TSMMT Ch 30

Wounds

Dianna's rapid movements triggered a relentless barrage of wind spheres. Although the magical projectiles were small, they carried lethal force, cutting deep into the assassins.

As highly trained experts, the killers managed to protect their vital organs, yet cuts and gashes rapidly multiplied across their limbs. Several collapsed to the ground as a sphere struck a bone directly.

Right then, an assassin hurled a dagger straight at Dianna.

[Sylph] "Danger!"

A tiny, winged fairy darted through the air to block the blade. Dianna instantly understood why the assassination plot against Philip had encountered an immediate hitch. It was because of this very creature.

The moment Dianna brandished the quill toward the attacker, a sharp shriek pierced the air. The assassin collapsed with a pained groan.

When she lowered the quill, the magic ceased. Surveying the fallen killers, she furrowed her brows.

I have caused quite a mess.

Dianna inspected her own arms and legs. Deep cuts left her in a wretched state. Blood also flowed from wounds on Philip's shoulder and waist where blades had struck him. Since he moved without hindrance, the weapons carried no poison. Regardless, both survived. The young princess escaped unharmed as well.

Before Dianna could speak, Philip addressed her.

[Philip] "You!"

[Dianna] "Yes, Your Highness?"

[Philip] "Hand over that quill quickly and run."

[Dianna] "……."

She shared Dianna's exact line of reasoning.

[Philip] "I will claim this artifact as a gift from my grandfather. So leave this place immediately, right now!"

She bowed politely.

[Dianna] "I am sorry. I wished to treat your wounds."

[Philip] "Don't worry about it."

Before departing, she addressed the young girl watching her.

[Dianna] "Your Royal Highness, please remain silent about the fact that I was here."

[P. Cagliari] "Wait! You saved my life, so at least tell me your name!"

[Dianna] "Please ask Prince Philip."

She slipped away in a hurry.

The Cagliari Kingdom was currently embroiled in a civil war due to a rebellion in Aude, its outermost territory. It made sense for rebels from Aude to dispatch assassins.

Yet would assassins from Aude wage a battle right inside a foreign royal palace? It was absurd. The killers possessed intimate knowledge of the palace layout. Furthermore, absolutely no knights patrolled nearby. The timing stood as the perfect opportunity for murder.

Who could arrange such circumstances? A clear motive existed to assassinate Princess Cagliari. And the only person with the authority to ensure Princess Cagliari and Philip stayed together was the First Queen.

A clear reason existed. Philip's maternal grandfather, Count Kilcos, reigned as a renowned knight and held absolute military power as a Margrave.

Dianna had successfully saved Philip for now. However, if the Queen discovered her intervention amidst such clear evidence, how would the Queen view her? She would undoubtedly mark Dianna as an enemy.

In fact, the Queen might target the entire Brienne Ducal House. An artifact imbued with protective magic was not something one acquired by mere chance. She would conclude that Duke Brienne had deployed his full strength to protect Philip. Claiming it as a coincidence would sound utterly ridiculous.

Dianna felt remorse toward Philip, who had to clean up the mess, but she had no alternative. Incurring the Queen's wrath and turning her own family into her enemy due to a misunderstanding was the ultimate disaster Dianna had to avoid. Even if it meant behaving like a coward, she had to escape.

Why does life feel even more difficult after returning to the past?

Dianna bit her lip. First Mirva's schemes, and now this ambush—danger continuously stalked her every step.

She tore her underskirt to wipe away the blood and stanch the bleeding. The blade on her shoulder had missed her neck by a fraction. A deeper gash on her calf would have crippled her permanently. Every single wound struck a critical area.

Fortunately, the ensuing commotion drew the servants and knights sprinting toward the scene. Dianna pinned her torn dress with a brooch to make it look like a decorative design, concealing the injury on her calf beneath her skirts.

Carrying visible injuries would betray her involvement in the assassination attempt. She had to maintain an entirely ordinary appearance.

After adjusting her attire, she called out to a passing maid.

[Dianna] "I feel unwell and must leave the palace. Where can I find the carriages?"

The maid kindly guided Dianna. She strove to hide any signs of injury. Stepping into the Brienne carriage, she let out a heavy sigh of relief.

I am sorry, Philip.

She had fled instantly like a frightened dog. Surely fate wouldn't remain completely unyielding, despite the absolute prophecy.

While anxiety for Philip gripped her, pain from her own wounds demanded attention. She needed to send a message explaining her departure to Princess Ionia, and it would be wise to inform her father as well.

As the intense tension dissolved, her consciousness grew hazy.

---

Much later, upon arriving at the Brienne mansion, Dianna met a familiar face waiting for her. It was Guiscard.

[Dianna] "Where are the other maids?"

[Guiscard] "Taking advantage of everyone's absence, they are currently cleaning the annex. I came out the moment word arrived of your return."

Strangely, beholding this terrifying boy brought a wave of profound comfort, despite her inability to read his thoughts.

[Guiscard] "My Lady?"

[Dianna] "Help support me."

As she whispered the request, he nodded.

[H. Maid] "My Lady, what happened!"

Startled by the young lady's early return, the Head Maid came running. Dianna pulled her close and whispered.

[Dianna] "I am injured. I can't explain the reason, so please keep this a secret from Father."

[H. Maid] "Understood."

The Head Maid was an ally Dianna had meticulously recruited during the conflict with Mirva. She had personally secured a skilled doctor to cure the Head Maid's ailing daughter. Since then, she had feigned deep loyalty to Mirva while secretly protecting Dianna.

[H. Maid] "Should I summon a doctor?"

[Dianna] "No. Just bring me some wound salve first."

[H. Maid] "Right away."

She then turned to Guiscard.

[H. Maid] "Look after the Young Lady."

He nodded.

Dianna calmly reviewed the situation. First, she resolved never to mention saving Philip to her father. Sometimes, ignorance provided the best protection.

The assassination attempt on Philip had clearly concluded for now. An assassination was a complex operation that required the perfect moment; missing this window meant the next opportunity might not arrive for a very long time.

Dianna leaned on Guiscard for support. She strove to walk normally, but she could feel blood flowing as the wound on her bound calf split open.

The moment she reached the stairs, she realized she could no longer move her legs. Her strength failed, and her body collapsed.

[Guiscard] "My Lady!"

[Dianna] "Shh."

Guiscard furrowed his brows. He looked displeased and opened his mouth to speak, but after glancing at her bleeding leg, he swept her up into his arms.

What? Is he carrying me like this?

How? Is he not just a young boy?

Right then, she realized that Guiscard had outgrown childhood, entering the phase of physical maturity. Rumors spoke of his immense physical strength, and the reality stood plain. He held Dianna without a single tremor.

His gaze dropped to the injured girl in his arms. When she averted her eyes, his eyes narrowed sharply.

He successfully carried Dianna to her bedchamber and placed her gently onto the mattress. The moment her injured calf touched the bed, a wave of sharp agony nearly forced a scream from her lips. Right then, he spoke.

[Guiscard] "My Lady."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "Permit me to inspect the wound."

When she offered no response, he knitted his brows.

[Guiscard] "This isn't an injury from a simple fall."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "You're leaving a trail of blood. Even if I'm merely a wretched slave……"

What? A trail of blood?

Panic gripped her. The other maids must never discover this disaster!

[Dianna] "Then clean up the blood."

His eyes fixed on her, carrying a strange flash of displeasure.

Why? Does he loathe the command to wipe away blood?

[Guiscard] "Understood."

He withdrew.

Dianna closed her eyes as the Head Maid entered the room. Only now did the sheer weight of her situation sink in. Relief at surviving clashed with intense anxiety.

Beholding the wounds, the Head Maid gasped in sheer horror.

[H. Maid] "Good heavens, what happened! To a precious young lady's body! I will fetch holy water from a priest immediately!"

[Dianna] "That requires revealing a noble name. We can't risk it."

The Head Maid let out a heavy sigh.

Dianna changed out of her garments and allowed the Head Maid to treat the cuts. Although agonizing pain flared across her skin, she strove to maintain a calm expression. This matter had to remain a strict secret among the Head Maid, Dianna, and Guiscard.

After changing her clothes, Dianna unfastened her hair and fell into an early sleep. She groaned as intense pain radiated from her injuries, leaving her drenched in a cold sweat.

[Guiscard] "How foolish."

Suddenly, a quiet voice echoed in the darkness. Soon, a cool liquid saturated her bandages. Holy water. The moment the fluid touched her skin, the burning heat left her wounds with incredible speed. She drifted into a peaceful sleep.

---

The royal palace buzzed with chaos over the assassination attempt that occurred overnight. Emil returned to the estate immediately. Fortunately, the ongoing investigation prevented Duke Brienne from rushing back to the mansion.

The medicine the Head Maid provided proved highly effective, preventing the wounds from splitting open further.

[H. Maid] "You must refrain from walking around, My Lady."

[Dianna] "That is impossible."

Dianna let out a heavy sigh. She had to act entirely normal, appearing completely disconnected from the entire affair.

Fortunately, today was her day off, granting her ample time to recover quietly. As she sipped her tea, a sudden movement startled her. A tiny, winged creature the size of a palm stood right before her.

It was the very entity from the ambush—the one that had shrieked so piercingly.

Why is it here? Am I hallucinating? Is it a fly?

As she blinked at the creature, the tiny fairy offered a bright smile.

[Sylph] "Found you! Found you!"

While the incomprehensible sight left Dianna utterly baffled, a maid knocked on the door.

[Maid] "My Lady! We have an urgent matter!"

[Dianna] "An urgent matter? What is it?"

[Maid] "A guest has arrived. P-Princess Cagliari requests to see you……"

Dianna locked her gaze onto the insect-like fairy, who adopted the most adorable expression possible while staring back at her face.

[Sylph] "Hehe."

Dianna had exerted every ounce of effort to remain hidden. Yet this single visit threatened to shatter her entire cover. Her face stiffened into a completely blank look as a hollow smile broke across her features.

---

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