TSMMT Ch 50

The Rightful Place

[Saruvia] "Duke Brienne brought those priests here in the first place! Lady Brienne knew in advance what they valued! Perhaps the priests even told her beforehand!"

[Crowd] "What blasphemy!"

[Crowd] "Apologize to the priests at once!"

Huh? This is wrong.

Saruvia opened her eyes wide.

Isn't it obvious? The Duke specifically brought these priests. It is only natural that they judge Dianna favorably. Doesn't anyone else understand this concept? Why are they acting like this?

Incomprehension gripped Saruvia entirely. Why did the nobles of Panborough, who were once so friendly toward her, act this way?

[Crowd] "How dare you insult the highly esteemed priests!"

[Philip] "Lady Levian, did I not tell you how fair those priests are?"

Even the people who previously associated closely with Levian joined in the criticism. Panic seized her.

Did I make a grave mistake? Why is everyone criticizing me? Isn't this a fair question to raise?

Saruvia expected the crowd to whisper and eventually recognize the true winner if she raised doubts. When even Ferdinand scowled at her, the sudden realization of her error struck.

[Dianna] "Please don't be so harsh."

She spoke calmly.

[Dianna] "As the priest mentioned, it is only natural for a foreigner to be ignorant of our myths."

She recalled a past life situation where Levian had humiliated her using this exact tactic.

[Saruvia] “Please don't be so harsh.”

The ignorance of Dianna Brienne, a foreigner back then, made her a perfect target to tear apart. Levian always created such situations to stir the crowd before stepping in to calm them down. Back then, Levian had spoken warmly.

[Saruvia] "It is only natural for a foreigner to be ignorant of our culture."

Surrounded by mockery, the lady had offered Dianna a radiant smile. Rage and helplessness overwhelmed her at the memory.

[Dianna] "Is that not right, Lady Levian?"

Dianna offered a radiant smile as she spoke those words. To her, Levian was digging her own grave.

Was I like that too?

Of course, the Dianna of the past life didn't abandon Panborough's customs intentionally, but showing off ignorance as a foreigner brought no benefit. Witnessing such behavior sparked a realization that she, too, had lived unwisely in her past life.

Consequently, Dianna finally locked eyes with Levian. This woman was the enemy who murdered her child. Yet, in this timeline, Saruvia had committed absolutely no crime yet.

In the past, this woman always blocked her, leaving her helpless until her child was stolen away. But things differed now. Dianna could look at her face and smile without hesitation.

Dianna was not yet the lady of a ruined kingdom, and Levian was not yet the powerful duchess who placed Guiscard on the throne. This obvious realization struck her late. This was her nation, her home, and the people here stood on her side.

Why was I so intimidated?

Dianna could easily reverse the roles. She possessed knowledge of the future. Living an adult life ahead of everyone else, a sense of absolute power surged within her. She could crush the lady right here and now. Yet she chose otherwise. She refused to lower herself to such foul tactics.

Mimicking Levian's typical tone, she spoke in a bright voice.

[Dianna] "It was an exceptionally beautiful dance, Lady Levian!"

[Saruvia] "……."

[Dianna] "I am delighted that you show such interest in our culture. Observing a dance performed by a foreigner was a precious experience."

When she smiled brightly like the Goddess of Spring, her beauty rivaled Levian's. The crowd, accustomed to the usually somber and reserved daughter of the house, was deeply moved.

Saruvia trembled with rage at the sight. Simply because Dianna became Tali, every ounce of attention vanished. Watching Ferdinand stand by Dianna's side, she suppressed a desperate urge to scream.

Even after the commotion settled, absolutely no one spoke to Levian. She bit her fingernails anxiously. Pushed to the periphery of the room, shame consumed her.

[Guiscard] "Finally, everyone is in their rightful place."

Turning toward the voice, Saruvia found a black-haired boy standing nearby. The tall, neatly dressed boy watched the ball with a bright smile. Fine garments emphasized his aristocratic appearance. His beautiful, elegant features triggered a memory of someone she had seen before.

[Saruvia] "Rightful place? What do you mean by that?"

She snapped. The boy assumed a startled expression and knelt.

[Guiscard] "Lady Levian! I was merely muttering to myself."

At his exaggerated tone, nearby guests stole glances at them.

[Saruvia] "You! You definitely meant that this corner is my rightful place!"

[Guiscard] "Ah, no. I spoke regarding my master. Why do you assume I spoke of you, Lady Levian?"

Her face flushed crimson. Even this slave focused his words on Dianna rather than her.

Though kneeling, the boy swept his gaze up and down Saruvia. Contempt filled his face. The sheer hatred running through his gaze mirrored that of someone who knew her intimately. The corners of her mouth curved upward.

[Saruvia] "You are remarkably insolent for your new master's sake."

He let out a short laugh.

[Guiscard] "The Duke promised to leave my ownership with Lady Dianna permanently, though?"

[Saruvia] "What?!"

[Guiscard] "Do you think I am entirely ignorant? You made a pact that I would be handed over if you became Tali, did you not?"

The boy's purple eyes narrowed. Her attempt to deceive and subjugate the slave had failed. Shame burned within her, yet his smile held a striking charm. His insolence in staring straight into her eyes despite his status captivated her, as did his striking beauty.

Suddenly, his expression shifted. The dangerous gleam vanished, replaced instantly by the fearful look of a lowborn servant.

[Guiscard] "I will surely die if you become my master. Please, please don't kill me! In the past, my only crime was obeying my master's orders, was it not?"

[Saruvia] "You... You!"

As the slave raised his voice dramatically, the attention of the crowd shifted toward them. In the past, everyone would side with Levian, but the situation had changed. She risked looking like an arrogant tyrant trying to steal a slave who had literally stabbed his own chest to stay with his master.

[Guiscard] "Remaining near you might only force me to kneel like this forever. Therefore, I shall take my leave. I know my place."

[Saruvia] "You!"

Saruvia couldn't shout. Guiscard offered a faint smile as if reading her restraint. He turned away, his gaze falling upon Dianna surrounded by the crowd. A warm smile broke across his usually rigid face. It was not an exaggerated grin, but a soft, gentle expression like sunlight filtering through a white curtain.

Saruvia stared in utter shock.

Wait, his place?

Having finally decoded his underlying insult, Saruvia shrieked, but Guiscard was long gone.

---

Dianna received the crystal crown of Tali and accepted the praise of the crowd. However, due to her lack of formal debut, she withdrew early from the upcoming ball.

Walking through the corridor, she encountered a boy standing in the shadows. It was Emil.

[Emil] "Ann."

Her relationship with him couldn't be any worse. She still had no plan for his punishment. As she tried to pass, Emil grabbed her hand.

[Emil] "P-Please forgive me!"

[Dianna] "For what?"

He trembled, looking up at her. Dianna spoke with an expressionless face.

[Dianna] "For intentionally leading the knights away during Taillach? For giving me clothes meant to lure the Lepus?"

[Emil] "……."

[Dianna] "Ah, wait. For trying to murder me?"

He gestured no as he spoke.

[Emil] "I wasn't trying to kill you!"

[Dianna] "Ah, right. You only wanted to scar my face or cripple me. Yes, thank you so much."

He bit his lip at her words. Then, his eyes flashed blue with sudden rage.

[Emil] "So that slave wretch told you everything."

[Dianna] "Ah, that is hardly the point right now, Emil."

Her voice was soft, yet laced with deep anger. Emil spoke while staring at her.

[Emil] "You expelled Mirva! You humiliated me, so I just wanted to teach you a lesson. That's all! Why did you behave that way in the first place? I lost my mind. It was a momentary mistake. But you deliberately got rid of Mirva and humiliated me!"

Ha. There it was again—Emil's specialty. He possessed an incredible talent for sophistry. Dianna curled the corners of her mouth upward.

[Dianna] "Emil, do you still not understand why I did it? That woman insulted me first and coveted my position. Did you even know she starved me for days? And when you lifted my skirt, you did it strictly to humiliate me. A momentary mistake? You call that a mere mistake?! Am I supposed to forgive you every single time?!"

[Emil] "……."

[Dianna] "There is a limit to acting like a spoiled brat!"

She shouted. Her nerves were already frayed due to Levian.

Emil's rage flared easily, yet it never crossed a certain boundary. The issue was that this particular boundary represented the absolute worst behavior possible. He desired to inflict physical harm upon his sister, yet feared actual murder. What a disgusting boundary to draw.

Was Dianna supposed to understand him because he stopped short of murder? He committed atrocious acts, only to experience regret upon reflection.

The young Dianna of the past had accepted his apologies because she knew his regret was genuine back then. This current apology was likely real too, as Emil clearly felt guilty that his sister almost died.

[Emil] "Right, I made mistakes, and you made mistakes too."

[Dianna] "……."

[Emil] "Dianna. Let's make peace."

[Dianna] "……."

[Emil] "I am apologizing like this. Should I kneel and beg?"

She let out a sigh. Emil actually prepared to drop to his knees. If anyone witnessed the heir of a ducal house kneeling, the fallout would be immense. The Dianna of the past life had always stopped him in such moments.

[Dianna] "Go ahead then."

Emil bit his lip at her words. Snow fell, and the frozen ground was filthy. Furthermore, someone might pass by at any second. He hesitated mid-movement and spoke.

[Emil] "Do you really have to go this far?"

She looked down as she answered.

[Dianna] "Yes."

[Emil] "Cruel girl."

He spat.

[Dianna] "I almost died because of you, brother. Becoming cruel is my only option."

[Emil] "……."

[Dianna] "Emil—no, brother—listen carefully. The only reason I am holding my hand is that you are still my brother. We have Alexa to consider, as well as Father's reputation."

[Emil] "……."

[Dianna] "Don't cross me again. I will report the clothes you gifted me to Father. Or better yet, maybe I should display them to Princess Ionia or the Queen. If the Royal Knights treat this matter as attempted assassination, you will rot in prison."

Staring at her expressionless face, his features turned stark white. Dianna spoke while looking at her utterly detestable brother.

[Dianna] "So don't touch me or Guiscard ever again. I know far more about you than you think."

Fear gripped his eyes. Watching his reaction, she found her own sentimentality ridiculous.

This is the family I yearned for so desperately, yet why did we end up like this?

She turned away without a single moment of hesitation. A few paces later, she opened her eyes wide in shock. A pale Philip stood only a short distance away.

[Dianna] "Ah……"

Snow blanketed his hair and shoulders, proving he had stood there for a long time.

Dianna bit her lip. He had undoubtedly overheard the entire conversation. She looked away.

Tears welled in his eyes, his expression full of unbearable emotion. Before she could utter a word, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

---

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