TSMMT Ch 51

The End of Winter

[Philip] "Ann…… I, I……"

His voice trembled, and she blinked. His breathing shook. Tears filled his eyes. The hand stroking her hair was gentle.

Dianna closed her eyes. The warmth washed over her.

Why is he doing this now?

She was exhausted from her conversation with Emil. Participating in the Ball of Tali had also drained her mental energy. She had no desire to speak with Philip right now.

Has the snow frozen my heart? Even though I am happy, I am just tired of this now.

[Philip] "I was…… so narrow-minded. I just took my anger out on you when you couldn't say anything. I had no idea what you went through."

[Dianna] "……."

[Philip] "I didn't know your brother tried to murder you…… or how much you were suffering because of it. I know that feeling, when your own sibling tries to kill you. I also……"

[Dianna] "Philip."

She called his name. Startled by her dry tone, Philip pulled back from her. He stared at Dianna. An icy chill surrounded the girl. With a face as bleak as a winter branch, she spoke.

[Dianna] "I don't want to talk to you right now. And I don't want to be comforted."

Shock covered his face. She closed her eyes.

[Dianna] "Comforting me one moment and blaming me the next based on your own emotions…… I am exhausted."

[Philip] "Ann……"

[Dianna] "Let us talk once we return to the capital."

She understood why Philip said those words. She could comprehend it. Yet why must she always be the one to understand?

[Philip] "If you go to the capital, you might not be able to see me!"

He shouted as Dianna turned away. She let out a sigh. She grew sick and tired of it. Philip didn't have to trust her blindly. He had every right to feel hurt since she shared nothing with him.

But human relationships felt far too difficult for Dianna right now. Someone expresses an emotion, you walk on eggshells around them, and when they say sorry, you must forgive them. Why did she always have to walk on eggshells?

She knew Philip was a good person. It was true that she relied on him. But right now, even his comfort drained her.

Dianna walked right past him as he called out her name.

Claiming I won't see him in the capital—where on earth could a royal go?

His childish attempt to hold her back only sparked anger. Fortunately, Philip didn't follow.

In the hazy sky, the clouds parted for a brief moment, and the moon emerged.

Dianna let out a sigh as the snow fell. It looked as though Tali was filling the sky with her cloak. She wished to bury herself in the snow.

She believed she could change everything upon returning to the past. She thought everything would turn out perfectly. She assumed that returning to childhood with an adult mind would allow her to fix past mistakes and live a much better life.

But that was a mere illusion. She now knew her father's twisted love, her relationship with her brother had broken completely, and she still suffered due to other people. Remaining detached from everything was impossible. She was still just a child.

Dianna stood quietly as the snow fell upon her.

Even so, I must change things. Just as Emil feels, I hate my brother but don't wish for his death. I detest this family, but I don't want it ruined.

Her footsteps stopped. A figure stood before the building's entrance. In stark contrast to the white snow and falling moonlight, the boy resembled a shadow. He lifted his gaze and stared at Dianna. Then, he opened the umbrella he held. She watched him silently.

Guiscard approached and held the umbrella over her. Dianna quietly studied her slave—the destroyer destined to ruin her life.

[Dianna] "Why are you out here?"

[Guiscard] "I came out because I thought you would be caught in the snow, My Lady."

She stared at him as he held the umbrella over her. The Guiscard of her past life had never approached her first like this. He had never even spoken to her properly. At the very least, their relationship had changed.

As the boy walked on eggshells around her, she spoke calmly.

[Dianna] "Thank you."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "I am glad you are here, at least."

Offering those casual words, she considered returning to her room. Yet the mere thought of going inside felt suffocating.

[Dianna] "I don't want to go back to my room just yet. I want to walk a while. Will you hold the umbrella for me?"

Surprisingly, walking alongside Guiscard felt acceptable. She knew the reason. Their dynamic was reversed; he was the one walking on eggshells around Dianna Brienne.

Guiscard nodded. Dianna looked back at the snowy Brienne Castle. Blanketed in white snow, the castle looked as beautiful as a painting. It was incomparably vaster and more beautiful than their mansion in the capital.

[Guiscard] "Are you not cold, My Lady?"

[Dianna] "No, not particularly."

She continued walking through the accumulating snow. Only the crunch of footsteps echoing against the thick snow broke the silence.

To escape the falling snow, they stood beneath a massive tree. Loud, festive sounds occasionally drifted over from the banquet hall. Just then, a song echoed from the hall.

[Bards] "O Dragon, destined to greet the eternal morning. Is the one you loved merely a flower destined to wither? Is the one you loved merely a star that shines only at night?"

"The woman covers her face with her pale hands and weeps."

"My beloved, inside the forest where I met you, ah— You, who were like the night dew."

"I shall love the withered wilderness where you tarried. I no longer fear the morning without stars. Here, where I spent time with you, ah—"

"The one gripped by grief weeps bitterly. Sorrow drenched the earth in that manner. Sorrow turns into a swamp, devouring all stories."

Perhaps due to a voice-amplifying stone, the bard's sorrowful voice rang out clearly. Guiscard listened quietly before asking.

[Guiscard] "What is this song?"

[Dianna] "It is a famous folk song of Panborough."

[Guiscard] "What is it about?"

[Dianna] "They say a dragon and a human fell in love."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "Naturally, a dragon destined to live forever and a human living a fleeting life had to part ways. It is a song sung by the one left behind."

Dianna lost herself in memories as the melody played. The bards brought to the estate always sang this song. In the past, the tune felt romantic—perhaps due to the mournful melody, the sorrowful voice, or the tragic parting.

[Guiscard] "Do you enjoy such an absurd song?"

[Dianna] "I used to. It is a song of my homeland, after all."

The bard repeated the sorrowful tune several times. The two listened to the song for a long time. Once the music stopped, silence filled the air. Just then, he spoke.

[Guiscard] "My Lady, in truth, I went to the Ball of Tali for a brief moment."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "Since you danced because of me regardless, I believed I ought to watch. The Duke permitted it as well."

[Dianna] "Father did?"

He nodded. He looked at her, then cast his eyes downward again before speaking.

[Guiscard] "You were beautiful."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "That woman couldn't compare to you."

His voice retained its signature flat tone. Even so, an underlying warmth filled his words.

Watching Guiscard speak in this manner, confusion gripped her.

Why is he suddenly acting like this? You will even father a child with that woman in the future. Is it because your first impression of Levian was terrible, or……?

He stared at her face. Confronted by her expression of utter incomprehension, he looked equally puzzled.

[Guiscard] "I am sorry. A slave has overstepped by offering a judgment……"

[Dianna] "No, I didn't mean it that way. I didn't think that at all."

At her flustered reply, Guiscard let out a quiet sigh.

[Guiscard] "No. I am sorry."

[Dianna] "Why do you walk on eggshells around me so much?"

She pondered as she watched his anxious expressions. Just as she grew exhausted by Philip's shifting emotions, this boy must find it difficult to adapt to his master's unpredictable moods. Pity for Guiscard filled her heart.

[Dianna] "Guiscard. I will tell you what you no longer need to worry about from now on."

Standing in the snow, she began to talk with him. The melancholy clouding her mind vanished utterly.

[Dianna] "No matter what you do, I will never dismiss it by thinking you are just a slave……"

[Guiscard] "Yes."

[Dianna] "Of course, I know you won't believe me, but still……"

Being slightly honest was far better than letting misunderstandings breed through silence. As they spoke, his gaze locked firmly onto Dianna. Vitality returned to her face once more.

---

The Taillach festival concluded. All the high nobles returned to their capital estates and townhouses.

[Duke] "You worked hard."

He smiled as he looked at Dianna. Without uttering a single word, she lifted her gaze to face him.

[Dianna] "It is entirely thanks to you, Father."

In that manner, they traveled to the capital. The Duke placed complete trust in Dianna.

Under her father's protection, she became the true authority within the Brienne estate. She dismissed every remnant of Mirva's influence, replacing them with her own people. The mansion gradually gained structure and ran flawlessly. Absolutely no one defied her commands.

A blooming spring commenced, and as the blossoms faded, summer approached. Following a certain day, Dianna focused even more intensely on her duties.

Observing how perfectly she managed the estate, high society praised Dianna, declaring she was ready for marriage.

[Anders] "Ann!"

She met her grandfather, whom she had not seen in a long time.

[Anders] "I heard the news. Why didn't you take Barot with you?"

[Dianna] "If I had, Father might have found out."

Hearing her reply, Anders pulled her into a tight embrace, then examined her from side to side to check for injuries.

How strange. I resolved to doubt my grandfather's affection, yet looking at his worried face melts my resolve completely.

[Dianna] "Grandfather, I have a question."

[Anders] "Speak, speak!"

[Dianna] "I want to deposit my assets into a bank under a different name."

[Anders] "Hmm?"

Anders looked puzzled. She stared at her grandfather's face.

[Dianna] "I want to open an account under a name other than Dianna Brienne."

[Anders] "It is possible, but has something happened?"

[Dianna] "Just…… for my future."

She offered a smile without explaining further.

Since Taillach, a new goal had formed within Dianna—a plan for the future after she eventually set Guiscard free. What should she do once he gained his freedom? She believed she would find happiness anywhere, as long as it wasn't by his side.

Yet reality differed. She refused to settle, desiring to pursue a different kind of happiness. To achieve that, finding happiness as Dianna Brienne was impossible. She resolved to leave her family behind.

She would live in another place, becoming a completely different person—a life stripped of Guiscard and her family. She loved her family. Yet she no longer wished to remain by their side.

She realized the truth after observing Philip. An escape route existed for her as well. On a certain blooming spring day after the Taillach festival concluded, Philip vanished. From that act, Dianna learned how to escape.

---

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