Vivian sat before the dressing mirror, her flamboyant red hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves, a stark contrast to her usual tidy updo. Her red eyes, still rimmed with the traces of earlier tears, took in her own reflection.
She had been crying, hard enough to smudge the makeup she wasn't accustomed to wearing. The memory of her emotions crashing over her like an unrelenting tide was still fresh.
Anna, her ever-loyal lady-in-waiting, gently ran a brush through her fiery locks, fixing what had been mussed from all the petting and comforting. Vivian sighed.
It was almost time for breakfast.
But as she gazed at her reflection, a strange thought surfaced, one that should have occurred to her earlier. This isn't my usual style of dressing. The makeup, the gown, even the rose-scented perfume, everything was different from what she normally wore.
The original Vivian had always dressed simply, opting for practical, modest gowns, devoid of elaborate embellishments or jewelry.
She rarely wore makeup, and she had kept her hair pinned up ever since she started chasing after Duke Leonard, adopting a demure and restrained persona in an effort to win his affection.
Lavender had been her signature scent for years, a subtle fragrance she had chosen because it was what she heard that was what he preferred.
So why was she dressed so differently today?
Had she really been so absent-minded since morning that she failed to notice the change? She didn't remember giving the maids any such order. If someone in this estate had commanded them to alter her dressing style, there were only two likely culprits: Duke Leonard himself or Anna.
Leonard? No, that was unlikely. He had more pressing matters to attend to, such as his duties as head of the Mage Tower, and as the duke or, perhaps, calming the female protagonist. She thought, That left only one possibility.
Vivian turned slightly to glance at Anna through the mirror. "Anna," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "Are you the one who asked the maids to style me differently today?"
Anna's hands paused in her hair for just a second before she resumed her work. "What do you mean, my lady?"
Vivian turned fully now, her eyes locked onto Anna's reflection. "This dress is fancier than my usual ones. They even applied makeup on me and let my hair down.
My bathwater and perfume were rose-scented instead of lavender. This isn't how I usually present myself, and I don't remember asking for a change. Was it you?"
Anna met her gaze through the mirror, a gentle smile curving her lips. She set the brush down and placed both hands on Vivian's shoulders, squeezing them lightly. "Yes, my lady, it was me."
Vivian blinked, surprised by how easily Anna admitted it. "Why?"
Anna's eyes softened. "Because this—" she gestured to Vivian's reflection, "—is who you truly are."
Vivian opened her mouth to protest, but Anna continued before she could speak.
"I remember when you were younger, my lady," Anna said, her voice laced with nostalgia. "You used to love dressing up. Playing dress-up and pretending you were at a ball was one of your favorite games.
You would try on different makeup looks just to see which one matched your outfits best. And jewelry, oh, how you loved collecting all sorts of beautiful pieces, just so you could adorn yourself with them."
Vivian's breath hitched. That sounded… true. Faint memories stirred in her mind, ones the original Vivian had long since buried.
"And roses," Anna continued. "You adored them so much. The Emperor and the Archduke even competed to bring you the rarest and most exquisite roses from around the world. The mages created roses in colors that didn't even exist, just to plant them beneath your window. Both in the Imperial Palace and the Archduke's castle, just so that you can wake up to the sight of roses every morning."
Vivian swallowed, her fingers tightening against the armrest of her chair. She could almost remember that, a garden of roses in every hue imaginable, their fragrance wrapping around the original Vivian like a soft embrace each morning.
"But then," Anna's voice took on a sad note, "you changed. You abandoned all the things you loved for the sake of earning the Duke's affection. You erased yourself."
A lump formed in Vivian's throat.
Anna's grip on her shoulders tightened ever so slightly. "But now that you are letting go, my lady, it is my duty to remind you of who you truly are."
Vivian felt her chest tighten as emotions swirled within her. She turned her gaze back to the mirror, staring at the woman reflected there. She was beautiful. Her vibrant hair framed her delicate face, her red eyes gleamed with life, and the elegant gown adorned her form like it belonged to royalty.
This is who I am…
Anna bent slightly, pressing her lips together in determination. "My lady, you deserve to shine the brightest. Even when you weren't trying, you still outshone them all.
So why not shine freely now? Walk with your shoulders straight and your head high. You were never born to bow to anyone. When you step out of this room, show them who you truly are."
Vivian's lips parted slightly, her heart pounding in her chest.
She reached out, hesitantly tracing her own reflection with her fingertips. The face looking back at her was one she had never had back on earth, a face full of life, of vibrancy.
Anna squeezed her hands gently. "Shine brighter than the brightest star, my lady."
A tear threatened to spill from Vivian's eye, but she quickly wiped it away. Not again. I'm not ruining my beautiful look again.
She thought to herself. "That damn author… the author never mentioned in the novel that the original Vivian was such an emotional person."
Vivian chuckled. "the author left out many important things. As usual" she thought to herself
Vivian smiled, a genuine, blooming smile, like a flower welcoming the first light of spring. "Anna, thank you. I don't know what I would do without you."
Anna's expression softened, her pride evident. "It is my honor, my lady."
Vivian took a deep breath, composing herself. Then she glanced toward the window, the golden rays of morning sunlight illuminating the garden outside. A thought crossed her mind.
"Anna, let's go to the flower garden," she said, her voice quieter now.
Anna's eyes flickered with understanding. "Yes, my lady."
They stepped outside, walking slowly through the lush gardens of the Duke's estate. Vivian took in the sight of the flowers, their petals kissed by the morning sun.
The original Vivian had always loved this place, and now that she transmigrated into her body, she also loves it, more than ever, she wanted to engrave every detail into her memory.
Anna walked beside her in silence, glancing at her mistress with an unreadable expression. Maybe I should negotiate with that bastard… she thought. If he could at least let go of this estate, she wouldn't have to lose everything.
Their peaceful moment was soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps. The head maid approached, bowing respectfully.
"Your grace, it is time for breakfast," she announced.
Anna's lips pressed into a thin line. She turned to Vivian. "You know, if you prefer, you can have your breakfast in your room."
Vivian shook her head slowly. "I know. But, Anna… this will probably be my last breakfast with him."
Anna's heart clenched.
Vivian offered a weak smile. "Let me have this last moment."
Anna wanted to protest, but she saw the resolution in Vivian's eyes. So she swallowed her worries and nodded.
"Very well, my lady."
And with that, Vivian turned toward the estate, ready to face Duke Leonard one last time.
The original Vivian always made sure to eat both her breakfast and dinner with her husband, no matter how late he was to the dining hall, she would always wait so this breakfast is to honor the original Vivian who lost her life to a love that can never be hers
Happy New Month In Advance