TSMMT Ch 23

Candy

[Alexa] "Sister, why don't you play with me lately?"

Dianna turned back at Alexa's question. Alexa scowled, furious. She tried to care for Alexa in her own way, determined to prevent Mirva from neglecting the girl. Alexa was healthy now, yet left entirely alone in the mansion.

[Dianna] "Alexa."

[Alexa] "Brother Emil remains busy every single day, and you go to the royal palace to care for the Princess. I am so bored."

[Dianna] "……."

[Alexa] "Do you hate me? Am I less important than the Princess?"

Dianna's face twisted. In the past timeline, she raised Alexa. Watching the resurrected Alexa, she tried to count it as pure luck. A miracle that Alexa breathed and lived. Yet treating her as a nuisance triggered immense guilt.

[Dianna] "Of course not. You are precious to me."

[Alexa] "Then stop going to the palace. I am lonely. Let us play together. Please?"

She grabbed Dianna's sleeve. Understanding Alexa's underlying emotion, Dianna couldn't shake off the grip.

[Alexa] "Why do you say you love me if you never stay with me? You are a liar."

[Dianna] "Alexa."

[Alexa] "Don't go! I said don't go!"

When Alexa threw a tantrum, she lacked all restraint. She screamed and wept.

[Dianna] "Alexa, I am sorry."

She reached out to soothe Alexa, but Alexa shoved her.

[Alexa] "I don't need a sister like you!"

[Dianna] "……."

[Alexa] "I hate everyone! I hate you!"

As she screamed in rage, Dianna let out a sigh. Right then, footsteps echoed.

[Guiscard] "My Lady."

Dianna turned toward the voice and found Guiscard standing there. He watched the weeping Alexa. Dianna realized it had been a long time since she last looked at Guiscard.

Past ill fate and nightmares counted for nothing in the face of the present reality.

Dianna turned away, embarrassed to display her chaotic domestic reality.

[Alexa] "I hate you too!"

Alexa snatched a flower vase from the wall and hurled it at Guiscard. Sudden shock spurred Dianna into motion.

Fortunately, the vase struck Dianna's body without shattering, but the water inside drenched her completely. She squeezed her eyes shut. She had stepped forward instinctively to shield Guiscard, taking the blow instead. Though Alexa lacked the strength of an adult man, she threw it with all her might. The impact left Dianna's head throbbing with sharp pain.

[Alexa] "S-Sister……"

Dianna recognized her pathetic state, looking like a drowned rat. Extreme shame washed over her. Not because Guiscard was a slave. She simply loathed displaying such a wretched sight to him.

She forced down the rising tide of emotion. She gritted her teeth.

[Dianna] "Your behavior grows increasingly insolent. Where did you learn to take your anger out on others whenever you face frustration or rage? I constantly instructed you to refrain from such actions."

[Alexa] "……."

[Dianna] "Neither Mother nor I ever taught you such wickedness."

[Alexa] "Sister…… I……"

Tears welled up in Alexa's eyes. But Dianna glared at her with an icy, rigid expression. Seeing that unyielding face, a sudden streak of defiance flared across Alexa's features.

[Alexa] "But people say you slapped Mirva too!"

Dianna widened her eyes. Right, Alexa failed to see any distinction. Dianna herself never considered her own violence a proud achievement.

[Dianna] "True. I have no excuse for that action."

[Alexa] "……."

[Dianna] "I believed you were a child who knew how to apologize, but you disappoint me."

[Alexa] "Oh……"

---

Dianna turned and entered her bedchamber. She inspected her reflection. She must change her entire outfit and redo her hair. She forced herself to regulate her breathing.

Right then, someone extended a towel from behind. Startled, she turned back to find Guiscard standing there.

[Guiscard] "Dry yourself, My Lady."

[Dianna] "……."

She lowered her gaze, consumed by intense humiliation and shame. She couldn't bring herself to look up, loathing that she exposed such a pathetic state to him.

[Dianna] "Thank you."

She used the towel to dry her wet hair. He watched her silently.

[Guiscard] "The vase struck your head."

[Dianna] "I am fine. It will only leave a small bump."

She reached up to touch her forehead. Sure enough, a lump had formed.

[Guiscard] "May I ask you one question, My Lady?"

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "Why did you step in to shield me?"

Because I refuse to let Alexa sin against you. She did nothing wrong to you, and I loathe the thought of her dying due to a crime in this life. I must protect Alexa.

Dianna wanted to voice those exact words.

Guiscard had done absolutely nothing wrong, yet for some reason, an urge to vent her anger on him welled up within Dianna. But doing so would count as a mere emotional outburst. It would make her no different from Alexa.

Suppressing the unidentifiable emotion, she spoke in a faint voice.

[Dianna] "If you feel any gratitude or remorse toward me, please look after Alexa."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "Because I can't care for Alexa right now."

An intense psychological toll weighed on Dianna. Despite possessing an adult soul, she felt on the verge of breaking down like a vulnerable child. She longed to lean on someone and weep heavily. Yet she couldn't permit such weakness before Guiscard.

They shared a dark destiny; they could never become allies. They would never remain husband and wife, nor would they become lovers. Remaining master and slave was completely out of the question.

I must never expose my true emotions to Guiscard.

She firmly barred the gates of her heart.

His gaze locked onto Dianna for a brief moment before shifting away.

---

Upon arriving at the royal palace, Dianna learned that Princess Ionia had gone out with Prince Ferdinand. Since avoiding Ferdinand formed the absolute condition of her role as lady-in-waiting, she had to leave the palace immediately.

Dianna missed the messenger entirely.

I should have stayed home to play with Alexa. When things fall apart, everything fails at once.

She let out a heavy sigh.

Yet she loathed the idea of returning home. For some reason, the estate felt entirely horrific. Left with no choice, she wandered through the royal palace.

If her father caught her wandering during his palace visit, Duke Brienne would surely scold her.

Dianna thought of Duke Brienne. While she once rejoiced upon reuniting with her father, that joy had vanished. He was not a protector Dianna could lean on to share her burdens.

[Philip] "What are you doing?"

A sudden voice startled her. It was Prince Philip. Radiant blonde hair entered her vision. As the unexpected appearance left her stunned, Philip offered a pure, innocent smile.

[Dianna] "I greet Your Highness."

[Philip] "……"

[Dianna] "What brings you here, Your Highness?"

[Philip] "This place happens to be my home, you know?"

He studied her face before asking softly.

[Philip] "Did something happen?"

[Dianna] "……"

[Philip] "Your expression looks terrible."

She was no longer a child who poured out every grievance at a gentle prompt. She offered a soft smile.

[Dianna] "It is nothing."

[Philip] "Come now. Your face looks like you might burst into tears if someone taps your shoulder."

[Dianna] "……"

[Philip] "That is exactly why I walked over here."

He stared at her, his gaze reflecting absolute concern rather than malicious curiosity. A strange person. Philip possessed a peculiar warmth.

[Dianna] "My younger sister took her anger out on me."

Remaining completely silent would sound too rigid. At her explanation, Philip nodded understandingly.

[Philip] "The youngest young lady must feel jealous because you care for my sister."

[Dianna] "How do you know that?"

[Philip] "It is obvious at a single glance. Besides, you lump your forehead."

[Dianna] "Ah……"

How mortifying. Dianna raised a hand to touch the swelling. The dull ache triggered a quiet wave of irritation. Right then, Philip reached out to soothe the lump gently.

[Philip] "You must endure a lot of hardships."

[Dianna] "……"

[Philip] "Everyone knows the Duke remains constantly occupied, and the successor is likely just as busy."

[Dianna] "……"

[Philip] "You had to grow up quickly too, didn't you?"

[Dianna] "What do you mean by—"

[Philip] "Standing alone after losing the protector who loved you most. It is much harder than it looks, right?"

Prince Philip smiled at Dianna. In the wake of his bitter words, she caught a glimpse of his deep loneliness.

Philip had also lost his mother. The former Queen passed away from illness during his childhood, leaving him entirely alone.

Observing Dianna's expression, Philip gave an awkward laugh.

[Philip] "What is with that face? Don't pity me. Unlike you, I only have my own life to take responsibility for."

[Dianna] "……"

[Philip] "You look like you carry far too many responsibilities. A young lady your age should behave callously like Ionia, yet your refusal to cry even now proves my point."

He pondered for a moment, rummaged through his pockets, and pressed something into Dianna's palm.

[Philip] "Here, a candy."

Staring at the round piece of candy encased in glittering paper, she let out a dry chuckle.

[Dianna] "Do I look like a child to you?"

[Philip] "Your age dictates that you are a child."

[Philip] "……"

[Philip] "Since you are a child, eat something sweet to cheer up, just like a child should."

He is nothing but a child himself. Nonetheless, his thoughtfulness brought profound comfort. They were vulnerable children who had lost the absolute parental protection that should shield them.

Because of this shared grief, the present Philip acted far more mature than Ferdinand, who never outgrew his childishness despite aging. Philip stood as the superior prince by far, despite sharing the same age.

Wait, Philip is one year older than Emil, right?

Beholding a behavior more brotherly than her own brother's, Dianna let out a gentle smile. The glittering candy resembled a precious gemstone.

A strange sensation washed over her. A woman well over twenty years old found solace in this young boy. She considered today an absolute failure. Yet, if a single piece of candy could evoke a smile, her melancholy must remain a fleeting shadow.

[Dianna] "Thank you."

[Philip] "……"

[Dianna] "Father mentioned that the political climate has grown highly volatile lately. If you can increase the number of your personal guards, please do so, Your Highness."

Philip tilted his head in confusion at her sudden warning. This advice remained the only protection Dianna could offer him.

---

Mirva changed her dresses continuously. Countess Chante had promised to introduce her to Duchess Poliana.

The Duchess! The exact position she desperately coveted.

What does the woman occupying that rank look like?

Once accepted into high society, Mirva continuously pestered the noblewomen for attention. Yet her efforts yielded poor results. Whenever she sent letters, the noble ladies granted a meeting barely once out of ten attempts. Among them, a few only agreed to meet because Mirva offered hefty bribes.

That mattered little to Mirva. Maintaining continuous interaction with aristocratic women held absolute importance. She needed her own unique connections, independent of Dianna or Duke Brienne!

[Follower] "Excuse me……"

[Mirva] "What is it?"

Her trusted follower stepped forward.

[Follower] "The Esilac Merchant Group is demanding immediate repayment of your debt."

[Mirva] "What?"

Serving as a maid in a ducal house hardly provided a salary massive enough to purchase dresses recklessly. Furthermore, buying extravagant gifts to appease the noble ladies had completely drained her coin purse.

Mirva had spent her entire annual salary and even exhausted the estate's domestic budget, yet the funds remained insufficient.

She bit her lip in sharp anxiety. Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck her.

[Mirva] "Ah!"

Her eyes brightened with wicked delight.

[Mirva] "Our young lady still possesses her jewelry box!"

The legendary jewelry box the late Duchess had bequeathed to Dianna!

A single gemstone from that collection would easily cover the debt and leave a substantial surplus. Mirva flashed a brilliant smile.

---

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