TSMMT Ch 83

Brother-in-Law

Brother-in-law.

What a completely insane title. Yet she couldn't stop Alexa.

Alexa already believed that Guiscard and Dianna shared a close relationship. Since her father had brought him home as a slave, this relationship could only end in ruin.

Why did Alexa look at Dianna with such an expression?

Perhaps it was due to the word brother-in-law; the stiff atmosphere dissolved completely. Guiscard conversed with Alexa casually. The two interacted harmoniously, as if their families were not mortal enemies.

Dianna pondered Alexa's use of the phrase "trash-like father."

What exactly had transpired between her father and Alexa?

Was it because of Emil? Or had Anders told Alexa the truth about the Duke?

An ominous anxiety gripped Dianna.

Thanks to that ridiculous title, absolutely no tension remained between the two.

She suddenly wondered. Why did Guiscard marry her instead of Alexa? Was it because she was too young at the time? Even so, the age gap was not massive……

Why me, both in the past life and this one?

Why did this man hate me more……?

Why did he marry me?

Of course, she didn't wish for Alexa to enter this hell. She was simply curious.

[Alexa] "Why did you marry my sister, Brother-in-law?"

Dianna's heart dropped instantly. Alexa had asked the question as if piercing straight through her thoughts.

[Alexa] "Don't you hate us, Brother-in-law?"

She had thought Alexa had matured, but the girl remained entirely unchanged. She casually blurted out the very question they had both tacitly avoided.

[Dianna] "Alexa."

She finally called her sister's name. A chilling silence filled the room.

[Alexa] "Stay out of this, Sister."

She refused to back down. Witnessing this, Dianna realized Alexa had not asked without purpose.

When Guiscard offered no response, the corner of Alexa's mouth twitched upward.

[Alexa] "If you can't even answer, why did you take my sister away? Did you intend to make her suffer?"

[Guiscard] "……"

He remained silent. Dianna wished he would craft a more plausible lie. Right then, Alexa spoke quietly.

[Alexa] "What use is slaying a dragon if you couldn't arrive a little sooner?"

Dianna's eyes widened. Why did she voice such things?

Dianna studied Alexa, but she avoided her gaze entirely.

Could it be? No, surely not.

Had he caught those words as well?

Dianna looked at him, but the King looked deep in thought, as if he missed the final remark. He finally addressed Alexa.

[Guiscard] "Because I wanted to bring her here."

[Alexa] "……"

[Guiscard] "Because I wanted to keep her by my side."

[Alexa] "……"

[Guiscard] "I have specific desires. That is why I married her."

As he spoke, he cast a glance toward Dianna.

The words felt hypocritical. Had he already forgotten what occurred this morning?

Dianna glared at him.

Alexa's sharp gaze drifted between Dianna and Guiscard. At that, he averted his eyes.

Dianna received a distinct impression that he was flustered. Although he held absolute dominance, the dynamic strangely mirrored a groom seeking Alexa's permission.

She let out a sigh.

[Dianna] "Alexa, that is enough."

[Alexa] "……"

[Dianna] "We shall handle matters between husband and wife ourselves. This is not a topic for you to carelessly discuss."

[Alexa] "Sister."

[Dianna] "Whether this marriage was forced or born of love, the fact remains that we are husband and wife. Cease your insolence at once."

She spoke firmly. Turning toward Guiscard, whose expression had hardened, she addressed him.

[Dianna] "Your Majesty. Please forgive her rudeness."

He stared at her silently before his features softened into a smile.

[Guiscard] "No, my sister-in-law speaks the truth. She has every right to worry."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "I shall never cause her suffering. I give you my word."

He makes promises far too easily. Alexa, what exactly happened to you?

She harbored countless questions, but his presence prevented her from speaking freely.

[Alexa] "Then, can I visit often to keep an eye on you?"

Before Dianna could protest the absurd suggestion, he spoke.

[Guiscard] "Of course."

Dianna scowled and cut in.

[Dianna] "Don't come."

[Guiscard] "You are welcome anytime."

Is this man serious?

Dianna glared at Guiscard, but he refused to meet her gaze directly.

[Alexa] "Pfft!"

Alexa watched the two of them and burst into laughter.

[Alexa] "Ah, I see the dynamic now. I already knew it."

Her expression cleared completely.

[Alexa] "Since I understand, make sure to treat her well, Brother-in-law."

I told you not to use that title.

Dianna ground her teeth and glared at her sister, but Alexa completely ignored her complaints. Dianna longed to press further.

What do you know, Alexa?

Requesting privacy as sisters was by no means impossible. If she asked Guiscard to leave, the King would likely comply.

Yet discovering the truth terrified her. Dread consumed her. If she feigned complete ignorance and Alexa questioned her in return, she would have absolutely no idea how to reply.

[Alexa] "I should leave now."

Alexa rose from her seat. Dianna attempted to stop her, but she spoke first.

[Alexa] "Granpa is worried. I must tell him that I met you."

[Dianna] "Please don't speak about my situation."

Alexa offered a casual nod, though Dianna found the gesture unconvincing.

Guiscard displayed a rare act of kindness by arranging a carriage for Alexa.

Dianna bit her lip, a wave of sorrow washing over her.

Before Alexa stepped into the carriage, she spoke.

[Dianna] "Your lungs are weak, so you must receive regular examinations from a physician. Don't travel to areas with outbreaks."

[Alexa] "I know."

[Dianna] "Don't skip meals, and get plenty of sleep. Do you understand?"

[Alexa] "I said I know!"

Alexa snapped back loudly.

[Alexa] "You should focus on worrying about yourself, Sister. You need to live a good life from now on, alright?"

Alexa offered a bright smile.

Dianna stood frozen, unsure how to respond. A part of her wanted to hold Alexa back, while another part wished for her sister to leave quickly so she wouldn't witness the Queen's pathetic state.

Alexa gathered the hem of her skirt and delivered an exaggerated curtsy.

[Alexa] "If you ever require anything, please use Gryphine at any time, Your Majesty."

[Dianna] "……"

[Alexa] "We must meet again."

Before she could reach out, Alexa boarded the carriage and departed immediately.

Dianna understood her sister's motives perfectly.

She didn't want to show me her tears.

Tears gathered in her own eyes. Detecting Guiscard's tracking gaze, she quickly suppressed her emotions.

[Dianna] "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."

She spoke stiffly. She lacked the desire to let him see her cry. Yet he actively called out to stop her.

[Guiscard] "Dianna."

[Dianna] "……"

She turned around.

[Guiscard] "You may bring your younger sister here whenever you wish."

[Dianna] "……"

She resolved never to bring Alexa to the palace.

[Guiscard] "I will not hold her hostage."

But you held her hostage in my past life.

Therefore, she refused to believe his words. Given the chance, she wanted to help Alexa escape to another nation entirely. Right then, he spoke.

[Guiscard] "Starting tomorrow, I shall be absent."

[Dianna] "Tomorrow?"

Why the sudden departure?

[Guiscard] "I will be away for several months. You must be thrilled. It will help you pass your three years easily."

[Dianna] "……"

[Guiscard] "Don't worry. I have selected ladies-in-waiting to attend to you. They will assist you."

Her hair stood on end. Ladies-in-waiting…… Her expression turned rigid.

[Guiscard] "I am certain you will like them."

[Dianna] "……"

She remained silent, refraining from asking why he had to leave. She knew perfectly well that monsters were running rampant once more. Guiscard always had to wield his blade.

[Dianna] "I understand."

She left it at that. She asked neither why he was leaving nor when he would return.

A piercing gaze locked onto her back. Dianna turned her back on him and walked away, her mind a tangled mess.

---

[Lady] "Greetings!"

[Lady] "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Dianna studied the ladies-in-waiting standing before her.

Was this expected or entirely unforeseen?

One lady-in-waiting was Saruvia Levian. However, an unfamiliar woman stood directly beside her.

[Saruvia] "It is an honor to serve the Queen."

[Lady] "We have come to serve you by His Majesty's royal decree."

Saruvia spoke gently and gave Dianna a subtle wink. The demeanor was remarkably affectionate. Yet she knew precisely how much poison lay concealed beneath that friendly, beautiful countenance.

Dianna observed a lady-in-waiting who differed from the past life. The woman beside Saruvia possessed brown hair, striking blue eyes, a distinct countenance, a strong skeletal frame, and a prominent nose.

[Leonie] "I am Leonie Kragel of the House of Kragel."

The Kragel family?

Dianna's eyes widened. The name triggered a clear memory. They were the island lords who ruled the archipelago. Notorious for their aggressive martial nature, they had clashed openly with Guiscard multiple times in her past life.

To encounter their daughter here?

Had she been a prominent figure in her previous life, she would surely have remembered her……

[Saruvia] "Your Majesty, please grant me your attention as well."

Saruvia spoke with familiar warmth. As Dianna shifted her gaze, Saruvia offered a smile that projected absolute innocence to any observer.

[Dianna] "It has been a long time."

At those words, a peculiar gleam flashed in her eyes.

When Dianna intentionally indicated that she had not forgotten the past, Saruvia offered a radiant smile, as if expecting nothing less.

[Leonie] "Goodness, it seems the bond between you two runs deeply."

Leonie spoke mockingly. Dianna recognized that this woman held no goodwill toward either herself or Saruvia.

[Dianna] "We met in Panborough."

[Leonie] "Indeed, Lady Levian always admired the things of Panborough. That fragile kingdom, I mean."

Leonie spoke stiffly. Dianna flinched at the phrase fragile kingdom. Right then, Saruvia cut in.

[Saruvia] "Oh dear. Are you criticizing me for harboring curiosity about Panborough? Surely you realize that it was precisely because I investigated them with such curiosity that we successfully conquered Panborough?"

[Leonie] "In my opinion, Lady Levian was merely enjoying their culture rather than conducting reconnaissance."

[Saruvia] "You are far too cruel."

Saruvia wore a wounded expression at Leonie's retort.

Dianna studied Leonie's face. Right then, she scanned Dianna's appearance.

She was intentionally uttering sharp words.

Leonie was delivering insults simply to gauge Dianna's character. Exhaustion washed over Dianna. She possessed no desire to intervene in their vicious banter, nor did she intend to succumb to her provocations or spark into anger. Establishing dominance interested her not at all.

As Dianna watched them silently, Leonie addressed her directly.

[Leonie] "Your Majesty, do you wish to rest already?"

Leonie turned her target toward her.

[Leonie] "If you lack the drive to manage anything, I shall handle the palace affairs myself."

At those words, Saruvia interjected.

[Saruvia] "Lady Kragel, what on earth do you mean by that!"

Leonie was openly declaring her intent to usurp Dianna's authority. The struggle had already begun.

[Leonie] "How can a native of Panborough comprehend the customs of Lodbrog? Furthermore, she hails from the House of Brienne, which is by no means an ordinary noble family."

[Dianna] "……"

[Leonie] "Forgive me, but the Queen commands no respect among the local nobility. Therefore, I shall—"

[Saruvia] "You are going too far! If anyone is to assume authority, it must be the House of Levian! Don't you agree, Your Majesty?"

Dianna observed the bickering women and spoke in an ice-cold tone.

[Dianna] "I remained silent to see how far your reckless tongues would go, yet you are overstepping your boundaries."

---

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