TSMMT Ch 140

Minor Disputes

The journey to the Holy See proved far smoother than Dianna had anticipated, largely due to the meticulous preparations orchestrated by Revius. Yet while the roads were clear, the people proved troublesome.

First and foremost, Leonie was so thoroughly incensed with Dianna that she barely uttered a word to her. Glaring at Dianna as though nursing a deep sense of betrayal, she nevertheless chatted and laughed freely with the maids, who found her the most approachable.

I tried to abandon everything and leave, so forgiving me must be difficult.

Watching Leonie turn her back as if rejecting even an apology, Dianna summoned her courage. Taking advantage of a moment when the party paused to rest, she approached her.

[Dianna] "Lady Kragel."

[Dianna] "Lady Kragel."

Dianna called out softly. Sensing several gazes upon her, she addressed the young woman, who still refused to look back.

[Dianna] "Lady Kragel, let us speak."

Leonie turned around with a frost-bitten glare that brought a momentary shudder to Dianna, fearing this woman might never forgive her.

She spoke in a tone dripping with sarcasm.

[Leonie] "Yes, of course. It is a royal command, after all."

[Dianna] "Are you truly that upset with me?"

[Leonie] "Am I upset? Ha..."

Leonie shot her a fierce glare. Yet that sharp gaze offered Dianna a strange sense of relief, proving that raw emotions were finally surfacing.

[Leonie] "How can you speak so casually now?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Leonie] "It irritates me, so please don't speak to me."

With Leonie openly venting her fury, Dianna remained silent, confronted by an expression of unadulterated resentment. Just then, an unexpected voice interjected.

[L. Eirick] "What insolence is this toward Her Majesty?"

Dianna turned. Resting nearby, Lady Eirick stepped forward, her features contorted in disgust as if smelling something foul. The fifteen-year-old ducal daughter possessed striking brown hair and pitch-black eyes.

Leonie sneered, curling one side of her lips.

[Leonie] "And how does this concern you?"

[L. Eirick] "As someone currently serving Her Majesty, I believe I have every right to speak."

[Leonie] "Do you not recognize when to stay out of matters that don't concern you? Know your place. This is strictly between the two of us..."

[L. Eirick] "If it is strictly between the two of you, why are you openly disrespecting Her Majesty in full view of everyone?"

Snapping back to her senses, Leonie glanced around. Though everyone pretended indifference, every eye was fixed on them, with several onlookers openly frowning.

Lady Eirick clicked her tongue in annoyance.

[L. Eirick] "I heard from my elder sister that you lacked basic manners, but this is embarrassing. Isn't that right, Lady Islag?"

[L. Islag] "Naturally."

Watching the drama unfold, young Rosalia Islag looked at Dianna. The youngest among them, the thirteen-year-old girl possessed vivid crimson hair, bright blue eyes, and charming freckles.

[Rosalia] "Treating Her Majesty with such disrespect will shock everyone! That's precisely why nobody ever invites you anywhere!"

The young girl launched her spirited assault against Leonie. Dianna knitted her brows. Before Leonie could retort, Dianna interjected firmly.

[Dianna] "Lady Islag. While I appreciate you taking my side, refrain from speaking in such a manner."

This was hardly the center of high society; ending the matter where Lady Eirick had drawn the line was the most appropriate outcome.

Her eyes welling with tears, the young girl fled immediately.

[Rosalia] "I-I am sorry! I only wanted to..."

Dianna released a soft sigh.

[Dianna] "Lady Eirick, the same applies to you. While I won't forget your defense, please refrain from dragging others into such disputes."

Gathering her skirts, Lady Eirick offered an immediate apology.

[L. Eirick] "I apologize, Your Majesty."

Her demeanor differed markedly from young Rosalia. In truth, Dianna found people like Lady Eirick far more intimidating. From a young age, she had understood that in high society or anywhere else, one must exercise caution before drawing seemingly friendly individuals close.

Dianna resolved to maintain a firm, balanced distance when cautioning them.

Once Lady Eirick departed, the two of them were left alone again. As Dianna prepared to speak, Leonie's astonished expression caught her off guard.

[Dianna] "Excuse me, Lady Kragel?"

[Leonie] "Is the person I just witnessed truly the mistress I used to serve...?"

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Leonie] "You were never someone who spoke like that. You used to be such a softie, someone who took every hit without striking back."

Softie…

It had been a long time since she last heard that word. Dianna wore an awkward expression.

[Leonie] "And that softie was actually trying to take my side just now!"

Leonie's eyes sparkled with emotion.

[Dianna] "Ah, well, yes, but..."

[Leonie] "How am I supposed to stay angry when you act like this?!"

Wait, can a person be this simple?

[Leonie] "Ha, really... I never intended to see you again. Had it not been for my father, I wouldn't even have followed you!"

[Dianna] "..."

[Leonie] "What good is a generous severance package?! You left without even looking at me or bidding farewell, as if we'd never meet again. I have my pride too... Nobody else knows, but I do. Only I know how cold-hearted you can be!"

Tears brimmed in her eyes. Dianna offered an awkward smile. Her planned departure was meant to be revealed gradually, meaning no one aside from Leonie had known.

[Dianna] "I did that because, from a certain perspective, I was an outsider, and I worried you would be burdened. If a new Queen arrived, your position could have become precarious."

[Leonie] "..."

[Dianna] "And I never intended for us to never meet again... Once I settled down, I planned to send a secret letter inviting you to visit if you ever ran away from home..."

She started to shout, but quickly checked her volume.

[Leonie] "You should have told me beforehand! It hurt my feelings..."

Dianna offered a sheepish smile. Though resolved far more easily than anticipated, she was relieved nonetheless. She preferred someone blunt and honest, even if slightly rude, over someone who blindly took her side. Someone like Leonie.

[Dianna] "Then please resume your duties as my lady-in-waiting. Honestly, managing on my own was overwhelming."

[Leonie] "Are you going to reclaim the severance pay?"

[Dianna] "No, I won't do that."

[Leonie] "Deal. I needed consolation pay anyway."

They bickered playfully just like old times. In that moment, Dianna felt a gaze upon them. Tarascus was watching them with wide, inquisitive eyes.

Contrary to expectations of frequent monster attacks, no monsters approached her vicinity. Adelheit explained it was due to the dragon, who possessed the innate ability to command monsters. Sensing his aura, the beasts fled. Bringing Tarascus along proved immensely advantageous.

Adelheit managed the knights seamlessly without Dianna having to ask, making the journey remarkably smooth.

Along the way, Dianna struck up conversations with Lady Eirick and gently comforted young Lady Islag.

Leonie casually brushed off Rosalia's insult, candidly admitting that her own foul temper was the reason nobody invited her anywhere, making it easy to smooth over their dynamics.

Unlike her viper-like mother, Duchess Islag, young Rosalia stuck close to Dianna's side the moment she showed her warmth.

Though thirteen was considered near adulthood, she was still an innocent child. Dianna couldn't bring herself to harbor hostility toward the girl simply because her mother was an enemy. Pitying the young child for following along, Dianna showed her extra care.

The dragon began conversing with Adelheit, and the knights ceased their subtle posturing.

Passing through Panborough, they finally arrived at the Holy See.

As they crossed the border, priests and paladins emerged as if waiting for them. Expecting cold treatment, such a vast welcoming party proved an unexpected reception.

Will this end smoothly...?

Yet the Holy See was not so benevolent. Looking upon the assembled crowd, Dianna clenched her fists tightly in tension.

A veiled priestess offered a respectful greeting to her.

[Priestess] "We greet Dianna Brienne, First Devotee and Queen of Lodbrog."

As she offered a polite bow, everyone present bowed in unison. Addressing her as 'First Devotee' was a deliberate calculation. Among believers, a hierarchy existed based on devoutness.

Devout believers classified as First Devotees received lavish hospitality in the Holy See, alongside the absolution of most sins. Having received a divine response during prayer in her youth, Dianna held that status. She assumed they would greet the accompanying nobles, yet every gaze remained fixed exclusively on her.

Ah, they intend to ignore the people of Lodbrog.

The power play beginning so early gave Dianna a throbbing headache, yet she had anticipated at least this much.

[Dianna] "Greetings, priests of the Holy See. Dianna Brienne and the visitors from the Lodbrog Kingdom offer their regards."

She intentionally designated her party as 'visitors.' A subtle hesitation rippled through the believers, as scripture explicitly commanded kindness to visitors. Unable to ignore them, the priests offered hesitant greetings.

Yet the woman who had initially greeted her beneath the veil remained motionless. Through the sheer fabric, her tightly set lips clearly betrayed hidden rage. Following the greetings, a suffocating silence ensued. Dianna studied her jawline and lips, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

The woman removed her veil.

[Ionia] "It has been a long time, Dianna Brienne."

Dianna stared in shock as the woman unveiled herself.

Princess Ionia was standing right before her.

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