Zara's heart still raced from her encounter with Adrian Valmont. Her first mission was complete, but she couldn't relax. The translucent screen floating in her vision was a constant reminder that failure was not an option.
The system's next quest loomed in her mind: Make Adrian Smile in Seven Days.
How was she supposed to make an emotionless iceberg like Adrian Valmont smile? He wasn't called "The Ice Duke" for nothing. Even in the novel, the heroine only managed to break through his cold exterior after months of persistence.
But Zara didn't have months. She had seven days.
The next morning, Zara sat in her private parlor, sipping tea and contemplating her plan. The original Lavinia would have thrown herself at Adrian, fawning over him with dramatic declarations of love. But Zara knew better. That would only irritate him further.
"I need to approach this smartly," she muttered. "I can't act like Lavinia. I have to be... normal."
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. The door opened, and her personal maid, Clara, stepped in with a letter.
"Lady Lavinia, a message from the Duke," Clara announced, handing over the envelope.
Zara hesitated before breaking the seal. The elegant script was unmistakable—it was Adrian's handwriting.
Lavinia,
Meet me in the gardens at noon. We need to discuss your promise to change. Do not be late.
—Adrian Valmont
Zara's fingers tightened around the letter. The gardens? That didn't sound like a casual meeting place.
She glanced at the clock. It was already mid-morning.
"Perfect," she muttered sarcastically, rising from her seat. "Let's see what kind of test the Ice Duke has planned for me."
The gardens of the Valmont estate were breathtaking, with rows of perfectly trimmed hedges, vibrant flowers, and a marble fountain glistening under the midday sun. Zara arrived promptly, her emerald-green dress swishing as she walked.
Adrian was already there, standing near the fountain. His tall figure exuded authority, his dark hair catching the light. When he turned to face her, his piercing blue eyes made her stomach flip.
"You're on time," he said, his voice as cold as ever.
"Of course," Zara replied, forcing a polite smile. "I wouldn't dare waste your time."
Adrian's gaze swept over her, as if assessing her sincerity. "You've claimed you want to prove yourself. Let's see if that's true."
Zara braced herself. "What do you have in mind?"
He gestured toward a small, fenced-in area of the garden. A group of servants stood nearby, each holding various tools. Inside the fence was a disheveled flower bed, overgrown with weeds.
"I want you to fix this," Adrian said simply.
Zara blinked. "You… want me to garden?"
"Not just garden. Restore it to its former beauty. That flower bed was a favorite of my late mother, but it's been neglected for years."
Zara swallowed hard. This wasn't just a task—it was a test of character. The original Lavinia would have sneered at the idea of manual labor, declaring it beneath her. But Zara wasn't Lavinia, and this was her chance to prove it.
"Consider it done," she said confidently.
Adrian's lips twitched, but he said nothing, walking away to observe from a distance.
For the next several hours, Zara toiled under the sun. She dug out weeds, trimmed overgrown plants, and replanted flowers with the help of the servants. Sweat dripped down her face, and her arms ached, but she refused to give up.
The system screen appeared again, taunting her with her progress:
Favorability with Adrian Valmont: +2
"Only two points?" she groaned, wiping her forehead. "He's impossible to please."
By late afternoon, the flower bed was transformed. Vibrant blooms of every color filled the space, and the area looked like it had been plucked straight from a painting. Zara stepped back, admiring her work.
Adrian approached, his icy gaze scanning the flower bed. He didn't say a word, but Zara could see the faintest flicker of approval in his eyes.
"Well?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Did I pass your test?"
He was silent for a moment before replying. "It's acceptable."
Zara rolled her eyes. "High praise from you, I suppose."
His lips twitched again, and for a moment, she thought he might actually smile. But the moment passed, and his expression returned to its usual stoicism.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Adrian said, turning to leave. "There's still much for you to prove."
Zara watched him go, a mixture of relief and frustration swirling in her chest.
Quest Progress: Make Adrian Smile – 10% Complete
Favorability with Adrian Valmont: +5
She smirked. "It's a start."
Little did she know, Adrian wasn't as unaffected as he appeared. From a distance, he glanced back at the flower bed, his fingers brushing against the ring he always wore—a keepsake from his mother.
"She's different," he murmured to himself.
As Zara returned to her room, exhausted but triumphant, the system chimed again with a new notification:
Bonus Quest Unlocked: Win the Favor of the Duchess Dowager
Reward: +15 Favorability Points
Penalty for Failure: Increased Scrutiny from the Duchess Dowager
Zara groaned, collapsing onto her bed. "This world is going to kill me before the death flags do."