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Chapter 72
Lies
“Your Majesty.”
Startled, Diana nonetheless stepped forward to greet him. Giskar signaled to Mable, who bowed and withdrew. A heavy silence settled over the room.
This, too, was something she had never experienced in her previous life. Back then, she would have been forced to wear the dress. Diana’s eyes darted around, unsettled by the unfamiliar situation.
“They say it’s unlucky for a bride to see herself in a wedding dress beforehand.”
At that, Giskar lifted the corner of his mouth.
“Then, is my bride happy now?”
Diana was momentarily speechless, as if the question had caught her breath. Giskar reached out and smoothed the exaggerated shoulder puffs of her dress.
“I know well that you do not like clothes like this.”
“…”
“Compared to your sense of aesthetics, I imagine the dresses in the Kingdom of Rodbrock must be dreadful.”
He looked at the dress emphasizing Diana’s slender torso. Indeed, unlike neighboring countries that frequently exchanged culture with others, the fashion in the Kingdom of Rodbrock lagged behind.
It made sense—the kingdom itself was established later than others. Even looking at how the founding king had crowned his queen, it was clear.
“You overestimate my sense of aesthetics.”
Diana spoke, but Giskar did not answer. He continued staring at the bride in the mirror, who looked miserable.
“You will not wear this dress. I will have the tailor bring back other dresses.”
“It’s alright, this one is…”
“Wouldn’t you look even more unhappy in something that doesn’t suit you?”
“…”
“And…”
His gaze shifted to Diana’s frail body. It felt as though he could see right through her, and Diana flinched and averted her eyes.
“I will have the chef from Panborough brought here.”
“That’s also fine.”
Why did he keep insisting? The food of Rodbrock didn’t suit her, but there were a few things she could eat. She thought it better to focus on those…
“If you are to endure punishment by my side, do so in a slightly more perfect state.”
“…”
“You must do so.”
He reached out and gently touched her sunken cheek. Diana looked away, meeting his eyes.
I see, even in my previous life, he had brought the chef from Panborough so she could endure the punishment properly.
It was the same now. Watching a woman’s vitality drain away, Giskar gritted his teeth and said:
“Are you an idiot?”
Diana widened her eyes. Why suddenly call her an idiot? Seeing his dark expression, Giskar sighed.
“I do not mean for you to be punished. I just…”
Like someone suddenly forced to care for a sick kitten, he seemed unsure what to do. He looked both irritated and anxious. For a moment, the hand that had been caressing her cheek lowered.
It lightly brushed Diana’s collarbone. As if burned, he immediately withdrew it.
“I remember your kindness in bringing me bread.”
“…”
“Since being by your side, I have hardly ever gone hungry.”
“…”
“If you want to call it punishment, then call it that. But I do not wish to give such punishment.”
“…”
“I hope you would tell me if you dislike something.”
Diana’s expression went blank at Giskar’s words. She blinked several times. Ah, Giskar has changed slightly. Regardless, he remembered her kindness and said directly that he did not wish to punish her.
She hoped that by cherishing that kindness, she would not force herself to choose a marriage.
Diana nodded, her face warming slightly.
“But do not tell him to bring Panborough-style clothes. If you wear that, the nobles there will predictably gossip.”
Giskar nodded. It was a conversation that felt awkward yet natural. Just as he was about to leave, Diana wanted to resolve a lingering doubt—whether he would really offer her the restraint device.
“Ah, wait…”
He spun around so quickly it made a whooshing sound. Diana opened her mouth, then froze. Could she really ask that? He had already said nothing like that would happen. She feared needlessly provoking Giskar’s anger.
“Has Duke Blake returned?”
Strangely, this question seemed worse than the one she had just hesitated to ask. Anger shone in his eyes.
“So you are quite, quite close to the Duke, it seems.”
The hand she had been unable to reach suddenly grabbed her shoulder. Diana froze, looking up in shock.
“Have you been betrothed, like the two princes of Panborough?”
“…”
“My bride seems content not with the queen’s position, but with the duchess’ as well, huh?”
“Your Majesty…”
The grip on her shoulder was immense. He flinched at his own strength and let go. She noticed a red mark on her shoulder. Diana understood Giskar’s words more than the pain.
She clenched her teeth to keep her trembling jaw steady and finally spoke after a long moment.
“Your Majesty… you thought I was promiscuous.”
The unexpected insult made her voice tremble. Her mind urged her to obey him, to submit flatly, but her anger at the insult made her grit her teeth.
“And you yourself…”
Diana realized she had almost voiced her suspicion, that he had done something improper with Princess Levian. She slammed her mouth shut. She had never done anything shameful, and could not have.
“What?”
He sounded incredulous. Diana gritted her teeth and said:
“Can you be sure you did not flee, capture a dragon, or avoid women entirely as a prince after your coronation?”
Giskar’s face twisted. He ground his teeth:
“I have never embraced a single woman!”
“…I am not curious.”
“You asked me!”
Ah, this shouldn’t happen. Why does she act on impulse when angry? Giskar stared at her. There was a strangely pitiful look in his eyes.
She wasn’t really curious. Sudden declarations of pity, or a shared virginity—this conversation felt absurd. Diana turned away, cutting it off. She heard his angry breathing as he reached for her repeatedly. Diana flinched. He had never hit her in their previous life, but she now knew all too well what ‘violence’ could be.
Her body and mind were already battered. Three years of hitting might have been tolerable, but pain was still terrifying. She closed her eyes tightly, letting out a hollow breath.
Diana stared at the door, her forehead cold with sweat—she knew it was from fear.
Someone had broken the crown. It was a newly hired maid, too pretty, who accidentally dropped it. Diana sighed and fired her.
Preparations for the wedding proceeded smoothly. Occasionally, Rogafle came by to chat. He checked several times if she was comfortable and improved her surroundings where he could.
“Do you have no one to call a friend?”
“Huh?”
“Friends or family… not that it would matter, but still.”
Rogafle smiled.
“Anyway, it’s a wedding. I’ll deliver a letter for you.”
Diana’s eyes sparkled, but she shook her head. He had died because of her attempted escape. And she knew Giskar’s cruelty. Thinking of Mirva’s death, she frowned. She would never flee, but what if he misinterpreted and someone died?
“I appreciate it, but your intention is enough.”
“But it’s your wedding…”
“Do the surviving Panborough nobles welcome my wedding?”
Her soft question made Rogafle wince. Then he suddenly looked pitiful, and she was confused. Was this wedding so remarkable that it deserved congratulations?
“I will be your friend, miss.”
“…”
“So don’t be sad.”
Rogafle sincerely felt pity for her. Perhaps having a sister made him more emotionally aware than other knights. Diana reluctantly nodded.
Amidst the pure white snow, people hurried to prepare for winter. Her wedding took place on a snowy day, unlike her previous wedding during the season of white flowers.
Diana looked at her clean neck. A pearl necklace encircled it instead of a restraint. She wore a pristine, streamlined white dress. She had made sure the neckline was neither suffocating nor overly daring, and the tailor had accepted her opinions.
The simple, elegant dress perfectly matched Diana’s aesthetic. Even her dress was different from her previous life.
As snowflakes settled, it felt as though the winter goddess Kali pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Putting on the white veil brought her back to herself. Without a restraint, nobles gazed at Diana Brién with evaluating eyes.
She showed no expression of humiliation, no tears of sadness. Whatever was to happen, would happen.
Diana faced forward, calm. She saw Adelheid and felt relieved. Since Adelheid could participate, it seemed she hadn’t clashed heavily with Giskar.
Another step, and a young man with blond hair and green eyes brushed past.
Diana turned in surprise. Then she felt a warm hand. Looking up, she saw Giskar watching her.
He had come to escort her down the aisle. Diana resigned herself.
The priest spoke, and Giskar turned her, lifting the veil. His violet eyes fixed on Diana.
Her pale face looked like marble, and her light makeup made her skin appear fresh like a peach.
The dress she chose emphasized straight lines rather than fullness. Though fashionable in Panborough, the design was occasionally seen in Rodbrock as well, so it did not seem out of place.
Unlike an overly decorated lace dress, hers was silk with jewels only at the hem.
She did not look clumsy; her slender body traced elegant curves.
His gaze lingered on Diana. She only thought about when this ceremony would end, and how to ask Rogafle whether Philip had arrived.
Then—
“…”
Diana was startled as lips collided. She widened her eyes. The priest had not yet finished, and it was not yet time for a ceremonial kiss. Their lips merely touched.
She felt his hand tremble slightly on her waist.
