TSMMT Ch 45

A Slave Desiring His Master

Dianna let out a sigh at the sight of Guiscard kneeling before her. A large man bowed before a small girl; she closed her eyes.

[Dianna] "Right. You had no choice."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "I am your best option."

He looked up at her words. It was the truth. Guiscard stared at Dianna with a blank expression. He shook his head as if to deny it and spoke.

[Guiscard] "No. I……"

[Dianna] "Guiscard. It is fine."

She understood because she was an adult now. This was exactly why the Guiscard of her past life had kept Dianna by his side.

He desperately needed even a shred of pity. Especially now, abandonment by Dianna, his current master, meant returning to his original status as a basic slave.

She remembered her past life. She had worked so hard just to win a single smile or a moment of attention from this slave. Guiscard was always cold.

Although he accepted whatever she offered, the boy never approached her, nor did he ever smile at her. Yet now, he spoke to her in this manner.

[Dianna] "It is fine. Nothing happened between us. I will forget it."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "Really."

She smiled brightly to reassure the boy, but the heavy atmosphere didn't lift.

Why? Did I do something strange?

His expression resembled someone who had witnessed something forbidden; Dianna must have done something wrong.

Something deep within his eyes had shattered.

[Guiscard] "From now on, I will look only at you……."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "There will be no betrayal."

His face was full of desperate longing. She looked down at the slave gripping her hand. The proud slave collapsed, begging her.

[Guiscard] "You are the only one I have."

Is this boy doing this to show me how wicked I am?

Dianna looked up at the sky.

Why does this declaration bring satisfaction? Why does it make me happy? Why do I feel relieved?

Although the relationship between Levian and Guiscard was already foretold, she decided to believe his current oath.

[Dianna] "Alright."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "Alright, Guiscard."

In truth, she was angry with him. Rage drove her actions. The moment she saw Levian, an unbearable hatred for Guiscard consumed her.

Guiscard, you will not look only at me. You will father a child with Levian. With the very woman who destroyed my baby.

[Dianna] "Look only at me, not that woman."

Her usually vague demands became specific. At her instruction, hope sparked within his fractured eyes.

[Guiscard] "That woman?"

She didn't reply to his questioning look.

[Dianna] "No matter how much she tempts you, you must look only at me."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "If she harms me……"

[Guiscard] "I will kill her."

Those words snapped her back to reality.

Kill her? Would he kill Levian himself? What a sheer delight that would be!

If he did, I would shower this boy with kisses.

But Dianna suppressed the cruel impulse. Not a single part of it was right; it was an unhealthy, twisted desire.

[Dianna] "No, don't do that. Just teach her a lesson."

She gave a bitter smile.

I know you can't do it.

His face shone brightly.

---

[Philip] "Ann, we need to talk."

Dianna stared at Philip, who had come to see her, and gestured no. She knew conversation was necessary.

[Philip] "I didn't mean it that way. I didn't think you would actually react to the lady like this……"

[Dianna] "I know. I know you didn't mean it that way."

He scowled and lowered his gaze. He spoke in a low voice.

[Philip] "I only said it because you look miserable all the time. I keep asking if you are in pain, but you never give me a reason. It frustrates me that misunderstandings are building up because of your expression."

[Dianna] "Yes, misunderstandings…… It makes sense."

She brushed it off gently. Just as she had with Guiscard, she could understand Philip and let it go.

It is natural to feel frustrated, and it is natural to get angry.

He smiled and lifted his gaze, only for his expression to turn to shock.

[Philip] "What is that?"

Dianna tilted her head at his question.

What does he mean?

[Philip] "If you say you understand, why is your face so cold?"

[Dianna] "Me? What are you talking about? Did you come here to make peace with me?"

Philip gestured no at her sharp remark. Emotions only clash when both sides are honest with each other. Dianna was angry and hurt, but she hid her feelings and claimed to understand. Their reconciliation was not real. That was the beginning of their rift.

[Philip] "Ann. You are the one who saved my life. Without that quill, I would be dead."

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "I think of you as a friend. Even more than a friend."

Her eyes widened at his words.

What does that mean?

However, those words were merely a pretext for him to say what he wanted.

[Philip] "Do you have no intention of telling me why you have been so downcast?"

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "And how did that slave kill Echidna?"

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "What happened between you and Lady Levian?"

She couldn't answer a single question. Philip curled his lips into a smile.

[Philip] "You hide too much. You refuse to speak or share anything."

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "Can you and I really be friends like this? In the end, we can't share a deep connection."

[Dianna] "What are you saying all of a sudden?"

He gestured no at her words.

[Philip] "Lately, you just carry too many secrets."

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "Ah, I am sorry. I came to apologize but ended up getting angry instead. Alright, Ann. Goodbye."

Dianna tried to say something, but Philip turned and walked out of the room. She stared at the door in confusion.

---

Misfortunes always arrive all at once. Dianna scowled. Swept up in her distress over Philip, she didn't even think about keeping Guiscard and Levian apart.

In truth, there was no need to do so. Levian didn't know Guiscard at all.

[Saruvia] "What are you going to do about this slave?!"

Saruvia shouted at Dianna. When Dianna turned her gaze toward Guiscard, the boy was drenched.

[Dianna] "What is the matter?"

Ferdinand and Philip rushed over after hearing the commotion. Philip avoided Dianna's gaze.

[Saruvia] "He is incredibly insolent!"

Looking closely at Guiscard, Dianna noticed the boy's cheek was swollen. He quietly lowered his gaze. Water dripped down his body.

[Saruvia] "He is your slave, correct, Lady Brienne?"

[Dianna] "Yes. What happened……"

[Saruvia] "Does your slave possess a stiffer neck than a nobleman?!"

[Dianna] "……."

[Saruvia] "Not only did he refuse to bow, but he also refused to tell me his name and rejected my command to bring flowers."

[Ferdinand] "Oh, what a lowborn wretch!"

Ferdinand took Saruvia's side.

[Saruvia] "If your master holds me in such low regard, even a... a slave treats me this way……"

Saruvia began to weep. Dianna stared at Guiscard, giving the boy time to explain himself. He spoke calmly.

[Guiscard] "The only one who can give me orders is my master."

[Saruvia] "……."

[Guiscard] "Is it not natural to obey only the person who owns me?"

[Ferdinand] "Shut your mouth!"

Ferdinand kicked Guiscard's foot. Just then, the Duke's roaring voice echoed.

[Duke] "You insolent wretch! How dare you bring shame to your master?!"

Standing among the crowd, the Duke's face flushed red with anger. He must have been watching the entire time.

An ominous premonition struck Dianna.

[Duke] "Lady Levian, I am deeply sorry. As an apology, I shall give you this slave——"

[Dianna] "Father!"

[Duke] "Quiet! I trusted you to manage the household!"

As the Duke shouted, Dianna stared back in frustration. Giving Guiscard to Saruvia was completely out of the question.

Giving away a slave so suddenly? A smile touched Saruvia's bewildered face.

[Saruvia] "Oh, if that is Your Grace's apology, then……"

No. Why is this happening?

Dianna stood frozen. At that moment, Guiscard drew a dagger from his chest.

What on earth?

The crowd, including Saruvia, screamed and stared at the boy. Guiscard looked straight into Dianna's eyes.

[Dianna] "Wait!"

[Guiscard] "I have only one master."

With those words, he drove the blade into his own heart without a moment of hesitation.

---

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