Chapter 515

Dishes filled with food were placed on the rectangular, luxurious dining table. They were all different meat dishes, generously garnished with various spices and fruits.

"Do you like it, Ian?" Thesaya, seated at the head of the table, asked after a good portion of the food on the plates had disappeared.

Ian, seated to her left, nodded while chewing. "It’s delicious."

He wasn’t just being polite. His time in the Black Lands had given him a genuine appreciation for food from the dark ages. But even setting that aside, the dishes before him were as impressive in flavor as they were in appearance. That was the main reason Ian hadn’t said a word since the meal began.

"Oh? I’m glad." Thesaya smiled and leisurely turned her gaze. Her gaze stopped on Diana, who was sitting opposite Ian. "I was worried the food wasn't good. You were eating so little."

Unlike Ian, she had barely touched her food.

Taking in the sight of Diana flinching, Thesaya curled her lips slightly. "Or, do you just dislike dining with me?"

"Absolutely not, not at all." Diana’s eyes shot wide open, and she shoved a whole piece of meat from her plate into her mouth.

Thesaya stared at her for a moment as she hurriedly worked her jaw, then shrugged and picked up the wine goblet in front of her. "I’m glad if it was a misunderstanding."

So this is how she establishes discipline.

Watching Diana, who was diligently chewing with her eyes fixed on her plate, Ian inwardly swallowed a bitter smile.

He felt a little sorry for her, but he couldn't undermine his friend's authority. It would be better for the future if their relationship were established quickly, even if it were in this manner. This was also why he had decided early on not to interfere in their conversation.

Ian brought another piece of honey-glazed pork to his plate.

"Honestly, I didn’t think you’d really decide to stay with the family," said Thesaya after taking a sip of wine.

She seemed to have finished her meal, having placed her cutlery down below her plate.

"Isn’t it? It’s a chance to spend the rest of your life in a major city in the capital, even if you are isolated from the fairy society," said Thesaya.

Diana’s chewing quickened. The reason she didn't answer was likely because her mouth was full of meat.

Thesaya watched her for a moment as she worked her jaw and snorted, then gave a slight nod. "Even your mother and grandmother are there. The three generations could live happily together."

Ian inwardly swallowed a dry laugh.

The reality was the opposite. Right now, Diana was likely worried that Thesaya would change her mind and exile her. When Ian had given her two choices—leave for the capital or remain—she had chosen the latter without hesitation.

Diana was convinced that the Emperor and the Dark Prince would soon clash, and the capital would be engulfed in the vortex of war. When Ian had added that there was also the option of continuing to travel with him, she had shaken her head with a look of utter disgust.

"I, too, cannot forgive what my mother and grandmother have done," said Diana, having finally swallowed the meat.

Still unable to see Thesaya’s eyes, she added. "I am simply grateful for the mercy you have shown me, my lady."

"Hmm, is that so?" Thesaya murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly. She took another sip of wine and nodded. "Alright. I’ll believe you."

"Thank you, my lady," Diana murmured, letting out a breath of relief.

Thesaya immediately continued, "But it’s not you I trust. I’m trusting Ian’s judgment. If you had harbored any other intentions, he wouldn’t have brought you to this table."

Diana’s eyes shot open for a moment as she looked at Ian. It was a look that said she hadn't even imagined such a backstory.

Ian just gave a slight nod. It hadn’t even been a difficult choice.

Diana had poured out her anger toward her mother and grandmother, and her lamentations about the situation she found herself in, before he even had to ask. Ian had even learned, without meaning to, that her joining the expedition was partly influenced by the former head of the house.

"I heard you knew me from before," Thesaya added just then.

Diana, who was diligently cutting the meat she had moved to her plate, nodded. "Yes. That is correct."

"You must have called me an incomplete one, too."

Diana’s hand froze mid-air.

Thesaya casually curled her lips. "I was joking. But it seems it was true."

"That… the matter of the past… once again…"

"It’s fine. It’s all in the past. Officially, it’s not, but honestly, I still don’t remember." Thesaya cut off Diana’s stammering words nonchalantly and brought the goblet to her lips again.

Of course, Diana was still frozen. It was clear she heard how Thesaya had lost her memories.

"I hear you’re quite a good fighter," Thesaya added, setting her goblet down on the table.

Diana quickly started moving her hands again and replied, "I am merely at a level where I can protect myself."

"Were you a commander?"

"I primarily carried out reconnaissance and search missions, but yes, I was."

"Really? Hmm, that’s good." Thesaya nodded and brought the goblet to her lips again.

A low sigh escaped Diana’s lips as well. She seemed to think she had passed the crisis.

This seems to be the main point.

Ian kept eating silently, watching Thesaya. She’d said she intended to put Diana to use, but exactly how wasn’t clear yet.

"I saw in the records that you were also a successor to an elder. Is that true?"

At Thesaya’s added words, tension returned to Diana’s face.

Swallowing hard, Diana said, "The position couldn't be left vacant, so I only received a little training. Considering our ages, I was a more likely candidate than my mother."

"In any case, you did receive training."

"Yes, my lady," Diana replied. Her eyes showed she was inwardly tense, worried she might be unnecessarily misunderstood.

But unexpectedly, a faint smile was spreading on Thesaya’s lips.

"And on top of that, you’re Ian’s comrade. The more I think about it, the more perfect it is. I like it."

Tilting her head slightly as if it were an unexpected answer, Diana popped a small piece of cut meat into her mouth.

Thesaya said, "Our family has two knighted members. And last year, some of my friends visited the house. One of them is an exceptional knight. So I arranged a match. I was curious how our knights would perform. However, they were beaten like children. It was the same even against a squire. Even when the two of them attacked at once."

"You must have been humiliated," Diana murmured after swallowing her meat, her brow slightly furrowed.

Of course, Ian was quietly swallowing a chuckle. He knew that squire was no ordinary squire. Though he had lost his stigmata, Nasser was a former purifier of the Order. He was even born with monstrous talent.

Unless they had reached the level of a master, there was no way even a fairy knight could be a match for him.

"I was. So I stripped them both of their positions."

However, Thesaya didn't seem to think so.

She clicked her tongue and went on, "The rest of the soldiers are a mess, too. They just rely on their natural strength and don’t bother refining their skills. There’s no one left to train them properly anyway. Most of the capable ones died in the war. And it’s not like we can ask the other families for help."

Thesaya took another sip of wine and looked at Diana. "So, you train them."

"Understood. …Yes?" Diana, who had been nodding reflexively, finally turned to look at Thesaya.

Meeting her eyes directly, Thesaya added calmly, "It won’t be too difficult. It’s only the legally permitted number."

"That… with all due respect…" Diana carefully opened her mouth, one eye twitching slightly. It was clear she was barely holding back a grimace. "I was indeed knighted, but that was merely in name only, my lady. In reality—"

"I know. You’re a Warden of the Deep Forest. But you survived with those honed skills, didn’t you? Even beyond the Black Wall, for decades."

Thesaya slammed her goblet down with a thud and leaned toward Diana.

"I’ll delegate full authority to you. I don’t care what methods you use. Train the family’s warriors. To a level where they won’t fall behind the families in the capital."

Diana’s mouth fell slightly open.

Staring as if to pierce through her eyes, Thesaya added, "Make them so outstanding that even the great Platinum Dragon would not be ashamed to see them."

"Platinum…" Diana barely managed to move her lips.

Her expression was now contorting to the point that even Ian could see it. Conversely, a faint, dry laugh was spreading on Ian’s lips.

Was there a message to prepare for war or something?

He realized she had brought this up because of the Platinum Dragon’s message.

Thesaya continued, "I already know that the Platinum Dragon brought down the Wall. And that because of it, Ian could be in danger. If such a situation arises, Erenos will stand by Ian’s side. Even if the opponent is the royal family."

A low sigh escaped Diana’s lips. She had squeezed her eyes shut at some point. She must have suddenly learned another fact she hadn't wanted to know.

"Ian has acknowledged you as a comrade. And since you’ve decided to stay with the family, I’m telling you this. Do your best."

Of course, there was no change in Thesaya’s expression. She took a sip of wine and then casually added, "Also, review the family’s finances, the roster, and the documents from the city council."

Diana opened her closed eyes. Now openly frowning, she slowly moved her lips.

"But that is… the authority of the head of the house, is it not?"

"It is. Just as I thought. You really did receive the successor’s education. You seem to still remember it, too." Thesaya nodded readily, a satisfied smile on her lips.

As Diana’s expression completely crumpled, as if she had finally realized something was seriously wrong.

"Don’t worry. I’m not telling you to start right away," Thesaya said nonchalantly and brought the goblet to her lips, adding, "Eat your fill and rest well today. When the sun rises tomorrow, we will begin the official procedures."

"No, that’s… but I, as you know… the former head’s…"

"That’s right. So no one will follow your orders. That’s why I’m going to back you up. The rest, you prove yourself. To me as well, of course."

"I—" Diana’s lips moved as if she were at a loss for words.

Thesaya was already turning her gaze away. Looking past the empty dining room to the firmly closed door, she raised her voice. "Phoebe. Come in."

The door opened a beat later, revealing the blond fairy attendant who had been guarding it. "You called, my lady."

"From now on, you are to serve Diana, not the Agent of the Saint. She will be taking over the duties you were performing, so teach her thoroughly."

The attendant’s eyes, which had looked somewhat tired, instantly regained their vitality. "Really? Yes!"

She closed the door and strode toward the table.

That was when Diana turned to Ian, eyes desperate, like back when she pleaded for help. The look on her face wasn’t far off either.

I told you, you should have just come with me.

Ian just shrugged, bringing the goblet to his lips. Diana had chosen to stay, even knowing Thesaya would put her to work. Of course, she had probably imagined she would live quietly, handling odd jobs. But reality always surpasses imagination.

Besides, after hearing Thesaya’s story, reversing her decision would be tantamount to asking for death.

Maybe that’s why Thesaya said that.

Thesaya turned to Ian then. "Are you done with your meal?"

"Yeah. I’m full." Ian set down his goblet and shrugged.

"Not too tired? If you are, we can continue our talk tomorrow," Thesaya added casually.

Ian met her gaze and chuckled. "I’m not that tired."

He had just learned the Platinum Dragon had arranged all this. Besides, judging by her look, it was clear she had more to say.

"Really? That’s good. Then, let’s continue our talk in the bedroom." A smile spread across Thesaya’s lips.