Chapter 14.
The Princess of Ionia
Though anyone else might have shrunk back under the princess’s blatant disregard, Diana Brienne merely gathered her skirts, curtsied with a grace that was almost spiteful in its elegance, and then sat down in the seat prepared for her. People whispered at her poise. The princess, however, still wore a scowl. She tried to hide it, but she was clearly uneasy.
“The bedwetter of Ionia.”
Diana knew why. It was an old rumor that had long circulated in society. Diana had heard it as well. Supposedly, when the princess was very young, she had an accident at her own birthday party. Today was the anniversary of that day.
“Imagine not even being able to pee properly. Disgusting. A princess, and she wets herself.”
Prince Ferdinand, her only brother, was ashamed of his little sister. The Princess of Ionia suffered from a bladder disorder due to the trauma of almost being assassinated as a child. Whenever she became tense, she immediately felt the urge to use the bathroom.
“Don’t be too harsh with Her Highness.”
“They say she’s been like that ever since, before she was even ten years old. She’s terrified of men, can’t even manage the bathroom like a dog. You understand what kind of humiliation that is for me, don’t you?”
“Your Highness—”
“She’s like this because she can’t even bring herself to ask to go to the bathroom. Not all children are that stupid.”
Because of this rumor, the Princess of Ionia almost never appeared in high society. And even when she did, she had to endure being called a “bedwetter.” As if being afraid of men wasn’t enough, she feared being ridiculed for going to the bathroom too often. That ten-year-old girl lived under the jeers of “bedwetter” until the fall of Panborough.
Wasn’t that far too cruel?
Diana understood. She, too, had been treated as a spoil of war to the Kingdom of Lodbrok and had endured endless mockery. She knew well just how unbearable ridicule could be.
So, while answering the questions directed at her with polite half-answers, she watched the princess. Diana didn’t force conversation—she knew the princess would only snap back.
The princess looked so desperately uncomfortable that Diana smiled brightly.
“Your Highness, my gift is rather large, and it must be viewed outside. Would you follow me, please?”
In truth, Diana’s birthday gift for the princess was just an opal headband inlaid with gems the queen had once liked. There was no grand gift. But the princess’s eyes lit up. She was far too timid to say in front of everyone that she needed the restroom.
“Oh my, what could the Duke of Brienne’s family have prepared?”
“I’m curious too!”
“If Her Highness wishes, perhaps we could all—”
If the princess agreed to let everyone join, Diana’s words would become an empty boast. A cold sweat broke on her back. But thankfully, the princess said:
“It’s something the duke sent personally. I’ll go check it first.”
The noble ladies’ disappointment was plain. A few even cast disapproving looks at Diana for leading the princess away. It didn’t look good, taking the princess aside like that.
But Diana was twelve years old. She beamed innocently.
“I have another gift prepared—let’s look at that together later, everyone!”
The charm of being a child was that people overlooked little faults. If she had seemed too adult, it might have stirred resentment. But who could truly scold a smiling child—especially one who had lost her mother less than half a year ago? The noblewomen who had daughters of their own couldn’t help but soften.
“She’s still a child.”
“Yes. She looked so composed when she entered, but…”
“It must be difficult for her. To manage a household alone at that age.”
The Princess of Ionia didn’t go straight to the restroom. She hesitated, watching Diana. Diana spared her the choice.
“Your Highness, where is the restroom?”
“Huh?”
“Because I need to go.”
“I’ll take you there!”
Her expression brightened, and she quickened her steps. But not long after, she froze.
“Ah… ah… what—”
“What is it?” Diana widened her eyes. The princess suddenly stopped and trembled. Before Diana could even guess, the princess’s face went pale as she looked down at her skirt. Diana realized immediately that something was wrong.
“W-what do I do…”
“……”
“A-ah!”
Moisture pooled on the floor beneath her. Too late. Diana sighed softly. The princess had wet herself in the corridor, and tears welled up as she began to sob. Just as it was about to become uncontrollable, Diana raised her voice.
“Don’t cry, Your Highness!”
“But I… I…”
“Before your dress is soaked, hold it up quickly! It’s fine. You just need to change your undergarments.”
Fortunately, no one was passing by the corridor. This could still be dealt with quietly. Diana looked behind her.
“Someone, please come here.”
Naturally, the princess’s guard knight would be following. Diana searched, and a female knight stepped out from behind a pillar.
“What is it? Why is Her Highness crying—ah.”
The knight understood instantly.
“This is the situation. I’m sorry, but could you fetch a change of undergarments? And a rag as well.”
The knight seemed seasoned. The princess hiccupped, staring at Diana who calmly issued instructions.
“Should I bring some maids to help her change?”
Diana shook her head.
“No. The fewer people who know, the better. If word spreads, it will be disastrous. I’ll help her myself. Please be quick.”
The knight nodded. Diana took the princess’s hand and led her to the restroom. To Ionia, it felt like the worst day of her life. It was over. Everything she had tried so hard to hide had been exposed.
“I-I… what do I do? They’ll call me a bedwetter again—hic—”
“Take off your clothes. If they stay wet, it’ll be worse.”
“M-mother… my mother—”
When the princess started crying again, Diana gripped her shoulders and shook her lightly.
“Your Highness, pull yourself together! If you keep crying, it will show on your face.”
“I…”
“I promise—I won’t tell anyone. This can be solved.”
“…Hic.”
“Enough. I also wet the bed when I was little. One mistake can be overlooked. It’s nothing. So please, stop crying, stop.”
Her firm tone steadied the princess, who nodded. Just then, the knight returned with fresh garments.
“Lady Brienne, the corridor has already been cleaned.”
“Good.”
Now, only the princess remained. Diana excused herself, then carefully helped her undress. Ionia watched silently.
Diana’s hands were deft, gentle, reassuring. Though it could have been mortifying, the cleanup was handled perfectly. Once dressed again, Diana checked the folds and smoothed the ribbons.
“Thank you.”
“If you don’t want to need the restroom so often, just pretend to drink your tea. Or eat salty snacks to slow things down.”
“…Okay.”
“And most of all, when it’s urgent, ask for help. Say the queen is calling you, or that something needs your attention. In truth, it’s fine to say you need the restroom. That isn’t shameful.”
“…Okay.”
The princess’s voice was as small as a mosquito’s. Diana dabbed her tears away with a handkerchief.
“…Sister.”
“…What?”
“You feel like a sister.”
Diana was momentarily at a loss for words. The princess blushed, realizing she had spoken like a child rather than royalty.
“Lady Brienne. I owe you a great debt.”
“…?”
“I always repay my debts.”
Diana thought for a moment, then smiled sheepishly.
“Then… may I ask a favor?”
“What is it?” The princess’s eyes shone. Diana looked embarrassed.
“Well… the so-called gift from my father never existed. Could you perhaps… smooth that over for me?”
At last, the princess remembered why they had come here: to see the Duke of Brienne’s grand gift.
“So, from the beginning, you knew I was in trouble and took me away?”
“I told you. I’ve been in similar trouble often, so I recognized it right away.”
“…I see.”
The princess’s eyes sparkled. Diana straightened her ribbon again, and Ionia bowed her head shyly. Despite her embarrassment, she looked relieved.
Thank goodness.
Diana smiled. The pitiful princess who had lived in seclusion, mocked all her life, seemed to vanish in that moment.
The next day at the Brienne estate, Diana was summoned by the duke. He rubbed his brow before looking up at her.
“What on earth have you done, Anne?”
“…Pardon?”
“Word has spread that our house gave some magnificent gift to the princess.”
“….”
“There are even rumors that we presented something priceless. The queen hasn’t denied it.”
“….”
“In fact, she was so pleased that she sent you a gift through me.”
The duke handed over a box. Diana opened it to find a brooch set with a blue diamond, nestled among lavender blossoms. Lavender meant silence. This was a gift urging her to keep quiet.
“Explain this to me.”
“I… can’t say the details.”
Even if her father scolded her, Diana intended never to speak. Seeing her eyes, the duke sighed, then broke into a satisfied smile.
“Well done.”
“…?”
“Very well done, Anne!”
“….”
“Whatever the reason, people believe our family gave the most precious gift imaginable. Let them imagine what they will. Such rumors only benefit us.”
“I’m glad.”
“Even the queen, who disliked us, has gone so far as to send a personal gift. I take it you must have helped the princess in a difficult moment.”
He stood and patted her head.
“I told you to do well, but this is beyond my expectations. Truly, you have my blood.”
“….”
“Good. As a reward, I’ll give you that slave.”
Diana barely restrained a squeal. Guiscard would now be hers. No more beatings.
“But, a slave constantly at your side would raise questions. He can’t be excused from all duties. He must still help with the household, and I may use him when I require.”
“Yes!”
Diana nodded vigorously. The duke smiled.
“And the key to his shackles? Will you give it to me?”
“…Hm?”
“The restraints.”
“Diana, I gave you the right to use the slave, not his ownership. That, I cannot give.”
So her hope of gaining the key was dashed. Diana sighed softly.
