#515
On a rectangular, luxurious table were plates of food, each of which contained a different meat dish, and each was lavishly served with spices and fruits.
“Does it suit you, Ian?”
Thesaia, sitting at the head table, asked after the dishes on her plates had somewhat decreased.
Ian, sitting on her left, nodded, biting his lip.
“It’s delicious.”
It wasn’t an empty promise. Thanks to my journey through the Dark Lands, I was able to truly enjoy the food of the Dark Ages. Even without considering that, the dishes tasted as gorgeous as they looked.
That was also the biggest reason why Ian hadn’t said a word since the meal began.
“Really? That’s good.”
The smiling Tessaia turned her gaze leisurely and continued speaking.
“I thought it didn’t taste that good. I don’t eat much.”
Her gaze stopped at Diana, who was sitting across from Ian.
Unlike Ian, she barely ate any food. Tessiah looked at Diana, who was shaking her shoulders, and the corners of her mouth slightly curled up.
“Or do you just not like being treated like this by me?”
“… … ! Absolutely not, absolutely not.”
Diana, with her eyes wide open, stuffed the meat on the plate into her mouth. Tessaia stared at her for a moment as she quickly moved her jaw. Then she shrugged and picked up the glass in front of her.
“If it was a misunderstanding, then that’s good.”
… So this is how you maintain discipline.
Ian looked at Diana, who was just looking down at her plate and moving her chin diligently, and swallowed a bitter smile inside.
I felt a little sorry for him, but I couldn’t let that undermine my friend’s authority.
It would be better for the future if the relationship is established quickly in this way.
That was also the reason why he had already concluded that he would not interfere in their conversation.
While Ian was bringing another plate of honey-roasted pork.
“Honestly, I didn’t know you would really decide to stay in the family.”
Thesaia took a sip of her drink and opened her mouth. She seemed to have finished eating, having placed her utensils down on the plate.
“Right? Even if you’re isolated from the fairy society, it’s a chance to spend the rest of your life in the central metropolis.”
“… … .”
Diana’s mouth became busy. She didn’t answer because her mouth was full of meat.
Tessaia looked at her for a moment, moving her chin and snorting, then nodded her head slightly.
“Even mothers and grandmothers. Three generations can live together in perfect harmony.”
Ian swallowed a laugh inside.
Because in fact, the opposite was true.
Right now, Diana is probably worried that Thessaia will change her mind and banish her.
Leaving the center and staying.
When Ian presented her with two options, didn’t she choose the latter without a moment’s hesitation?
Diana was convinced that the Emperor and the Black Prince would soon clash, and that the center would be engulfed in a whirlwind of war.
At Ian’s addition that there was a way to continue accompanying him, he shook his head with a face of literal disgust.
“… I also cannot tolerate the atrocities committed by my mother and grandmother.”
Diana, who had swallowed the meat in the meantime, spoke in a low voice.
Still unable to meet Tessiah’s eyes, she added.
“I am only grateful for the mercy that the Lord has bestowed upon me.”
“Hmm… really…?”
Tessiah squinted her eyes slightly and hummed, then took another sip of her wine and nodded.
“Okay. I’ll believe you.”
“… Thank you. Let’s go.”
Diana exhaled in relief and murmured. Thessaia’s voice followed immediately.
“I trust Ian’s vision, not yours. If you had other intentions, you wouldn’t have brought me here.”
“… … !”
Diana opened her eyes for a moment and looked back at Ian.
It was a look in her eyes that made it impossible to even imagine that there could be such a backstory.
Ian nodded slightly. In fact, it was a problem that didn’t even need to be worried about.
Diana was angry at her mother and grandmother, and lamented the situation she had ended up in because of them, before I could even ask her.
Thanks to this, Ian learned the not-so-interesting anecdote that her volunteering for the expedition was also due to the influence of the former head of the household.
“You said you knew me before.”
It was then that Tessaia added. Diana, who was busy cutting the meat that had been transferred to a plate, nodded.
“Yes that’s right.”
“You must have called me a half-sister, too.”
“… … .”
Diana’s hand stopped moving. Tessaia curled her lips slightly.
“I was joking. I guess it was true.”
“That… problem from the past… once again…”
“It’s okay. It’s already in the past. Not officially, but honestly, I still don’t remember.”
Thesaia calmly cut off Diana’s stammering words and brought her glass to her lips again.
Of course, Diana was still frozen. It was clear that she knew exactly how Tessiah lost her memories.
“I heard you fight pretty well.”
“Putting her glass down on the table,” added Thesaia.
Diana answered again, moving her hands hurriedly.
“It’s just to protect my own body.”
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
“You were a commander?”
“We were mainly doing reconnaissance and search missions… that’s it.”
“Really? Hmm… That’s good.”
Tessiah nodded and brought the glass to her lips again.
A low sigh escaped Diana’s lips as well. It seemed as if she thought the crisis had been overcome.
‘I think this is the main point… .’
Even as he continued eating quietly, Ian kept an eye on Tessiah.
Although she had said that she would use Diana, she still did not know exactly how she intended to use her.
“According to the records, he was also the senior successor. Is that true?”
At Tessiah’s addition, Diana’s face became tense again.
She swallowed hard and opened her mouth.
“I couldn’t leave it vacant, so I only received a nominal education. Considering my age, I was more powerful than my mother.”
“Anyway, I guess you did get an education.”
“… Yes. Let’s go.”
Diana answered softly. Her eyes were nervous, as if she was afraid of being unnecessarily misunderstood.
But unexpectedly, a faint smile spread across Tessiah’s lips.
“And he’s Ian’s comrade. The more I think about it, the more it fits me. I like it.”
“… … ?”
Diana tilted her head slightly, as if she had not expected the answer, but put the small pieces of meat into her mouth.
While she slowly chewed the meat.
“There were two knights appointed to the family. And last year, my friends visited the family.”
Thesaia continued speaking in a flat voice.
“There were some very outstanding knights among them. So I challenged them to a duel. I was curious about the skills of our family’s knights.”
“… … .”
“I was beaten like a child. Even against the seeds. Even when they both attacked at the same time.”
“… You must have been embarrassed.”
Diana muttered as she swallowed the meat. Her brows were furrowed slightly.
Of course, Ian was secretly laughing because he knew that this seed was no ordinary seed.
Even though he had lost his stigmata, wasn’t Nasser a purifier of the sect? He was even a naturally gifted genius.
Unless you have reached the level of a master, even a fairy knight would be no match for you.
“That’s right. So I stripped them both of their positions.”
But Thesaia didn’t seem to think so. She clicked her tongue briefly and continued.
“The rest of the soldiers are in a mess too. They all rely on their innate physical strength and neglect to hone their skills. In the first place, there’s no one to teach them proper skills. Almost all of them died during the war. And there’s no way they can ask for help from other families.”
Thesaia took another sip of her wine and looked at Diana.
“So, you train me.”
“Okay, I understand. … Yes?”
Diana, who had been nodding reflexively, finally looked back at Thessaia.
Looking straight into her eyes, Thesaia added calmly.
“It won’t be that hard. It’ll just be a legal number.”
“That… is… presumptuous… to say, but…”
Diana opened her mouth cautiously. One eye twitched slightly. It was clear that she was barely holding back a distorted expression.
“It is true that I have been appointed, but… it is only a title, Master. In reality-”
“I know. You’re a guard in the deep forest. But you survived with those honed skills, right? Even beyond the Black Wall, for decades.”
Thesaia put down her glass with a loud thud and tilted her upper body towards Diana.
“I will delegate full authority. It doesn’t matter what method you use. Train the warriors of the clan. They will be able to keep up with the central clans.”
“… … .”
Diana’s mouth fell open. Staring at her with piercing eyes, Thessaia added softly.
“So outstanding that even the great Platinum Dragon would not be ashamed of it.”
“platinum….”
Diana barely moved her lips. Her eyes were distorted, and now even Ian could see it. On the contrary, a faint smile was spreading across Ian’s lips.
‘What, did he leave some words to prepare for war?’
It was because I realized that the story had been brought up because of the message from Baekgeumryong.
Thessaia’s voice continued.
“I already know that the Platinum Dragon has broken down the wall. And because of that, Ian may be in danger.”
“… … .”
“If that happens, Erenos will stand by Ian’s side. Even if the opponent is the royal family.”
“under….”
A low sigh spread from Diana’s mouth. Before she knew it, her eyes were tightly shut. She must have suddenly learned something she didn’t want to know again.
“Ian has recognized you as a comrade. And since you have decided to remain in the family, I am letting you know. Do your best.”
Of course, there was no change in Tessaia’s expression. She took a sip of her drink and then added casually.
“Look at the family’s finances and roster. Also all the documents that came in from the city council.”
“… … ?”
Diana opened her eyes, which had been closed. Now she frowned openly, and slowly moved her lips.
“But isn’t that… the governor’s prerogative…?”
“That’s right. As expected. You did receive training as a successor. I think you still remember it.”
Tessiah nodded coolly, with a satisfied smile on her lips.
Diana’s expression completely distorted as she finally realized that something was seriously wrong.
“Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to start right away.”
Tessaiah said calmly, then added while bringing the glass to her lips.
“Eat plenty and get plenty of rest today. Tomorrow, when the sun rises, we’ll begin the formal procedures.”
“No, that’s… but I, you know… I’m a…”
“That’s right. So no one will follow your orders. That’s why I’m going to give you strength. You prove the rest yourself. To me, of course.”
“Ugh… .”
Diana’s lips moved as if she was speechless. Tessiah had already turned away. She looked across the empty restaurant, at the firmly closed door, and raised her voice.
“Phoebe. Come in.”
The door opened a beat late, revealing the blonde fairy attendant guarding the door.
“Did you call?”
“From now on, you will serve Diana, not the Saint’s Agent. You will also be performing the Agent’s duties from now on, so please explain them to me carefully.”
The servant’s eyes, which had looked somewhat tired, suddenly regained their vitality.
“Really…? Yes…!”
She closed the door and strode towards the table.
It was then that Diana’s gaze turned to Ian. It was the look in his eyes when he cried out for help. His expression wasn’t much different either.
‘… Okay, just go with me.’
Ian just shrugged his shoulders as he brought his glass to his lips. Wasn’t it Diana herself who chose to stay even though she knew that Tessiah had said she would use her? Of course, she imagined herself living like the dead while doing chores. But reality always surpasses imagination.
Besides, after hearing Thesaia’s story, changing one’s decision would be no different from asking to be killed.
‘So maybe he told me on purpose… .’
It was then that Thessaia turned to look at him.
“Are you finished eating?”
“Yeah. I ate until I was full.”
Ian put down his glass and shrugged.
“Are you tired? … If you’re tired, we can continue talking tomorrow.”
Tessaia added timidly. Ian met her meaningful gaze and smiled lowly.
“I’m not that tired.”
It was just then that he learned that Baek Geum Ryong had left the arrangements. And judging by his expression, it was clear that he had more to say.
“Yeah…? That’s good.”
A meaningful smile spread across Tessiah’s lips.
“Then, let’s talk about it in the bedroom.”
fantasy,
