I Became the Heroine’s Stand-in - Chapter 45

 

“You claim there’s nothing between you two…?”

The words were repeated, this time in a quieter, almost disbelieving tone.

“If you wanted to hide something, you should have done so thoroughly. Denying it so openly makes it all the more unconvincing.”

“Your Highness, how could I possibly lie before the Sun of the Empire?”

“I find it difficult to believe that my brother would willingly suffer losses for someone he does not love. Especially someone like him. Wouldn’t you agree, Lady Mernard?”

Kain Daemonhart’s smile widened, as if he had already secured victory in their exchange.

Diana also thought the same.

If Ersivan had been anyone else, she might have believed he harbored some sort of affection.

But—

“Your Highness, I must admit, I don’t quite understand what loss the Duke of Valencia has suffered. If anything, hasn’t he received nothing but honor?”

Instead of falling into his trap, Diana effortlessly shifted the conversation, steering the attention back toward Ersivan instead.

“…That—!”

Kain stiffened, visibly flustered.

As expected, he couldn’t outright criticize his brother’s victory—not without undermining himself.

‘But really… why did he do it?’

Diana kept her expression neutral, but inwardly, she was just as perplexed as Kain.

Ersivan Valencia was not the type to recklessly involve himself in imperial affairs.

He had spent his entire life avoiding entanglements with the imperial family—so what had possessed him to act so impulsively now?

What could he possibly stand to gain from it?

If anything, he was putting himself at risk.

For someone who viewed family ties as nothing but shackles, it was uncharacteristic of him to suddenly draw attention to himself like this.

‘Still, I should be grateful for the change.’

No matter how unsettling it felt, this deviation from the original story was ultimately a good thing for her.

If the narrative remained unchanged, it would only bring her misfortune.

‘The only problem is…’

This meant that today’s event was not just an anomaly—it was something that would hold significance later.

In the original novel, Ersivan never acted emotionally for anyone—except Lillian.

“Your Highness, I apologize for failing to understand your words.”

Kain remained silent.

“However, if I may add one thing—standing against injustice should not depend on one’s relationship with the affected party. That is all I wished to convey.”

Kain’s lips curved slightly, and when he finally spoke again, he made an unexpected demand.

“Then, can you swear it?”

Diana’s brows furrowed slightly. “Swear what, exactly?”

“That there is nothing between you and my brother. Not just now, but in the future as well.”

Kain leaned in just enough for his words to be a whisper.

An oath.

A grand, theatrical one—yet ultimately meaningless.

Love?

Diana had abandoned such foolish notions long ago.

There was no place for something as fragile and fleeting as love in the world she had built for herself.

Not since she had become Lillian Mernard.

Not since she had realized her own father never truly cared for her.

Not since she had learned the brutal truths of this world.

She had cast that treasure away long ago.

And yet—

“I can swear it.”

Her voice was steady, her gaze unwavering.

Kain’s smirk faltered.

“…You speak with such conviction that I have no choice but to accept it.”

A pause.

Then, his expression shifted back to its usual amusement.

“Don’t look at me like that. I was merely joking. I never actually doubted your relationship.”

But the way he smiled, enjoying her discomfort, suggested otherwise.

Then, Kain’s gaze shifted slightly, locking onto someone behind her.

Diana instantly knew who it was.

Ersivan.

His crimson eyes burned with open hostility.

Kain clicked his tongue.

‘Tch. Of all times, why now?’

If it were any other day, Kain might have deliberately provoked him—

But today, he had more to lose than to gain.

Reluctantly, he stepped away, his posture returning to its usual carefree elegance.

“It’s unfortunate, but I must take my leave.”

Casually, he picked up the plate Diana had set down earlier, handing it back to her with a smirk.

“Thank you for your time, Lady Mernard. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Then, just like that, he turned and left—as if fleeing from something unseen.

Diana watched him go, feeling oddly unsettled.

It was good that he was gone, but…

‘Why does it feel like I made him run away?’

She barely had time to ponder the thought before—

“Here.”

A familiar voice interrupted her.

Diana turned—

And found herself face-to-face with Ersivan.

She had expected him to wait at the table—

Not to be standing right in front of her.

“…Huh?”

Before she could react, he took the plate from her hands, as if it was only natural.

“Shall we return to our seats?”

He made no mention of why he was there—no explanation, no questions.

Just a simple suggestion to go back to the table.

Diana hesitated for a moment, but the growing crowd around them made her decision for her.

She disliked being surrounded by too many people, so—

“…Alright.”

She followed him without protest.

Once they were seated, she finally found something to break the silence.

“You changed clothes.”

She pointed out the obvious, trying to lighten the mood.

The pure white ceremonial uniform he had worn earlier was now gone, replaced with a sleek black ensemble.

“The event is practically over.”

“Still, it’s a formal banquet. Is it really okay?”

Ersivan smirked faintly.

“What does it matter? It’s not as if the Emperor would be cruel enough to deny me the right to wear what I please.”

Diana couldn’t help but chuckle softly at his audacity.

As she did, she realized— Whatever had changed within him…

It was far from over.

“O-Of course….”

Diana blinked rapidly, wondering if his tone had just gotten sharper—or if it was merely her imagination.

Perhaps it was because he was speaking about his own father that he did so without hesitation.

But standing next to him, merely overhearing his words, felt dangerously close to treason against the Imperial Family.

“You were with Kain earlier.”

It wasn’t a question.

Diana stiffened slightly. “…Ah. Yes.”

“What did you discuss?”

His pointed questioning made her nerves tingle.

“Just…”

Ersivan waited.

His silence, as always, was far more oppressive than a thousand words could ever be.

“…His fiancée.”

“His fiancée? You mean Lady Cordelia?”

Diana nodded rapidly, feeling absurdly proud of how quickly she had come up with a reasonable answer.

Yet, when no immediate response came, she began to feel uneasy.

His silences always had weight—he wielded them like a weapon, pressing down until the other person broke first.

And those piercing red eyes… It was impossible to avoid the feeling of being completely laid bare under their scrutiny.

“Are you certain that’s all?”

“…Yes, of course.”

If she wanted to survive this, she had to feign ignorance as best as she could.

“…But Kain—”

The way he paused on that name made her wary.

Kain.

Diana repeated it in her mind, trying to decipher his intentions.

“He touched you.”

“…What?”

Her brain froze for a moment.

She blinked at him, utterly dumbfounded.

“Pardon?”

“He touched you.”

His voice remained steady, but the sharp edge in his eyes made her stomach tighten.

“…Your Highness, what do you mean… touched?”

Diana asked hesitantly, half-hoping he would correct himself.

But instead, his gaze darkened further.

“He was holding your wrist.”

My… wrist?

Diana thought back—and then, finally, she remembered.

There had been two instances.

When Kain had leaned in to whisper to her— And when he handed her the plate.

Technically speaking… he had touched her.

But calling that touching was such an exaggeration that it was almost ridiculous.

It was barely even worth acknowledging.

And yet— “…That’s hardly a big deal.”

Diana waved it off as unimportant.

But Ersivan wasn’t satisfied.

His gaze dropped to her wrist, studying it carefully as if searching for something.

Only when he found nothing did he reluctantly nod, seeming to let the matter drop.

Even after that, though, the air between them remained awkward.

Diana desperately wanted to flee.

To run away from whatever strange tension had suddenly formed.

But instead, she busied herself by sipping her juice.

If only she could swallow the entire atmosphere along with it.

She stared forlornly at her now-empty glass—then, on impulse, pushed her plate toward him.

“Would you like some?”

Her expression screamed: Please, just eat something.

Ersivan looked at her for a long moment.

She knew he wasn’t fond of sweets.

At best, he occasionally tolerated tea with a slight sweetness—but anything stronger than that was firmly out of the question.

“…I suppose I should.”

And yet—

He picked up the fork.

Because what choice did he have?

It wasn’t poison.

It was just food.

So, he ate the shortcake, forcing himself to endure the unpleasantly soft and sweet texture.

Diana watched eagerly as he slowly finished the entire plate.

Only when the dish was empty did she finally relax.

At least now the mood wasn’t so stifling.

And then, unexpectedly— “…You’ll be quite busy once this event is over.”

Ersivan spoke first.

Diana blinked, caught off guard by his initiative.

“Because of the wedding?”

“Yes. It’s less than a month away.”

A month.

The realization sank in.

It felt like just yesterday that she had arrived at the Duke’s estate.

And now, suddenly, only a month remained.

“Do you regret it?”

“…Regret?”

“A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Isn’t it a little lacking in romance?”

Diana laughed softly.

“As you know, I am not the kind of person who chases romance.”

Then, she smirked.

“But if I said I regretted it, would you call the whole thing off?”

Ersivan let out a quiet chuckle.

“I believe you already know the answer to that.”

Diana couldn’t help but smile.

And just like that— The tension broke.

Before long, the two were chatting easily, their conversation flowing naturally.

For the first time in a while. It felt comfortable.