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Chapter 83
Brother-in-law
Brother-in-law? What kind of deranged form of address was that? But Diana couldn’t stop Alexa from using it. Because Alexa already believed that Diana and Giscarr got along well.
Yet her father had dragged Giscarr here as a slave—there could only be ruin between them. Then why was Alexa looking at her with that expression?
Was it because of the word brother-in-law? The tense atmosphere had loosened somewhat. Giscarr was speaking with Alexa as if nothing were wrong. They looked so friendly, as if they weren’t from enemy families at all.
Diana thought about Alexa’s words—that garbage of a father. What had happened between Alexa and her father?
Was it because of Emil? Or had Grandfather told her things about Father? For some reason, Diana felt uneasy.
Because of that cursed brother-in-law, there wasn’t the slightest trace of tension between them. Diana suddenly wondered—why had Giscarr married her and not Alexa? Was Alexa too young back then? But the age gap wasn’t that large…
Even in her previous life, and now again—why her?
Why had he hated her more? Why had he chosen marriage? Of course, it wasn’t as though she wished Alexa had been the one to fall into this hell. She was just… curious.
“Brother-in-law, why did you marry my sister?”
Her heart dropped in an instant. It was as if Alexa had seen right through her thoughts.
“Brother-in-law, don’t you hate us?”
Just when Diana thought Alexa had matured, she proved she hadn’t changed at all. She asked the very question they had always silently avoided, and she did it without hesitation.
“Alexa.”
Diana finally called her name. A chilly silence filled the room.
“Just let me be, Sister.”
But Alexa didn’t back down. Seeing that, Diana realized Alexa hadn’t asked without purpose. When Giscarr didn’t answer, Alexa smirked.
“If you can’t even answer, why did you take my sister? Was it just to make her suffer?”
“……”
Giscarr gave no reply. Diana wished he would at least come up with some plausible lie. Then Alexa continued quietly:
“What good is slaying a dragon if you don’t come back sooner?”
Diana’s eyes widened. Why did she have to bring that up? Diana looked at Alexa, but Alexa wouldn’t meet her eyes.
No way. No, it couldn’t be. Had Giscarr heard that too? She glanced at him, but he seemed lost in thought, as if he hadn’t caught her last words. At length, he looked at Alexa and said:
“Because I wanted to bring her here.”
“……”
“Because I wanted her by my side.”
“……”
“Because I desired her. That’s why I married her.”
For some reason, while saying this, Giscarr looked at Diana. How insincere. Had he already forgotten what had happened that morning? Diana glared at him.
Alexa’s sharp eyes flickered between Diana and Giscarr.
And then, to Diana’s surprise, Giscarr avoided her gaze. He looked almost flustered. Despite his absolute superiority, the dynamic felt strangely like he was seeking Alexa’s approval.
Diana sighed.
“Alexa, that’s enough.”
“……”
“What happens between husband and wife is for us to deal with. It’s not something you should speak about carelessly.”
“Sister.”
“Whether I married him by force or for love, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re married. So let’s end the rudeness here.”
Diana spoke firmly. Then, looking at Giscarr’s stiff expression, she added:
“Your Majesty, please forgive her discourtesy.”
Giscarr silently regarded her for a moment, then smiled.
“No, your sister-in-law is right. It’s natural for her to worry.”
“……”
“I won’t ever torment her. That much, I promise.”
He treats promises so lightly… Diana thought bitterly. Alexa, just what happened with you? She wanted to ask, but couldn’t with Giscarr present.
“Then, may I come visit from time to time? To keep an eye on her too?”
Diana was about to protest when Giscarr spoke first.
“Of course.”
Diana scowled.
“Don’t come.”
“You can come.”
Was he serious? Diana glared at him, but Giscarr steadfastly avoided her eyes.
“Pfft.”
Seeing the two of them, Alexa burst into laughter.
“Ah, I get it now. I already knew, really.”
Her expression was much lighter than before.
“Since I know, just treat her well, Brother-in-law.”
Stop calling him that! Diana ground her teeth, but Alexa refused to listen. Diana wanted to ask her—
What exactly do you know, Alexa?
It wasn’t impossible. If she asked Giscarr for a moment alone with her sister, he would probably oblige.
But she was afraid. Terrified of what Alexa might actually know. And if Alexa threw the question back at her—what could she answer?
“I’ll be going now.”
Alexa rose. Diana tried to stop her, but Alexa said:
“Grandfather will worry. I should tell him I met you.”
“Don’t speak of me.”
Alexa gave a careless nod. Hard to believe she meant it. Giscarr, unusually kind, even prepared a carriage for her. Diana bit her lip in hurt.
Before Alexa boarded, Diana spoke:
“Your health is weak. Keep seeing the physician. And don’t go near places with disease.”
“Alright.”
“Don’t skip meals, sleep well, understand?”
“I said alright!”
Alexa snapped back.
“Worry about yourself more, Sister. You need to live well now, hmm?”
She beamed brightly. Diana didn’t know what to say. She wanted to grab her and beg her to stay… yet also wanted her to leave quickly, before she saw how pitiful her sister truly was.
Grabbing her skirts, Alexa made an exaggerated curtsey.
“If you need anything, please use Griffinay anytime, Your Majesty the Queen.”
“……”
“We’ll meet again for sure.”
Before Diana could stop her, Alexa climbed into the carriage, and it immediately departed. Diana understood why—Alexa didn’t want her to see her crying. Her own eyes stung red. Feeling Giscarr’s gaze on her, Diana hastily hid her emotions.
“Your Majesty, I’ll excuse myself.”
She spoke stiffly. She just didn’t want him to see her tears. But Giscarr deliberately stopped her.
“Diana.”
“……”
She turned back.
“Your sister can always visit.”
“……”
She would never bring Alexa here again.
“I won’t ever use her as a hostage.”
But in her past life, he had. So she didn’t believe him. If she had the chance, she would send Alexa away to another country altogether. Then he said:
“From tomorrow, I won’t be here.”
“Tomorrow?”
Why, all of a sudden?
“I’ll be gone for several months. That should please you. You’ll survive three years this way.”
“……”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already chosen a maid to serve you. She’ll assist you.”
Diana’s hair prickled. A maid… Her face hardened.
“You’ll surely like her.”
“……”
Diana said nothing. She didn’t ask why he was leaving. She knew monsters had begun running rampant again. Giscarr always had to wield a sword.
“I understand.”
That was all she said. She didn’t ask where he was going, or when he would return.
She felt his piercing gaze on her back as she turned away and walked off. Her head was a storm of thoughts.
✦
“Greetings!”
“Greetings.”
Diana looked at the maids lined up before her. As expected—or perhaps unexpected—one of them was Lady Levian. But beside her stood an unfamiliar woman.
“It is an honor to serve Your Majesty the Queen.”
“By His Majesty’s order, we are here to serve you.”
Lady Levian spoke sweetly, even winking at Diana. Such warmth—yet Diana knew full well how much poison hid behind that kind and beautiful face.
Then Diana turned her eyes to the other woman. Unlike the last life, this maid was different. She had brown hair, striking blue eyes, a strong build, and a prominent nose.
“I am Leoni Kragel of House Kragel.”
Kragel…? Diana’s eyes widened. Yes, she remembered now. House Kragel ruled over an island in the archipelago. Famously warlike, they had clashed with Giscarr several times in her past life.
And now she was here? Someone this distinctive, Diana should certainly have remembered otherwise…
“Your Majesty, pay attention to me too.”
Lady Levian’s friendly voice pulled her back. When Diana met her eyes, the lady smiled with a harmless expression.
“It’s been a while.”
At those words, Lady Levian’s eyes flickered. Diana had deliberately revealed that she hadn’t forgotten the past. Levian only smiled as though she’d expected it.
“My, your connection must be very deep indeed.”
Lady Kragel mocked. Diana realized she wasn’t friendly toward either her or Lady Levian.
“We met in Farnborough,” Diana replied.
“Ah yes, Lady Levian always admired things from Farnborough. Such a weak little country.”
At weak country, Diana flinched. Then Levian retorted:
“Oh my, are you mocking me for taking an interest in Farnborough? Don’t you know it was that very curiosity and study that allowed us to conquer it?”
“I think you were more interested in enjoying their culture than scouting them.”
“How cruel of you.”
Levian feigned a wounded look at Kragel’s words. Diana watched Kragel’s face carefully. The woman’s eyes swept over her.
She’s deliberately speaking harshly.
She was testing Diana, gauging what kind of person she was. Diana felt weary. She had no intention of stopping their biting words, no intention of rising to Kragel’s provocation. She had no interest in such power plays.
As Diana silently observed them, Kragel turned her sharp tongue on her.
“Your Majesty the Queen, are you already weary?”
The arrow now pointed her way.
“If you lack motivation, I can handle matters for you.”
At that, Levian snapped.
“Lady Kragel, how dare you!”
She was openly declaring she’d strip away Diana’s authority. So it begins already.
“How could someone from Farnborough understand Lodbrok affairs? And not just any noble, but from the Duke of Brienne’s house, no less?”
“……”
“I’m sorry, but Your Majesty does not have the nobles’ support. So I—”
“You go too far! If anyone should hold such authority, it should be House Levian! Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”
Diana looked at the squabbling women and spoke coldly:
“I left you unchecked to see how far your insolence would go, but now you’ve crossed the line.”
