TSMMT Ch 32

Feud

[Ionia] "Brother! Sob, I thought you were going to die!"

She threw herself over Philip, who lay in bed reading a book, and wailed loudly. Her dramatic display contrasted sharply with Ferdinand, the First Prince, who had not visited even once after his half-brother survived the assassination attempt.

[Philip] "I am alive, see?"

[Ionia] "No, Brother! Do you have any idea how terrifying that was?!"

She hiccuped, staring at his bandaged wounds.

[Ionia] "Brother, don't die and leave me behind."

[Philip] "……."

[Ionia] "I have no one else to play with except you."

To Ionia, Ferdinand didn't count as a brother.

Philip looked at his childish younger sister. Weeping out of pure fear that her brother might die, her innocent state made her appear completely blameless.

Your mother tried to kill me.

Her presence suddenly felt hypocritical. The child knew absolutely nothing, weeping bitterly out of raw concern. The sound of her crying exhausted him. Her mother had orchestrated his murder. What would this girl become when she grew up? She couldn't remain ignorant forever.

The King had exploded with rage over the incident. Though a distant father, paternal affection remained within him. Furthermore, the sheer audacity of an attempt on his own bloodline sparked absolute fury.

Everyone within the court knew the identity of the mastermind. The indecisive King was far from stupid. He placed severe pressure on the Queen, confining her to her quarters under a strict house arrest.

The assassins were all dead, leaving no tracks to follow. Philip wondered if he must spend the rest of his days expecting another blade in the dark. Could he even survive to adulthood?

[Philip] "Ionia."

[Ionia] "Yes?"

[Philip] "I don't hate you."

[Ionia] "What do you mean by that?"

He offered a faint smile and gently stroked her hair. Nothing is ever gained from hatred. He repeated that truth within his mind over and over again.

[Philip] "Lady Brienne is resting today, right?"

[Ionia] "No? She took her day off yesterday. My dearest sister is naturally right here with me today!"

As she grinned, his expression froze.

Is that girl insane?

He forced himself out of bed.

[Philip] "Agh……!"

[Ionia] "Brother, what is wrong?!"

[Philip] "Ah, seriously……."

He limped heavily, an intense agony ripping through his stitched wounds.

[Ionia] "Brother! I knew it!"

She beamed.

[Philip] "Knew what?"

[Ionia] "It is love! You want to see Sister Ann even though you are in pain. You like my lady-in-waiting."

[Philip] "Dearest sister? What is with that ridiculous title?"

[Ionia] "Why? It sounds adorable!"

Philip ground his teeth.

Dianna's legs were undoubtedly injured, yet she forced herself to perform her palace duties? No matter how much she feared the Queen, the dynamic made no sense. The Queen currently endured house arrest, leaving her with absolutely no freedom to monitor anyone. Furthermore, since the Queen was absent from the scene, she would never connect a thirteen-year-old girl to a magical quill.

Dianna could have easily claimed an illness to remain in bed, yet she refused. She was a peculiar girl.

The moment Philip exited his chamber, he encountered Dianna standing in the corridor. He wished to grab her arm immediately, but his body refused to move.

Dianna looked annoyingly perfect. Her posture remained flawless, displaying absolutely no sign of weakness, which fueled his frustration.

She bled a river of blood yesterday!

[Dianna] "I greet Your Highness."

She lowered her frame into a graceful curtsy. As she bent her knees, her movements showed no hint of pain. Philip clicked his tongue internally.

[Dianna] "I heard the news. Are you in good health, Your Highness?"

Her calm inquiry sparked a surge of irritation within him. She herself looked completely battered under that facade.

Philip ruffled his own hair, forcing his anger down. Ionia stood right beside them. A single mistake could reach the Queen's ears. Furthermore, her other ladies-in-waiting served as the Queen's spies. He had to exercise meticulous caution.

[Philip] "Yes, I am perfectly fine."

He glared at Dianna as he spoke.

[Philip] "Ionia."

[Ionia] "Yes?"

[Philip] "I have a favor to ask."

[Ionia] "Sure! What is it?"

A typical noble girl her age would never display such relentless diligence.

[Philip] "Read a book to me all day long."

[Ionia] "Why so suddenly?"

[Philip] "Boredom consumes me right now. Entertaining myself alone is exhausting. Help me out."

Philip retreated into his room.

Excited, Ionia fetched a stack of books. Looking at the titles, Philip's face turned completely pale.

Ugh, I have no desire to hear those books.

Ionia's literary taste was utterly bizarre.

As Ionia settled down to read, Philip furrowed his brows and targeted the other ladies-in-waiting with a cold look.

[Philip] "A massive crowd ruins my peace. Leave us."

[Ionia] "All right! Everyone get out, except for Ann."

This incredibly dense girl!

The fatal flaw of a dense person is their firm conviction that they possess great social awareness. In the end, Philip compromised by allowing Dianna to pull up a chair, forcing him to endure the sound of the Princess' storytelling.

[Ionia] "When the traveler entered the room, the host was boiling something inside a massive pot."

[Philip] "……."

[Ionia] "The moment a severed fingernail floated into view inside, the traveler fled without looking back—"

First the strange mana pet, now these books; why did she always enjoy such gruesome things? Ionia harbored a deep love for horror novels, especially those filled with vivid, graphic descriptions.

[Ionia] "A sharp knife gleamed in the pursuing host's hand. Blood dripped onto the floor, painting the shape of a flower—"

Philip observed the silent Dianna. Appearing thoroughly bored, she was reading an entirely separate book. Intrigued, he studied the cover.

[The Easiest Way to Become a Spirit Summoner.]

What on earth is that?

[You Can Do It Too! Become a Summoner in Just 100 Days!]

[The Ultimate Guide by Master Summoner Peco!]

[Includes a Free Key Vocabulary Booklet!]

Beholding her studying that loudly colored, ridiculous book with absolute composure left Philip stunned. She looked like someone who would enjoy refined poetry or historic accounts, so why this sudden interest in absolute nonsense? A dull headache throbbed behind his temples.

---

The moment Dianna stepped out of the carriage, her strength failed. Searing pain throbbed through her injured leg. Forcing herself to walk normally at the palace had torn her stitched flesh apart. Blood was undoubtedly soaking through her bandages.

[Guiscard] "Lean on me, My Lady."

[Dianna] "Where are the other maids?"

[Guiscard] "The Head Maid ordered them to clean the kitchen annex to clear the area."

She nodded. Resting her hand heavily on his arm, she allowed herself to limp without restraint. As they reached the grand staircase inside the mansion—

[Dianna] "I can manage the stairs on my own—woah!"

Guiscard reached out and swept her up into his arms. She opened her mouth to protest but quickly gave up.

Why did he insist on doing this? Even yesterday, after Princess Sasha departed, Guiscard had followed her around like a shadow to execute his duties. This level of closeness felt entirely unfamiliar. They had never shared such a supportive dynamic in her past life. If the Guiscard from her previous timeline witnessed this display, what would he think?

[Emil] "What do you think you are doing?"

A chilling voice snapped Dianna out of her thoughts. Emil stood at the top of the stairs, watching Guiscard hold her. Pure malice twisted his features as he ground his teeth.

Emil marched down without hesitation and struck Guiscard across the face with a brutal slap. Guiscard tightened his grip instantly, securing Dianna. A single slip would have sent her crashing onto the stone steps. She glared at Emil before turning her gaze to the struck Guiscard.

Put me down.

Dianna pushed gently against his chest to signal him, but his grip remained solid and unyielding.

[Emil] "Did you bring this slave into our home just to indulge in such shameful behavior?"

Emil hissed with rage.

[Dianna] "Guiscard, put me down."

Reluctantly, Guiscard lowered her to her feet.

[Dianna] "Emil, don't say such vile things. I injured my leg, and he was merely carrying me to my room."

[Emil] "Injured your leg? How?"

[Dianna] "Something happened."

Before she could finish, Emil reached out and aggressively yanked her skirt upward, exposing her ankles and undergarments.

[Dianna] "KYAAAH!"

Searing heat rushed to her face, turning it crimson.

What insanity was this? Why would he lift her skirt? She was a refined noble lady; she had never endured such a vulgar act. This mirrored crude harassment fit for a harlot.

Why would her own brother inflict such a profound insult upon her? Unable to contain her fury, she slapped Emil across the face. He raised his hand in retaliation, then paused, a sickening smile curling his lips.

[Emil] "Pain!"

[Guiscard] "Aaaargh!"

A horrific scream tore from Guiscard's throat. A terrifying, blood-red light erupted from the magical collar around his neck. He collapsed onto the floor, clutching his throat and writhing in sheer agony.

Wait, what is happening?

This was the absolute torment inflicted by the restraint collar. Watching him choke, salivating and flushed with agony, left Dianna wide-eyed with horror.

[Dianna] "Emil, stop it! Emil!"

She shrieked. Guiscard's agonizing cries echoed through the corridor. Extreme terror gripped her at that moment. She grabbed Emil's shoulders, shaking him frantically.

[Dianna] "I told you to stop!"

[Emil] "The fault lies with the slave who dared to look at his master with insolence!"

[Dianna] "I was the one who slapped you! Strike me instead!"

She screamed.

[Emil] "Fine, since you beg for a striking—"

[Alexa] "Brother!"

Alexa stepped out of her chamber. Her eyes widened like a frightened rabbit's. Beholding Guiscard screaming on the floor, a sharp shriek escaped her lips as she stumbled backward. Alexa stared at the writhing slave before looking up at Emil as if confronting a total stranger. Total horror painted her face.

[Emil] "Release!"

Emil barked the command to deactivate the spell. Guiscard clutched his neck, coughing violently as he fought for breath.

[Emil] "So you really were injured."

A profound sense of utter humiliation made Dianna's frame tremble violently. Had he always been such a monster? In her past life, Emil was occasionally irritable, but he never displayed such wickedness. Though he was never a perfect model of a brother, they had maintained an ordinary sibling dynamic, even celebrating birthdays together. Yet the moment Dianna took the initiative to banish Mirva, Emil unleashed a deep hatred, seeking to degrade her entirely.

[Dianna] "Brother Emil……"

[Emil] "What?"

[Dianna] "How can you treat me this way?"

Emil scoffed, brushing past her. She was always the one seeking a rational conversation, and Emil was always the one mocking her efforts.

[Emil] "How can I treat you this way? Pfft, hahaha!"

He mocked her words with a sneer. Beholding his arrogance, Dianna's eyes turned cold.

[Dianna] "I will never forget this humiliation, Brother."

She delivered a chilling warning. Emil offered no response, letting out a loud laugh as if her fury were a mere joke.

---

The following day, the door to Emil's study burst open with a resounding crash.

[Duke] "You wretched fool! What madness have you been committing!"

Briefly startled, Emil, who had been pretending to study, jumped in surprise as Duke Brienne stormed into the room. His face flushed crimson with rage. As he bolted upright, the Duke slammed a stack of documents onto the desk.

Emil attended the prestigious academy in Tallinn, the capital of Panborough.

Total terror drained the color from his face. The documents didn't contain his forged report card; they were the genuine records. To make matters worse, an official academic warning from the head professor accompanied the grades.

Emil had bribed a servant to intercept this specific correspondence—how did it end up in his father's hands?

[Duke] "I read everything. You have been tormenting commoner students?!"

[Emil] "That is……"

[Duke] "The bullying is not the main issue! Is it true that they beat you up while you tried to harass them?!"

Emil offered no response to the Duke's roar. Duke Brienne valued his high status and personal dignity above all else. If his own son behaved in such a pathetic manner, forgiveness was entirely out of the question.

[Dianna] "What is happening, Father?"

A soft, gentle voice drifted into the room, and Emil recognized it instantly. It was Dianna. She stepped inside, staring at him with a thoroughly shocked expression.

She walked over and glanced at the documents in the Duke's hands. Gasping in horror, she covered her mouth and turned to Emil.

[Dianna] "Hasn't Brother Emil always maintained excellent grades? What is the meaning of this……?"

She questioned him with an innocent face. Staring at her shameless expression, a realization struck him.

This wretched girl orchestrated everything.

---

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