"Ah!" Vivian shouted in frustration, gripping her hair as the overwhelming irritation boiled over. She couldn't help but curse her luck. If only the author had finished the novel before she transmigrated into it! What a completely messed-up situation!
Her mind spun with confusion as she tried to make sense of the events. According to the original novel, the male lead—her husband, the duke—had supposedly stabbed the original host with a sword. But now that she thought about it more carefully, the novel only mentioned him pointing the sword at her. Pointing. Then how on earth did she end up being stabbed? And why was she only now recalling that specific line when she hadn't even paid attention to it while reading the story before?
"As expected," Vivian muttered, pacing the room, "things are not as simple as they seem." The more she thought about it, the more unnerved she became. Transmigration was terrifying in its own right, but there was clearly something suspicious about the original host's death.
Yet, the worst part was that she had no way of finding out the truth. She had already taken over the original host's body, and she had no intention of living the same miserable life the villainess had. She'd chosen a completely different path: she'd divorced the male lead and even gone as far as helping him get together with the female protagonist, ensuring the heroine wouldn't be snatched up by one of the other male leads.
After all, in the original novel, the female protagonist never chose her male lead among the three vying for her. It felt as though Vivian was inadvertently helping the duke achieve his happy ending.
But none of that changed the fact that she had no desire to reenact the original host's story just to uncover the truth behind her death. Why would she? She had just gained a healthy body after all she'd been through in her previous life.
She wasn't about to gamble it away on some reckless quest to solve a mystery. Sure, this world was magical and full of fantastical possibilities, but what if she really died? What if she didn't get the chance to transmigrate again or return to her original world? What if death here was final? No second chances, no rebirths, no miracles. It would be a double loss, a risk she wasn't willing to take.
Having lived on the brink of death for so long, Vivian was all too aware of how precious her newfound life was. She'd barely begun to experience what it felt like to live without the shadow of illness hanging over her.
Besides, this wasn't just some primitive, ancient world. While the setting felt historical, the presence of magic had advanced their technology far beyond Earth's capabilities.
With the Emperor sponsoring brilliant minds, they had inventions powered by magic that rivaled or even surpassed what she'd known on Earth. Some of the conveniences here didn't even exist in her previous life, and she wasn't going to throw all that away chasing answers to a mystery that didn't concern her anymore.
"Who cares how the original host died?" she muttered under her breath. "I have a new life to live, and I'm not wasting it on something that could get me killed."
From the glimpses of the original Vivian's memories, she could see just how fascinating this world truly was, filled with wonders she couldn't wait to experience. With her newfound wealth, she could embark on a grand world tour, exploring the various kingdoms and tribes, indulging in exotic delicacies, and immersing herself in diverse traditions and cultures.
The mere thought of it brought a smile to her face. And why not? She had the resources to live life to the fullest—traveling in luxury, savoring freedom, and perhaps even surrounding herself with charming, handsome men to keep her company.
This was a life she could never have dreamed of in her previous world, where she had been confined to a small room, tethered to machines, and surviving on a cocktail of drugs just to stay alive.
Here, she was no longer a prisoner of her own body. "There's nothing more wonderful than being healthy," Vivian muttered to herself, her voice tinged with both awe and relief. She stretched her arms and admired her strong, healthy figure, a stark contrast to the frail, sickly body she had once known.
Now, she had everything: health, wealth, and freedom. With the world at her feet and no chains holding her back, she felt an intoxicating joy she had never experienced before. For once, her life was truly hers to live.
The original host had grown up cherished and pampered like a precious jewel, surrounded by doting family members and attendants who treated her like the treasure of the Archduke's household.
Her beauty was the envy of all, with naturally soft, glowing skin and flamboyant red silky hair that seemed almost otherworldly. Those around her were meticulous in their care, ensuring she was always radiant and perfectly presented. Every detail, from her clothes to her skincare routine, was handled with the utmost attention and effort.
As the Archduke's beloved daughter and the Emperor's cherished niece, Vivian's life had been one of unparalleled luxury. Her family adored her, and each of them competed to spoil her in their own way.
Only the finest things were allowed to touch her life. Her meals were crafted from the best ingredients, freshly killed monster meat brimming with mana essence to nourish her body, and rare, exotic fruits, many of them magical, either harvested from the Emperor's personal farms or imported from far-off lands. Even her perfumes were masterpieces, created by the Empire's most renowned perfumers using flowers cultivated exclusively in the Imperial Gardens.
Her bathing rituals were no less extravagant. Freshly picked scented flowers from the Imperial Gardens were delivered daily to prepare her baths, ensuring her skin stayed soft, supple, and fragrant.
The care that went into maintaining her body made her strong and nearly immune to illness. Her figure was perfect, with every curve in just the right place, a testament to the indulgent and meticulous care she had received since birth.
Looking down at her current body, Vivian couldn't help but marvel. "If only my body on Earth had been this healthy" and well cared for… she thought wistfully. She could only imagine how her life might have been different if she had grown up with the same advantages, free from sickness and surrounded by such abundance.
Still, in this moment, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunity to live in a body so vibrant, strong, and full of life.