I Became the Heroine’s Stand-in - Chapter 48

After returning from the temple, the wedding preparations began in earnest.

The ceremony was to be held at the Valencia family’s estate in the capital. Guests would stay for two nights and depart at dawn on the third day.

With a wedding of this scale, there were countless details to oversee. It was no wonder the ducal household had begun planning and preparations months in advance.

Even with each family assigned a private room, the number of guest chambers easily exceeded several dozen. In addition, the chapel for the officiation and the garden for the banquet had to be prepared.

The smaller details were just as demanding—Diana and Ersivan had to calculate the exact quantity of supplies for the banquet, select and taste-test the menu for all three days, and ensure that everything was executed to perfection.

Time passed in a blur. Each night, they fell into exhausted sleep, only to wake up and resume the endless cycle of wedding preparations.

And before they knew it, the wedding day arrived.

By noon, carriages carrying guests began to arrive. Each one bore the crest of a noble family, and like a display of wealth, they were all luxurious and extravagant.

The arriving guests, escorted by the house guards, entered through the grand gates just as the bells tolled the midday hour.

The first order of business was showing them to their rooms and allowing them time to settle in. Since most had traveled in comfortable attire, they also needed time to dress appropriately for the occasion.

With so many guests arriving at once, formal greetings were kept brief—a simple bow or a wave sufficed before they were promptly led inside.

Surprisingly, most of the guests had been invited by the Mernard family.

‘If it weren’t for Lillian, this wedding would have been painfully empty.’

Ersivan’s passing remark, which had seemed like a mere joke, turned out to be entirely true.

The Valencia family, known for their reclusive nature, had invited fewer than ten noble families.

“His Highness, Prince Kain Daemonhart, and Lady Epel Cordelia, daughter of Marquis Cordelia, have arrived!”

The gates opened once more, and Diana—who had just begun to catch her breath—straightened her posture.

She had assumed it was her own family arriving, but the guard’s announcement proved her wrong.

Instead, it was guests she had never expected to attend.

“Time certainly flies. To think my brother is already getting married.”

“Congratulations to you both.”

Receiving an unwelcome gift of congratulations, Diana instinctively glanced at Ersivan.

He stepped forward without hesitation, offering to personally escort them. His polite and gentle smile only made the situation more unsettling.

Left alone, Diana set the gifts from Kain and Epel on the table.

The presents were lavish and extravagant, as if meant to sincerely celebrate their union.

As more noble families presented their gifts, the table soon overflowed with opulent treasures.

And yet, Diana felt no gratitude—only unease.

The feeling was eerily familiar.

It reminded her of the days in the slums, when she had lurked near the bakery, waiting for an opportunity to steal a loaf of bread.

Back then, she had longed for something beyond her reach—and now, she felt the same way.

The gifts, far too extravagant, felt as if they were the price of her life.

It was as though the moment she accepted them, a blade would be at her throat by morning.

Those who coveted what they should not always met a miserable fate.

Even if Diana had never desired any of this, she would still have to bear the consequences.

‘Death…’

Tomorrow, her life would hang in the balance, at the mercy of her soon-to-be husband.

Even if he couldn’t harm her outright, given the formalities of their union, there were other ways to dispose of her.

He could sell her off, betraying her in a way that would shatter the Mernard family overnight.

From Ersivan’s perspective, it was a faster and more effective way to destroy them.

‘…I want to live.’

A marriage devoid of love, yet on what was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, all she could feel was dread.

How fitting it was—a wedding steeped in misfortune, just like her life.

‘If this had been a normal wedding… would I have been happy?’

Diana found herself wondering.

If she had met someone ordinary, someone from a similar background, and built a simple life together…

Would the people congratulating her have been different as well?

Perhaps it would have been the ones from her past—the people who had once been like family to her.

‘What are they doing now…?’

Were they worried about her sudden disappearance?

For over a decade, she had lived in the same place, among the same people.

And then, without a word, she had vanished, never returning for over a year.

She still felt guilty for leaving without saying goodbye.

She had wanted to thank them, at the very least.

But Count Mernard, in his relentless secrecy, had forbidden all contact, insisting that even sending a letter was too dangerous.

She had tried to use the family’s wealth to support them from afar, but even that had been denied.

‘What does it matter where the money comes from?’

If she simply told them it was a gift from Lillian, they would accept it without question.

The Count just didn’t want to waste resources on her.

‘He has more than enough… yet refuses to give even a little…!’

Without realizing it, Diana clenched her fist, nearly crushing one of the gifts in her grasp.

Realizing her lapse, she quickly composed herself, resuming the role of Lillian Mernard.

With measured grace, she began carefully reorganizing the mountain of gifts.

“The Mernard family has arrived!”

The herald’s voice rang out, followed by the grand doors swinging open.

“Daughter!”

Countess Mernard, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, called out to Diana in an exuberant voice.

Before she could even respond, her mother hurried toward her.

Then, in a dramatic display, she wrapped Diana in a tight embrace, ensuring onlookers would witness the moment.

The truth was betrayed by her trembling arms, awkwardly holding onto Diana’s waist.

Diana could feel the lingering gazes of the servants and knights nearby.

“Yes, Mother. It’s good to see you. Have you been well?”

“Oh, my dear, it’s been agonizing not seeing you. The thought of not being able to visit you in the future breaks my heart. I must cherish every moment I have with you today.”

Lies.

You didn’t even look at me the day I was brought to the estate.

The only reason you rushed to my side was because you heard I had been injured—and only then did you pretend to be my mother.

They should be grateful that Diana was patient enough to tolerate them.

If she had been even slightly less patient, she would have shoved her mother’s hands away and fled as far as she could.

Diana remained still in the embrace, her face resting against the delicate slope of her mother’s shoulder.

From behind, she saw Count Mernard arriving belatedly, his pace measured as he approached.

Shutting her eyes tightly, Diana then gently pulled away from the Countess.

“You must be tired from the journey. Please, come with me—I’ll show you to your room.”

Sensing the need for privacy, the Countess dismissed the maid who had accompanied her.

Thus, the three of them entered the mansion, walking through the long corridors in silence. The awkward atmosphere hung heavy between them, but Diana found it far more bearable than the false pretense of a loving family.

As they neared the chamber assigned to the Count and Countess, a door in the adjacent room opened, and Ersivan stepped out.

The moment he noticed them, he strode forward without hesitation.

“My apologies for not welcoming you sooner,” he said smoothly. “I was escorting my own family and was delayed.”

His voice was light, his manner cordial, and his smile perfectly composed.

He then turned to the door behind him and pushed it open.

“This room was prepared on short notice, so it may not be perfect, but I hope you’ll find it comfortable during your stay.”

“Oh my, it’s more than satisfactory,” the Countess replied with a pleasant smile.

“Your kind words honor me,” Ersivan responded smoothly.

Diana silently marveled at how effortlessly he played his role.

Perhaps she had been training in the wrong discipline—rather than swordsmanship, she should have asked him to teach her how to act.

To stand face-to-face with the very people he sought revenge upon and yet remain this composed… No wonder Lillian had lived oblivious to the truth for so long.

“In about two hours, there will be an evening garden party following brunch,” Ersivan continued. “Later, around early evening, a cocktail reception will be held in the main hall, though your attendance isn’t necessary. Dinner will be served shortly after.”

He had taken on Diana’s role seamlessly, personally handling the introductions with perfect ease.

“If you need anything, simply ring the bell,” he added. “A servant will be stationed outside and will knock to attend to you.”

“How thoughtful of you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

His words were succinct yet complete, every sentence measured.

It was exactly the kind of efficiency expected of a man who believed time was both power and currency.

Then, without warning, he grasped Diana’s wrist and effortlessly guided her out of the room.

Just as they were about to leave through the doorway, a voice called out urgently—

“Lillian!”

The one to stop first wasn’t Diana—but Ersivan.

She only realized a moment later that the voice belonged to her father.

Turning around, she met his gaze. His face was adorned with a kind, benevolent smile—a carefully crafted expression.

“You’ve done well, my dear. My precious daughter… It must have been so difficult for you.”

His voice was laced with false sorrow, deliberately designed to sound gentle and affectionate.

“Thanks to my beloved parents, I’ve been able to endure it,” Diana replied sweetly. “I’m always grateful for your trust and support.”

She smiled just as warmly, effortlessly weaving another lie into the conversation.

“You’ve done well.”

The words were both laughable and cruel.

A year and three months.

Had she truly been enduring all this time just to hear those words?

Yet, even now, her future remained uncertain.

This time, Diana chose not to reply. She merely turned away and stepped forward.

As Ersivan walked beside her, he broke the silence.

“I wanted to say something to you as well.”

“…And what is that?”

“You’ve done well,” he murmured. “And… thank you.”

The quiet sincerity in his voice made Diana instinctively lower her head.

She couldn’t bring herself to look at his expression.

Yet, in her mind, she could perfectly picture it—the faint, fleeting smile that would accompany such words.

At first, she felt a hollow ache, but it soon twisted into something else.

For the first time, she resented Count Mernard.

Because of him, Diana had been forced to acknowledge the cruel reality of her existence.

Tomorrow.

Not a day later.

Not some distant future.

Tomorrow her life would be in this man’s hands.

Support I Became the Heroine’s Stand-in