TSMMT Ch 58

Farewell

[Dianna] "You are right, Guiscard."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "I always found you uncomfortable. It always felt like looking at my father's sins."

[Guiscard] "Uncomfortable? Me?"

He curled one corner of his mouth into a crooked smile. A heavy sigh escaped him, turning into white mist in the freezing air. The young man stared at the seated Dianna with a burning gaze. He paused in confusion for a long moment before speaking.

[Guiscard] "If that was the case, you should never have treated me with kindness from the start."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "You should never have reached out your hand from the very beginning. So why, after all this, are you throwing me away now!"

From the start, their relationship relied on mutual restraint. Therefore, they inevitably had to part ways—that stood as an absolute assumption inside her mind. A bond built upon the premise of an eventual breakup was as fragile and unstable as a sandcastle. Because of this, the person who wanted the relationship to last couldn't escape deep anxiety. She had overlooked that fact.

Dianna stared at Guiscard. She had failed to calculate that her slave would still wish to stay here. She always assumed he would want to escape this place. The thought that he might want to remain never crossed her mind.

[Dianna] "I was too……"

She spoke in a trembling voice.

[Dianna] "I treated you far too well."

He gave a twisted smile at those words. Everything fell apart. A sharp ache throbbed in her head. Guiscard spoke in a low, sinking voice.

[Guiscard] "Why? Do you find me pathetic?"

[Dianna] "Yes, you are quite pathetic."

Confronted by her cold expression, his face contorted ruthlessly. Something cracked, shattered, and collapsed within his eyes. Yet she looked away.

Guiscard didn't want to leave his current life. If the boy had plotted to betray Dianna just to escape slavery, leaving should be the correct choice. He could go slay a dragon, become a mercenary, or become a king; he only needed to choose his own life. Objectively, was that path not the correct choice? Yet Dianna never expected Guiscard to resist like this.

She addressed him, whose eyes burned red with emotion.

[Dianna] "Thank you for everything until now, Guiscard."

[Guiscard] "……."

How can I send him away? How can I force this man to retreat?

[Dianna] "But I don't need you in my life."

She spoke the cruelest words she could find. She had to become ruthless. They must free themselves from a toxic relationship.

[Dianna] "You claimed you would stay by my side even if I marry. But you have grown too much. You are now an obstacle to my marriage."

She spoke coldly on purpose, staring at Guiscard as if looking at a nuisance. She cast an icy glare at him, who stood demanding something from her.

[Dianna] "So I want you to stop clinging to me."

Upon hearing those words, Guiscard lowered his gaze. A breathless, mad laugh escaped him. Then the boy lifted his gaze. Only then did Dianna realize that all emotion had vanished from his face. Yet that utter stillness felt strangely chilling.

[Guiscard] "Do you wish to become the queen, My Lady?"

[Dianna] "Yes. As you know, achieving that position is exceptionally difficult."

He considered the matter. Then a bright smile broke across his face.

[Guiscard] "If that is your wish, you deserve it."

What does he mean by that? Does he also believe I suit the queen's throne?

Although Dianna had absolutely no intention of actually becoming queen, he accepted the explanation. To become queen, high society examines every detail. If a handsome young slave remained by her side, disgraceful rumors would surely spread. Sending Guiscard away now, before worse rumors circulated, would make perfect sense to onlookers. Therefore, even as a free man, Guiscard could never stay with her.

[Guiscard] "I shall leave this very day."

The moment those words left his mouth, an empty ache hollowed out her chest. She suppressed the surging emotions and spoke.

[Dianna] "I have just one request."

[Guiscard] "A request at a time like this? What is it?"

Her lips trembled. If she had previously imagined the moment she begged the King for Guiscard's freedom, she now faced the reality of this parting.

[Dianna] "In the future, a long time from now, if the day comes when your blade points toward this place……"

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "Remember my kindness. Remember my goodwill."

Dianna couldn't bring herself to ask him to forgo revenge. Although she protected Guiscard, bruises frequently appeared on the boy's body. Whenever she asked who struck him, he never answered. He simply surrendered his body to her healing touch in silence.

Whether from Emil or someone else in the estate, Guiscard still suffered violence. Furthermore, Duke Brienne was the one who murdered his mother, Herya, and forced him into slavery. Freeing the slave was only right. Therefore, Dianna couldn't use his freedom as a tool to bargain against his revenge.

For a moment, the moonlight lent a brighter gleam to his eyes. Guiscard looked at Dianna and smiled. His purple eyes stared repeatedly at the girl standing beneath the moonlight.

[Guiscard] "Of course. I shall never forget it."

A strange flash passed across his face as he promised to remember her kindness.

Staring into those purple eyes, Dianna prayed with all her heart.

[Guiscard] "Dianna Brienne."

She lifted her gaze at the sudden sound of her name.

Does he call my name so casually because our dynamic has ended?

Regardless, I am a noble, and he remains a commoner. Has he failed to learn proper etiquette yet?

To survive this harsh world, he needs to understand the divide between nobility and commoners.

[Guiscard] "Ann."

She paused in confusion at the childhood nickname.

Ann. Why on earth does he call me that? I never permitted him to use my nickname, nor share a relationship close enough to warrant it.

[Guiscard] "Your wish shall come true."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "So until then, please stay in good health."

He reached a hand toward Dianna, then let out a short laugh and pulled it back. The young man turned away and vanished into the darkness. His departure was remarkably clean, bringing immense relief to her.

On a certain day when winter transitioned into spring, the slave Guiscard and the noble Dianna Brienne said their final farewells.

---

Guiscard left. Now, the slave no longer occupied the estate. The absence of a person who once stood there left an immense void, rendering the space empty. Beyond his presence, the core goal of Dianna's entire life vanished before her eyes.

Therefore, she filled her days with constant work to avoid noticing the void. She engaged in the social activities she had previously avoided, enjoyed endless leisure with her newly made friends, and spent precious time with Alexa. No news of Guiscard arrived, and the years flowed past rapidly.

In truth, questions still lingered.

When we reunited, would it have been better to kill him?

Should I have kept him close forever instead of granting his freedom?

Should I have employed him as a permanent servant at the estate even after freeing him from slavery?

Which choice was right?

But the shower of petals fell from the sky.

Whenever those doubts arose, Dianna reminded herself of the correct path supported by God. Regardless of her choice, Guiscard would have left her side eventually. Now, the consequences of the goodwill she bestowed rested solely in Guiscard's hands.

In that manner, Dianna gradually prepared to leave the estate. She deposited funds into the bank account her grandfather opened and pondered her destination. Ultimately, she resolved to travel to Cagliari, Sasha's homeland, and live as a spirit summoner.

Preparing for a completely different future filled her days with joy and excitement. A new life stripped of Philip, stripped of Guiscard, and detached from everything else awaited her.

Once she overcame the shock of the parting, anticipation consumed her. Shaping her own happiness rather than relying on someone else was a wonderful way to live. Soon, the day of her departure arrived.

---

Dawn broke. Dianna packed minimal luggage, selecting items she could easily convert into cash. Although receiving assistance from her maternal grandfather would aid her journey, she hid her destination even from him.

Despite her gratitude toward Anders, a lingering resentment remained unresolved within her heart. Dianna still held a strange disappointment toward her grandfather for failing to rescue her in her past life. Anders was warm, yet he had failed to save her. Though she knew blaming him was wrong, she couldn't control her emotions.

Before leaving, she bid farewell to everything that defined Dianna Brienne. From now on, she would live simply as Dianna, shedding her noble title.

Goodbye, Mother. And Father, please stay healthy.

Dianna offered a silent farewell before her mother's portrait. Disgusting though Emil was, she also whispered a goodbye outside the door of his room while her brother slept inside. She had already shared a long farewell with Alexa.

Dianna stepped quietly out of the mansion. Once she crossed this alleyway, the mercenaries she hired would wait for her. The men had promised to escort Dianna all the way to Cagliari.

[Mercenary] "My Lady."

The mercenary gestured to her simultaneously. Relief washed over Dianna upon seeing them. He scanned their surroundings.

[Dianna] "Did you bring the change of clothes?"

He nodded. Dianna reached out to accept the garments extended by the mercenary. However, the man refused to release the clothing.

What is happening?

The instant she prepared to look up in confusion, a heavy boot slammed into her back. She crashed forward onto the ground. She stared at the mercenary who held the clothes.

Why?

The mercenary group she hired came highly recommended by Barot as a trustworthy agency. She had even investigated them thoroughly herself. Could the mercenaries have betrayed her already to steal her funds? Just then, a heavy foot landed on the back of the prone Dianna.

[Dianna] "Ugh!"

[Man] "I wondered what you were planning, but you really tried to flee like a rat in the end."

Dianna twisted around at the sound of the man's voice. Shock widened her eyes, and her lips trembled violently. The world of Dianna Brienne collapsed into ruin.

[End of Part 1]

---

Requested by one of our lovely readers, I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please consider supporting the author on Naver Series and Kakaopage.