TSMMT Ch 28

A Certain Sob

Through the cracked opening of the door, a woman sat in a chair. A man and his followers watched her through the gap.

"Ugh, sob! Heave!"

Her delicate shoulders shook with weeping. As she turned, the movement revealed her exceptionally slender neck.

A passing cloud allowed sunlight to flood the window, casting a blinding radiance over the dress draped across her thin frame. The gown looked ridiculously lavish, completely out of place for her grim situation.

A large, intricately crafted sapphire necklace adorned her neck, complemented by a bracelet made entirely of sapphires on her arm. Despite the magnificent jewelry, she looked more wretched than anyone else in the room.

Three days had passed since she last touched food or drink, yet the woman continued to weep.

[Follower 1] "Just because that stupid maid died……"

[Follower 2] "Our Queen always brings disgrace to His Majesty. To think she tried to flee again. Poor Logaphel."

[Follower 3] "Perhaps she weeps merely for show."

The man turned back coldly at the casual remarks behind him. The followers harbored rebellious glints in their eyes, yet they quickly stifled their breathing under his icy gaze.

Countless people blamed the weeping woman.

She deserved it. Naturally, she had attempted to escape. Therefore, he intended to show her the consequences of her actions. Above all, executing that maid was an absolute necessity. Thus, he forced her to watch the maid's execution personally, leading to this miserable state.

The man forced his way through the cracked door. While a knock could announce his arrival, a knock fundamentally symbolized mutual respect. If a door remained unanswered after multiple knocks, forcing entry became necessary. Since all respect had vanished between them long ago, he harbored no hesitation about this intrusion.

[Guiscard] "Queen."

His voice echoed deeply. Yet the woman continued her sorrowful sobbing. She remained maddeningly, completely frail. Her weakness infuriated him. What righteous deed had she performed to justify those tears? Why did she refuse to eat?

The man reached out and gripped her shimmering, pale blonde hair. This beautiful, radiant hair that he once never dared to touch—now, he could handle it at will.

The moment his massive hand touched her, the woman's body flinched violently. Turning to look at the man who touched her, her eyes widened in terror, and she stumbled backward. In truth, she attempted to flee, but her legs buckled, causing her to collapse onto the floor.

[Dianna] "What…… brings you here?"

Tears streamed continuously from her wide eyes. Though she strove to speak with a calm voice, her words trembled terribly. If he took a single step closer, she would undoubtedly retreat in sheer panic. An aversion stronger than during their moments of physical intimacy radiated from her.

Her entire frame shook with violent tremors. Terror consumed the woman right now. Though fear overwhelmed her completely, she didn't look away. Not out of defiance, but because her terror paralyzed her.

The man realized a bitter truth.

This…… this was far worse. This surpassed the absolute worst moments when she had looked down on him as a slave and treated him with contempt. The young girl who used to smile brightly at him had vanished completely.

---

Prince Philip's birthday party arrived one month before Dianna's thirteenth birthday. She pondered repeatedly what gift would suit him best.

[Dianna] "Your Highness, what sort of gift do you wish to receive?"

[Philip] "Huh?"

In the end, she chose to ask him directly. She couldn't come up with an idea. On her way back from visiting the Princess, she posed the question, prompting Philip to laugh in amusement. His reaction made perfect sense; a young girl had suddenly chased him down to ask such a thing.

[Philip] "The Duke undoubtedly arranged my gift already."

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "Why? Do you intend to present a separate gift to me as well?"

He chuckled. When she nodded, he grinned. He reached out and ruffled her hair.

[Dianna] "Ah! My hair!"

A gift was a gift, and her goodwill was goodwill, but she felt a surge of intense irritation. After all, her hair held immense importance. No matter how casual their dynamic, messing up a noble lady's carefully styled hair was completely uncalled for!

Beholding her indignant face, he burst into laughter.

[Philip] "Ah, My Lady, don't be angry. We have grown quite close, haven't we?"

[Dianna] "Have we grown close? Pardon?"

[Philip] "Of course. We cross paths every day, and we share conversations in the garden. This absolutely counts as close."

[Dianna] "Even so, ruining my hair like this is……"

[Philip] "I merely did it because you look adorable. A brother can do that to his younger sister."

[Dianna] "Younger sister?"

[Philip] "Yes. Why? Does that offend you too?"

He curved his green eyes gently, laughing at her reaction.

Younger sister.

It was a nostalgic title. Her relationship with Emil had fractured completely, meaning she no longer lived as a younger sister to anyone.

Dianna gave a bitter smile. Observing her expression, Philip chided her softly.

[Philip] "Goodness, My Lady, where would you find the funds to buy a separate gift anyway? I don't need a present bought with a child's pocket money."

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "You only need to treat Ionia well. That suffices for me."

Is he drawing a line?

Just as a quiet disappointment began to color her thoughts—

[Philip] "Ah, does that answer fail to satisfy you? Then how about this? I do possess an absolute wish."

[Dianna] "Yes……?"

[Philip] "Permit me to call you Ann. Ann, your nickname."

It felt strange. Dianna bit her lip.

Remarkably, Philip possessed a unique talent for instantly erasing the 'appropriate distance' she strove to maintain. He didn't approach stealthily with a hidden motive, nor did he seek to trap her, study her, or mock her. Having faced relentless malice in her past, Dianna could detect the sinister intentions of others instantly. Therefore, Philip was an anomaly. His approach felt incredibly warm and comforting, yet entirely refreshing. He always left a pure impression.

[Dianna] "Very well."

[Philip] "I am delighted. Thank you so much."

He offered a bright smile.

Does gaining permission to use my nickname really bring him such intense joy?

Granted, a nickname carried a special meaning, but the right to use her nickname can hardly be considered a priceless treasure. Searing heat rushed to her ears, flushing them red.

[Philip] "Ah, right. Ann, here is a candy."

[Dianna] "Again?"

He laughed, pressing the candy into her palm before departing. Dianna let out a chuckle at his antics. Since her glass jar had filled completely, she needed to purchase another one. And a gift as well, she thought, staring at the glittering candy.

---

Upon returning to the estate, Dianna encountered Emil. They had avoided speaking to each other for a long time since Mirva's banishment. Consequently, she had never discussed his true parentage with him.

Emil stood motionless, glaring at her with a cold expression. She also stiffened.

[Emil] "You look exceptionally happy."

Dianna widened her eyes at his remark. His hostile tone carried an absolute desire for her misfortune. Before she could respond, he brushed past her. She lowered her gaze.

His words harbored a deep animosity that far exceeded anything a brother should direct toward his younger sister.

Even without a confession, the reality stood plain: Emil knew Mirva was his biological mother. The exact moment he unearthed the truth mattered little now.

They used to share a warm bond during their childhood; Emil used to ruffle her hair and celebrate her birthdays. How did their relationship shatter so completely?

---

Melancholy consumed her today. She needed to visit the garden and gaze at the stars to soothe her troubled mind.

The moment her duties concluded, Dianna headed out to the backless bench. She lay down immediately to look at the stars. Thoughts of Philip brought a smile to her face, but thoughts of Emil left her feeling completely suffocated.

She retrieved the candy from her pocket and placed it in her mouth. The sweet flavor slowly dissolved her sharp irritation.

As she fell into deep thought, the sound of footsteps echoed nearby, prompting her to sit up quickly. It was Guiscard. Upon seeing her, he offered a quiet bow and turned to leave. She let out a heavy sigh.

[Dianna] "Guiscard."

His footsteps ceased. First Emil, now Guiscard. She deeply wished to escape these exhausting burdens.

Guiscard walked back cautiously, matching his gaze with her eyes. His deliberate pace quickened as Dianna remained completely still. He stopped directly in front of her, looking down at her seated frame.

[Guiscard] "Yes, My Lady."

He bowed politely. For a split second, his gaze drifted toward her round cheek, puffed with the candy, before shifting away.

Facing Guiscard, Dianna instantly lost her voice.

When he had previously directed his murderous intent toward her, sheer terror had nearly driven her to faint.

Should I command him never to do it again? But how can I even voice such a thing?

[Guiscard] "I…… apologize."

His sudden words startled her. He dropped to his knees and looked up at her.

[Guiscard] "I was wrong."

She found herself entirely confused, unsure how to respond to the kneeling youth. If she asked herself whether she still feared him, the answer remained a definitive yes. Though she didn't face the same spine-chilling terror as before, the underlying fear persisted. She opened her mouth cautiously.

[Dianna] "You intended to kill me back then, didn't you?"

[Guiscard] "……."

He offered no answer. She locked her gaze onto the magical collar around his neck. Squeezing her fists tightly, she recognized that she felt a despicable sense of relief from his restraint. She strove to keep her voice entirely calm.

[Dianna] "I know you refuse to obey me. I know you harbor no desire to submit, and you never will."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "I will not even ask why you did it. I clearly crossed a line that you couldn't tolerate."

At that moment, an expression of complete confusion rewrote his features.

[Dianna] "You have no need to obey me, nor do you require a reason to do so. Just……"

She let out a heavy sigh.

[Dianna] "Just don't treat me as an enemy. If you despise me, state it clearly, just like you did when you first arrived at this estate. And…… no, never mind."

And please, don't murder me or my people.

She left the words unspoken. Instead, she resolved to bury her curiosity regarding Herya completely.

He looked up and questioned her quietly.

[Guiscard] "Were you not curious about my identity?"

[Dianna] "Don't worry, I will never ask about it again."

Ensuring Guiscard became her slave, liberating him from the mansion's abuse, and eventually setting him free—that represented the absolute limit of her duties, but she deeply desired to uncover Herya's true identity.

However, if the inquiry provoked such terrifying rage from Guiscard, burying the matter entirely served as the superior path. Just like their past life, maintaining an absolute distance formed the correct dynamic. She resolved to show absolutely no interest in his private affairs. This choice completely severed their personal bond.

[Guiscard] "She is my mother."

Yet, as if fighting back against her attempt to cut ties, he spoke. Staring directly into her eyes, he continued.

[Guiscard] "The woman who gave birth to me."

---

Requested by one of our lovely readers, I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please consider supporting the author on Naver Series and Kakaopage.