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Chapter 84
If You Want to Fight, Go Outside and Fight
Diana’s cold demeanor made a strange light flicker in Lady Kragel’s eyes. So, there really is something going on? At that moment, Diana spoke again.
“It’s noisy, so if you want to fight, go outside and fight.”
“……”
“What?”
Both Lady Rebien and Lady Kragel widened their eyes at Diana’s words. The dignity of a queen? There had been a trace of it earlier, perhaps—but it was gone. Telling women who were struggling to seize power to take their squabbles outside…
Could it be she truly had no interest in power? As the consort of Panborough, did she have no intention of doing anything? No thought of bending the nobles to her will and standing above all women as the king’s wife?
Their shocked stares said everything.
‘I’m not interested.’
If she were to involve herself, it would only be to bring down Lady Rebien—but Diana had neither the power nor the ability to do so.
“Accept everything.”
That was Giscard’s true intention, surely. What more could she do here? Win over the nobles’ hearts? Was that even possible in the exclusivist Kingdom of Lodbrok?
She would fulfill her duty as a wife. But she would not do anything more.
‘And sometimes, doing nothing can be more beneficial.’
If she tried to strengthen her authority here, the only method would be to manipulate Lady Rebien and Lady Kragel with carrots and sticks, setting them against each other.
But such things were for those who already had power. A noblewoman from a ruined family like her could do nothing. She had no ability to offer carrots, and even less to wield sticks.
***
What’s with this girl?
Lady Kragel was flustered. Diana Brienne really seemed to have no ambition at all.
What was unnerving was that she didn’t seem to see herself as some tragic heroine, nor did she appear to harbor any ambitions whatsoever.
Is she resigned to her fate?
That was the kind Kragel hated most. It reminded her too much of her dead friend, and it grated on her nerves. She detested people without willpower.
Pushed here by her father’s pressure, she was forced to be paired with the one she loathed most—Lady Rebien—and now she even had to serve such an irritating woman as Diana. Kragel ground her teeth.
“This is really too much.”
Lady Rebien was already sniffling and crying.
“What, are you crying so you can show the knights your tears?”
Kragel spoke irritably. The knights would be delighted, of course. They’d ask who made her cry. A delicate beauty like that would always win people’s favor.
This kingdom was even more wretched than Panborough in that it demanded so much from women.
At times, they had to show the spirit and courage of a “strong woman,” yet at the same time appear fragile and delicate, something a man would want to protect. And on top of that, they were expected to embody the softness of someone who could “embrace” others.
Lady Rebien exploited this shrewdly. She wielded the spear to step into the “world of men,” yet pretended to be delicate and frail.
She was always the pitiful victim that everyone wanted to protect. And in contrast, the tall, sturdy Leoni Kragel was inevitably cast as one of the aggressors.
Diana Brienne would be no different. With her small frame and delicate face, she was the very image of a Panborough beauty.
“I should just quit this whole thing.”
The thought of having to watch this pathetic scene made her furious. She had carved out her own life, yet here she was, forced by her father’s command to serve Panborough women and spend her days with them.
Her figure even reminded her of her dead friend, and it was maddening. At that moment, someone caught her eye.
“What’s he doing there?”
It was Rogafl. He rushed into Diana’s chambers. She’d heard one of the Barghati knights had been assigned as Diana’s guard—so it was him.
Lady Kragel looked at Rogafl with clear disapproval.
“Ugh, really.”
No, she wouldn’t just let this go. Annoyance bubbled inside her.
***
The next day, Giscard departed. The knights of Barghati all gathered in the palace. Standing sharp and still, they looked as if they wouldn’t even blink an eye.
The morning sun glinted off their armor. They stood quietly, like weapons waiting to be wielded by their master—Giscard.
Then the surroundings grew a little noisy. Giscard glanced to the side. The queen and her ladies-in-waiting were approaching to see him off.
The knights’ gazes drifted, not to the queen, but to the woman behind her. Lady Rebien was always sweet and radiant like spun sugar. Today she wore a dress so thin against the cold wind that she seemed like a fairy, so beautiful it seemed pitiable.
And the queen? She wore a dark wine-colored dress, her appearance immaculate, not a strand of hair out of place. Diana walked at the very front.
Diana looked at her husband. Before all these people, Giscard stood as if utterly at ease. Clover, the captain of the knights, fastened a cloak over his shoulder.
She saw Giscard looking at her. Strangely, he didn’t spare even a glance for Lady Rebien behind her—his gaze was only on Diana.
He stepped closer, watching as Diana adjusted the folds of his cloak.
“I didn’t think you’d come.”
His voice, which she thought would be stiff, was surprisingly soft. He even seemed a little embarrassed.
“Of course I had to, with Your Majesty leaving.”
Then his eyes shifted toward the ladies standing behind her.
“Do you like her?”
“Yes.”
Did he really think she liked Lady Rebien? That she might admire her? Diana’s expression darkened. Just then, Lady Rebien spoke up.
“I pray for your safe return! I know that taking up the sword and fighting is not something to be taken for granted.”
Like the star of the show, she called out, and the knights smiled warmly. Too familiar a scene. Diana lowered her gaze at the sight of Rebien and the knights exchanging admiring looks. Lady Kragel’s eyes narrowed as she watched.
“Please, please, return safely.”
Rebien’s tearful farewell was almost too much to bear. Was the knight she had once praised standing among them? How nice for him, Diana thought coldly.
In this life or the last, this woman would never change. Diana lifted her head, choosing to focus only on her own man.
“Your Majesty, please return safely as well.”
For some reason, Giscard smiled at that, as if delighted—even though it was spoken only as a formality.
“There’s no need to worry about me.”
He behaved like a doting husband, pressing a kiss to Diana’s forehead.
“I’ve left Rogafl behind. If anything happens, go to Ribys.”
Ribys? Diana didn’t nod.
“I’ll be back soon.”
The gentle, warm, ticklish feeling brushed her forehead and then was gone. Diana watched her husband leave. Strangely, she found herself truly wishing for his safe return.
Even though she knew he would be safe regardless.
It was odd. She was sure that his death would make her life easier—yet she still felt a pang of regret.
Somehow, the touch of his lips lingered far too long. She had so many things she wanted to say, but couldn’t recall a single one.
***
“Your Highness, just trust me.”
Once Giscard departed, Lady Rebien began fussing over Diana with exaggerated care, making sure everyone could see. She was so attentive that it was impossible not to notice.
She taught her the etiquette of Lodbrok, spoke about fashionable dresses, and explained the characteristics of the noble families.
In her previous life, Diana had listened closely to such words. That was why she let her guard down, why she gave everything away.
Both in her past life and now, Diana knew how this gentle Lady Rebien won people’s hearts. Already, she had created a cheerful atmosphere with the maids, especially Mabel. Diana sensed there were secrets between them that she herself could never be part of.
“Are you still uncomfortable with me?”
Though the only history between them was competing at Tally’s ball, Lady Rebien deliberately brought it up, asking if Diana still felt ill at ease.
“It’s fine.”
She only said that to remind everyone Diana was from Panborough. Diana thought coldly and glanced at Lady Kragel.
Lady Kragel was glaring at her with clear disapproval. With her harsh features, dark hair, and dark eyes, she looked stern and severe.
She hovered near Rebien, watching her like a close confidant. She seemed to truly hate Diana, but oddly, never spoke harshly to her. Occasionally she made cutting remarks to Rebien, who simply ignored them and didn’t bother to reply.
Diana had no intention of winning these women over. She would do as Giscard said. When it rained, she would not seek shelter but let it soak her.
What did it matter to someone who would disappear in just three years?
“Your Highness, let’s hold a tea party.”
Lady Rebien laughed brightly as she spoke.
“Just like in Panborough. Invite all the noble ladies and show them the majesty of the queen.”
“……”
“I’ll take care of it.”
In her past life, Diana had coldly refused, but Rebien had already sent out invitations, forcing her to participate. She should have realized then that this woman was like a viper.
Since the idea was out now, she would surely make Diana participate by force if necessary. Diana had a fair idea of what she was plotting.
“Fine.”
“Oh, I’m so excited! Leave the invitations to me.”
Rebien left the room, delighted. With the excuse of preparing for the tea party and sending invitations, she was absent for several days.
On the third day, Lady Kragel spoke.
“Your Highness, I have something to say.”
“Go ahead.”
“Are you lacking in brains?”
Diana’s eyes widened.
“You know Rebien is planning to use this tea party to humiliate you, don’t you? You can’t not know.”
“……”
“If you didn’t know, I really will quit this job.”
Was she insane? Such insolence toward the queen of a nation. Yet Diana’s authority as queen was already trampled, so she couldn’t say anything back.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Rebien?
“Come in.”
Diana spoke calmly. Lady Kragel muttered a curse under her breath. It was Rogafl. Bowing, he spoke.
“Your Highness, please grant me permission to draw my sword.”
Draw his sword? Is there an assassin in the room? Diana tilted her head—and the moment she nodded, he unsheathed his blade and pointed it at Lady Kragel.
“For the crime of insulting Her Majesty, repay it with your life.”
“Huh…? What is this loyalty?”
“To call a queen lacking in brains—there are limits to insults!”
Rogafl truly seemed furious. Diana was taken aback by the murderous intent radiating from this gentle young man. But Lady Kragel only smiled.
“You’re doing this because of your sister who killed herself, aren’t you?”
