I went down and head straight to the dining room.
It was time for dinner so it made sense that they would call me now to have a talk.
"I have come, father, mother"
"Sit"
I sat down beside mother.
Both brother Roman and brother Nicholas had a black eye.
The two were looking at me with great tense.
The maid went out as soon as she finish putting our food on the table.
"Bea, I love you. You know that, right?"
"Yes, father, I do"
"Then, tell me, how come I was not informed about this?"
"You were, father"
"....."
"I've sent someone to the palace so that news of it would reach you"
"Indeed. Then what about the day you went to the Deltan duchy? Did you perhaps talk things with Dereck Deltan about marriage while you were there?"
"I do not want to lie to you so I will answer truthfully. I did"
"Why?"
"Because I want to be of good use to you"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I... I want to gather intel about the queen's faction"
He abruptly stood up. The glass fell down and shattered.
"WHY WOULD YOU PUT-"
Tears began to fall down to my dress.
I look up to him.
"Because... I want to say sorry to you. Father paid the son of the marquis an astronomical... amount two years ago for what I did. I just want to somehow repay you"
I personally don't care about what the real Dianna did but, in the novel, she was very apologetic for her parents.
At least once, I will say something that the shy Dianna really felt towards her parents.
Mother hugged me as she started to cry as well.
Father took a step back, speechless. Unable to make a reply he instead gritted his teeth.
He took a deep breath with his hand on his forehead.
He walk and stop behind my chair. He lean down and hugged me.
"I'm sorry. But still, I can't just let my daughter do something like that"
"Do you not trust your old friend just because he isn't on the same side as you?"
"It's not that I don't trust him or his sons but..."
Just give in already. I am doing this for the sake of the family!
"Fine"
Yes!
"However, you will be guarded by a knight of my choosing. Got that?"
"Understood"
We went back to how we were earlier. We talk about little things happily and enjoyed our time. Except for the two who received a black eye that is.
After dinner, I head back to my room to read the letter that was sent by the crown prince.
It was an invitation letter, which would allow me to enter the palace any time of this month.
...
After waking up, designers greeted me as soon as I opened the door of my room.
Father knew that the crown prince sent a message to me therefore have prepared for a befitting dress to me by leaving it up to the experts.
"Good morning lady Dianna, we are here for you to choose any of dress that may pique your eyes"
These dresses are too much. I do want to live a lavish life but these will make it too hard for me to move.
Oooh~ This one is soft. And I can tell that it would be easy to move if I wear this compared to the others.
"This one"
"Understood"
I wore the dress with their help.
It's not bad.
"Ah~ it look so perfect on you milady"
"You look like a fairy, milady"
"Thank you"
After eating breakfast I took a bath and wore the dress. The carriage was waiting outside along with the knight that father chose to escort me from now on.
The knight held out his hand as he bowed.
"Good morning lady Dianna. I am Sir. Emmanuel Egon Anatole and I will be your escort knight starting from now by the orders of Duke Emond. Please refer to me as Sir. Emmanuel"
I placed my hand on top letting him to kiss the back of my hand.
"I see. Take care of me, Sir. Emmanuel"
We departed to go on our way to the royal palace.
"Sir. Emmanuel may I ask a question?"
"Of course milady"
"Who are you loyal to? To my father? Or to me?"
Anna and Emmanuel look at me with their eyes wide opened as if I ask something outrageous.
"You could have easily rejected what my father said as you do have your honor as a knight. Do you really want to serve a bratty girl like me?"
"I am loyal to you ever since I swear an oath to the duke, milady"
"So you would do things I tell you to and will keep it hidden from the duke?"
"Of course"
As if. I still need to test whether he is telling the truth or not.
An hour later we arrived at the royal palace.
If I woke up right in front of the royal palace when I first got here, I would have thought I was in some kind of set of a fantasy movie.
"Lady Dianna Emond, it is our pleasure for you to be here. I am the his highness' butler and I shall escort you to the indoor garden where his highness is waiting for you"
We followed the butler while ignoring the whispers of the servants that we pass by.
"Your highness, lady Dianna Emond has arrive"
"Let her in"
He opened the door. I went in, leaving Anna and Emmanuel behind.
"Greetings your highness, it is an honor to meet you"
"You weren't this formal to me when we first me"
"That would be because I didn't knew it was you, your highness. As you know I just woke up from a year long coma therefore there are things I have yet to remember"
I sat down with my legs crossed.
The two knights that were standing on the side let out a snicker.
"I hope I am not rude to say this but... that is quite unladylike of you"
"Forgive me for my behavior, your highness. As you know there was an asshole who sent out a letter to me saying that I need to go this month. But there are only three remaining days this month. It is the same thing as if that very person was saying "You better be here by tomorrow or else" is what I think"
The grin on the two knights was replaced by discomfort.
"Oh my, oh my, I don't think I am welcomed to be here"
I stood up.
"I will now get going, your highness"
"Wait!"
I turned around to look at him.
"Please, sit down first"
He then glared at the two knights. The two knights apologize and quickly went out.
"Please sit down and listen to what I have to say"
"Okay"