Vivian reclined in the grand velvet armchair by her bedside, her gaze fixed on the crackling flames dancing within the fireplace. The warmth wrapped around her, driving away the lingering chill that clung to her skin, yet her mind was far from at ease.
Memories of The Duke's Passionate Love once again flooded her thoughts after setting her eyes on Anna, each intricate thread of the novel weaving a tangled web of relationships and conflict.
The world she now inhabited felt as if it were on the edge of chaos, and no detail escaped her scrutiny. One particular strand, however, demanded her attention: the animosity between Anna and Isla.
Vivian could recall with clarity how Anna, fiercely loyal to the original Vivian, had gone to great lengths to destroy Isla's life. Her actions were merciless and calculated, pushing Isla and her family deeper into despair.
While Isla's family was already teetering on the edge of financial ruin, Anna had ensured their fall. Her mother's dominance over the empire's fashion industry and her father's massive wealth and formidable connection had given Anna a formidable weapon.
Fashion houses abruptly severed ties with Isla's family business. Merchants, previously willing to extend credit or negotiate deals, suddenly turned hostile and refused to trade with them. Invitations to events that could have helped rebuild their reputation vanished, replaced by whispered gossip and disdain.
Anna's actions weren't just those of a loyal servant defending her mistress. They were deliberate and personal. In the original story, Anna had always resented Isla, viewing her as someone who shamelessly exploited her mistress, the original Vivian's kind and benevolent nature.
Isla and the Duke's public affair had humiliated Vivian in high society, making her a laughingstock among the nobles. Anna had considered it her duty to protect her innocent mistress, the original Vivian, even if it meant using ruthless methods and so she did.
The consequences for Isla were devastating. Vivian remembered vividly how Isla's parents, desperate to salvage what remained of their crumbling reputation, had locked their daughter away. They sought to marry her off to a wealthy nobleman who could save their fortunes. This man was a marquess, one of the many supporting characters in the novel.
The marquess was no ordinary suitor. He is in his early twenties, he was a strikingly handsome noble with immense wealth and a prestigious title. As a marquess, his rank placed him among the most influential figures in the empire, though he lacked the overwhelming power of the male leads. Despite this, he was considered an ideal match for any noblewoman, including Isla.
Vivian could recall how the marquess had become infatuated with Isla. According to the novel, they had first met during an afternoon at a teahouse. The marquess had been targeted by a pickpocket, and it was Isla who had stepped in to retrieve his stolen belongings. Her quick thinking and bravery had left a lasting impression on him, and he had since showered her with gifts and attention.
Even as Isla's family fell into disgrace, the marquess had remained loyal. He had defended her against the mockery of other noble ladies and offered financial support to her family. For a time, it seemed as though he might be Isla's and her family's salvation.
But Vivian knew better. She remembered how this seemingly promising alliance had been doomed from the start.
Isla's arranged marriage to the marquess was thwarted by Damian, one of the male leads of The Duke's Passionate Love. Damian's role in the novel has always intrigued Vivian. As the youngest captain of the Light Order, his rise to prominence had been nothing short of extraordinary.
The Light Order was no ordinary knightly order. They were an elite force, revered throughout the empire for their unwavering devotion to the god of light, Leuhtaz.
Unlike other military units, the Light Order answered only to the saintess, the living embodiment of Leuhtaz's will. Even the emperor could not command them.
Damian's position as captain of the Light Order was remarkable not only because of his skill but also because of his humble origins. Born a commoner and orphaned at a young age, he had defied all odds to rise to the highest ranks of the empire's most prestigious order. His unparalleled holy power had set him apart, earning him the respect and admiration of his peers.
It was this power, combined with his unwavering determination, that had allowed Damian to rescue Isla. Vivian recalled how Damian had orchestrated a daring operation to free Isla from the secluded estate where she was being held.
The estate was heavily guarded, with knights loyal to the marquess ensuring that no one could interfere with the arranged marriage. But Damian, armed with his holy power and exceptional skill, had managed to infiltrate the estate and whisk Isla away.
The rescue had caused a scandal of epic proportions. News of Damian's actions spread like wildfire, leaving the marquess humiliated and Isla's parents disgraced. The nobility was abuzz with gossip, debating the audacity of Damian's defiance.
Yet, his actions only cemented his status as one of the male leads, a hero willing to risk everything for the woman he loved earning him the admiration of many readers and fans who support him being with the female protagonist compared to the other male leads.
Vivian's thoughts drifted to the marquess, a character who had been briefly mentioned in the novel but had nonetheless played a pivotal role in Isla's story.
Though he was wealthy and handsome, he had been no match for the male leads, who were the crème de la crème of the empire. Compared to the crown prince, the archduke heir (Vivian's own brother), and Damian and the other male leads, the marquess's achievements seemed almost insignificant.
Yet, in any other context, he would have been considered an ideal match for any noblewoman.
It was ironic, Vivian thought, how Isla's parents had viewed the marquess as their salvation. He was carefully selected by Isla's parents from her long list of suitors.
They had seen him as a way to restore their family's status, yet their desperation had only led to further ruin. The marquess's plans to marry Isla had been thwarted not just by Damian but by the collective efforts of the male leads.
They had banded together to destroy him, ensuring that he could never again pose a threat to Isla or their own romantic pursuits, another pitiful victim of the female protagonist's selfishness.
Talking of the captain of the light order, Vivian couldn't help but admire Damian's courage and determination. His background as a commoner made his achievements all the more impressive. Yet, his connection to the Light Order also underscored the novel's deeper themes of faith and divine intervention.
The Light Order's power stemmed from their ability to wield holy energy, a gift granted to them by Leuhtaz. This energy allowed them to perform miraculous feats, from devastating attacks to having an extremely strong almost inhuman body and strength and a faster healing pace compared to others.
The captain of the Light Order was particularly exceptional, possessing holy power rivaled only by the pope and the saintess and also the captain of the white order is the only knight with the holy power strong enough to cast self healing just as only the pope and the saintess are the ones with enough holy power to cause large scale damage or attack.
Speaking of the saintess, Vivian's thoughts drifted to her. In the novel, the saintess had yet to make her appearance, but her importance was undeniable. She was said to be the reincarnation of Pyro, the goddess of fire, and the younger sister of Iglaz, the god of fire and flame.
The story of Pyro's sacrifice was one of the most poignant tales in the novel's lore. During a divine war, the gods of Leuhtaz had faced an invasion from a rival pantheon. The enemy gods sought to destroy the faith of Leuhtaz's followers, knowing that divine power was tied to mortal belief.
Pyro had been a beacon of hope during this war. Though not as powerful as her brother, Iglaz, she had fought valiantly to protect the people of the empire. When Iglaz had faltered under the relentless assault of the enemy gods, Pyro had made the ultimate sacrifice.
She had transferred all her divine energy to her brother, strengthening him enough to turn the tide of battle. And using her goddess body to protect the people of the empire, after losing her powers, her immortal form unable to withstand the strain, had crumbled, her fiery essence extinguished.
Yet, her sacrifice had not been in vain. Iglaz, empowered by Pyro's energy, had vanquished the enemy gods and secured the empire's survival.
Pyro's soul, however, had been too weakened to return to the celestial plane. Instead, it had been bound to the mortal realm, destined to reincarnate as a human.
The legend of Pyro's sacrifice had become a cornerstone of the empire's faith, a tale of love, courage, and selflessness that inspired countless generations.
Vivian felt a pang of sorrow as she reflected on Pyro's story. Though she was now a part of this world, she couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider.
The weight of the novel's intricate history and relationships pressed heavily on her, reminding her of the challenges that lay ahead especially when she recollected the type of person Anna is and how vengeful she is when it comes to her mistress, she can't help but have headache considering her actions might affect her plans
The crackling flames in the fireplace seemed to flicker in time with her thoughts, their warmth a small comfort in the face of the vast, complex world she now found herself in. Vivian took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She would need all her wits and determination to navigate the trials ahead.
But as she gazed into the fire, a small spark of hope ignited within her. If Pyro could make such a profound sacrifice for the sake of others, then perhaps Vivian could find a way to rewrite the tragedies of the story.
She was no longer a mere reader. She was a part of this world now, and she would do everything in her power to change its course.