TSMMT Ch 22

A Single Step

Securing the position of lady-in-waiting proved difficult for Dianna.

[Dianna] "I will refrain from any behavior that displeases Her Majesty the Queen."

She delivered these words first to the Queen, who had requested a private conversation over tea. When the Queen questioned her meaning with a sharp, inquiring look, Dianna smiled brightly.

[Dianna] "Her Royal Highness Princess Ionia requested that I serve as her lady-in-waiting."

[Queen] "Yes. I summoned you to discuss that very matter."

She studied Dianna intently. To the Queen, she looked like an ordinary child who had eagerly accepted a position offered solely out of the Princess' one-sided affection.

[Queen] "What do you mean by behavior that displeases me?"

She questioned her with a trace of amusement in her voice. Yet, her icy eyes sent a sudden shiver down Dianna's spine.

[Dianna] "If I assume the position of lady-in-waiting, my opportunities to meet the Prince will multiply, correct?"

[Queen] "Indeed."

[Dianna] "I pondered the matter deeply. Using the position of lady-in-waiting to approach a man whom every noble lady desires counts as an unfair privilege. It would also cast doubt on my sincerity in serving the Princess. Therefore, I will ensure that I never meet the Prince."

Unable to ask directly if the Queen disliked her, Dianna spoke evasively.

The Queen signaled for her to continue. The constant frown vanished from the Queen's brow, replaced by a slight upward curve of her lips.

[Dianna] "I wish to serve as the Princess' lady-in-waiting."

[Queen] "Why go to such lengths? You would find plenty of excellent opportunities even without becoming the Princess' lady-in-waiting."

[Dianna] "My mother always told me that I must earn everything by myself, no matter how small."

[Queen] "……."

[Dianna] "Furthermore, I want to reassure my father. He believes I am far too young to manage the estate."

[Queen] "Ah. Lady Brienne, your household employs a maid who manages the internal affairs, correct? To be precise, she was the late Duchess' lady-in-waiting?"

She knows the internal affairs of the Brienne house.

The Queen knitted her brows and shook her head, clear disgust rewriting her expression at the mere thought.

Opening her eyes, the Queen fell into deep calculation. Would placing this child—who suffered abuse under a mere maid and her father's mistress—by the Princess' side bring profit or ruin? Despite the Princess' persistent demands, the Queen harbored deep reluctance.

Dianna recognized the Queen's hesitation. She weighed whether to appeal to the Queen's emotions or logically present a practical benefit. Dianna blinked slowly.

[Dianna] "Please grant me a chance."

[Queen] "A chance?"

[Dianna] "I can never become a magnificent person like Her Majesty the Queen. I lack such confidence. I only desire something straightforward."

[Queen] "……."

[Dianna] "I want to escape that mansion. I refuse to overlook the woman daring to covet my mother's rightful place."

Dianna intentionally exposed her slender wrist. Starvation under Mirva's orders had caused her to lose weight. Her unlined sleeves clearly revealed her bony wrist without any effort. Unlike her appearance at the Princess' birthday party accompanied by the Duke, she now displayed an absolute lack of proper care.

Dianna looked up at the Queen with an earnest expression. In truth, a sly demeanor ill-suited a twelve-year-old child. Dianna calculated that speaking with absolute honesty offered the best path to reach the Queen.

When the Queen remained silent, Dianna pleaded desperately.

[Dianna] "I have a younger sister to protect. I will never grow reckless or neglectful just because I hold the position of the Princess' lady-in-waiting. Please, grant me this chance."

The Queen detested Duke Brienne. Yet, a shred of sympathy and maternal instinct remained within her. Lady Brienne pleaded desperately, yet preserved her dignity. She explicitly promised to avoid the Queen's precious son. Unlike the weasel-like Duke, the young girl's gaze carried absolute sincerity.

The Queen's scales tipped completely.

---

Serving Ionia proved far easier than caring for Alexa. First, the Queen's senior ladies-in-waiting handled a significant portion of the duties. Fortunately, these senior attendants refrained from mistreating Dianna, despite her status as a newcomer.

The pitiful orphan of the Brienne estate.

Instead, the senior attendants showered Dianna with exaggerated pity and sought to assist her. Highborn noblewomen guarded fiercely against a low-born woman coveting the position of a legitimate wife, projecting their own fears into deep outrage.

Dianna's emaciated form, a stark contrast to her appearance at the birthday party, fueled their sympathy. Several senior attendants vowed to summon Mirva to deliver a public humiliation.

Dianna recognized that this kindness carried a hidden price. When she officially debuted into high society later, this past would cling to her like a permanent stigma. Furthermore, once she grew into an influential position, these women would demand a return favor.

What does it matter?

In her past life, Dianna avoided accumulating such debts, but she now resolved to exploit this advantage to the fullest. Once the senior ladies accepted her, serving Ionia became effortless. Ionia treated Dianna entirely as a friend. Having raised Alexa, managing a young child came naturally to her.

A strange realization struck her. She didn't lack love for Alexa, yet caring for her younger sister always drained her energy. Conversely, serving Ionia counted as an official duty that yielded tangible rewards. Despite performing identical tasks, the palace work provided Dianna with an absolute sense of liberation and achievement. Even Duke Brienne rejoiced upon discovering that she had brought him one step closer to the highly coveted royal engagement.

Alexa.

Alexa weighed heavily on Dianna's conscience. Unlike her, however, Alexa reigned as their father's most cherished daughter. Dianna only hoped Mirva would refrain from mistreating Alexa.

Pushing her anxieties aside, Dianna dedicated her full efforts to caring for Ionia. Ionia followed her devotedly, mimicking her every action. Though naturally timid yet tomboyish, the Princess gradually adopted a calmer demeanor under Dianna's influence.

Having a peer like Dianna by her side eased Ionia's deep anxiety. In a stark departure from the past timeline, her bladder disorder steadily improved. Furthermore, despite her terror of men, the Princess began to tolerate young boys.

The King rejoiced at the undeniable recovery of the realm's sole princess. Commending Dianna's hard work, the King granted her permanent, unrestricted access to the royal palace—a prestigious privilege normally reserved for high officials or explicit royal invitations, now bestowed upon a twelve-year-old girl.

In addition, the Queen presented her with a private carriage and horses. High society began to view Dianna Brienne in an entirely new light—a lady-in-waiting personally chosen by the Princess, a potential royal fiancée who maintained a refreshing, ungreedy demeanor, and a dedicated attendant who cared flawlessly for her charge. Much earlier than in her past life, Dianna successfully caught the attention of the nobility.

---

Mirva dropped her jaw in sheer disbelief at the invitation Dianna extended. In Dianna's absence, she had continued to rule the estate like a queen. Yet, as she stared at the invitation Dianna presented, her hands shook uncontrollably.

The Sienne Count family had organized a tea party and explicitly invited Dianna. The House of Sienne famously served as the Queen's closest confidants.

[Mirva] "Why did they send this?"

[Dianna] "I asked if I could bring you along, and they granted permission."

[Mirva] "What?!"

She shrieked in shock. Dianna maintained her calm smile.

[Dianna] "I need your assistance."

[Mirva] "……."

[Dianna] "The gathering features noblewomen cherished by Her Majesty the Queen. I can't possibly attend such a place entirely alone."

[Mirva] "……."

[Dianna] "They will understand if my lady-in-waiting accompanies me. You know that I remain far too young. I have yet to make my official debut, but this gathering operates exactly like high society. Mirva, who already made her debut, must guide me."

High society. Those words made Mirva's eyes flash with excitement. She had previously lost her chance to visit the royal palace. Though she had technically debuted in her youth, she never participated in actual social activities. No one ever invited the daughter of a ruined house. The same rule applied now; no highborn noble would ever invite a fallen woman who merely managed an estate as the Duke's mistress.

An official invitation. A tea party. Her heart hammered wildly.

What if this tea party succeeds and I form connections with those highborn ladies?

Dianna offered an innocent smile. Mirva felt an overwhelming urge to kiss the young lady, feeling a sudden wave of regret for starving her for days out of petty anger.

[Dianna] "Can you…… assist me?"

At her prompt, Mirva nearly nodded immediately, but caught herself to pretend to deliberate before answering.

[Mirva] "Very well. I shall provide that much assistance."

Ah, what dress should I wear?!

Her chest swelled with anticipation. She toyed with the idea of reporting the matter to the Duke, but firmly decided against it. The Duke remained highly skeptical of her social ambitions.

What if he forbade her from going? To a low-ranking noblewoman like Mirva, this tea party represented an absolute stepping stone into high society. As a ruined noble who essentially lived as a commoner, she had longed to enter the world of high aristocracy.

Clutching her racing heart, Mirva began preparing for the tea party that very day, purchasing an immense number of dresses.

---

Stepping out of the carriage, Mirva walked with an elegant stride, masquerading as if she truly reigned as the Duchess. To Dianna, Mirva resembled a creaking wooden doll, but she paid it no mind.

Mirva braced herself for the worst possible outcome: the noblewomen might unite to humiliate her publicly. Stepping into such a venue as a mere aristocratic mistress would undoubtedly invite icy glares. High society operated on those exact cruel rules.

She gripped Dianna's hand tightly. Irritatingly, Dianna showed no signs of nervousness, yet Mirva felt a shred of gratitude for the girl holding her hand.

Every eye locked onto Mirva the moment she stepped into the tea room. As tension gripped her, the noblewomen offered beaming smiles.

[Lady] "Welcome, Lady Brienne! Welcome, Lady Linus."

A sudden surge of emotion overwhelmed Mirva.

Lady Linus.

Her long-lost family name echoed in this grand space once more. Fighting back her tears, Mirva took her seat.

The legendary cutthroat schemes of high society seemed absent today. Sitting in the unfamiliar environment, Mirva strove to join the conversation. Although the noblewomen primarily addressed Dianna, they occasionally included her.

Escaping total isolation, Mirva successfully exchanged names and formed acquaintances with several ladies.

[Lady] "Let us meet again next time, Lady Linus."

The high society Mirva had so craved tasted as sweet as cotton candy and sparkled as brilliantly as diamonds. She had won acceptance rather than facing rejection from this elite circle.

She pondered this miraculous party repeatedly.

Ah, I want to become exactly like them.

Her ambition ignited into a blazing fire.

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