TSMMT Ch 89

Suspicious Talent (1)

Revius clearly didn't expect Dianna to admit to flattery so blatantly. Beyond his obvious displeasure, a fraction of curiosity emerged in his eyes.

She continued calmly.

[Dianna] "Lacking the intelligence and brilliance that Your Excellency possesses, I had no idea how to proceed. I didn't know how to win the favor of the distinguished figures of Lodbrog, nor how I should conduct myself."

[Revius] "……"

[Dianna] "Will the Prime Minister enlighten me? What should I have done in that situation?"

That question was one Revius couldn't answer. Dianna's standing was at rock bottom, and he held disapproval toward her as well. Surrounded by such hostility, no action on her part would have mattered.

[Revius] "Even so, is it right to behave by throwing money around like that?"

[Dianna] "It seems the Prime Minister doesn't know either. In that case, I might never have received any goodwill there otherwise."

[Revius] "You should have attempted other efforts."

Dianna offered a bitter smile. Revius was always like this. He constantly mocked her, claiming she lacked effort and determination. Perhaps it looked that way to him. He likely found her pathetic for failing to perform even the basic duties of a queen.

Yet back in Panborough, both in her past life and the present, Dianna had managed the household estate with great skill. That success stemmed from her father recognizing her ability and everyone respecting her noble status.

Yet what was she supposed to do here? No one recognized her, and no one respected her title. Was he telling her not to attempt even this level of effort?

It remained unclear whether her own attendants belonged to her or not. Stepping forward even a single pace felt like walking on thin ice.

Talk is cheap.

[Revius] "Do you intend to throw money around every single time to win favor?"

[Dianna] "Regrettably, I have no such intention. My budget is not particularly large."

[Revius] "How can you say that amount is not large!"

He raised his voice. Dianna narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

[Dianna] "Prime Minister! Do you realize how insolent it is to raise your voice at me like this?!"

[Revius] "……"

His mouth snapped shut at the sudden sharp command in her voice. Fury flared whenever she looked at this man. Suppressing her burning resentment, she spoke.

[Dianna] "I am not your subordinate! If you wish to challenge my spending as extravagance, raise the issue formally within the High Council of Nobles. I shall formally explain my plans for managing the budget regarding this matter."

[Revius] "……"

[Dianna] "Apologize for your rudeness. Am I an administrator under your command? Why do you come here raising your voice at me as if scolding an inferior?!"

She thoroughly detested this man. In the past, when she blamed Saruvia, Revius had shouted at Dianna, demanding to know if she was not the Queen. Of course, Dianna acknowledged her own share of responsibility back then. Saruvia had likely ruined the budget completely. Even so, resentment festered over his despicable behavior in blaming Dianna instead of Saruvia.

[Revius] "I apologize."

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

Surprise struck her as Revius suddenly bent at the waist.

He yields so easily? All of a sudden?

This was the first time she had ever received an apology from him.

Was apologizing so simple for this man?

[Revius] "Grief over the massive deficit in the royal palace budget clouded my judgment for a moment."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "I was impolite."

He maintained his deep bow. Dianna clicked her tongue. Watching such servile repentance disgusted her. She recognized that no real sincerity lay behind it. Ultimately, she decided to accept the apology.

[Dianna] "If you apologize like that……"

[Leonie] "Why are you accepting his apology again?!"

Leonie barked in anger.

[Leonie] "How dare a mere Prime Minister utter such outrageous insults to Her Majesty the Queen?!"

Leonie bellowed at the top of her lungs. Revius flinched at the outburst.

[Revius] "I am sorry. I am deeply sorry. It was entirely my oversight."

It felt thoroughly strange for that man to act so remorseful. Dianna held Leonie back. The situation threatened to escalate further.

Leonie flew into an absolute rage.

[Leonie] "You hold Her Majesty the Queen in complete contempt! Scolding her right in front of me over a tiny fraction of the budget! Should the companion of His Majesty the King suffer disrespect from noble ladies instead?!"

She shouted back. Her words were sharp and accurate.

Yet since when did this woman become so loyal to me?

An ominous foreboding brushed against Dianna's mind as she watched Leonie's display.

[Revius] "My narrow perspective and rash actions caused Her Majesty discomfort."

Revius stepped back. Leonie huffed in anger. Dianna gripped Leonie's shoulder.

[Dianna] "He has apologized now, so that is enough. Stop."

[Revius] "Do you grant me forgiveness?"

Revius asked, his eyes gleaming. Dianna nodded. Because he had surrendered so abruptly after Leonnie's scolding, she found herself unable to press further.

Did he aim for this outcome?

Even if he had calculated this move, the Prime Minister had bowed before her; she could say nothing more. It was a flawless apology.

[Dianna] "You acted out of concern for the growing deficit in the royal palace budget. How could I remain angry at a worry meant for the good of the nation?"

Dianna let out a heavy sigh as she spoke. Right then, Revius placed a hand over his chest.

[Revius] "Ah, what a relief! Your Majesty shares the same heart as I do. May I assume that you worry over the very same concerns as I?"

[Dianna] "Pardon? Yes……"

What is this? Something feels wrong.

Dianna noticed the sharp glint in Revius' eyes. It resembled the gaze of a hunter who had snared his prey. The corners of his lips curved upward in an exaggerated smile.

[Revius] "Ah! So Your Majesty finally intends to step forward and handle royal affairs! Ignorant of your true intent, I condemned Your Majesty falsely!"

[Leonie] "As long as you understand now."

Leonie answered haughtily.

Why is she answering for me? And what does he mean by " step forward"?

[Revius] "Since ancient times, allocating the internal palace budget has fallen under the duties of the Queen. I attempted to handle it myself, but managing the national tax revenues proved overwhelming, preventing me from giving it proper attention."

[Dianna] "……Wait a moment. I merely intended to economize my own budget—"

[Revius] "Monsters swarm across the nation, and I can barely manage to plug the leaking tax revenues outside. I beg Your Majesty to assist me. I shall never interfere with Your Majesty's personal spending again."

I knew it.

Dianna glared at Revius with cold eyes. He was executing a high-level sarcastic trap.

You abandoned your duties as Queen and forced me to take them on, so I hold every right to question the budget you spend.

Yet Leonie failed to grasp his underlying malice.

[Leonie] "Give thanks for Her Majesty's benevolence."

Dianna desperately wished to cover Leonie's mouth. She gripped her shoulder tightly, but Leonie's eyes sparkled with confidence, beaming a look that said, Trust me.

[Revius] "In that case, I understand. I shall immediately order the Palace Financial Officer to attend to you here."

[Dianna] "Wait, I am—"

[Leonie] "Indeed. If you respected the Queen of this nation, you should have sent them the moment she ascended the throne!"

Please, please be quiet!

At Leonie's intervention, Revius bowed low, holding back laughter.

[Revius] "I thank you for scolding my narrow vision, Your Majesty."

[Dianna] "……"

[Revius] "I shall take my leave now to reflect upon my transgressions."

Dianna stared up at the ceiling. Her eyes sparkling, Leonie addressed her.

[Leonie] "They say a lady-in-waiting is supposed to express anger on behalf of her master, and I must say this is quite entertaining."

[Dianna] "……"

[Leonie] "Ah, I feel alive now."

[Dianna] "……"

[Leonie] "Oh, and now that you have secured authority over the budget, please raise my salary."

Ah, I thought she lacked tactical awareness, but she had an agenda all along!

A curse hovered on her tongue. This palace was a den of thieves where one could be robbed with eyes wide open. Ultimately, Dianna found herself saddled with work.

---

[Saruvia] "Y-Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

The following day, Saruvia expressed utter shock upon finding Dianna working amidst piles of documents. Dianna had never desired this outcome either.

[Leonie] "Her Majesty is managing the internal palace budget, Lady Levian."

Leonie spoke triumphantly.

[Saruvia] "That... I was... I was supposed to assist with that!"

[Leonie] "The Prime Minister appointed Her Majesty personally, so what choice is there?"

Leonie sighed in exasperation. Dianna focused exclusively on the documents, as if hearing nothing around her.

Curiously, Dianna's serene demeanor was by no means out of place; rather, it suited her extraordinarily well. Leonie watched the sight with fascination, while Saruvia trembled violently.

This is wrong! That woman must not hold the purse strings! Why is she suddenly taking center stage?

Saruvia glared at Dianna. She wanted to sabotage the paperwork, but Leonie's presence rendered her helpless. Then she quickly shifted her perspective.

Then again, what could she possibly accomplish? Does she even know how to read official documents? The royal palace is such a complex machine.

How well could she possibly perform? She knows nothing about the inner workings of the palace.

Dianna knew that she had intentionally given her the wrong dress code, yet Dianna had never laid blame upon her even once.

Her silence is terrifying.

Yet sitting idle was impossible. She had to sabotage Dianna.

Saruvia bit her lip anxiously. Dianna caused her unrest.

Dianna's way of reading and recording documents looked remarkably practiced. Her relaxed composure mirrored long familiarity, and the barrage of questions she hurled was certainly not born of ignorance.

We are bound by ill fate, so why am I so anxious?

Whenever her eyes met Dianna's serene face, a chilling cold bit into her spine.

I must expel her.

Her heart pounded frantically.

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