TSMMT Ch 78

Beautiful

The maids said nothing as they looked at Dianna entering the room.

Dianna had to swallow the shame rising to the back of her throat. A crimson flush stained her cheeks. Pretending to be calm proved impossible, no matter how hard she tried. That failure brought her even more shame.

Why can I not brush everything aside with indifference?

Guiscard had told her to live as his wife for only three years. She just needed to endure those three years. Having already experienced this before, she believed she wouldn't be hurt again. Yet the human heart was exceptionally fragile.

[Dianna] "It is a pity, especially since the chef and you all worked so hard. You may eat the food that was prepared."

The maids bowed at her words. In this exact moment, she imagined their mocking thoughts:

A noble from a fallen kingdom, asking for trouble and getting exactly what she deserved.

The knights hate her so much. Serving her is a complete waste of time. She acts so stiff; serves her right.

Exactly, why did she do something no one even asked her to do?

Because the servants had openly made such comments in her past life, predicting their inner thoughts presented no difficulty for Dianna. As if their mocking voices echoed out loud, she pressed her hands to her ears to block them out.

[Maid] "Um, Your Majesty……"

[Dianna] "Don't concern yourselves. Leave."

At her words, the maids glanced at her anxiously and left the room.

Mable, who usually followed behind her, was nowhere to be seen. The head maid had spoken to her on the way back from the training grounds, but Dianna had absolutely no desire to care where she had gone.

Dianna sat in a chair, drained of strength.

Levian.

Similar rumors had circulated in her past life—claims that Levian deserved to occupy the queen's throne, and that Dianna lacked the beauty, character, and capability to match her. Every time those rumors spread, anxiety gripped her.

I don't need a position like this. I completely don't need it.

But what if I am discarded because I am useless?

What will become of me if I am thrown away?

What happens to a queen stripped of her crown?

Dianna trembled with terror at the thought.

Will my limbs be torn apart until I die? Will my neck be severed?

The current situation stood much better. If Levian appeared as a replacement, Dianna would readily welcome it instead.

Nevertheless, the familiar terror she harbored every single night in her past life began to creep back up. Tonight, fear would undoubtedly keep her awake.

Dianna brushed away her tears hurriedly. If a maid entering to tend the fireplace caught her crying, she would instantly gossip to the other servants. Dianna detested that possibility.

Snow drifted down outside the window. The rattling winter wind battered against the glass. Staring past the panes at the ash-gray sky, she focused entirely on emptying her mind of emotion.

When Mable later returned to ask if she wished to eat dinner, Dianna refused. She possessed no desire to see another human being. All she required was time to sort through her dark thoughts and tuck them away.

Superfluous comfort offered no relief. Even if someone extended sincere sympathy, it would only fracture her fragile pride further.

Time slipped away until the hour for sleep arrived. Having changed into her nightgown, Dianna lay down upon the bed despite her lack of exhaustion.

Once I wake up tomorrow, things will be better.

Right then, the door swung open. The harsh sound shattered the silence of the night. At the heavy thud resonating through the room, she sat up instantly.

[Dianna] "Who is it?"

She spoke before she could stop herself, immediately realizing the utter stupidity of her question.

It was Guiscard. His usually neat hair was completely disheveled. The temperature in the chamber plunged sharply, as if the King brought the freezing winter wind inside with him.

Why ask who it is? Who else would enter this room besides my husband?

[Guiscard] "……"

The question required no response, and he showed no intention of offering one. The King stared at Dianna, who had risen from the bed.

[Guiscard] "Your mood is remarkably foul."

Strangely, he read her emotions perfectly. It had been the same during his childhood when he served her as a slave.

Dianna covered her face with her hands; she lacked the desire to show him her features.

[Dianna] "I didn't expect you to come."

She deliberately shifted the subject. Guiscard let out a short, hollow laugh in disbelief.

[Guiscard] "Is there an issue with a husband entering his wife's bedchamber?"

She found herself left with no retort. In her past life, the King never visited her chambers every single night. More often than not, he departed immediately after sharing her bed. He had never returned to her side like a man coming home.

[Dianna] "No, there is no issue."

She watched him silently. If the King demanded intimacy here, she fully intended to comply. Though her heart would undoubtedly feel wretched, it might be better since it would force her to empty her mind of other thoughts.

Dianna found herself astonished by her own realization that she viewed intimacy with Guiscard as a mere distraction.

[Guiscard] "I wanted to say……"

His voice trailed off. He stared up at the ceiling and let out a low sigh. Then, as if reaching a firm resolution, he ground his teeth and spoke.

[Guiscard] "I must ask, why did you go to that place?"

He deployed his formal tone once more. Instead of responding, Dianna stared at him with a rigid expression, recognizing the exact subject he addressed.

[Guiscard] "Why did you go out of your way to visit that place and expose yourself to such insults?"

Anger flared within her at his words, but the blatant displeasure and fury etched into his features instantly killed her emotions.

All drive drained from her frame. The King spoke the truth.

[Dianna] "You speak the truth. I stepped out of line unnecessarily."

[Guiscard] "……"

She had indeed overstepped. It was a fact that she foolishly acted on Logaple's assurances. She had assumed no one would insult her directly to her face—though in reality, she had merely walked in on their private slander.

[Dianna] "It was my mistake."

She squeezed her eyes shut as she spoke.

From the very beginning, the dynamic between them lacked equality. Their relationship didn't permit Dianna the luxury of getting angry or engaging in a lovers' quarrel.

[Dianna] "I have brought dishonor upon Your Majesty's reputation. I am deeply sorry."

At her submission, his features contorted into an even more ferocious scowl. His purple eyes caught the flickering candlelight, blazing with volatile emotion.

[Guiscard] "Are you choosing to speak this way deliberately?"

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "Do you believe this leaves me completely speechless?"

[Dianna] "If Your Majesty intends to execute a punishment for this matter, I shall accept it willingly."

[Guiscard] "Dianna Brienne!"

She opened her eyes wide as his massive hands clamped tightly around her shoulders. Turning toward him, she met his burning gaze. Exhaustion consumed her, and she possessed no desire to prolong this confrontation.

[Dianna] "What on earth do you want to say to me?"

Dianna studied him. The King stood completely speechless, as if the realization caught him off guard as well.

Staring at her for a long moment with an expression she had never seen before, Guiscard finally faltered out his words.

[Guiscard] "I…… detest the fact that you have to endure such comments."

Naturally, no fool would enjoy hearing the wife he personally brought to the palace get slandered, since it merely brought disgrace upon his own name.

She nodded.

[Dianna] "Does Your Majesty wish for me to remain confined to my quarters, completely cut off from interacting with anyone?"

He offered no answer. She realized she had voiced a rather extreme question.

Did he interpret that as sarcasm as well?

In certain foreign realms, rulers established secluded quarters to restrict access from outside men; did the King desire a similar arrangement?

[Dianna] "If that is your command…… I shall comply."

She spoke weakly. Witnessing her total submission, he spoke.

[Guiscard] "Do you not know how to display anger?"

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "Do you lack the ability to state plainly when you object to something?"

What exactly does he want me to do?

Observing her blank expression, Guiscard tightened his grip around her shoulders.

[Guiscard] "I…… hah…… that is not what I meant."

Releasing a low breath, he lapsed into silence, unable to fashion any words for a long moment.

Dianna watched him, speaking in a flat tone.

[Dianna] "Therefore, I shall execute my duties perfectly during tomorrow's audience as well."

Guiscard shifted his gaze upward, his expression demanding why she suddenly brought up that matter. She offered a bitter smile.

[Dianna] "I intend to perform the role of your wife with absolute devotion."

He released a heavy breath. Then, the corner of his mouth twitched upward in a mocking smile.

[Guiscard] "You remain as cruel as ever."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "Whether we are parted by vast distances or standing face to face right now……"

He removed his hands from her shoulders. Although Dianna was the one left fractured and broken by the insults, Guiscard wore an expression that looked far more exhausted.

[Guiscard] "I have commanded the knights of the Vargrhati Order to serve as your personal guard."

[Dianna] "I refuse that arrangement."

Confronted by her very first declaration of defiance, Guiscard raised his gaze in complete disbelief.

[Guiscard] "You……"

[Dianna] "If Your Majesty forces it upon me as a royal decree, I shall comply. However,"

[Guiscard] "……"

[Dianna] "What value lies in receiving an audience as queen from men who refuse to recognize my status? After enduring such profound insults, how can I, as the reigning queen, trust my personal safety to them?"

Faced with her direct reasoning, Guiscard fell completely silent. To be precise, he remained entirely incapable of formulating a response.

[Guiscard] "Fine. Do as you wish."

He suppressed the volatile fire raging in his eyes with sheer effort.

Dianna nodded.

The royal palace maintained its own dedicated order of knights anyway; they would handle her protection.

[Guiscard] "Now, go to sleep."

She gasped in surprise as Guiscard suddenly guided her down onto the mattress.

Does he intend to share my bed tonight?

Dianna tracked him with a bewildered gaze, yet his purple eyes bore no trace of raw lust.

Lying down, she closed her eyes. Though sleep eluded her, she forced herself to seek rest.

[Guiscard] "Ann."

Dianna debated whether to open her eyes. The nickname slipped past his lips once more—a name whose intimate value had vanished, used entirely at his own whim without her consent.

[Guiscard] "The words spoken by those bastards are not worth considering."

She pondered the meaning behind his comment.

This must be his own distorted way of offering comfort.

His breathing accelerated slightly. Using his fingers, the King brushed away the bangs resting on her forehead. She caught the distinct tremor in his touch.

[Guiscard] "Ann, you are beautiful."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "Curse it……"

He uttered those exact words to her once again.

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