I Became the Heroine’s Stand-in - Chapter 84

Just as she was becoming aware of the emotion she had tried to suppress, Ersivan’s voice echoed in her mind.

‘Still, was there really a need to corner him like that?’

At the banquet, Ersivan had all but criticized the Crown Prince in front of everyone, seemingly just to push for a reinvestigation of Rinnel. Afterwards, he’d expressed concern—not because he felt pity or sympathy, but out of fear that it might provoke retaliation.

‘He needed to be humiliated thoroughly to understand his own disgrace. He’ll be too preoccupied with the shame to even consider revenge. In fact, he’ll likely be so eager to avoid that humiliation again, he’ll lie low for a while.’

‘……’

‘Handling those who are nothing but bluster, with no real substance, is the easiest thing.’

Hyde, who had been listening in silence, had shaken his head and told her not to take advice from people like Ersivan. Yet curiously, Ersivan’s words had become a vital key—one that handed her the power to make her own decisions.

“Let’s see how he reacts to a rejection.”

Following his advice, Diana decided to act accordingly and readily accepted the Count’s proposal.

“Truly? Then I shall bring it up during tonight’s dinner.”

“Yes. Depending on the mood, I’ll step in and support your request.”

For a moment, she wondered if the Count might become suspicious of her sudden change in attitude—but the fool seemed completely oblivious.

“Thank you, Dian. Time and again, I’ve realized that finding you was the best decision of my life.”

Dian.

She had never imagined her name could sound so wretched. It was the first time she realized how the same name could carry such a different weight, depending on who spoke it.

“Father.”

“Yes, my daughter?”

“Next time you call my name… could you say it a little more kindly?”

She continued playing the part of the sweet daughter to the very end, maintaining her gentle smile.

“…More kindly?”

“Yes. I just think it might sound nicer if it had a softer tone.”

The Count looked completely confused—no, he looked offended. As if to say, How dare you correct me when I’ve deigned to use your name?

Of course. That’s just like Father.

His reaction was so predictably arrogant that Diana nearly laughed in his face.

“…Very well.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Thanks to him, she was able to reaffirm her resolve.

The Count left the room as soon as his business was concluded, which suited Diana perfectly—she had no desire to spend another moment in his presence.

And yet, it was insulting. Now that he’d gotten what he wanted, he turned away as if she were of no concern at all. He had never seemed more despicable.

A sudden weight pressed on her chest, a stifling tightness she couldn’t quite name. Grimacing, Diana walked toward the window.

Her movements were sluggish, but she finally reached the window and threw back the curtains.

A red-tinted autumn leaf was stuck to the glass. Soon a breeze blew, and the leaf fluttered away, revealing the polished windowpane that clearly reflected the scenery outside.

As the tree branches swayed in the wind, leaves of every color fell—red, yellow, and green still clinging to life.

Amidst the cascade of colors, Diana’s gaze caught on a head of jet-black hair. As the sun set, and the golden-red leaves caught the same light, that obsidian-like hair was impossible to miss.

“…Evan?”

It had to be him.

Her heart trembled as she opened the window.

The cool autumn breeze swept in, tousling her golden hair. Though it clung to her soft cheeks, she paid no mind, leaning out over the windowsill.

She gazed silently at the person who stood at a distance—so far, yet somehow so close. Though she couldn’t see his face clearly, it was undoubtedly Ersivan.

“Evan!”

The words escaped her lips in joy. She couldn’t remember ever needing him this desperately before.

In a world gone mad, even a sliver of normalcy shines like a rare treasure.

At the sound of her voice, the man slowly turned. His pale skin and sharply defined features contrasted against his black hair as he came into view.

Ersivan, who had been reading, closed his book and set it down on the bench beside him. Before rising, he lightly tapped his shoe against the ground, dislodging a fallen leaf.

Then he strode toward Diana, who was leaning out of the window.

“My lady.”

“What are you doing out here?”

“Just reading.”

“Not in your room?”

“The weather looked too nice to stay inside.”

He decided not to admit that he’d fled his wretched room just to breathe. That would stay his secret.

“Still, it’s nearly dinner time. I suppose I should head back soon.”

“…Are you sure you’ll be comfortable at dinner?”

The thought of Ersivan sitting across from the Count and Countess Mernard for hours was appalling.

Her voice sank, heavy with concern, as she watched his reaction.

“You’ve been worrying far too much. What’s so difficult about having dinner with your parents?”

A cautious reply—he was being careful of their surroundings.

Though no one seemed to be around, you never knew who might be eavesdropping.

Caution never hurt, so Diana played along.

“During dinner, my father plans to make an important announcement. Well, more of a request, really.”

“Directed at me?”

“Yes. Well, technically at the ducal house.”

“Looks like I need to stay on edge.”

It seemed that Dianne understood perfectly.

“By the way, what were you doing, Madam?”

“…Just a little discussion with my father.”

As soon as the response reached him, Ersivan, who had been looking up at her, stiffened his neck.

Her delayed answer, her unfinished words, and the way she seemed to avoid finishing them made him anxious.

“Are you alright?”

This time, he asked with a tone full of concern.

“You worry too much. What’s so difficult or troubling about having a conversation with my father?”

Dianne calmly retorted, repeating his words. Ersivan, who had been mulling over her reply, suddenly smiled broadly.

“Now that you mention it, you’re right.”

So, this time, without speaking, he simply asked her with his eyes.

Are you truly alright?

The sudden shadow on his usually serene face was so stark that Dianne couldn’t help but smile softly. It was her way of saying that she was, in fact, okay.

“Call on me anytime you need.”

“You’ve always been there when I needed you.”

Her chest, which had felt like it would burst from frustration, had now calmed down. It was probably the refreshing air, but perhaps it was also the chance meeting with Ersivan that helped ease her heart.

“Then, I’ll see you at dinner later, Madam.”

“Is it because of formalities that you keep calling me ‘Madam’?”

Dianne whispered the question, her voice so soft that he could barely make out the words by reading her lips.

He had always called her by her name, but now he used such a formal title, and it seemed he was overly concerned with the people in the Count’s house.

He, too, stood on tiptoe to answer quietly, his face leaning in a little closer. To avoid speaking too loudly, his voice dropped lower than usual.

“I can’t call you by name here. It feels too inappropriate to replace it with another name.”

“….”

“You’d probably be tired of it, too. So why would I add to that charade? I don’t like it either.”

Her words implied that it was unnecessary to participate in such a false pretense when others were calling her ‘Lilly’—something she was already tired of.

There was no reason to continue such a thing when neither of them would enjoy it.

Before she could even fully grasp the meaning of what he said, the thought echoed in her mind.

“…Ah, that’s cheating.”

It really was. It was inevitable that her heart would stir when someone spoke so kindly.

Somehow, she had begun justifying her feelings for him. That rationalized emotion grew stronger each day, and she expected it would eventually become uncontrollable.

Of course, she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

“Then, call me.”

“…Call you?” he asked, confused.

“You know… just call me now.”

Dianne pouted like a child, playfully demanding. She knew it was a reckless request, that Ersivan would find it awkward, but she couldn’t help but urge him.

Anyone with feelings for someone would have a hard time ignoring such an adorable gesture.

Even someone who had been cautious and tried to avoid crossing boundaries would have his own rules broken in the end.

Dinner had begun, and the surroundings were quiet.

With no servants walking around and her room empty, there was nothing preventing her from asking for what she wanted.

“I’ll see you later, Dianne.”

After revealing her identity to him, this was the first time she had made such an unreasonable request.

Even in this special moment, Ersivan remained unchanged.

If anything, his ears were slightly red, but his attitude was still the same. He simply whispered softly, as he always did when calling her name, like reciting poetry.

The name, spoken so naturally and without any pretense, sounded so sweet.

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