TSMMT Ch 29

An Unforgettable Birthday Gift

The royal court arranged a magnificent celebration for Prince Philip's birthday. Although the Second Queen had died of illness, leaving only the First Queen, the reigning Queen fiercely loathed losing face. If Prince Philip's celebration looked pathetic, the nobility would undoubtedly label the Queen a cruel stepmother.

Rumors spread that princes and princesses from various foreign kingdoms had received invitations. The Queen likely intended to exile Prince Philip as a married-in husband to a weak nation's princess. Dianna entertained a cold thought.

[H. Maid] "You look absolute perfection, My Lady."

The Head Maid showered her with praise, prompting a faint smile from Dianna.

An emaciated young girl stood before the mirror, dressed in elegant garments. The childhood softness had vanished completely from her face ever since Mirva starved her. She looked like a miniature version of her adult self.

[Dianna] "You didn't need to dress me so beautifully. My only purpose today is to attend to Her Royal Highness."

She had to serve by Princess Ionia's side. Princess Ionia had declared her intention to meet men for the first time, a change the Queen accepted with tearful gratitude. Dianna's relentless efforts had completely cured Princess Ionia's terror of men.

This reality explained why the court invited numerous foreign princes. The gathering didn't aim to secure friends for Prince Philip; it served as a hunting ground to find a groom for Princess Ionia.

Should I search for a groom there as well?

Fleeing to a third kingdom might offer a way to escape the hell Guiscard Lodbrog would construct. Yet Dianna recalled the absolute prophecy from God. The divine decree remained unyielding. Even if she attempted to flee, fate would repeat itself.

A deeper reflection revealed a stark truth: even if she married another man, Guiscard would still destroy this kingdom and reach out for her. After all, the Brienne Ducal House remained his mortal enemy.

Memories of that star-lit night flooded Dianna's mind. Herya was Guiscard's mother. The revelation brought no shock. Mirva obviously mentioned the name because a connection existed.

[Dianna] "Why did Mirva bring up that name? Did your mother know her?"

[Guiscard] "I am unsure."

His purple eyes gleamed with an icy light.

[Guiscard] "My Master contributed directly to my mother's death."

[Dianna] "Master……"

A shiver raced down her spine at the word Master. Guiscard referred directly to Duke Brienne. How should she process the fact that he labeled his mother's killer as 'Master'?

An absolute sense of helplessness consumed Dianna at that moment. Guiscard was no ordinary criminal's slave; he was the son of a person Duke Brienne had driven to death.

If so, whether Dianna brought Guiscard to the estate or left him behind, destruction would inevitably consume the Brienne family beneath his boots.

As her face turned bloodless, he spoke.

[Guiscard] "You have no need to worry, My Lady."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "You don't need to trouble yourself. That woman and I didn't share a close relationship."

A blatant lie. If the relationship lacked meaning, why did he unleash absolute murderous intent the moment she uttered the name? Dianna clearly remembered his chilling glare.

As she stiffened and shook her head, he spoke again.

[Guiscard] "It is the truth. Back then…… I simply lost my temper."

Simple anger could never explain that terrifying aura. He was still concealing his claws. Remaining Dianna's slave offered him distinct advantages; she taught him letters and instructed him in swordsmanship, granting him far better treatment than any standard servant. This utility drove him to offer an explicit apology.

[Guiscard] "Therefore, from now on……"

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "From now on, don't fear me."

The wind howled, scattering his hair. His eyes locked directly onto Dianna. The faint moonlight illuminated his clear purple eyes. His gaze, devoid of any bloodlust, carried a deep urgency and undisguised anxiety.

Dianna nodded.

Despite her simple gesture, the heavy air between them softened. Yet despair consumed her, and he instantly recognized that she had forced her nod.

---

Princess Ionia stood before Dianna. Adorned with a small tiara, she looked exceptionally bright and lovely.

Suppressing thoughts of Alexa, who had whined about wanting to attend the celebration, Dianna adjusted the Princess's gown.

She dedicated her full effort to serving Princess Ionia. She subtly whispered the names of the guests whom Princess Ionia should approach first, guiding the Princess through the greetings. The invaluable knowledge Dianna had acquired while navigating high society in her past life proved highly effective.

Consequently, Princess Ionia left a deep impression on the guests even before making her official debut. The nobility viewed her as an exceptionally clever, mature woman.

[Ionia] "Ann."

[Dianna] "Yes, Your Royal Highness?"

[Ionia] "Did you bring the gift for Brother Philip?"

[Dianna] "Yes."

[Ionia] "Go deliver the gift immediately."

[Dianna] "But……"

[Ionia] "I will rest for a moment before receiving Countess Leven's attendance. I can manage perfectly on my own."

She flashed a bright smile.

[Ionia] "I heard this gathering offers a highly important opportunity. You must not merely follow behind me; Ann must enjoy the night as well. You wore such a beautiful dress for the occasion, after all."

As the Princess smiled warmly, a sudden wave of emotion hit Dianna. Why did outsiders show her a kindness that her own family withheld? She suppressed her tears, offering a warm smile as she nodded.

[Dianna] "Thank you, Your Royal Highness."

Dianna had already secured the perfect item for Prince Philip. Exiting the grand ballroom, she retrieved the gift from her storage pouch.

The present appeared to be a completely ordinary quill. However, a remarkable magic lay hidden within the item. During her past life in high society, the sudden emergence of this specific quill had turned the aristocracy upside down. An idle ancient mage had imbued the object with an exceptional spell. Securing this item from an old antique shop counted as sheer luck.

[Dianna] "Where is Prince Philip?"

Inquiring with the palace guards, she learned that he had departed the ballroom alongside Princess Cagliari.

Are they already pursuing a romance?

Youthful romance moved at an incredible speed. Dianna swallowed a quiet sigh. Feeling irritation toward a boy far younger than her adult soul felt entirely inappropriate.

She quickened her pace to search for them.

During the formal birthday greetings, Dianna and Prince Philip had merely exchanged passing nods, leaving no time for an actual conversation. Whatever the circumstances, she had to deliver the gift.

She resolved to check on Prince Philip; if he and Princess Cagliari were sharing an intimate conversation, she would simply turn back.

Yet, despite scouring every corridor and lounge on the first floor, Dianna found no sign of Prince Philip and Princess Cagliari. Princess Cagliari was only fourteen years old, making a public scandal rather premature.

As she prepared to continue her search, the wind howled fiercely.

[Sylph] "Danger! Danger!"

A loud, piercing scream erupted. The voice didn't echo in the air; it pounded directly inside her skull. Startled, she marched toward the source before freezing in her tracks. A severe danger signal flared within her mind.

Should I summon the guards?

Sensing an absolute omen of disaster, Dianna considered calling for help. Yet, strangely, absolutely no knights guarded the perimeter.

How bizarre. A grand royal banquet requires a meticulous deployment of knights.

Before she could process the anomaly, a figure rushed out from the path ahead, brushing past her.

[Dianna] "Kyaah!"

A scream tore from her lips in sheer shock. Prince Philip stood before her, completely drenched in blood. She widened her eyes in terror. He tightly gripped the hand of a black-haired girl, Princess Cagliari.

What on earth happened? Why was Prince Philip in such a wretched state? Why were Prince Philip and Princess Cagliari running?

Instantly, Dianna's adult reason locked into place. She lacked exact knowledge of when Prince Philip died in the past timeline. She only knew that his assassination had sent shockwaves through the entire kingdom, creating a murderous atmosphere that gripped the capital for months.

[Philip] "Run!"

He shouted.

Could it be today? Was his death destined for this very night?

Dianna turned back. Black-clad assassins lunged toward her. Metal blades flashed under the streetlamps, reflecting the light with a deadly gleam.

Death approached. Dianna faced certain doom. Who could have guessed she would become entangled in a royal assassination?

She immediately sprinted after Prince Philip and Princess Cagliari.

[Sylph] "Danger, danger, danger!"

A tiny creature floating above the black-haired girl shrieked continuously. The piercing sound originated from that entity.

A sharp object grazed Dianna's waist. She deliberately refrained from looking back to identify the weapon. It was undoubtedly a poisoned dagger or a throwing star.

Constrained by her heavy dress, she ran at a miserable pace. Furthermore, this was the royal palace, not the Brienne Estate; she possessed absolutely no knowledge of any shortcuts. The assassins surely calculated this disadvantage. They would never allow a witness to escape alive.

As the threat of instant death closed in, a strong grip seized Dianna's arm and pulled her forcefully into a narrow opening between the dense trees. It was Prince Philip.

[Philip] "You!"

She gasped for breath. She had squeezed into a dense cluster of bushes where only children could fit. Only then did she manage to catch her breath.

However, a major problem remained: the assassins had witnessed their escape into the foliage. Dianna, Prince Philip, and Princess Cagliari had fled directly into a dead end.

[Sylph] "They are coming! They are coming!"

[P. Cagliari] "I know, so shut your mouth, Sylph!"

The girl—Princess Cagliari—snapped in a panic. What on earth was that creature? No, that mattered little right now.

[Dianna] "What happened, Your Highness?"

[Philip] "A sudden ambush…… Are you injured?"

At his urgent inquiry, Dianna inspected her limbs. Deep cuts shredded her garments, leaving her arms and legs bleeding.

[Dianna] "This will leave scars."

[Philip] "We are about to die!"

He shouted in a frenzy.

[Philip] "Why did you even come out here?"

[Dianna] "I came to deliver your birthday gift."

[Philip] "What…… Ha! I am sorry. I am deeply sorry for dragging you into this disaster."

Yet Dianna had no time to exchange words with Phim. The gift. Dianna held an item capable of altering fate right in her hands.

As footsteps thudded against the dirt and the assassins closed in, she fiercely brandished the quill.

The quill radiated a brilliant green light, and absolute spheres of wind blasted outward with terrifying force.

While a sudden surprise attack left no room to breathe, having a brief moment to prepare completely changed the dynamic.

Furthermore, the dead end worked to their advantage; Dianna, Prince Philip, and Princess Cagliari faced absolutely no threat from behind.

An ancient mage had imbued this extraordinary quill with a powerful, absolute spell of protection.

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