Several minutes later, Vivian had finally calmed down from all the crying. Anna had not shed a single tear during the ordeal despite her heartbroken she was by her mistress's tears, she also felt like crying but she had to remain by Vivian's side and give her her support, offering silent comfort.
Now that Vivian had settled, Anna handed her a cup of warm tea to soothe her raw throat, still trembling from the aftershocks of her sobs. The tea's floral aroma filled the room, a calming contrast to the storm of emotions that had just passed.
"Luckily it has not gone cold" Anna muttered
Although Vivian had cried herself to sleep last night, she had still managed to wake up looking as flawless as ever. Her radiant complexion had hidden any signs of distress, and her meticulously applied makeup had covered any hint of her turmoil. But now?
Now, with her makeup ruined, her red and swollen eyes filled with vulnerability, she looked utterly pitiful, yet somehow, even more captivating. She resembled a helpless rabbit that had just been bullied, evoking a protective instinct in anyone who saw her. Even Anna, who had grown up with Vivian, couldn't help but marvel at how someone could be so effortlessly enchanting.
Despite the embarrassment evident in her flushed cheeks and ears, as she clumsily dabbed at her runny nose with a handkerchief, she still looked heartbreakingly adorable. Her current state wasn't the least bit ladylike, but her natural charm more than compensated for it.
Anna had known Vivian all her life, yet even she hadn't grown immune to her allure. Only a Few men had ever managed to keep a straight face around her without blushing, and even women found themselves mesmerized.
Which was why Anna simply could not comprehend how that foolish Duke remained unaffected.
Was he even a real man?
Could he even perform?
Because, to her, there was simply no other explanation for his immunity to Vivian's beauty.
People often compared Vivian to the ancient bloodsuckers from the City of Doom because of her beauty and striking red hair and eyes, but even they could not rival her beauty. To Anna, her mistress was a kind-hearted goddess, unmatched in grace.
But while Anna was lost in admiration, Vivian was busy scheming.
She had successfully cleared Anna's doubts today, but she knew she wasn't entirely out of danger.
Anna was fiercely protective, and if the past was any indication, she would do anything, absolutely anything to take revenge on those who had wronged Vivian.
In fact, most of the suffering the female protagonist and her family endured in the original novel had been orchestrated by Anna's vengeful nature.
And now, after her dramatic display last night and this morning, Vivian was certain Anna's mind was already filled with sinister thoughts of retaliation.
She had made a mistake.
Her arrogance as a transmigrator had clouded her judgment.
She had treated the situation as if she had complete control, simply because she knew the story.
But that was foolish.
She didn't even know the novel's ending. She had been far too reckless, especially in dealing with the female protagonist, who was nothing like a typical heroine.
She should have been more careful.
Smarter transmigrators always avoided the main characters.
Yet she had foolishly provoked hers instead.
But that was a problem for another day.
Right now, she needed to focus on stopping Anna from exacting revenge.
Vivian took a slow, steady breath before speaking.
"Anna," she called out softly, her voice laced with hesitation.
Anna immediately turned to her, concern still evident in her sharp gaze.
Vivian lowered her gaze, as if weighed down by her thoughts. "I've been thinking since yesterday." She paused deliberately. "I don't like how I reacted. I know people think it's normal, but… I feel ashamed."
Anna's brows furrowed in confusion.
"And I know you're upset on my behalf, but I don't want revenge," Vivian continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want to wish Leonard happiness and divorce him peacefully."
Anna's expression darkened.
Vivian braced herself.
"In the first place," she added, "it's not as if he wanted this marriage. It's only right that I let him go."
Anna's hands clenched into tight fists. "But, my lady, arranged marriages are common among nobles! The Duke knew that when he accepted. It's not as if he was already in love with someone else."
Vivian's heart pounded.
Here it was.
Anna's sense of justice for her mistress.
"If it wasn't you, it would have been another noblewoman or perhaps even your cousin, the princess!" Anna continued, her voice burning with anger.
"His father was already pushing for an engagement with the imperial family back then. It was only because it did not work out that he decided to accept your father's proposal, He has no excuse to treat you this way!"
Vivian reached for Anna's hand, squeezing it gently in an attempt to calm her down.
"Anna, I know," she said softly. "But please, just promise me."
Anna's eyes flickered with frustration. "My lady…"
"Please, Anna." Vivian looked up at her with wide, shimmering eyes. "You're the one who loves me the most in this world right?"
It was the ultimate move—the original Vivian's signature tactic.
Acting cute and pitiful.
And it worked every time.
Anna let out a defeated sigh. Her anger wavered under Vivian's irresistible gaze.
"My lady, this is cheating," she grumbled.
Vivian held her breath.
"But… since I can't say no to you, I promise."
Vivian beamed.
Immediately, she leaped forward to hug Anna. "I knew you'd agree! Thank you, Anna! I love you so much!"
Anna smiled, hugging her back. "Not as much as you love that bastard of a Duke," she muttered, still displeased.
Vivian pouted, pulling back slightly.
"Anna, don't be jealous. You know you're my favorite person in the world."
Anna rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, so you always say."
But her voice held no real annoyance.
Instead, she reached up and patted Vivian's head, letting out a sigh of indulgence.
"You know I can't win against you," she admitted.
Vivian grinned, completely satisfied.
For now, she had won.
But deep down, she knew…
The real battle was only just beginning.