Chapter 35
The sun was nearing its highest point in the sky.
With daylight making it easier to navigate the vast forest, the knights hurried to set out.
Diana, who had just finished unpacking her belongings in the barracks, was informed by Daisy about an upcoming tea gathering.
After tidying herself up, she made her way to the tea hall, where several familiar faces greeted her. Among them were young ladies who had been close to Lillian.
The moment she stepped into the hall, a swarm of people approached her.
Each one tried to persuade her to join their table.
“Lady Mernard, why don’t you sit with us? We’ve prepared the tart you like so much.”
“The tea that Lady Aria brought from her estate has the most exquisite aroma. Won’t you join us for a cup?”
One after another, they presented reasons to have Diana at their side.
Lillian had always been well-connected, but never before had Diana seen people vying for her attention so desperately.
“Unfortunately, Lady Mernard is already reserved at my table.”
A familiar voice cut through the crowd.
Its owner, with lively green hair cascading like fresh foliage, stepped forward.
At her words, the other ladies, though visibly disappointed, quietly retreated to their seats.
“I never thought I’d see you struggling in a situation like this.”
“Melinne!”
Melinne Jans.
Lillian’s closest friend.
“It’s been a while, Lillian.”
For the first time, Diana felt genuinely relieved to see Melinne.
She beamed, rushing into her embrace.
Melinne’s hands, patting her back reassuringly, felt warm.
It almost made Diana believe they had truly grown close.
She instinctively nuzzled against her shoulder.
“Come, everyone’s waiting. There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”
“Introduce?”
“To be precise, she’s interested in meeting you.”
Diana tilted her head at the cryptic remark.
No matter how much she prodded for details, Melinne merely smiled and nudged her forward.
The table they arrived at was positioned at the very center of the hall.
Melinne guided Diana to the second row of seats—indicating that she was among the most esteemed guests.
“A pleasure to meet you.”
The woman sitting at the head of the table greeted her.
Her gaze, laced with a quiet arrogance, swept Diana from head to toe.
Pale blue irises, nearly desaturated, gave off an eerie aura.
Her jet-black hair, perfectly straight, only amplified the enigmatic presence she exuded.
“Epel Cordelia.”
“Ah, I’m—”
“Lady Mernard, yes. Though your title will be changing soon, won’t it?”
Epel, still holding the teapot, poured Diana a cup of tea.
Diana hesitated before taking the cup, glancing at Epel.
The woman gave her a small nod, encouraging her to drink.
The tea tasted exactly like Epel’s presence—
Mild, yet lingering with a sharp, almost stinging aftertaste.
“The aroma is quite unique.”
“A diplomatic gift from a foreign land. I thought you might enjoy it, so I brought it with you in mind. Judging by your reaction, I seem to have chosen well.”
“You’re saying you brought it specifically for me?”
“That’s right.”
“…Excuse me?”
Diana had meant it as a mere jest—yet Epel confirmed it without hesitation.
Before she could fully process the statement, a neatly sliced piece of tart was placed before her.
Golden-brown and perfectly baked, the apple tart looked enticing.
“From the beginning, I had every intention of getting close to you.”
This time, there was no ambiguity.
Diana, now slightly unsettled, took a bite of the tart without thinking.
Had it been anyone else, she might have been flattered by their attention.
But her conversation partner was Epel Cordelia.
Epel Cordelia.
The malice was too blatant for Lillian to ignore.
She loathed her.
Epel Cordelia.
A thorough villain in the original story.
As Prince Kain Daemonhart’s fiancée, she had relentlessly aided him in tormenting Lillian and Ersivan.
But more than that, Epel had always been particularly vicious toward Lillian—
Because she had been Ersivan’s lover.
Ironically, it was because Ersivan Valencia had been Epel’s first love.
Knowing her true nature, Diana had no intention of entertaining false friendliness.
No matter the topic, she subtly maintained her distance, keeping Epel at arm’s length.
“Oh dear, such a lovely hand… and yet, it bears scars.”
“Ah, this…?”
“Did you injure yourself while embroidering?”
Epel pointed to a faint cut on Diana’s index finger.
“Ah, yes. Earlier, I caught a glimpse of the handkerchief you gifted to His Grace, the Duke of Valencia.”
Epel Cordelia spoke with a faint smile, adding a casual remark about the embroidery’s beauty.
“Beauty always demands a worthy price. The exquisite flower you’ve embroidered must be a reflection of your efforts. But to see such delicate fingers marred by injury… it pains me.”
“It’s just a small cut. You needn’t trouble yourself over it.”
Diana offered a polite smile, feeling slightly uncomfortable with Epel’s exaggerated concern over something so trivial.
Epel, seemingly about to continue discussing the embroidery, suddenly shifted the conversation. She must have sensed that Diana was too wary to be swayed easily.
“I, too, gifted His Highness the Crown Prince an embroidered piece. Perhaps Lady Mernard has not seen it?”
If she couldn’t steer the topic in one direction, she would simply redirect it to herself.
Diana shook her head. Arriving at the last moment, she had barely had the chance to see what the others had prepared.
“I embroidered a fierce beast for His Highness—a majestic golden lion, as radiant as his hair.”
“That sounds wonderful. What a shame I didn’t get to see it. Your craftsmanship is remarkable, so I’m sure it must be exquisite.”
“If you’re truly curious, why not come and see it yourself? His Highness would surely welcome you as well.”
Epel extended an invitation—subtly urging Diana to visit her tent before the subjugation hunt ended.
“That’s very kind of you, but unfortunately, I’m rather shy. I’d likely only be a dull guest.”
It was already burdensome enough to deal with Epel alone. The thought of spending time with both her and Prince Kain Daemonhart in a private setting was even less appealing.
Diana hoped a vague excuse would suffice.
“Oh, how could time spent together possibly be dull? That would wound me, Lady Mernard.”
“That wasn’t my intention, of course…”
“But you greeted His Highness so warmly earlier. Surely, it wouldn’t be an awkward meeting.”
Diana frowned slightly.
A warm greeting with Prince Kain?
Epel was either oblivious or deliberately trying to get under her skin.
Considering who she was, it was almost certainly the latter.
For someone so insistent on forming a connection with Diana, Epel certainly wasn’t making things easy.
“His Highness the Crown Prince, as well as His Grace the Duke, must be quite busy. I doubt such a visit would be entirely up to me. But if the opportunity arises, I’d be happy to accept your invitation.”
Diana’s response was carefully worded—turning the decision over to Ersivan, who wasn’t even present.
With the excuse now out of her hands, Epel had no choice but to let the matter drop.
Sensing the tension ease, Melinne Jans raised her voice to address her friend.
“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask, but I’ve been too busy to write. How’s your new home treating you?”
“Everyone has been very kind. There’s never a moment to feel lonely or bored. It’s far better than I expected.”
“I knew it. The moment I saw you, I could tell. You look like you’re absolutely glowing with happiness.”
Melinne’s teasing tone made Diana instinctively touch her face.
Had she really improved that much at pretending? Or had she been unconsciously wearing a foolish smile this entire time?
Melinne’s remark set off a chain reaction.
One by one, the young ladies around them turned their attention to Diana, their curiosity bubbling over.
“His Grace rarely appears in social circles, which makes him seem rather mysterious. There are all sorts of rumors about him being terrifying… Is that true?”
A cautious noblewoman finally voiced the question, and others quickly nodded in agreement.
After Prince Kain Daemonhart ascended as the sole heir to the throne, Ersivan had abandoned his claim and taken the duchy instead.
To secure a foundation for himself, he had rapidly expanded his house’s influence, understanding that power was the only shield he could wield.
Though he excelled in every field, he had never once sought to mingle with high society.
The imperial court was largely made up of loyalists to the royal family, so Ersivan had deemed it an unnecessary waste of effort.
Sensing this as a weakness, the empress had seized the opportunity to spread rumors about him—fueling the mystery surrounding the Duke of Valencia.
Most nobles had never actually met him in person, making it easy for them to believe the hearsay.
This was precisely why one of the conditions of Diana and Ersivan’s political marriage was to help strengthen the Valencia house’s standing within noble society.
The Mernard family had deep-rooted prestige, making them the perfect partner for introducing the Valencia name into the aristocratic world.
And now, as she sat among these nobles, Diana realized—this was exactly the moment to fulfill that role.
“Those are nothing more than groundless rumors. His Grace is very kind.”
She spoke with the utmost sincerity, her expression warm and affectionate.
No one could find a reason to doubt her.
Satisfied, the ladies quickly accepted her words.
After a brief pause, one girl, who had been hesitating throughout the conversation, finally gathered the courage to ask:
“Then… do you believe you will fall in love with him in the future?”
The question was bold—both romantic and incredibly inappropriate.
The surrounding ladies stiffened at the unexpected turn, yet none stopped her.
It was an intriguing enough question that everyone secretly wanted to hear the answer.
Diana picked up her teacup, taking her time.
How should I answer?
Sipping slowly, she bought herself a moment to think.
But the grains of sand in the hourglass were running out.
She would have to respond before they all settled.
What is the best possible answer?
Finally, after finishing the last sip of tea, she set the cup down.
“Of course.”
There was no perfect answer.
But in the end, it didn’t matter.
No matter what she said, he would only smile that sly, knowing smile—
And in his velvety voice, he would purr about how pleased he was.
“I believe that I will.”
So she spoke the truth.
All the while, imagining a future where Lillian and Ersivan found their happy ending.
