Chapter 191: Shouting Love from the Center of the Lord's Castle
Chapter 191: Shouting Love from the Center of the Lord's Castle
Unbelievable! Truly unbelievable!
How could this be happening?!
When she came to her senses, Diana found herself outside the temple.
There, she was venting her anger by kicking an innocent tree with all her might.
“Child. You should behave yourself in a place where the Goddess is watching…”
“Who are you calling a child! This body has lived at least a hundred times longer than you have, you whelp!”
“I-I’m sorry.”
A man who came out of the temple tried to reason with her, but he immediately backed down with a whimper at her sharp voice. His expression clearly said that it was best not to provoke a madwoman, but Diana paid it no mind.
If she didn’t do something like this, she felt she wouldn't be able to quell the rage boiling inside her.
Honestly, she understood it rationally.
Guwon had meticulously searched all the places that held memories for them, to the point that even she couldn't think of anywhere else he could look. There were no more places left to search.
Besides, her ability to hide was too exceptional for him to find her by searching aimlessly. At that rate, he would never find her in a lifetime.
Therefore, giving up on searching for her and patiently waiting for her return was the wise decision.
And on top of that, he was probably using the time to console Leia, who, like her, was shocked by the progress in his relationship with Sara.
Yes. It was a rational judgment.
Rationally, she understood it perfectly.
But emotionally accepting it was another matter entirely.
How dare he give up on finding me and go off to console another woman?
That gutless bastard! That philanderer!
Diana took out her frustration by kicking the poor tree again, but her anger didn't subside at all.
Instead, her kicking foot just started to hurt, so Diana stopped.
So he went looking for Leia, who stayed out all night.
Fine. Just you wait. Then I'll be the one to stay out all night! No, I'll run away from home entirely! Let's see you suffer for a few days!
Diana immediately headed for the inn she had visited earlier.
To say she was running away, yet stay at an inn Guwon had visited before, might have been a sign that a small part of her still hoped he would come looking for her.
But in the end, Guwon never came back to the inn that day.
And after a day had passed, Diana's resolve began to weaken slightly.
What if Guwon had succeeded in persuading Leia yesterday? What if he was now spending a happy time surrounded by Sara and Leia? What if he could live happily even if I never returned, and gradually forgot about me?
Even though only a day had passed, such worst-case scenarios dominated her thoughts.
This wouldn't do.
Of course, she was angry with Guwon, but that didn't mean she planned to live the rest of her life without seeing him. On the contrary, she was so angry precisely because he was the person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
Feeling anxious, Diana decided to peek in on the situation at the mansion.
She would only peek to see how things were going. Hiding away here without knowing anything wouldn't solve the problem.
First, she would assess the situation, then decide what to do next.
Honestly, her level was still too low, so there was a very high chance she'd be caught if she used magic to spy on the mansion.
But she was too anxious to just stay put.
Diana used magic to approach the mansion.
And as soon as she approached, she was immediately discovered by Vanessa.
As expected of the one I entrusted the mansion to. She's competent. So competent it's a problem at times like this.
“Lady Diana!”
“Shh! Quiet! Be quiet! Can't you see I even used magic to come here secretly?!”
But it was fine if it was Vanessa. She would follow along no matter how unreasonable I was.
In fact, this was perfect. She could ask Vanessa about the circumstances and tell her to keep her visit a secret, and Vanessa would do just that. Even if Guwon pressed her for answers.
“I-I apologize.”
“Ahem. Hmm. It's nothing. B-But, tell me. What is he doing right now?”
“You mean Sir Guwon? Well…”
She had asked vaguely without saying his name, but Vanessa understood immediately.
However, Vanessa's attitude was quite vague, which was unlike her.
“What is it? Is there a problem? Speak up.”
Her attitude gave Diana an ominous feeling, and she pressed Vanessa.
Surely not in just one day? He couldn't have forgotten me in a single day and started fooling around with Sara or Leia, could he?
And to think he ran right off when Leia stayed out all night!
But the answer Vanessa gave next was something Diana could never have imagined.
“He went out last night saying he was going to look for you, Lady Diana, and he has not yet returned. And we received a message from the lord's castle…”
“Hmm? Why are you suddenly talking about the lord's castle?”
“Well, it seems Sir Guwon is currently being held in the lord's castle.”
“What? What in the world does that mean?”
“According to the person who came from the castle, it's to investigate the charge that he gathered all the heads of the Mage Association at your mansion for the purpose of staging a coup.”
“I thought I had already cleared that matter up?”
“Yes. So that reason is merely a pretext. I believe there is likely a true purpose for summoning Sir Guwon.”
“A true purpose? D-Don't tell me…!”
Diana thought about who the lord of this place was and immediately guessed the reason.
Princess Felicia. She hadn't seen her in several years, but she had once stayed at the castle for a short time when the princess was young and acted as her teacher.
She had been a bright young lady with a sharp mind since childhood, but she had the flaw of loving pleasure too much.
There was nothing wrong with raising one's level. No, in fact, it was full of benefits.
Because of this, being lecherous was not considered an insult among the nobility.
But the princess took it a bit too far.
Regardless of whether her target was a married man or not, if she heard a rumor that someone was good in bed, she would indiscriminately seduce them and somehow manage to sleep with them.
“…Vanessa. Do you also think the princess summoned Guwon for that reason?”
“Yes.”
“G-Gather the heads of the Association at once! I must go to the lord's castle!”
“Yes, ma'am!”
While Vanessa made the preparations, Diana paced anxiously.
How can that man not stay still for a moment without causing trouble! It's a good thing I came to check on the mansion! Surely he hasn't already… fallen victim, has he?!
“Diana!”
“Miss Diana!”
Then, Sara and Leia came running from inside the mansion.
“Diana! Where in the world have you been—!”
“My apologies. Let's talk about that later. First, we must bring Guwon back here.”
“B-But Sir Guwon is currently under investigation for treason…”
I see. So Leia doesn't know.
It made sense. No matter how debauched the princess's life was, rumors about it likely wouldn't have reached Sara or Leia, who had no connection to the nobility.
It seemed Vanessa hadn't mentioned anything about the princess either.
“It's fine. Who do you think I am? I am the supreme Archmage. Don't worry, you two wait here.”
“Wait? No. We'll go with you…”
“No. I'm sorry, but there's nothing for you to do in this matter. In fact, you probably won't even be allowed into the castle. Please wait here quietly.”
To be honest, it was hard for her to even look Sara and Leia in the eye.
Not when she thought about what she was about to say to Guwon.
And it was also true that neither of them would be of any help at the lord's castle.
As soon as the heads of the Mage Association had gathered, Diana immediately took a carriage to the lord's castle.
Her reason for bringing the heads of the Mage Association was simple.
First, to clear up the ridiculous charge of a coup or whatever it was.
And second, if the princess still refused to release Guwon, she would resolve it with force.
Unfortunately, the current Diana didn't have the power to run rampant in the lord's castle as she pleased.
But what if all the heads of the Mage Association were gathered?
They alone were more than enough to turn the entire castle upside down.
They were people who would never normally cooperate, but if it was Diana's command, they would gladly overturn the castle for her.
The power in the name 'Supreme Archmage' was so great that even without an appointment, Diana was able to proceed almost directly to the castle's audience chamber.
“What in the world is the princess doing!”
“Lady Telluna! Please, please wait just a moment. Her Highness is currently preparing…”
“What could possibly be taking so long! If you're going to frame an innocent man for treason, shouldn't you come running out immediately?! How long do you think you've kept me waiting?! Do I look like I have that much free time?!”
“O-Of course not! It's just that it's early in the morning, so Her Highness needs a little more time to prepare.”
“Tch! Prepare for what! Enough! You! Guide me to where the princess is! I will go myself!”
The minister's words were perfectly reasonable, and honestly, she hadn't been waiting very long, but Diana was insistent.
The thought of what might be happening to Guwon while she waited made it impossible for her to stand still.
“H-Her Highness, the Princess, arrives!”
Just as Diana was about to storm out of the audience chamber, the princess finally appeared.
At that, the minister who had been blocking her path finally let out a sigh of relief.
“L-Lady Diana. It has been a long time. You look well…”
“Enough with the pleasantries! Where is Guwon?!”
“Pardon? L-Lady Diana?”
The princess stared at Diana, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Didn't you take him away, claiming to investigate him for treason! Where is he now?!”
“Well, our knights are investigating him right now. Of course, I know very well that you would have no such intentions, Lady Diana. But we can't be sure that he doesn't. Perhaps he put strange ideas in your head…”
“Are you saying I look like someone who would be swayed by a man's temptations into staging a coup?!”
“N-No! Of course not! But if there is a man with ill will toward our kingdom by your side…”
“Then what do you intend to do?! Are you saying you're going to tear Guwon away from my side?!”
“L-Lady Diana? Please calm down. You were always so gentle and composed…”
“Is this a situation to be calm about! You are holding my man captive!”
“What? Y-Your man, Lady Diana?! But he said you got angry and left after he confessed to you…”
What in the world did that man Guwon tell the princess in that time!
Blabbering on and on about his business with me to a woman he just met!
She grew even more furious with Guwon knowing the princess was aware of such things, but for now, getting him out of here was the priority.
“You seem to be under some misunderstanding. Let me make this perfectly clear. All of you, listen well. Do you understand? Guwon is my man! I will not forgive anyone who touches him!”
Diana scanned the faces of everyone from the princess to the heads of the Mage Association, then shouted so loudly it seemed the audience chamber would collapse.
With this, she not only made her feelings for Guwon clear, but also included a warning—a warning that she wouldn't stand for anyone making a move on her man.
As Diana shouted, the princess's complexion turned slightly pale.
Seeing her face, Diana was certain her suspicions were correct.
“If you understand, then hurry up and lead me to Guwon.”
“B-But, Lady Diana. As a member of the royal family, I must investigate those who hold ill will toward the kingdom…”
But the princess was persistent.
She definitely did it with Guwon. She did it with him, and now she can't forget the taste.
That's why she's trying to hold out like this, even after I've laid down the law.
Diana realized this and grew even more furious, but the angrier she got, the cooler her head became.
Yes. This is my true nature.
As long as Guwon wasn't involved, she could normally maintain her reason and act calmly even when this angry.
“Hoh. Is that so. I see. It can't be helped if the fate of the kingdom is at stake. By the way, Princess, I once heard an interesting story from Guwon.”
“Pardon? What is this all of a sudden…”
“In the world Guwon came from, they have a saying. If someone hates you for no reason, give them a reason to hate you.”
“I-Is that so? That's an interesting saying.”
“Yes. I laughed it off when I first heard it, but now I think I understand the sentiment. If someone is going to frame me for staging a coup, then I might as well stage a real one.”
“W-Whaaat?!”
“All of you! This is a coup! Contact every mage in the world! From this day forward, this kingdom shall be ruled by me—”
“W-Wait! Just a moment! Lady Diana! Please, calm down! I'll guide you to him right away! Follow me! Guwon is this way!”
Even if you combined the entire military force of the lord's castle, there was no way they could stop the heads of the Mage Association if they all went on a rampage at once.
The princess immediately tucked her tail between her legs and guided Diana.
But the princess's steps, as she led the way, were heavy and slow.
As if she didn't want to go.
“What are you doing? Weren't you guiding me?”
“Y-Yes… Um… Lady Diana. I truly didn't think he was in that kind of serious relationship with you… I just thought he was bluffing…”
The princess looked utterly terrified.
It made sense. The version of me the princess remembered was likely always relaxed and carefree. This would be the first time she had ever seen me this angry.
“I can already guess what you did after taking Guwon away. But what's past is past. Just be careful from now on.”
“R-Really?”
“That's right. So just lead the way.”
To be honest, she was incredibly angry, but she decided to endure it.
It wasn't as if she was entirely without fault.
When she gathered the heads of the Mage Association, she shouldn't have just given a hint; she should have gone to the royal palace and handled things more decisively. No, if only she hadn't pointlessly stayed out all night and left the mansion empty.
Then none of this would have happened.
Separate from that, she was still angry about the princess's promiscuity, but what was done was done. And it seemed the princess had also thought Guwon was just bluffing.
But now that she had firmly established that he was her man, the princess wouldn't dare lay a hand on Guwon again.
So, let's just endure it this one time.
“L-Lady Diana. Let me go in first and…”
“Didn't I say I already have an idea of what you've done? It's no use trying to hide the evidence now.”
“N-No, it's not that. Ah! Lady Diana!”
That thought lasted only until she opened the door to the room.
When she opened the door, she saw Guwon lying naked on the bed, and a knight, equally naked, about to climb on top of him.
Diana heard the sound of the thread of her reason, which had already been frayed who knows how many times, finally snap.
“W-W-What do you think you're doing to my maaaan!”