TSMMT Ch 68

The Proposal Ritual

Dianna lowered her gaze. The blossoms, which must have been beautiful, lay completely crushed. She stared blankly at the sight. If even details like this mirrored the past, it meant her destiny was set.

[Mable] "How could the flower crown…… Who was responsible for managing this?"

[Maid] "I-It was definitely fine when I left it earlier!"

The maid's face turned bright red. The young woman stood frozen, unable to believe the situation. Mable's expression also shifted.

[Maid] "Oh, no, no…… What should we do!"

[Dianna] "Can we not search for more flowers?"

Mable gestured a refusal at her words.

[Mable] "These flowers don't bloom in the garden! Even His Majesty had to venture into the forest to gather them……! Good heavens!"

Mable grew agitated, which was highly unusual for her.

Even in a moment like this, Dianna's mind drifted.

He ventured all the way into the forest to pick flowers? Was he merely trying to follow the proper form? He put unexpected effort into this.

Dianna stared at the blossoms with total indifference. Strangely, despair failed to take hold. Questions about who committed the act never crossed her mind. The people here had always loathed her and frequently played malicious tricks like this. Therefore, rather than flaring in anger, her concern rested on how Guiscard would react upon witnessing the trampled crown.

[Mable] "Forgive me, My Lady. The blame for failing to manage this rests entirely on me."

Mable bowed. Dianna looked down at the woman blankly. She never expected the usually rigid Mable to offer such an apology.

[Dianna] "We shall determine the fault later. However, you can't claim you bear no responsibility."

Dianna surveyed the maids as she spoke. Observing their frantic anxiety, she concluded that none of them had committed this act on purpose. Unless, of course, they possessed a talent for acting.

[Dianna] "If we can't procure more flowers, what is the correct way to handle this?"

She questioned Mable. Since Mable held responsibility now, the woman would avoid offering advice that might harm Dianna.

[Mable] "Regarding this matter…… I dare to speak plainly."

She squeezed her eyes shut.

[Mable] "Everyone in the palace will assume that you committed this act yourself, My Lady."

Dianna felt no resentment at the statement.

I didn't do it, so why should I care?

Yet that was the nature of the palace. They had previously fabricated a lie claiming Dianna deliberately murdered a child, even though she would never harm her own flesh and blood. Once caught in someone's trap, an outsider like her stood absolutely helpless.

[Mable] "I shall declare that I ruined it myself. Forgive me."

Dianna let out a sigh at Mable's polite posture. Mable lowered her gaze further out of deep regret.

This offered the easiest solution. If the head maid admitted to a failure in management, onlookers might feel suspicious but would ultimately believe it. Dianna could use the opportunity to dismiss the troublesome Mable. Yet this was far from the correct path.

[Dianna] "I will not falsely accuse another."

[Mable] "……."

[Dianna] "Speaking honestly and seeking forgiveness is the right choice. Therefore, Mable, focus on dressing me first. Afterward, hunt down the culprit responsible for this."

[Mable] "My Lady…… this matter is……"

[Dianna] "You mean it is a massive ordeal? Regardless, I am a foreigner and assume I will face criticism no matter what I do. Therefore, you have no reason to take the blame on my behalf."

She stared at the crown. It merely served to maintain proper form anyway. This was no romantic proposal. Nevertheless, a tight ache squeezed her chest at the sight of the ruined blossoms.

Did my past actions cause this?

It felt as if she had committed a profound sin, as though her own hands trampled them.

She actively concealed her bitter thoughts, accepting the service of the maids. She selected an ivory gown rather than a blinding white fabric. Instead of pale pink, she cinched the area beneath her bust with an orange ribbon that complemented the flowers.

[Dianna] "Let us go."

Now, Guiscard would place the crown upon her in full view of the royal relatives.

---

Dianna walked toward the clearing where successive kings proposed to their betrothed. A large tree and clusters of mistletoe enveloped the small, sloping hill.

She looked toward the hill and Guiscard. Some enchantment must have touched the tree, for a golden light radiated from the leaves.

The murmurs of the crowd ceased instantly as she approached. Every eye tracked Dianna. Walking behind her, Mable's hands shook violently.

This ritual shared absolutely no connection with her past life. Guiscard's gaze cut across the space and locked onto her. The King stared with a rigid expression. Perhaps the gown didn't suit her; his intense glare suggested deep disapproval.

Dianna faced him and spoke.

[Dianna] "I never anticipated we would perform such a ritual."

He offered no reply. He studied her exactly like a stone statue. His slight frown left her wondering about his thoughts. He watched her without blinking a single time.

Meeting his gaze, she reflected on the past. Even when her past self trampled the flower crown, Guiscard had enacted no specific punishment. This event might prove lighter than anticipated—a mere nod to traditional customs. Yet Dianna surveyed the crowd. The exact instant she reached toward the box Mable held, she spoke.

[Dianna] "Your Majesty."

[Guiscard] "……."

[Dianna] "I hear that our founding king, Arunkel, presented this to the first queen, Flucer. Is that not true?"

She spoke as if feeling shy before the crowd.

[Dianna] "When he proposed to the Lady of Flowers…… did this many people stand witness?"

Guiscard stared at her face.

I must avoid exposing this crushed crown to the entire world.

She resolved to exploit her status as an ignorant foreigner. Recognizing her intent, Guiscard narrowed his eyes.

[Guiscard] "Dismiss everyone."

[Servant] "But…… the proposal ritual is……"

A servant spoke up to restrain the King.

The proposal ritual of Lodbrog served as a public declaration of an impending marriage. Executing it in secret would only offend the high nobles.

[Guiscard] "I never desired a public display from the start. If we intend to mirror the founding king, is this private setting not the true form?"

The servant nodded at his firm words. The knights and several nobles muttered complaints among themselves. The aristocrats glared at Dianna as if she caused their wasted trip.

[Guiscard] "If you dare look at my wife with those eyes, I shall ensure you never open them again."

The knights gestured a refusal in panic at his low threat. Dianna watched the King with surprise.

This man is defending me.

Dianna took the box from Mable. Mable cast a worried glance toward Dianna, but she gestured a refusal. Once the crowd retreated, she let out a sigh.

[Guiscard] "Are you satisfied now?"

[Dianna] "I have something to confess."

She opened the box. Guiscard directed his gaze inside, discovering the crushed crown. A familiar silence filled the clearing, yet an intense, piercing sensation rippled through the air.

[Dianna] "I didn't commit this act. Though I know not if you will believe me."

[Guiscard] "You……"

He lifted his gaze from the crown to face Dianna. He clearly wanted to ask if she was responsible. She spoke calmly.

[Dianna] "Our arrangement lasts exactly three years and four months. I promised to act as the perfect wife, so I have absolutely no reason to resort to such tricks—"

[Guiscard] "No, why are you offering excuses, My Lady?"

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "Explaining the situation is hardly your responsibility."

[Dianna] "……."

Guiscard shifted his gaze toward Mable. Dianna questioned him cautiously.

[Dianna] "Do you believe I am innocent?"

[Guiscard] "I always knew you were far from that sort of person."

But you doubted me in my past life.

Dianna watched him study the ruined arrangement. Mable had claimed these flowers were hard-won treasures gathered from the forest, not common garden plants.

[Dianna] "It lay ruined exactly like this the moment I opened the box to select a matching gown."

He stared into her eyes without blinking a single time.

[Guiscard] "So that is why you prompted me to dismiss the crowd."

[Dianna] "……."

For some reason, the current Guiscard understood her thoughts far better than the monster of her past life. Then a realization struck her.

Ah, it is because he served as my personal guard.

Living by her side, the young man had thoroughly studied her character.

Dianna looked down at the ruined arrangement. Crushed exactly like her own soul, the crown would remain useless and face rejection. Staring at the crown destined to remain unworn in both timelines, Dianna gave a bitter smile.

Perhaps you, like me, were never destined for a useful life.

Deep pity filled her.

Right then, Guiscard rose to his feet. The King stared up at the mistletoe clinging to the branch and snapped off a cluster with his powerful hands.

[Dianna] "Your Majesty?"

Linear to her query, he drew a dagger from his pocket and began to trim the branches.

[Dianna] "Oh……"

Leaving her standing dumbfounded, he leaned against the tree trunk and focused entirely on his task.

Dianna stood beneath the shifting wind, watching the setting sun submerge completely below the horizon. The situation felt strange. Their dynamic remained unstable, yet this brief hour brought a delicate peace.

As the King worked, she watched his slight scowl as he studied the object taking shape in his hands.

Before long, absolute darkness reclaimed the clearing. Guiscard reached toward the crushed crown, plucking out the few remaining whole flowers one by one.

[Guiscard] "Here."

Dianna stared at the creation he offered. Bright orange blossoms decorated the lush green mistletoe; the resulting crown looked remarkably beautiful.

[Guiscard] "If we intend to mirror the legend of the founding king, this format suits us best."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "According to the historical accounts, it was winter. Finding nothing but tiny loquat blossoms in that season, the founding king wove a crown out of mistletoe."

[Dianna] "……."

[Guiscard] "Onlookers call it a grand flower crown, but this simple structure is its true form."

He took the ribbon that previously secured the ruined arrangement and tied his creation together. The shattered pieces found new life, transforming into an even more beautiful crown. Dianna preferred this arrangement far more than the pristine version.

He strode forward. For some reason, her heart thudded violently against her ribs.

Standing against the fading light, his striking, breathtaking features towered over her. He carefully placed the crown upon her head. She caught a slight tremor in his fingers.

His heart must be racing as well.

Dianna reached that simple conclusion.

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