I Became the Heroine’s Stand-in - Chapter 96

Her fingers wouldn’t budge at first, but after several strained attempts, she managed to regain some strength in them. Using her slender fingers as a support, she placed her arm on the floor, making it easier to lift her torso. Her lower body remained pinned to the ground, but it didn’t hinder her from observing the situation.

The Count, who had been thrown down beside her, scrambled to his feet. The deep purple bruise forming on his face only made his greedy features stand out more prominently.

“Grand Duke, this is certainly a scene that could lead to a misunderstanding, but the truth is…”

Feeling a threat to his life, the Count glanced back and forth between Diana and Ersivan, attempting to explain the situation.

“Shut your mouth.”

Even that was cut short by Ersivan.

Because she couldn’t turn her head, Diana couldn’t estimate the number of onlookers. Judging by the murmuring, it seemed most of the estate’s employees had gathered. People usually side with their own; out of reluctance to see their employer humiliated, the rumors would likely flow in the Count’s favor.

Furthermore, Ersivan’s reputation had not been great in the past. She couldn’t allow his recently soaring status to plummet. The thought of his name being tarnished because of her was unacceptable. Just as Diana reached out a hand to catch his sleeve, a chilling warning dropped.

“Do not touch her. Not unless you truly wish for your life to end today.”

As she was about to grasp the fabric, the cold words fell.

“No matter if she is your daughter, it does not mean you have the right to treat her so recklessly.”

Diana withdrew her hand in surprise, only to realize his words weren’t directed at her. Because Ersivan was looking down only at the Count, Diana could see nothing but his back.

Had he always been this imposing? He was tall, but he didn’t usually seem so overwhelmingly massive. His broad shoulders rose once in a sharp breath and then slowly lowered. Taking a deep breath to suppress his agitation, he continued in a somewhat refined tone.

“She belongs to Valencia now, Count. I am saying she is no longer someone you can lay a hand on.”

“…”

“And unfortunately, I do not easily forgive those who touch what is mine.”

Having quelled his excitement, his speech shifted from a blunt lack of etiquette back to formal honorifics. Yet, his tone still dripped with a suppressed rage that allowed no one to feel at ease.

“You will pay a steep price for this.”

Abruptly ending the conversation, Ersivan turned around. His eyes met Diana’s as she leaned against the wall, barely managing to breathe. An indescribable emotion welled up inside him. It was something more painful than the time he had vomited blood after being poisoned.

He feared that if he spoke now, he might accidentally direct his anger toward her, so he chose silence. Moving quietly toward Diana, Ersivan knelt down.

He removed her indoor shoes, which had been ruined when she fell, gathered her swollen legs together, and placed them over his arm. Finally, he draped her arms around his neck and lifted her frail body into his embrace.

Normally, she would have been startled, but perhaps she sensed the gravity of the atmosphere—or perhaps she simply lacked the energy to protest—because she remained uncharacteristically submissive in his arms. Carefully tightening his grip to support her firmly, Ersivan took his first step forward.

As he approached the door, the crowd of onlookers began to disperse one by one. Thanks to that, the path ahead of him was clear. Exiting the room, Ersivan paused when he saw a woman standing quietly in the hallway.

The woman appeared terrified, yet her gaze suggested she wouldn’t back down easily. It was better to speak with her than to waste more words on the Count, whom he wanted to beat to death.

“Our original plan was to stay a few more days, but it seems our trip must conclude today.”

“…Grand Duke Valencia.”

“I ask for your generous understanding, Madam.”

Even so, it was more of a notification than a request. The Countess called his name softly as if to ask him to stay, but Ersivan left the premises immediately.

He descended the stairs of the second-floor hallway, exited through the front door on the first floor, and walked through the vast garden. Diana, cradled in his arms, had fallen asleep, perhaps exhausted by the ordeal.

As she occasionally smiled in her sleep as if enjoying the cool breeze, he deliberately slowed his pace. He was worried that a rough gait might wake her.

When they finally reached the main gate, they encountered the gatekeeper they had spoken with on the first day.

“Ah, are you heading out?”

“…”

“The night is deep; it might be dangerous…”

Since he had been standing guard outside, the gatekeeper hadn’t heard the news from inside the estate yet and was blissfully cheerful. Under normal circumstances, Ersivan would have played along, but he was in no state to maintain such hollow pretenses. Instead of a long greeting, he got straight to the point.

“I require a carriage.”

“Ah, yes. A carriage. Where are you heading?”

“I intend to return to the estate.”

“By the estate, do you mean the Duchy of Valencia?”

At the confirming question, Ersivan gave a silent nod. It was quite strange to return so soon, not even two days into the trip. However, the gatekeeper’s intuition told him that the atmosphere was not one for prying. Leaving the two behind, the gatekeeper ran off and returned shortly with a coachman and a carriage.

“I will see you there safely.”

“I want to go as fast as possible. We need to arrive within an hour at the latest.”

It took half a day to travel from the West to the North in a Mernard carriage. Even that was with high-speed magic reducing the time to a fraction of the usual. To cut it down to a single hour, a top-grade mana stone would be required.

Generally, top-grade mana stones were worth the price of an entire carriage and were not used as fuel. That was the case in common situations, but it wasn’t impossible. The key fact was that such a precious item did not exist in the Mernard Countship.

“Your Grace, I wish to obey your command, but…”

As the coachman hesitated, unable to speak, Ersivan handed something forward. It was a pouch embroidered with the Valencia crest. Something extraordinary was surely inside.

No way, surely not…

Still, could it really contain a top-grade mana stone?

“It is a mana stone. If you use it, you should be able to make the trip without issue.”

The unthinkable had happened. The nonchalant way he spoke was truly that of a high noble. But this was not the moment to criticize his arrogant attitude. The coachman hurriedly opened the pouch. Inside was a jewel-like object shimmering with iridescent rainbow colors—the top-grade mana stone he had only heard of in stories.

Good heavens.

His wealth must be immense to carry such things around. Furthermore, to use it just to return to the Duchy was incredible in a different sense.

“Your answer.”

Ersivan pressed the dazed coachman. Shivers ran down the coachman’s spine at the stiff voice, and he responded urgently.

“Yes, yes! Of course, it is possible!”

Quickly taking out one stone, the coachman returned the pouch to its owner. The rainbow mana stone glowed brilliantly in his hand. Just seeing it was enough to be a point of pride among commoners.

Disgusted by the look of greed in the man’s eyes, Ersivan turned away. As he prepared to enter the carriage, the coachman quickly opened the door. The gatekeeper must have relayed the message well, as they had brought a fairly decent carriage. It was spacious enough that Diana wouldn’t touch the walls even if she stretched out her legs.

He laid Diana on the seat first and let her rest her head on his thigh. It certainly wasn’t as soft as a down pillow, but it would be much better than the hard seat floor.

He wiped her forehead, which was damp with sweat. Her forehead felt hot to the touch; checking again, there was definitely a fever.

“…Mmm.”

She rubbed her face against Ersivan’s cool hand, seemingly finding comfort in it. Perhaps the contrast with the situation before she lost consciousness was too great; feeling a sense of disconnect, she slowly opened her eyes.

It was a quiet place where only the sound of their breathing could be heard. The floor was uneven and rattled occasionally, indicating they were in a moving vehicle. Although the lights were out, he worried it might still be a strain on her vision. Ersivan’s large hand gently covered her eyes.

He could feel the fluttering of her eyelids through the skin of his hand. Her brow furrowed several times as if she were dizzy.

“Sleep.”

“…”

“It is safe here.”

Continuing in a gentle voice, he gripped Diana’s hand with his other hand. It was an action born from the worry that she might feel fear upon realizing they were in a carriage. Even in her hazy state, she tightly squeezed the rough hand that had found hers.

And before long, she fell back into a deep sleep.

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