TSMMT Ch 48

The Dance of Tali

Before stepping out to dance, Dianna looked at Guiscard. He wore a surprised expression upon seeing her attire. It made perfect sense. He stared at her face, which was painted with bright red lipstick.

Because she was a modest young lady who had not yet debuted in high society, the outfit kept skin exposure to a minimum, yet Dianna still couldn't adapt to these flowing garments. Guiscard stared at her blankly for a moment.

[Guiscard] "My Lady."

[Dianna] "Are you feeling alright?"

He nodded. Watching him lower his gaze, she struggled to find the right words.

[Dianna] "Guiscard, don't do that again next time."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "You don't need to prove your loyalty through death."

He lowered his gaze instead of answering.

[Guiscard] "I heard the news."

[Dianna] "What news?"

[Guiscard] "That you are dancing because of me."

[Dianna] "Who told you?"

She asked, but he gestured no.

Someone probably overheard and told him.

She decided to dismiss the thought. He asked with a listless expression.

[Guiscard] "Did my actions back then cause trouble for you, My Lady?"

[Dianna] "No. Even if you were perfectly respectful, that woman would have targeted me regardless."

She found his guilt-ridden face absurd.

So this boy can make such an expression.

A slave who forced his master to dance; he was certainly insolent.

[Guiscard] "Is that woman... 'that woman'?"

[Dianna] "What?"

[Guiscard] "The woman you mentioned last time. Am I correct?"

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "She must be causing trouble for you, My Lady."

Did he actually remember that?

Studying his serious face, Dianna hesitated before she finally nodded.

[Guiscard] "Did that woman harm you, My Lady?"

[Dianna] "No, not yet. But she will."

He nodded. His serious acceptance of her words softened her heart.

[Guiscard] "Do you dislike the thought of me going to that woman, My Lady?"

[Dianna] "Yes. Anyone else might be fine, but absolutely not her."

A bright light sparked in his eyes at those cold words. Guiscard reached out a hand but quickly lowered it.

[Guiscard] "I hate it too."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "I also hate the thought of going to that woman."

[Dianna] "Why? She is kinder and more beautiful. She would definitely treat you much better."

His face hardened coldly at her words.

[Guiscard] "You still don't trust me. How can I show you my true heart? I am……"

[Dianna] "Guiscard. You don't need to say anything; your actions already proved enough."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "You literally stabbed your own chest with a knife just to avoid going to her."

Guiscard stroked his chest as if only just remembering the act. Dianna gave a bitter smile. As if failing to comprehend the meaning behind her smile, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, mimicking her expression.

[Guiscard] "Are you glad that I tried to die, My Lady?"

[Dianna] "If you had actually died, I would not even be able to smile. Never do it again."

He nodded with a clearly joyful expression at her softened tone. Even so, he stole glances at her smiling face.

[Guiscard] "So, can you win?"

[Dianna] "What?"

[Guiscard] "Does it mean I don't have to die?"

She blinked at the question, then smiled as she caught his meaning.

[Dianna] "Of course."

Confronted with her unexpected confidence, Guiscard stared at Dianna with wide eyes. She wore a confident expression for the first time in a while.

[Dianna] "Guiscard, I will not let anyone steal you away."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "You belong to me for now. It must be that way."

He didn't understand why he felt happy despite those words of clear confinement. However, he also failed to consider the weight of the word "now".

---

The flames of purification blazed, and people stepped forward one by one to dance. Any unmarried lady who had made her debut in high society possessed the right to participate in the ball. These women all demonstrated why they represented Tali.

The heat from the purification flames made the hall warm enough for the ladies to discard their heavy winter garments. Dressed in the fluttering robes of the goddess, the debutantes danced. Some wore sheer outfits that exposed their skin, while others wore tight-fitting clothes to show off their curves. A few individuals wore blindingly brilliant jewelry, claiming them to be ornaments of the goddess.

Some young ladies prepared short plays, while others performed unique dances. Because the dance of Tali followed no fixed structure, the participants portrayed the goddess in various ways. Then, one person captured everyone's attention.

Pink hair fluttered in stark contrast to the bright blue flames. Dancing with her vibrant hair loose, the girl exuded absolute beauty. Wielding a spear while dressed in shimmering silver garments, Saruvia looked like Tali, the Goddess of Winter, herself. Levian was performing a spear dance.

Ferdinand stood up and marveled at the sight. Shimmering with pure white light, Levian's appearance was stunning. The crowd stood entranced, and the priests reacted no differently.

[Crowd] "We must never say the Lodbrog Kingdom lacks culture again."

[Crowd] "Indeed."

Watching the radiantly shining lady, the nobles of Panborough whispered among themselves.

Now, the final turn arrived. Anticipation filled the room for Dianna Brienne's dance. More accurately, the spectators prepared to compare the two, expecting Dianna to fall far short of Levian.

How could a thirteen-year-old child defeat Lady Levian? They were ready to gossip about the humiliation awaiting Lady Brienne for stepping into a domain where she didn't belong.

As Levian stepped down from the stage, the crowd widened their eyes at the next performer.

[Crowd] "Huh?"

Astonishment gripped everyone. The figure emerging onto the stage was not a beautifully adorned Dianna, but a hunched old woman wearing a mask.

Akra let out a sigh. If not for the Archbishop's command, he would have stayed behind to offer prayers to God. Halting prayers just to judge such a trivial contest and coming to the ballroom was utter nonsense.

[Rob] "We have no choice. We just need to judge fairly."

Rob gave a bitter smile. Krond spoke with a gentle smile.

[Krond] "Taking this opportunity to observe the secular world is not a bad thing."

The three priests possessed deep devotion and avoided all political alliances. They took on hardships that others rejected and refused to let worldly greed sway them.

A massive wall separated them from power. Whether by fortune or misfortune, the Archbishop noticed their righteousness, appointing them as bishops and high priests, which allowed them to lead a peaceful life of faith. For that reason, they couldn't disobey the Archbishop's command.

Thus, they ended up at the Ball of Tali, the pinnacle of useless, wicked, and worldly things. In truth, the main deity they served was Kronosotia, the master of time and creator of the world, not Tali, who was merely one of the creator god's servants. Still, this event also honored the deeds of a divine being.

The magnificent dances unfolded before Akra. The women performed with passion and brilliance. Occasionally, only Krond showed changing expressions. However, Saruvia's dance forced even the rigid Rob to stand up from his seat. Akra narrowed his eyes.

Foolish, utterly foolish. Is this ritual supposed to represent Tali? They merely exploit the goddess to display their own youth and beauty!

Akra let out a sigh of disapproval. However, the final performer changed his mind.

The crowd was shocked. An old woman performing a dance where young, unmarried women displayed their beauty? Where did Lady Brienne go?

Soon, the spectators realized that the elderly figure was a person wearing a mask.

Could it be Lady Brienne?

Her short frame made it likely.

The dance of the robed figure didn't display great strength. Where was Tali, the powerful goddess of war? The onlookers scowled. Because the old woman's movements lacked passion, the performance didn't entertain. The fading image of an elderly person held no beauty, yet it held a quality that silenced the crowd.

Suddenly, astonishment gripped the crowd. Fire ignited the spear that the old woman wielded. The blue flames transferred onto the weapon. As the performer swung the spear elegantly, every fire around her flared brightly. Simultaneously, the flames in the braziers blazed all at once.

[Dianna] "I am Tali, the old woman of the snowy hills. With my spear, I melt the winter away!"

The old woman danced as she spoke. The fire blazed furiously, and her slow movements gradually accelerated. The crowd watched the performance as if under a spell. Soon, the mask fell away.

Gasps echoed through the room. Standing on the stage was a lady adorned with vibrant flowers. Instead of glittering jewels, she wore a crown of leaves and garments decorated with fresh blossoms. It was Dianna Brienne.

Unlike her usual tied-up style, her loose hair fluttered in the air. Her pale blonde hair shone with unmatched nobility, once adorned with red flowers. Her dance lacked flashiness, and her attire was equally simple. Yet, dressed in a white tunic, her footsteps were light, her skirt fluttering elegantly with every stride.

Because the performance carried no desperate need to impress, the audience couldn't tear their eyes away. The gentle, spring-breeze movements captivated everyone. The thirteen-year-old girl displayed sheer, youthful vitality. However, unlike standard performances, this beautiful dance ended quickly.

Why? Was it an attempt to maximize beauty through the contrast between youth and old age? Why did the girl's dance conclude so quickly?

Regret filled the crowd. As the dance ended, several onlookers studied Akra's face, reaching a single conclusion: this was an overwhelming victory for Dianna Brienne.

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