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Chapter 103
Obvious Sowing of Discord
“This sort of thing isn’t befitting of Her Majesty the Queen. Compared to Panborough’s, these aren’t even worth looking at!”
From early morning, the voice coming from Diana’s chambers was shrill and sharp. The maid who had brought out clothes for Diana flinched when Mirva threw them all aside.
“Enough.”
Diana, who had been quietly watching, cut her off coldly. At that, Mirva’s vicious expression melted into something pitifully meek.
“Ah, my lady, forgive me! I didn’t realize and overstepped again. This foolish old woman…”
“…”
“But these aren’t the clothes you really want to wear, are they? I’ve known what you like since you were a child.”
The maid looked at Diana as if to ask whether that was true. But instead of her usual warm gaze for the servants, Diana kept her eyes only on Mirva.
“Whether it’s Panborough or Rodbrok, I can’t just wear only what I want. I know you’re only thinking of me.”
The maid’s expression crumbled as if the world had ended. What? That woman is the one who thinks of Her Majesty? The other maids behind her sighed as well.
Ever since Mirva had arrived, everything had changed. The queen’s household, originally centered around Mabel, fell into confusion as orders constantly shifted.
Mirva, insisting that Diana preferred Panborough’s things, surrounded her with them—food, clothing, bedding, everything.
Mabel tried to stop her, but Mirva slandered her as a heartless woman trying to erase the queen’s “culture,” and gradually drove a wedge between Diana and the other maids.
The real problem was Diana herself.
Most of the time, Diana overrode Mirva’s will and accepted what the maids offered—but it was plain to see she found Mirva’s choices more comfortable.
Anyone who had served her long enough could tell. Diana welcomed and even preferred Panborough’s things.
Was it because she was from Panborough herself, and longed for what was familiar? Even while trying to serve her faithfully in Rodbrok, the maids’ hearts ached.
And Mirva’s arrogance, always insisting that Diana must be treated with extra reverence since her marriage was forced, only grew worse.
“My lady dislikes the heat! Who dares keep a fire burning?!”
At her roar, the maids lowered their heads. They found her insufferable—acting as if being the queen’s personal maid made her superior. But afraid of displeasing Diana, they had no choice but to obey.
Something’s not right with her.
Some maids whispered suspicions. Mirva claimed to act in Diana’s interest, but in truth, she was isolating her. Always disparaging the king’s gifts, always claiming it was disrespect toward Diana.
The knights thought the same. Mirva sneered that knights of common birth weren’t worthy, leaving even the seasoned Varghati knights speechless. Rogafl, in particular, grumbled that he didn’t even want to serve guard duty because of “that old woman,” and asked for reassignment whenever possible.
The atmosphere grew uneasy. Some muttered about favoritism toward the queen, others pointed out that shared grief over losing one’s homeland couldn’t be helped. Others simply wished it would all pass quickly.
Since Lady Reviang said Mirva had been employed with the king’s permission, the maids could do little but hold their tongues.
Only Mabel remained steadfast at Diana’s side.
✦
“Mirva, why is it so cold today?”
“Heavens! Those wretches must have—!”
Mirva’s voice rose in anger. Diana thought it was all too familiar—she had seen this before.
“Mabel must have meddled again.”
“Meddled?”
“She’s trying to tame you. Jealous of me being here, no doubt.”
“Ahh, I see.”
Diana nodded. Memories of her previous life came back. After she had once slapped Mabel, the maid had retaliated by making things difficult with the heating. Mirva glanced at Diana nervously.
“I’ll light the fire right away. It may be spring, but nights are still as cold as winter.”
Soon, she was stoking the fire with obvious diligence. The air quickly warmed, and Diana let out a soft chuckle.
“I couldn’t manage without you, Mirva.”
“Of course, my lady. You can rely only on me. We have no one else but each other.”
“That’s right, Mirva. Only each other.”
Diana smiled brightly, and Mirva smiled back, warm and gentle—like a mother doting on her child.
✦
Diana dined with Giscarr. Thanks to his half-considerate arrangements, the food was prepared in Panborough’s style—palatable, and to Diana’s taste.
They ate in silence. It had been the same for days. It always was, in this life and the last. Neither of them were the type to chatter at meals.
Diana suppressed a cough that threatened to escape. With the heating neglected these past days, she’d been coughing every morning. Just then, his voice broke the silence.
“I heard from Ribys how you reorganized things.”
Startled, she nearly dropped her fork. Giscarr, without looking at her, went on.
“You did well. Flawlessly.”
“…That’s too much praise.”
Praise? From him? Diana’s confusion deepened, but he continued in a low voice.
“I only meant to tell you you’ve managed well in my absence.”
“….”
“You’ve done well.”
Diana stared down at her food. She had once complained that he never praised her—but now that he did, it felt awkward. Maybe he sensed it, but in truth, the compliment pleased her.
“I only did what a queen is supposed to do. And Ribys practically forced it onto me…”
“Forced?”
“Yes. He made it impossible to refuse.”
“You’ve become rather close, then.”
His tone was strange. Diana glanced up, but he wasn’t looking at her, calmly cutting his meat. It struck her—how odd, seeing a former slave eat with such poise.
Though his fork was bent slightly out of shape.
We’ll have to replace the tableware.
As she thought that, Giscarr suddenly turned to her, his expression darkening.
“You really are curious. How did you manage while I was gone…?”
“…Pardon?”
“I mean, those bastards, not knowing their place, daring to…”
With a crack, the bent fork snapped in his hand. His words made little sense. Diana didn’t know who “those bastards” were, but clearly something had happened. She considered asking, but seeing his mood sour, she stayed silent.
It was a strange meal. But not unpleasant.
✦
“Did you see the way that man acted?”
“….”
“He’s disrespecting Your Majesty.”
Mirva’s voice dripped venom as she railed against Giscarr, enough to make Diana’s ears ache.
“Why do you think that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The food is pathetic compared to Panborough’s, and all he can say is ‘you did well’? What kind of attitude is that?”
“And?”
“He disappears for three months, then only now bothers to offer a single compliment? And what kind of king gives nothing but a single Panborough dress as a gift?”
“….”
“A hollow queen, that’s all. If you had been Panborough’s queen, it would have been different. But here, they look down on you just because your country fell. You deserve so much better.”
Diana sat quietly, tilting her head slightly as though wondering how not to hear her anymore.
“Mirva.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Do you really think that?”
“Of course!”
Diana studied her face. Realizing only Lady Reviang was present in the room, she smiled softly.
“You’re the only one who truly thinks of me.”
“….”
“I’ve always felt so stifled and wronged. It’s hard, being among foreigners.”
“My lady…”
“I’m glad you came here. Now, go on out.”
She gave Mirva a radiant smile. Mirva bowed her head and left lightly, almost skipping.
As the door closed, Diana turned to Lady Reviang.
“Where exactly did you bring Mirva from?”
“By chance, purely by chance. I was searching for a maid from Panborough.”
Lady Reviang smiled. At Diana’s expectant look, she explained further.
“Well, among those Panborough women, she looked the most pitiful. And when I asked, it turned out she had been your personal maid, Your Majesty.”
“….”
“Now, isn’t that a coincidence? Surely it’s fate!”
She beamed. Diana smiled faintly back. Fate? More like nonsense no dog would eat. But there was something she wanted.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been reunited with an old bond. I’m grateful.”
“Oh, my Queen!”
Her eyes welled with tears. Diana spoke evenly as she watched.
“Lady Kragel can be somewhat inattentive at times.”
“….”
“I’d like you to stay by my side, to assist me.”
Lady Reviang nodded eagerly.
“To be honest, I felt hurt—like only Lady Kragel was close to you. But I too sincerely serve Your Majesty.”
Diana clasped her pale hand warmly, answering only with a smile.
Thud!
Just then—shouts, a shriek, and a heavy crash echoed through the halls. Diana and Lady Reviang exchanged looks.
As the sound of women yelling angrily followed, Diana rose from her seat. Assassins? Probably not.
She opened the door herself. The maids’ faces went pale.
“What’s the commotion?”
“Th-th-the thing is…!”
Diana looked to see a knight scratching his head awkwardly outside her chamber.
“Is my safety at risk?”
He coughed and shook his head.
“Perhaps… best you don’t get involved, my lady.”
It was a timid attempt at dissuasion. If it were truly dangerous, the knights would have stormed in already.
Where is Mabel in all this?
Normally, Mabel would have already restored order. What had happened? Diana walked toward the gathering. The maids gasped when they saw her approach.
Women were wrestling, rolling on the ground in a violent brawl. Bodies slammed into the walls—so that was the sound Diana and Lady Reviang had heard earlier.
“Let go!”
“No, you let go!”
The furious shouts left Diana stunned.
“What… what on earth is going on here?”
The two women locked in a hair-pulling fight were unmistakably—Mirva and Mabel.
Why were they fighting like that? For what reason?
