Chapter : 16
Daisy, who discovered the young lady with blue-tinted lips, was startled and hurriedly handed her a blanket.
“Was the temperature too low? Oh dear, what should we do?”
“No, it was fine. Don’t worry too much.”
It wasn’t a white lie meant to calm her down—the temperature really had been appropriate.
If anyone was to blame, it would be Diana, who had dunked her face into the water and stayed submerged.
Diana, whose movements were still a bit stiff, casually brushed off the layers of blankets wrapped over her gown.
“How was it with His Highness?”
Seeing the young lady looking somewhat down, Daisy deliberately brought up what had happened in the afternoon.
She seemed to think that changing the topic to when they were alone together would cheer her up.
“It was just… a lesson.”
However, contrary to expectations, Diana’s response was indifferent.
“But for ‘just a lesson,’ you received quite an important gift, didn’t you?”
“Rather than an important gift… it was a belated engagement ring.”
Their exchange was tense, like a clash between spear and shield.
Daisy glanced repeatedly at Diana through the mirror.
Before entering the bath, she had been nothing more than a shy young girl. What kind of change had come over her? Now she was unbelievably prickly.
No—rather, she seemed depressed.
Like a child who realized the candy wasn’t truly hers.
“If His Highness knew you thought that way, he would feel quite hurt.”
Meeting Diana’s gaze in the mirror, Daisy smiled softly.
“His Highness cares for you a great deal, after all.”
Daisy recalled the time before Ersivan’s fiancée arrived at the estate.
The first thing Ersivan had said when he called her into his office was:
‘Take good care of her. It won’t be easy for her to adjust.’
Though brief, the words carried many implications.
Daisy was one of the maids who had worked there long enough to even be considered for the head maid position. Assigning her meant the master of the house was very favorable toward the incoming guest.
But the young lady, unaware of this, was quick to deny it.
“He’s just kind to everyone.”
“But this is the first time he’s shown interest in the opposite sex.”
Having observed her lord for a long time, Daisy knew him well.
Ersivan Valencia, whom she had served, was indifferent to others.
A man already uninterested in people—how much more so when it came to romance?
For years, he had treated women like stones.
If he lacked looks or wealth, it would be understandable—but Ersivan had more than enough of both.
It had even led to absurd rumors that he preferred men.
“His Highness is someone with very clear likes and dislikes. There’s no in-between for him.”
Of course, he had far more things he disliked than liked…
Daisy chose not to mention that last part and concluded:
“He does seem that way.”
Diana recalled how much he liked lavender. A man who usually showed no emotion had clearly revealed his feelings over something as trivial as a flower.
“He seems to like lavender quite a bit.”
Realizing it might sound ambiguous, she quickly clarified the subject.
“That’s right. He does like it.”
Daisy agreed as she brushed through Diana’s now fully dried golden hair.
“I heard someone recommended it to him… So it wasn’t you, Daisy?”
“No. I don’t know who recommended it either. One day, His Highness asked for it, so I simply brought it to him.”
An image of Ersivan flickered in Daisy’s mind.
‘So this is what it smells like.’
‘Do you like it?’
‘…I’m not sure. Whether I like it because it reminds me of the past, or because it’s simply good.’
Her slightly younger master, sitting by the window, fiddling with lavender.
It was the first time she had seen such a gentle expression on him. Even now, she could clearly remember his face buried in a pile of lavender, smiling.
“Anyway, His Highness isn’t the type to consistently look after someone he doesn’t care about.”
At that moment, Diana recalled the Ersivan who had once stripped away all pretense and said he kept nothing useless by his side.
‘So in any case, he won’t touch me.’
No matter the reason, as long as her identity wasn’t exposed, Ersivan wouldn’t harm her.
‘Whether he likes me or hates me, I’m important to him for now.’
A calm stillness settled around Diana.
‘Then I should make good use of that.’
At last, Diana decided to put her prepared plan into action.
So-called: building rapport with Ersivan Valencia.
She intended to create favorable feelings between them, person to person, to make their future contract smoother.
Just as she had wavered for a moment despite knowing it was all an act, perhaps Ersivan’s vague hatred might also be covered by new emotions.
“Daisy, could you prepare some lavender for me?”
“Ah, yes! But what will you use it for?”
“To give to His Highness.”
She had intended to stay quietly and leave—but now it seemed she had to try something.
If she remained idle, she would be completely consumed by him.
So before that happened, she decided to at least struggle.
Diana stood before the door, took a deep breath, and knocked.
But there was no response from inside.
She had come after hearing he was working through the night to finish his tasks. With his sharp hearing, there was no way he hadn’t heard her.
Puzzled, she knocked again.
By the time she had struck the door five times—
“I told you not to disturb me while I’m working.”
The solemn voice sent a chill down her spine.
A wave of regret came too late. Perhaps this had been a mistake. Instead of gaining favor, she might have only made a bad impression.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I was wondering if you might spare me a moment…”
Just as she was debating whether to leave or wait, the door suddenly opened.
When Ersivan confirmed that the person outside was indeed Diana, his face showed both surprise and embarrassment.
He repeatedly ran his hand over his face before finally speaking.
“I mistook you for someone else… Please, come in.”
“You seem busy. Shall I come back later?”
“No, I’m free. What I said just now… was a slip of the tongue. It’s cold outside—please come in.”
First telling her not to enter, then immediately welcoming her upon recognizing her identity—what a contradiction.
“Then excuse me.”
Diana entered the study without further hesitation.
The room was more simply decorated than she had expected—perfect for focusing on work.
Ersivan seated her on the sofa first, then quickly prepared some tea.
When he sat beside her, Diana handed him the lavender she had been hiding.
“I actually came to thank you.”
“I told you it was nothing.”
“And I also said I don’t want my feelings dismissed.”
As expected, he tried to refuse.
Diana responded with a confident smile. This time, it was Ersivan who fell silent.
“…Very well. Then I’ll accept it gratefully.”
Just as she was about to hand over the neatly wrapped bouquet—
“Ah, one moment. Could you hold onto it for now?”
“…Huh?”
Hadn’t he just said he’d accept it? It sounded like a roundabout noble way of refusing.
Seeing her obvious disappointment, he continued:
“It’s nothing much—I’d just like to capture it once.”
“Capture it?”
“On paper.”
In other words, he wanted to draw.
He stood up and brought back a fountain pen and paper.
“Um… should I stay like this?”
“You can relax. There’s no need to be conscious of it.”
Unfortunately, Diana wasn’t as easygoing as he assumed.
Unable to fully trust him, she kept adjusting her posture.
“But why suddenly draw?”
“I just felt like it.”
“…Me?”
“More precisely, you holding the lavender.”
He was completely absorbed, his gaze fixed only on Diana and the paper.
The scratching sound of the pen filled the room. Each time his eyes traced over her, more ink marks appeared on the page.
A quick glance revealed the drawing was already remarkably refined. Despite being done quickly, it already had a distinct quality.
“…Evan, you’re very skilled at drawing too.”
Unlike Diana, who fumbled at most things, Ersivan excelled at everything.
Perhaps the only thing he couldn’t do… was be bad at something.
“It’s nothing. The subject is simply beautiful, so it turns out well.”
He answered calmly—so skillfully that even his insincerity sounded like truth.
“What were you like as a child, Lily?”
“As a child?”
“I was wondering if you were similar to how you are now.”
If it were Lilian, perhaps—but Diana’s childhood had been miserable.
Even knowing he was asking about Lilian, she found herself recalling her own past.
“Well… I suppose I wasn’t as good as I am now.”
“That can’t be. You must have been just as radiant back then.”
“Do you really think so?”
As if signaling the end, Ersivan lifted the paper from his lap.
“Of course. You’re beautiful.”
He scanned the finished drawing, then slowly smiled.
In the picture, she was more beautiful than anything else.
So much so that nothing in the world could compare.
