Chapter : 05
Valencia was fascinating— even the dining space was beautiful.
The dining room, decorated with a red theme, was so luxurious that it could rival a restaurant run by the imperial palace.
Even the serviette provided to every guest had the unique emblem of the Valencia ducal house embroidered on it.
It made one realize that a prestigious family paid attention even to a simple piece of cloth.
Diana neatly unfolded the serviette she received and placed it properly over her lap.
“Since it’s the first day, shall we have a small toast to commemorate it?”
“It would be an honor.”
As soon as Ersivan rang the bell, two sommeliers approached with wine.
For the aperitif, a low-alcohol sparkling wine was prepared.
They said it would be sweeter than other wines, but to Diana, who wasn’t used to alcohol, it still tasted bitter.
Next came the hors d’oeuvre— a fresh avocado salad.
The refreshing orange dressing enhanced the mild taste of the avocado, making it enjoyable even for Diana, who usually didn’t like sour flavors.
After enjoying the appetizers, several attendants entered the dining room pushing food carts.
The main dish was lobster.
The aroma of lobster grilled in butter and garlic made Diana swallow unconsciously.
The part served was the well-cooked tail. The shell and meat were neatly separated and placed on their plates.
She lightly squeezed half a lemon over the lobster tail, then cut the asparagus in half and ate it together.
More dishes followed one after another— soup with salted mushrooms and pumpkin, and even a tenderloin steak.
After trying all the small dishes, dessert was served last.
It was fromage, with a creamy cheese that gave off a clean sweetness.
“Shall I tell you something interesting?”
As the meal was coming to an end, the conversation slowly began. It started with Ersivan’s intriguing suggestion.
“I feel familiar with Lily. As if we were close friends who spent our childhood together.”
As he spoke, he lightly tapped the rim of his wine glass with his finger.
“That’s too kind of you. To think I could feel not unfamiliar, but rather close to you.”
Diana was about to brush it off lightly, but his serious gaze stopped her.
“I wasn’t just saying empty words. Haven’t we met somewhere before?”
“Pardon?”
“For example, when we were young.”
There it was again— that gaze.
His crimson eyes, like dark red dye spreading slowly on water, scanned her.
“I first met Your Highness when I was eleven. But even then, you were already very mature.”
“I’m not talking about when I was fifteen. Look closely. Just to make sure you really don’t remember.”
The marriage talks had taken place when Ersivan was fifteen and Lillian was eleven.
Before and after that, they had barely met even officially, let alone personally. There was no way they had any real connection.
If they had met before, it would go against the original story— and with their families not even being on good terms, that was unlikely.
“If I had met someone as beautiful as Your Highness, I wouldn’t have forgotten. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t remember anything.”
It was probably the most simple and clean answer she could give.
However, Ersivan’s face showed clear dissatisfaction.
“I see.”
With that short reply, the conversation paused.
Ersivan, who had suddenly grown quiet, lifted his glass again. This time, it was a stronger red wine instead of sparkling wine.
At first, it seemed like he was just rinsing his palate, but he kept drinking again and again.
“You should drink slowly. You might get drunk quickly.”
“I’m not that weak, so don’t worry.”
She had tried to show concern to gain some favor, but his response drew a clear line.
Diana pouted slightly at his blunt answer and tried to continue the conversation to ease the awkward atmosphere.
“When you asked if I remember… does that mean you’ve seen me somewhere else?”
“I don’t know.”
“There can be yes or no, but ‘I don’t know’ is a bit… unusual.”
“I don’t know.”
He kept repeating the same vague answer.
His slightly sulky expression showed frustration.
Diana, who was good at reading expressions, understood what it meant and felt frustrated as well.
What am I supposed to do if I really don’t remember?!
Now she understood why he kept reaching for alcohol. Even water wouldn’t quench this kind of thirst.
Diana also poured herself some wine and drank. His gaze followed her as she raised her glass.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I just don’t think Lily needs to drink.”
“It’s no fun drinking alone.”
“Oh, are you drinking for my sake?”
“…Partly?”
“You must be quite kind.”
With a lazy smile, he swirled the empty glass, his manner strangely captivating. Even his sarcasm seemed unnecessarily elegant.
Diana didn’t bother denying it.
“There’s nothing wrong with being kind.”
“There’s nothing good about it either. It’s just emotional waste.”
“But isn’t it natural to be kind to people you like?”
“The problem is, there are bad people who take advantage of that.”
“Then what should I do? Become mean and unpleasant?”
Resting her chin on her hand, she changed her expression playfully.
She raised one eyebrow and frowned slightly, pretending to act like a typical bad person.
Whether she was trying to be funny or just awkward because she rarely got angry, it was unclear.
Ersivan didn’t hide the smile that slipped out.
“You look good.”
“Should I act like this toward you as well, Your Highness?”
“Evan.”
“…Alright. Evan. Should I act this way toward you too?”
As soon as she used a formal title, he corrected her. Even while drinking, he insisted on hearing what he wanted.
His persistence made her inwardly click her tongue.
“You can act however you like with me, Lily.”
That shameless answer came out so naturally that it was almost impressive.
“What if you’re one of those people who takes advantage of kindness?”
Though it sounded playful, half of it was sincere.
Just before he answered, the wine glass loosely held between his fingers tipped over onto the table.
Ersivan casually wiped the wine from his lips with the back of his hand. It could have looked crude, but somehow, when he did it, it looked like a painting.
Then he leaned forward, almost collapsing onto the table, resting his head on one arm as he looked up at Diana.
“How do I seem?”
His voice was soft and lazy, mixed with an unusual playfulness.
Diana felt something strange and slowly lifted her head.
Ersivan had lost his usual noble posture and was sprawled across the table.
“Do I seem like one of those people?”
Faced with his unfamiliar 모습, Diana couldn’t respond immediately. He urged her again.
His words came slower than usual, yet his pronunciation was clearer. The atmosphere felt unfamiliar— almost unsettling.
“There’s no way. Rather, you’re one of the few people I can show kindness to.”
She answered boldly, pretending nothing was wrong. It was like putting into practice what she had learned from him today.
“Why?”
His slightly closed eyes no longer showed their red color. Only his sharp features and long eye shape remained.
“Why do you say that?”
She thought he was speaking to himself, but it was directed at her.
“Am I included in that category?”
“…Category?”
“The category of people you trust.”
Her body stiffened. Sitting upright, the height difference between them became clear.
Even though Ersivan was below her line of sight, it felt as if he was the one looking down on her.
His gaze was greedy— fixed on her without blinking, persistent and heavy.
Diana hesitated at the unclear intention behind his question.
If she agreed, it would sound fake. If she denied it, it would be rude.
Should she protect manners and hide the truth, or speak honestly and risk disrespect…?
“Of course. You hold a very big place in it.”
The answer came clearly.
Diana chose the former and acted even more boldly.
People are often drawn to those similar to themselves.
If that was true, then to gain his favor, she was willing to become Ersivan Valencia.
“That’s nice to hear.”
At some point, his glass was filled again.
Tilting it gently, Ersivan eventually raised the glass toward her face.
“Then I should repay that trust.”
Through the glass, under his gaze, Diana appeared submerged in the red liquid.
As if she were soaked in blood.
