crimson lips.

This man lay beneath her. His feverish heat pressed against her delicate skin.

Why now, when I am about to leave? Is this lingering attachment? Stop it.

Reason whispered. Yet, she ignored it. The magic of finality swept away even her rational mind. Her lips brushed against his lightly, testing the waters before pulling back, only to touch again.

[Dianna] "Do you dislike this?"

[Guiscard] "Not a chance."

At his response, an uncontrollable flame ignited within her. Rational thoughts fled into the distance. Their light brushes of lips deepened into a feverish kiss.

Her fingers slipped beneath his garments, loosening them. Feeling constrained, he shed his clothes entirely.

Scorching heat met her touch. Beneath the pale moonlight, she gazed at his body lying underneath her. Unlike her supple, gentle contours, his frame was forged like tempered steel, composed of taut, unfamiliar muscle.

She stroked his physical perfection like a masterpiece again and again. Low groans escaped his lips, his breathing growing ragged beyond restraint. Watching him grimace as if in agonizing ecstasy, an indescribable emotion surged within her.

Completely helpless in her hands, the man kept his eyes closed without moving a finger. She let her slip slide down her body.

The crisp air brushed against her skin, raising goosebumps. Yet, while the cool air chilled her upper body, the heat where their lower bodies met burned furiously.

[Guiscard] "Ann..."

Desperation laced his voice. Unable to resist any longer, she spoke.

[Dianna] "Open your eyes, Guiscard."

His violet eyes remained as luminous as ever. She had once thought their shade resembled the sky at dusk. She looked spellbound into those eyes that focused entirely on her.

[Guiscard] "Haa..."

Seeing her bare before him, Guiscard exhaled a ragged breath, a sound caught between awe and agonizing desire.

Dianna lifted his hand and placed it against her thigh. His fingers gently caressed her skin. Feeling his rough touch, she studied his face.

The hand touching her trembled slightly. It had always been this way. She used to think it was just her imagination, but whenever he lifted her veil, carried her in his arms, or extended his hand, his touch always trembled.

[Guiscard] "Ann..."

At his yearning call, she nodded in quiet permission.

Rising to his hips, he captured her lips once more. His tongue intertwined with hers, unspooling her remaining sanity. His hands embraced her tightly, explicitly craving her flesh.

A heavy, ragged breath escaped him as he lifted her body slightly. The sudden sensation of his intrusion stole her breath.

[Dianna] "Ah... nnnh..."

Overwhelmed by the sensation, she instinctively tried to pull back, but he held her waist with a firm grip. Her fingers dug into his back, scratching across his flesh. A low chuckle escaped him.

Her lips parted in gasps as the agonizingly slow rhythm pressed into her. Holding her waist, he moved against her, prompting her to bury her head in his chest to stifle her gasps.

Her rationality dissolved into pure instinct. With every movement, intoxicating waves of pleasure hit her, forcing her to bite her trembling lip.

No words were spoken. Dianna surrendered to his body. Wet sounds and satisfied breaths filled the air. She believed nothing existed between them now beyond instinct and pleasure.

His flushed face wore a spellbound expression as he looked at her. Even while buried deep inside her, he caressed her frame with helpless desperation.

She clung to him, holding his hands tight. One moment she seemed to push him away; the next she wrapped her arms around his neck, biting back her feverish moans.

They craved each other relentlessly, making the night far too brief. Whether they desired each other's bodies or each other's souls remained unclear.

As if he had awaited this single night his whole life, Guiscard was relentless, pressing kisses onto every inch of her skin.

Dawn broke, and they lay together in sleepy intimacy, gazing at one another. He kept his eyes wide open, staring intently at her.

Not once did he ask her to stay. Instead of words, he stroked her damp hair, breathed in its scent, and nuzzled his cheek against her soft skin.

[Guiscard] "I am sorry."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "I am sorry, Dianna Brienne."

For the first time, his voice struck the depths of her heart, a statement far more agonizing than any confession of love.

Held tightly in his arms, she couldn't see his face. Yet, she could hear the choked cracks of tears in his voice.

She closed her eyes at his apology.

Ah, this man is just like me.

Just as her time had frozen in that estate cellar, he had never grown beyond the slave of that era. This man remained her slave, refusing to leave the courtyard of their past.

Thus, they were both victims of the exact same tragedy.

[Dianna] "Sleep if you are tired."

[Guiscard] "..."

[Dianna] "Go on, sleep."

At her soft words, his eyes drifted shut.

His blind devotion broke her heart. And so, she wept silently, gasping for tiny breaths through endless tears.

---

Early in the morning, Dianna finished preparing for her departure. She required few belongings.

Leonie had not yet arrived at the palace, and though Dianna pondered saying goodbye, she shook her head.

Perhaps the closeness was one-sided on her part. Yet, since Leonie had shown genuine goodwill, Dianna ensured a generous severance package was left for her. She prayed earnestly that Leonie's escape from home would succeed, unlike her own.

Knowing this was the end, even this prison-like palace seemed to take on a strange warmth.

Dianna looked down the corridor. Unlike her past life, this place had been decorated with small trinkets suited to her taste. Having arranged it herself, she felt a subtle attachment, leaving a bittersweet pang.

Among the maids lined up stood Mable. Dianna looked at her, who bowed to her.

[Dianna] "I am sorry."

She whispered. Regardless of the circumstances, these servants were losing their mistress and would soon have to serve another queen. Dianna was effectively abandoning them.

[Mable] "You have no need to apologize."

Dianna had never been someone worthy of their devotion. She had constantly harbored suspicion and guarded her heart. Yet, Mable had served her with absolute sincerity, making Dianna regret her initial coldness.

[Dianna] "No... I owe you so many apologies, Mable."

Mable bowed her head low, her petite frame trembling.

[Mable] "My only wish is for Your Majesty to be smiling, wherever you may go."

[Dianna] "..."

[Mable] "This was an arduous place for you."

[Dianna] "..."

[Mable] "I pray with all my heart for your happiness."

Sensing the absolute sincerity in her words, Dianna couldn't hold back her tears.

[Dianna] "Stay healthy and well."

That was all she could offer. The rustle of maids bowing echoed behind her as Dianna walked away toward the morning-drenched corridor.

Golden sunlight illuminated the grey palace halls.

[Adel] "Dian!"

A cheerful voice greeted her. Grand Duke Blake stood waiting. Pausing to study her face, he spoke in a subtly subdued voice.

[Adel] "Let's go."

He extended a hand toward her, but she declined it, walking ahead on her own.

A carriage waited at the destination he led her to. Boarding the carriage, she was welcomed by Sasha's warm smile.

[Sasha] "You are late."

[Dianna] "I apologize, Princess."

[Sasha] "You must have had friends to share final farewells with."

Dianna offered a bittersweet smile. Perhaps out of consideration, Sasha dropped her formal honorifics. Now that she was a commoner, she would normally lack even the chance to behold a royal's face.

As she took her seat, Sasha inquired.

[Sasha] "Is the man who was your husband not coming to see you off?"

[Dianna] "No."

[Sasha] "I had hoped to catch a glimpse of him. How regrettable."

[Dianna] "Since we mutually agreed to part, there is no need for him to see me off."

Dianna suppressed a strange swell of emotion.

Adelheit tapped lightly on the carriage frame before sliding open the window. Meeting her gaze, he offered a bright smile.

[Adel] "We are setting off now. Is there anything else you require?"

[Dianna] "No."

[Adel] "We shall take a steady, unhurried pace. Please inform me immediately if you feel unwell."

She offered a soft smile in appreciation of his consideration. Without further delay, the carriage bearing Dianna departed from the royal palace.

The absence of a grand crowd felt far more comfortable. This was a place she had never belonged to, nor had any reason to stay.

Closing her eyes, Dianna reflected on the nights she had spent. Her final memory of him wouldn't be one of sticky, vile resentment, but pure warmth. That single thought brought a sweeping sense of relief.

Dianna opened the window as the carriage traversed the capital of Lodbrog.

In the end, she had broken free from her fate.

Or so she believed.

---

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