Happy New Month Guys and also in addy to me, I believe I should expect a birthday gift from you all.
The sound of heels tapping against polished marble echoed through the grand corridors of the Duke's manor as Vivian and Anna made their way to the dining hall. The head maid followed a few steps behind, her hands clasped neatly in front of her, her posture rigid with discipline.
Vivian moved with practiced elegance, the soft rustle of her gown blending with the quiet morning ambiance. The scent of freshly baked bread and brewed tea drifted through the air, but her attention was elsewhere.
As soon as she stepped into the dining hall, her gaze landed on Leonard, already seated at the head of the table. It was an unusual sight—he had never arrived before her, the original Vivian in all the years of their marriage. A wry smile tugged at her lips. He must be eager for his newfound freedom.
Leonard, deep in thought with a newspaper in his hand, glanced up at her entrance. For a brief moment, his expression faltered. His eyes widened ever so slightly, lingering on her face, and a flicker of something unreadable crossed his features. His grip on the paper tightened.
Vivian saw it.
The way his ears turned a faint shade of red.
She smirked. He still remembers last night.
The newspaper in his hand was the latest edition, fresh off the press this morning. Even from where she stood, she could make out the bold headline and the large, glossy image beneath it. Her, Leonard, and Isla.
Just as she had expected.
The noble society thrived on scandals, and with reporters present at last night's event, it was only natural for them to sensationalize the drama. Vivian had anticipated this, after all, her declaration of divorce had been bold, public, and far too tempting for journalists to ignore.
But there was something else.
She recalled a similar incident in the original novel. A certain journalist, a rising star in the press world, had maliciously slandered Vivian, painting her as a scheming villainess. His newspaper, highly regarded for its noble gossip, had ruined her reputation overnight. Only much later in the novel did it come to light that he was working closely with Isla.
Not only was he in love with her, but he was also her business associate.
Isla owned thirty percent of his newspaper company.
She had personally fed him juicy gossip, sometimes even orchestrating minor scandals to keep his publication relevant. She had helped him sneak into noble estates, uncovering secrets to fill the papers with.
With such a strong credibility in delivering "truthful" gossip, it had been all too easy for them to paint the original Vivian as a wicked woman in disguise.
Not this time.
Just because she doesn't want to get involved with the female protagonist of the original novel doesn't mean that she will tolerate her stepping all over her
If that journalist dared to slander her again, she would expose his connections to Isla herself.
She met Leonard's gaze evenly, her smirk unwavering. She did not doubt that he, too, had seen the article.
"You are here," Leonard finally spoke, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but there was a subtle stiffness to it.
It was ironic. This was likely the first time in their marriage that he had arrived at the dining hall before her. Now that he knew he was soon to be free, he was suddenly punctual?
Vivian gracefully made her way to her seat. "Good morning, Your Grace. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, I did. And you?"
Before Vivian could answer, Anna scoffed and spoke up instead, her sharp voice cutting through the air.
"Of course, you did, Your Grace," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "After the mess you caused last night with your so-called lover, my mistress hardly had the luxury of a peaceful sleep.
I just hope you have a good excuse prepared for His Majesty at the imperial court today. And for His Royal Highness when he returns from the battlefield."
A tense silence settled over the room.
Anna's words were bold—borderline disrespectful. It was unheard of for a lady in waiting for a princess to speak to a Duke this way most especially when he is her mistress husband.
There was a clear hierarchy in noble society, and as a mere lady in waiting from a baron family, Anna should have lowered her head in the presence of a Duke.
But she didn't.
She looked Leonard straight in the eyes, as if challenging him.
Leonard's expression remained unreadable. The grip on his silverware tightened slightly, but he did not retaliate.
Vivian sighed, though she couldn't fault Anna for her outburst. The maid was simply loyal. Fiercely loyal.
"Anna," she said softly, a warning.
Anna pursed her lips, clearly unwilling to back down. "Yes, Your Highness."
Vivian turned to Leonard, offering a serene smile. "Forgive her, Your Grace. She is only upset on my behalf. I hope you won't take it to heart."
Leonard exhaled and placed the newspaper down beside his plate. "I'm not the type to hold grudges," he said simply before picking up his cutlery.
Vivian almost laughed.
Not the type to hold grudges?
That's rich, coming from a man who spent the entire novel making life difficult for the original Vivian and being the female protagonist's loyal knight, taking revenge with the other male leads on her behalf here and there.
Still, she played along. "That's very generous of you, Your Grace."
Breakfast was served, and the maids moved efficiently, placing the dishes down with delicate precision. A comfortable silence stretched between them as they ate.
Until Anna remembered something.
Or rather, pretended to.
She set her cutlery down and turned to Leonard, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"Your Grace," she said innocently, "I recall that you had a guest last night. Yet, I don't see her at the table this morning. Surely, there's no issue? Or… perhaps you intend to blame my mistress for not taking proper care of your guest?"
Vivian hid her amusement behind her teacup.
Anna knew exactly what she was doing.
It was no secret that none of the servants in the mansion liked Isla. And now that their kind and benevolent Madam had announced her divorce, they despised her even more.
Which meant that Isla had likely not been treated well.
Vivian already guessed that Isla hadn't eaten since last night. And Anna, oh clever Anna, was forcing Leonard to acknowledge it.
She knew that Leonard had not met with Isla since yesterday night, he also probably neglected her or maybe even forgot about her.
Leonard's fork hovered mid-air for a second.
Then, without looking up, he continued eating.
Anna's smirk widened.
She turned to the headmaid. "Fetch Lady Isla. Tell her to join us for breakfast."
The head maid hesitated. She cast a glance at Leonard, as if seeking silent permission.
Leonard didn't react.
Vivian remained impassive.
With no other choice, the head maid bowed and left the room.
Minutes passed.
And then—
A frail, disheveled Isla entered the dining hall.
Her golden hair, usually styled to perfection, was slightly messy. Her complexion was pale, her lips pressed into a thin line. It was clear she had not eaten, and even clearer that she was furious about it.
But what could she do?
She wasn't the Duchess.
Vivian, poised and composed, simply took another sip of her tea.
Isla stiffened, no doubt realizing how pathetically outmatched she looked next to her.
The hatred in her eyes almost spilled as she looked at Vivian
And for the first time, Vivian saw something in Leonard's eyes.
A flicker of doubt.
Just a flicker.
But enough to make her smirk.
The game was beginning to shift.
And this was just the beginning.
(To be continued…)