I Became the Heroine’s Stand-in - Chapter 58

 

For the first time in a while, peace had returned. The silence that once felt dull and lifeless was now a welcome presence.

Who would have thought that simply enjoying tea under the warm sunlight could bring such happiness?

With every breath she took, the floral scent from the garden tickled her nose, melting away her accumulated fatigue.

Diana had spent the past few days dedicating herself entirely to swordsmanship, leaving her little time for leisure.

Following her first lesson with Joel, Anthony and Coon’s lessons had come in quick succession.

Determined to prove themselves as the best instructors, they had turned their training sessions into absurd competitions, and the one suffering from their rivalry was none other than Diana’s weary body.

I can certainly feel my skills improving…

But with three instructors, the training had essentially tripled in intensity.

As the saying goes, when you gain something, you must also lose something in return.

In exchange for excitement, Diana had to endure physical hardship as the price.

She slowly rolled her shoulders in a clockwise motion, trying to ease her stiff muscles. Fortunately, the billowy sleeves of her blouse concealed her unrefined movements.

“It’s been a while since we last met. It feels quite nostalgic. Lady—oh, I suppose I should call you Duchess now?”

Lady Henshu playfully winked, her tone teasing. Diana, suddenly flustered, fidgeted with her teacup, her fingers tracing its rim.

“…Yes, I suppose so.”

“I feel terrible about missing your wedding. I had urgent matters to attend to and couldn’t make it in time.”

Lady Henshu’s lips pouted in visible regret.

“Please don’t worry about it. Just knowing that you wish me well is more than enough.”

Diana then began recounting the events that had unfolded in her life. Having not seen Lady Henshu in so long, she had an endless list of things to share.

From the wedding to the grueling swordsmanship lessons she was currently enduring, she relayed her experiences with vivid detail, making Lady Henshu chuckle.

“The knights seem quite dedicated. I can’t let them outshine me now, can I?”

Her emerald-green eyes, brimming with liveliness, twinkled as she spoke.

Diana’s expression brightened as she realized what she meant.

“Oh, does that mean you’re resuming my riding lessons?”

“Of course. Now that things have settled down a little, I finally have the time.”

“That’s wonderful! I’ve actually been waiting for this. I didn’t want to impose since you seemed so busy.”

“I’m delighted to know you hadn’t forgotten about my lessons, despite your other demanding classes.”

“How could I forget? Oh, but… do you think my horse still remembers me?”

She had once heard that untamed animals, if left alone for too long, would quickly forget their owners.

She worried that Dian might not recognize her anymore.

“That won’t happen. It hasn’t been that long.”

Lady Henshu had just reached for her teacup when she noticed a delicate purple petal resting beside it.

It was a tiny lavender petal, no bigger than a fingertip. She picked it up between her thumb and forefinger, idly twirling it as she spoke.

“Decorating a garden with lavender is quite an unusual choice. It’s unique—so much so that I can’t help but keep looking at it.”

The garden, where lavender and baby’s breath blended harmoniously, exuded a serene ambiance. To add a touch of vibrancy, lilac trees had been planted alongside them, breaking the monotony with their soft brilliance.

“Isn’t it? Hearing that you like it makes me even happier.”

As Diana sipped her tea, her lips curled into a smile so wide that her cheeks puffed up slightly.

She had wondered what had happened to the lily garden she frequently visited while pretending to be Lilian, only to learn it had been closed.

And then, just a few weeks later, Ersivan had surprised her with a garden of his own.

“It’s a wedding gift.”

“A… gift?”

“I thought anything else might feel burdensome to you.”

Did he think that demolishing an entire garden and remaking it from scratch would be any less extravagant?

But since the new garden had already been completed, and she had never been particularly fond of the old lily garden to begin with, she had no reason to refuse the gift.

Since then, the lavender garden had become one of her favorite places to visit whenever she had free time.

The servants even had an inside joke: “If the mistress is nowhere to be found, check the garden.”

“I recall you once favored lilies. Have your tastes changed?”

Diana’s hand, which had been idly playing with the flowers, came to a halt.

Gently pushing back a bundle of lavender that had strayed past the fence, she responded in a composed tone.

“Lilies are still my most cherished flowers. However, as a married woman, I believe it’s a virtue to learn and appreciate the things my husband favors as well.”

Right now, she was Lilian.

Diana steadied herself.

Even though Ersivan already knew her true identity, she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.

Luckily, her quick-witted excuse seemed to work, as Lady Henshu clasped her hands together as if in prayer.

“You’re already so admirable. Ersivan had better treat you well!” she added earnestly.

***

The sun was beginning to set.

Contrary to her expectations, Lady Henshu left earlier than anticipated, forgoing dinner together.

Diana, preparing to clean up the table, reached for the teapot. Judging by its weight, there was still a fair amount of tea left inside.

I have plenty of time to spare, so…

Her afternoon schedule was now empty, leaving her with an abundance of free time.

Deciding to make use of the remaining tea and enjoy some solitude, she sat back down.

With no one around to keep up appearances for, her mind finally cleared, free from the clutter of incessant thoughts.

This version ensures proper grammar, refined sentence structure, and maintains the original meaning while making it natural and engaging. Let me know if you need any further refinements!

You said:

used Madam Henshu used Lillian not Lilian used proper pronouns and proofread carefully while maintaining original content

ChatGPT said:

Here is your refined and proofread translation of Episode 58, using Madam Henshu instead of Lady Henshu, Lillian instead of Lilian, proper pronouns, and careful proofreading while maintaining the original content:

Episode 58

For the first time in a while, peace had returned. The silence that once felt dull and lifeless was now a welcome presence.

Who would have thought that simply enjoying tea under the warm sunlight could bring such happiness?

With every breath she took, the floral scent from the garden tickled her nose, melting away her accumulated fatigue.

Diana had spent the past few days dedicating herself entirely to swordsmanship, leaving her little time for leisure.

Following her first lesson with Joel, Anthony and Coon’s lessons had come in quick succession.

Determined to prove themselves as the best instructors, they had turned their training sessions into absurd competitions, and the one suffering from their rivalry was none other than Diana’s weary body.

I can certainly feel my skills improving…

But with three instructors, the training had essentially tripled in intensity.

As the saying goes, when you gain something, you must also lose something in return.

In exchange for excitement, Diana had to endure physical hardship as the price.

She slowly rolled her shoulders in a clockwise motion, trying to ease her stiff muscles. Fortunately, the billowy sleeves of her blouse concealed her unrefined movements.

“It’s been a while since we last met. It feels quite nostalgic. Lady—oh, I suppose I should call you Duchess now?”

Madam Henshu playfully winked, her tone teasing. Diana, suddenly flustered, fidgeted with her teacup, her fingers tracing its rim.

“…Yes, I suppose so.”

“I feel terrible about missing your wedding. I had urgent matters to attend to and couldn’t make it in time.”

Madam Henshu’s lips pouted in visible regret.

“Please don’t worry about it. Just knowing that you wish me well is more than enough.”

Diana then began recounting the events that had unfolded in her life. Having not seen Madam Henshu in so long, she had an endless list of things to share.

From the wedding to the grueling swordsmanship lessons she was currently enduring, she relayed her experiences with vivid detail, making Madam Henshu chuckle.

“The knights seem quite dedicated. I can’t let them outshine me now, can I?”

Her emerald-green eyes, brimming with liveliness, twinkled as she spoke.

Diana’s expression brightened as she realized what she meant.

“Oh, does that mean you’re resuming my riding lessons?”

“Of course. Now that things have settled down a little, I finally have the time.”

“That’s wonderful! I’ve actually been waiting for this. I didn’t want to impose since you seemed so busy.”

“I’m delighted to know you hadn’t forgotten about my lessons, despite your other demanding classes.”

“How could I forget? Oh, but… do you think my horse still remembers me?”

She had once heard that untamed animals, if left alone for too long, would quickly forget their owners.

She worried that Dian might not recognize her anymore.

“That won’t happen. It hasn’t been that long.”

Madam Henshu had just reached for her teacup when she noticed a delicate purple petal resting beside it.

It was a tiny lavender petal, no bigger than a fingertip. She picked it up between her thumb and forefinger, idly twirling it as she spoke.

“Decorating a garden with lavender is quite an unusual choice. It’s unique—so much so that I can’t help but keep looking at it.”

The garden, where lavender and baby’s breath blended harmoniously, exuded a serene ambiance. To add a touch of vibrancy, lilac trees had been planted alongside them, breaking the monotony with their soft brilliance.

“Isn’t it? Hearing that you like it makes me even happier.”

As Diana sipped her tea, her lips curled into a smile so wide that her cheeks puffed up slightly.

She had wondered what had happened to the lily garden she frequently visited while pretending to be Lillian, only to learn it had been closed.

And then, just a few weeks later, Ersivan had surprised her with a garden of his own.

“It’s a wedding gift.”

“A… gift?”

“I thought anything else might feel burdensome to you.”

Did he think that demolishing an entire garden and remaking it from scratch would be any less extravagant?

But since the new garden had already been completed, and she had never been particularly fond of the old lily garden to begin with, she had no reason to refuse the gift.

Since then, the lavender garden had become one of her favorite places to visit whenever she had free time.

The servants even had an inside joke: “If the mistress is nowhere to be found, check the garden.”

“I recall you once favored lilies. Have your tastes changed?”

Diana’s hand, which had been idly playing with the flowers, came to a halt.

Gently pushing back a bundle of lavender that had strayed past the fence, she responded in a composed tone.

“Lilies are still my most cherished flowers. However, as a married woman, I believe it’s a virtue to learn and appreciate the things my husband favors as well.”

Right now, she was Lillian.

Diana steadied herself.

Even though Ersivan already knew her true identity, she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.

Luckily, her quick-witted excuse seemed to work, as Madam Henshu clasped her hands together as if in prayer.

“You’re already so admirable. Ersivan had better treat you well!” she added earnestly.

***

The sun was beginning to set.

Contrary to her expectations, Madam Henshu left earlier than anticipated, forgoing dinner together.

Diana, preparing to clean up the table, reached for the teapot. Judging by its weight, there was still a fair amount of tea left inside.

I have plenty of time to spare, so…

Her afternoon schedule was now empty, leaving her with an abundance of free time.

Deciding to make use of the remaining tea and enjoy some solitude, she sat back down.

With no one around to keep up appearances for, her mind finally cleared, free from the clutter of incessant thoughts.

She closed her eyes, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. The fading sunlight seemed to melt her body into relaxation.

Like a plant absorbing sunlight through photosynthesis, she quietly let time slip away. It was only when she became aware of her heartbeat that she noticed the passage of time.

“…….”

Haven’t there been moments when an inexplicable sense of déjà vu washes over you?

Subtle changes, ones that would normally go unnoticed, suddenly felt overwhelmingly significant.

This was one of those moments.

Diana slightly opened her eyes.

A rough, calloused hand blocked her view, its fingers thick enough that only faint traces of light peeked through the gaps.

“…Evan?”

Even without seeing his face, she already knew who it was.

No response.

That, in itself, was an answer—a characteristic way Ersivan Valencia expressed affirmation.

“Stay as you are.”

His firm tone stopped her just as she was about to shift her posture. Her tensed back muscles instinctively relaxed again.

“When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

The fact that he had arrived without making a sound was nothing short of impressive.

“I didn’t even notice you coming.”

“I didn’t plan on coming either.”

“Did you happen to run into a dark sorcerer on your way?”

When faced with nonsense, one must counter it with even greater absurdity.

Diana smirked as she threw out a sarcastic remark, likening him to a character from a fairy tale who had encountered an evil villain.

But Ersivan, never one to back down, took it a step further.

“More like something far worse. I may have been cursed by the Demon King himself.”

The Demon King’s Curse was a well-known children’s tale—one where a hero loses his heart to the Demon King, falls under his control, and only regains his emotions when he meets his fated partner, breaking the curse.

In other words, if Ersivan was cursed…

“Are you implying that I’m the Demon King?”

“Of course not. You are the great fate that will break the curse.”

“…Hmm.”

That didn’t quite fit the story.

Diana’s eyebrows furrowed, scrunching up like those of a mischievous child.

“I spent the entire day being enslaved by work, and only now have I found rest.”

A hastily made-up excuse, yet surprisingly convincing.

It was just clever enough that she decided to let it slide.

Her furrowed brows smoothed out, signaling that she was no longer suspicious. The pout on her face vanished, restoring her usual charming expression.

“By the way, you were alone?”

“Madam Henshu just left a moment ago.”

“And what if something happened while you were alone?”

“I always keep something on me for emergencies.”

She specifically referred to the dagger Ersivan had given her. As if that wasn’t enough to reassure him, he had even modified it so that it could transform into a longsword when needed.

“I’ve told you repeatedly to keep the knights by your side at all times.”

Ersivan had always been excessively concerned about her safety.

Ever since learning her true identity, he had become even more sensitive about it—as if he were more desperate than Diana herself.

As if he knew she wouldn’t live long.

That would be even stranger.

The thought was so ridiculous that she scoffed at herself.

Maybe it’s not about protection… maybe it’s surveillance.

Logically, that made more sense.

There was no real reason for him to be this worried about her well-being.

Perhaps the knights assigned to accompany her were not protectors but watchdogs. That would explain his constant insistence.

The more she thought about it, the more resentful she felt toward Ersivan.

She had already decided to cooperate with him—there was no need for him to conceal his true intentions so carefully.

Despite her frustration, Diana quickly shifted her expression into one of innocent charm and made a suggestion.

“Why don’t you sit down, Evan?”

“Are you inviting me to join you?”

“We hardly see each other these days. I might as well take the opportunity to make time for you.”

A fresh cup was placed before him, untouched.

With nothing else demanding his attention, Ersivan readily took a seat.

The floodgates of conversation opened.

He spoke about his workload, while she recounted her meeting with Madam Henshu.

As she proudly mentioned how Madam Henshu had praised the garden, their conversation naturally shifted toward the topic of the estate’s landscaping.

“You seem to have grown quite fond of it.”

“The lavender, you mean?”

Ersivan didn’t answer, only offering a small, subtle smile.

“You probably don’t know.”

Diana closed her eyes as well. Unlike his soft expression, hers carried a quiet bitterness.

To him, she was nothing more than a pitiful figure.

Of course, to Diana, Ersivan was simply a means of survival.

Or… perhaps, someone a little more precious than that.

“Do you know why I came to love lavender?”

“…….”

“Do you know how much comfort I found in something as simple as a flower?”

The small bouquet of lavender he had once given her was what had lifted her from the depths of despair.

She had cried over that insignificant bundle as if it were the last hope in her shattered world.

Ersivan, who had been watching her intently, slowly averted his gaze.

His lips pressed slightly together, his eyes lowering as if he had been pulled into some unknown thought.

She had no idea what was on his mind, but his expression was oddly distant.

“Dian wouldn’t understand either. I doubt she could even begin to imagine.”

Inside the white fence, the lavender swayed gently, filling his vision.

It was as if someone’s eyes were watching him—watching him intently.

For reasons unknown, the sight brought him an odd sense of satisfaction.

“How many years I endured with nothing but this flower…”

It was astounding how sorrow and joy could exist so perfectly side by side.