The grand halls of the imperial palace faded into the distance as Vivian stepped into the waiting carriage, her ex-husband, Duke Leonard Valerion, following close behind. The heavy gaze of the Emperor lingered on her, his expression a mixture of desperation and frustration.
"Vivian," he called once more, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. "You don't have to return to the Duke's estate. Stay in the palace where it's safe, with me and the family."
Vivian, already settling into her seat, exhaled slowly. He was relentless. She had refused him once, twice, and yet he still insisted.
"There is no need for unnecessary trouble, Your Majesty," she replied, her tone calm but firm. "Until the official announcement, I am still the Duchess of Valerion in the eyes of the public. Moving into the palace before the truth is known would only invite unwanted speculation."
She didn't particularly care about rumors, but she also had no interest in creating avoidable chaos. It wasn't as if staying in the Duke's estate would cause her any discomfort. On the contrary, she would much rather be there than suffocated by her aunt, the Empress, and her cousins, who would undoubtedly react to her divorce as though it were the end of the world. Had they been present at court today, she would have been overwhelmed by their exaggerated concern, their dramatic mourning over her so-called tragic fate.
She smiled to herself.
If nothing else, the original Vivian and she had too much in common, overprotective, overdramatic family members and a background of wealth and power and even their faces look alike. The only real difference?
"I'm not a fool when it comes to love like she was," Vivian muttered under her breath.
Leonard, seated across from her, made no response or attempt to talk to her like he did in the morning. He was absorbed in the glowing magic tool in his hands, his brows furrowed as he focused on whatever task occupied him.
Good. Silence suited them both, she was scared for a while that the male lead would try to talk to her like he did in the carriage early this morning.
As the carriage rumbled along the road, Vivian let her thoughts drift. The palace had been exhausting. The Emperor's persistence, the long discussions, the formalities, and their long carriage ride to and fro the palace, had all drained her. She longed for her bed, for the quiet of her room where the scent of flowers from the garden would lull her into sleep.
She knew Leonard would head straight to his office once they arrived. His responsibilities as both Duke and the head of the Magic Tower meant he barely had a moment of rest. That suited her just fine.
Leonard and the original Vivian had lived separately within the same estate for years except for moments when the original Vivian forced their meeting, and nothing about that arrangement needed to change now most especially since they are now divorced.
Or so she thought.
As the carriage rolled through the gates of the Valerion estate, the familiar sight of the grand mansion came into view. But Vivian's attention was immediately drawn to the figure standing at the entrance.
Isla.
The female protagonist of the original novel stood there, her face bright with a cheerful smile, exuding an innocent charm that effortlessly drew attention. She looked completely different from how she had appeared that morning, then, she had been pale, exhausted, her eyes shadowed with fatigue. Now, she looked well-rested, her features glowing with newfound vitality.
Vivian thought to herself "As expected of the original novel female lead, even if she is looking like an ugly bear this minutes, it did not take long for her to turn into a graceful swan"
Even more surprising was her attire and the fact that she had not left their estate yet despite all the disgrace and shame she had passed through this morning.
Vivian's eyes swept over the fine silk dress Isla wore, the embroidery so intricate it could only belong to the wardrobe of someone far above her status. The jewelry, pearls, gold, and delicate accessories were equally extravagant.
This was not something Isla's family could afford.
Vivian's curiosity stirred. Had one of her admirers sent it? Or had one of the male lead? She instinctively glanced at Leonard, expecting his usual indifference. Instead, his expression was one of unmistakable irritation.
Not him, then.
Before Vivian could process the situation further, movement from the side caught her attention.
Anna, her lady-in-waiting, stepped forward.
And then—
A sharp crack split the air.
The force of Anna's slap sent Isla stumbling back, her wide eyes filled with shock and pain as she clutched her cheek.
A stunned silence fell over the estate. The gathered servants froze, whispering amongst themselves in hushed, confused voices.
Vivian's own surprise mirrored theirs.
Anna was not someone who acted rashly. She was calm, disciplined, and fiercely loyal. This was completely unlike her.
And yet, she had just struck Isla, openly, without hesitation.
Something was wrong.
Vivian stepped out of the carriage, her gaze shifting between Anna and Isla. Isla's trembling hand remained pressed against her cheek, her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
Vivian turned to Anna. "What is going on?"
Anna, her expression unreadable, lowered her hand. "My Lady," she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. "I—" She hesitated, her fists clenching at her sides.
That hesitation told Vivian everything.
There was a reason for this. A reason Anna was keeping to herself or too angry to say out.
Vivian looked at Isla again. Her usual helpless and pretentious demeanor was on full display, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.
No one spoke.
The estate was eerily silent.
For now, Vivian wouldn't push for answers, not yet. But she would get them.
She turned back toward the mansion, her voice even as she said, "Let's go inside."
With that, she stepped past Isla and Anna, heading toward the estate, knowing that whatever had just happened was only the beginning of the consequences of whatsoever Isla had done to piss Anna off again.