TSMMT Ch 53

The Birthday Gift

Guiscard stared at Dianna, and she met his gaze. With the passage of time, comfort grew between her and him. Now, she could state with absolute certainty that he would not kill her.

She bestowed even more upon Guiscard. She arranged for him to receive a knight's appointment, an honor typically granted to commoners. Barot trained him brutally before departing for his own duties. Consequently, no knight in the Brienne ducal house could match Guiscard’s swordsmanship. Thus, he became a 'slave' knight.

The servants of the estate no longer ignored Guiscard, and no one assigned him menial chores. Of course, his ultimate status remained that of a slave, but that issue would soon find a resolution.

Dianna studied his face.

Now, I no longer have to look at this face. What a relief.

As Guiscard matured into a young man, fear occasionally gripped her. He did nothing wrong, yet whenever his voice shifted into the tone she remembered so well, his Adam's apple grew prominent, and his gaze sharpened; she shuddered at the thought of the approaching future.

Whenever her health faltered, nightmares of marrying Guiscard plagued her without fail. The more he grew, the closer her fate pressed. She pondered. Her parting with Guiscard drew near.

Dianna remained deeply lost in thought, unaware that the slave standing beside her stared intently at her.

[Guiscard] "My Lady."

[Dianna] "Yes?"

[Guiscard] "Could you walk more slowly for a moment?"

[Dianna] "Yes?"

[Guiscard] "My shoes don't fit, causing discomfort in my feet."

She nodded.

His feet must have grown again already.

Guiscard grew rapidly by the day. Because his physique was far more massive than in her past life, she chose not to dwell on it.

When their eyes met, he followed her gaze tenaciously. Finding the attention burdensome, she looked away.

The violet eyes stared repeatedly at the master who reigned supreme over him. Her flawless pale face, long eyelashes, and cast-down silver-gray eyes filled his sight. He marked her neatly combed hair adorned with sapphires, her ears, and even the perfectly arranged stray strands at her hairline. Her slender neck and the deep ocean-blue dress enveloping it captured his focus. His gaze locked onto her red lips, pressed tightly together in deep thought.

His gaze lingered on her painted red lips. Her clear skin and red lips matched perfectly. It was an infuriatingly beautiful match. Infuriatingly so.

Her slow steps exuded supreme elegance. Guiscard knew exactly how lightly her feet moved when she danced. As his pace slowed further, Dianna turned an inquisitive gaze toward him, and their eyes locked.

While everyone else coveted Guiscard for his looks, his master never marveled at his appearance, nor did she ever cast hidden, suggestive glances his way. Strangely, Dianna remained entirely indifferent toward him.

Guiscard stared at the lady's hand resting upon his own palm. It remained small and slender. Unconsciously, he tightened his fingers, gripping his master more firmly.

She didn't urge him to hurry even when his steps slowed.

As a slave, Guiscard enjoyed luxury. It was excessive. Excessive indulgence was dangerous, for it always drove a person to overstep their bounds. It forced one to covet, long for, and desire what didn't belong to them.

Yet Dianna remained completely unaware.

---

Standing at the entrance, Dianna took Emil's hand. The hand she had previously granted to Guiscard now rested atop his palm. Since that fateful day, Dianna and Emil had crossed a river of no return.

They never achieved reconciliation. Although a minor battle of nerves persisted, the siblings refrained from open attacks. In this manner, the brother and sister became more distant than strangers.

[Emil] "It is merely a fifteenth birthday, yet the display is exceptionally loud."

[Dianna] "Your birthday celebration, brother, was far more grand."

[Emil] "No. I am speaking of your birthday banquet. It can't compare to mine. It is only natural for a significant difference to exist between the celebration of an heir and a non-heir."

[Dianna] "Yes. I shall keep your words in mind."

She replied dryly. Emil's face twisted in response. Yet he didn't press further, solely due to her formidable capability. He understood perfectly that any action against Dianna would invite a ruthless retaliation.

[Man] "Announcing the entrance of Emil Brienne, heir to the House of Brienne, and the star of today's celebration, Lady Dianna Brienne!"

The crowd turned around at the announcement. Dianna accepted the greetings of the guests with practiced grace. Everyone watched her with glittering eyes. While fourteen felt too young, fifteen marked the beginning of marriageable age.

Dianna Brienne offered radiant smiles and greeted the guests. She was fresh and dazzling.

[Ionia] "Ann!"

At that moment, a bright face approached Dianna. It was Princess Ionia. Wearing a topaz headband with her hair gathered into a single braid, the princess cut an adorable figure.

[Dianna] "Your Highness. How did you come to be here……"

[Ionia] "You invited me, so of course I had to come. My mother permitted it."

Observing her giggling face, Dianna offered a warm smile. She had continued serving as Princess Ionia's lady-in-waiting for about a year before stepping down from the role. Yet perhaps due to that bond, Princess Ionia frequently appeared at events she attended. This occurred despite the Queen's enduring disapproval of Dianna.

The Queen still desired her own maternal family, the Ducal House of Dracel, to maintain supreme influence. If the House of Brienne, the premier ducal family enjoying the King's deepest favor, also produced the next queen, the House of Dracel would meet its ruin.

For that reason, the Queen continuously delayed the marriage alliance. No matter how much flattery Duke Brienne offered, the Queen merely pretended to deliberate without ever delivering a final decision.

[Ferdinand] "Lady Brienne! A pleasure to see you."

Ferdinand rushed toward Dianna with a wide smile. She maintained a faint smile. The issue lay in the fact that Ferdinand had begun eyeing Dianna. The prince who drooled over Lady Levian two years ago had vanished; instead, he constantly loitered around her, pretending indifference while tracking her every move.

[Dianna] "It has been a long time, Your Highness."

When she smiled brightly, satisfaction colored his face. The smile stretching across his gaunt face looked utterly repulsive.

[Ferdinand] "You grow more beautiful with each passing day."

[Dianna] "Thank you."

[Ferdinand] "Remaining ever humble makes you more suited for the queen's seat than anyone else."

She offered a polite smile, prompting Ferdinand to whisper, his voice meant for her ears alone.

[Ferdinand] "Why must my mother move so slowly? It is so frustrating."

Observing him at eighteen—an adult who still claimed his mother's permission held absolute importance—Dianna clicked her tongue in silence.

[Ionia] "Ah, Ann! I brought wonderful news."

Spotting the interaction, Princess Ionia intervened with a bright smile. Ferdinand prepared to snap a retort, but he ground his teeth as Princess Ionia playfully stuck out her tongue.

[Ionia] "I received word from my brother!"

[Dianna] "What do you mean? His Highness stands right before me……"

[Ionia] "No, I mean Brother Philip."

[Dianna] "……."

[Ionia] "He arrives here today."

Dianna opened her eyes wide. Her face stiffened for a split second before she forced a bright smile.

[Dianna] "Oh, Prince Philip is coming? That is wonderful news."

Princess Ionia pouted, finding the response boring. Observing Dianna's icy indifference, Ferdinand let out a laugh.

[Ferdinand] "You don't need to force a look of delight in front of me. We have no reason to acknowledge a coward who ran away just to inherit a mere earldom."

He spoke magnanimously, but Dianna had already departed, having received a summons from Duke Brienne.

Duke Brienne gathered the guests together, boasting of his daughter's remarkable qualities. To any onlooker, he presented the perfect image of a father rejoicing on his daughter's fifteenth birthday.

[Dianna] "Father!"

[Duke] "Oh, Ann!"

The Duke offered a benevolent smile. This public gathering celebrated her birthday, yet it functioned as a stage to showcase his prized art piece. Dianna fulfilled her role flawlessly, and the Duke felt immense satisfaction with her clever demeanor.

[Duke] "Now, tell me before everyone. What would you like for a birthday gift?"

[Dianna] "Father."

[Duke] "My daughter persistently refused any birthday gift, claiming she would reveal her desire right here today."

The Duke shook his head as if defeated by her antics.

[Duke] "My child, did you not promise to reveal your wish today? Look, I gathered all the people you favor right here. You can't back out before this massive crowd. I will grant whatever you ask, so speak up."

The guests focused their attention on Dianna, curious to discover what gift she would request. Some wondered if she would beg for a betrothal to Prince Ferdinand, while others questioned if she was foolish enough to demand a union with the slave. The crowd whispered speculations. What could Dianna Brienne, daughter of the kingdom's premier ducal house, possibly desire?

As all eyes locked onto her, Dianna offered a radiant smile.

[Dianna] "I wish to travel through the southern temples and offer prayers for the mother who gave me birth."

[Duke] "Ann?"

[Dianna] "Please, grant me this permission."

She clasped her hands together, speaking with earnest devotion. This wish marked the genesis of her plan. For this exact reason, she had intentionally delayed her response, drawing the crowd's focus and elevating her father's spirits.

Concern clouded the Duke's face.

[Duke] "The south is far too dangerous."

[Dianna] "It is not. I have many friends who can assist me. I simply wish to offer prayers for my mother at the ancient temples of the southern gods."

Whispers broke out among the guests at her words.

[Guest] "This is precisely why Lady Brienne stands apart from the rest."

[Guest] "Such deep filial piety. Requesting prayers as a birthday gift."

[Guest] "She is the complete opposite of my own foolish children."

[Guest] "How can someone harbor such pure and noble thoughts?"

Duke Brienne listened to the surrounding whispers with profound satisfaction. The south held numerous ancient temples, and some nobles undertook pilgrimages to pray there. This mature, elevated wish stood in sharp contrast to the tantrums of spoiled young nobles demanding expensive dresses or jewels. Her value as his daughter soared higher.

[Duke] "Then, of course, I shall grant it."

He consented readily. Dianna offered a serene smile.

[Dianna] "Thank you! I shall depart tomorrow morning."

Astonishment gripped the crowd, yet Dianna merely maintained her calm smile.

---

The night wind at the onset of winter blew quite cold. A complex expression crossed Dianna's face. Since her luggage stood packed and ready, she required no further preparation.

Why? Why must Philip arrive at this exact moment?

She scowled. His arrival at this juncture offered no benefit at all.

As she stood silently, someone draped a thick cloak over her shoulders.

[Dianna] "Philip?"

However, the individual who draped the cloak over her was none other than Guiscard.

---

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