The carriage drew closer, its speed kicking up a cloud of dust that stained her clothes.
As the carriage halted, a tiger-kin guard appeared, opening the silver door.
It wasn't unusual; in the kingdom of Arderla, everyone had their own beast form. Ivy, for instance, had her bunny ears exposed as she wailed in distress.
She stared at the carriage as its door swung open, and a figure emerged. Her heart skipped a beat.
She was staring at the villain of the book—the man who would destroy her someday.
Just like in the book, he was tall and handsome. A magnificent dragon with raven-black hair, calming blue eyes that turned crimson when furious, and a commanding posture that could make any woman swoon.
Their eyes met, and her heart skipped again. She had been watching him, and now he was watching her.
His perfectly sculpted face was cold as he looked at her.
Everything seemed to freeze in their gaze.
The invisible bird that had been hovering nearby—only visible to Ivy—flapped its wings in frustration as it saw its host frozen in place, staring at the villain.
Its annoyed voice rang in her ears. "Host, stop staring! Do the mission now. I know the villain is handsome, but you need to stop gawking!"
The system pushed her with its tiny body, snapping her back to reality.
Ivy followed its advice, her feet moving on their own as she stood and stepped toward the Duke—the big bad villain of the book!
Her gaze never wavered from him, filled with an intensity that refused to let go.
Lucien's frown deepened as he watched Ivy approach.
Something seemed different about her, but he couldn't figure out what it was.
As he pondered, his expression grew colder, deciding that she was still Ivy. His wife. The woman who had humiliated him.
Even though there was an air of mystery surrounding her, she was still the same annoying, brainless Ivy Everhart.
Ivy blinked nervously, fiddling with her fingers as she stared at him awkwardly. Time felt endless as she tried to summon her courage.
Finally, she opened her mouth to speak, but Lucien's cold voice cut her off.
"Why are you staring at me? And what are you still doing here? You should have gone to your father's house."
Ivy bit her lip, unsure of what to say. She had been too absorbed in admiring him.
His voice, though raised, sounded oddly pleasant to her.
In her heart, the villain wasn't as fierce as everyone said. Instead, she found him… cute. His presence didn't intimidate her; instead, it gave her courage.
Before she knew it, her steps carried her closer to Lucien, slow and deliberate.
Lucien's cold expression almost cracked as she approached. His hand shook slightly as he pointed at her, his voice tense. "What… why are you coming closer?"
Ivy smiled faintly, her tone soft and almost seductive. "Husband, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I know I was wrong."
She kissed him lightly on the cheek and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.
Lucien's eyes widened in shock at the kiss, but his reaction came swiftly. He pushed her away coldly, her body hitting the marble floor with a thud.
Ivy winced, biting her lip to hold back the pain.
Yes, he was definitely the villain. She laughed bitterly in her heart, mocking herself for thinking otherwise.
Lucien leaned down, his shadow looming over her. Gripping her chin firmly, his voice was colder than ever.
"Stop this drama, Ivy. Whatever you're planning, stay away from me."
Ivy didn't respond, though his words cut deeply.
Lucien paused for a moment, studying her reaction. Then he continued, his voice detached and biting.
"You can go to your Crown Prince and be with him."
There was something strange in his tone—jealousy, perhaps?
Ivy noticed it, and despite her gloomy mood, the realization lifted her spirits.
Lucien saw the sudden cheerfulness in her expression and frowned. Still holding her chin, he added:
"And by the way, that kiss was disgusting."
Ouch. Ivy felt offended. It was her first kiss, and he called it disgusting? It stung like a nail through her heart.
Crossing her arms, Ivy declared, "I've changed, Lucien. All my actions before were because I was… possessed. Yes, possessed! Please forgive me."
She was spewing nonsense, of course. The real Ivy had been fully conscious while digging her own grave.
Without hesitation, Ivy hugged Lucien again, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
Caught off guard, Lucien struggled to push her away, but her grip was too strong.
"Woman, why are you being so clingy today? Stay away from me!" he barked, his composure slipping.
It was clear he wanted nothing to do with a woman who had feelings for another man while being married to him.
The invisible bird bounced with excitement, cheering Ivy on.
"That's it, Host! Stick to him! Stick closer like glue!"
But Ivy didn't hear the system. Her focus was entirely on Lucien.
She needed his protection to survive, even if he didn't kill her. The female protagonist surely would.
Thinking about her predestined fate, tears streamed down her face. She sniffled and pleaded, "Lucien, please forgive me. Give me a second chance. I promise I'll behave."
Lucien froze for a moment, hearing her cry. He hated her tears.
For a brief moment, he stopped resisting her hold. But Ivy eventually released him, sensing his discomfort.
Lucien walked away toward his castle, and Ivy stood still, watching him leave.
Her acting skills hadn't worked.
Her face darkened in disappointment until Lucien turned back and asked, "Why are you standing there?"
His simple words startled her, but she quickly followed after him.
In her mind, she exclaimed, Hurray!
She had completed the mission. Her journey from cannon fodder to normalcy was within reach.
The system jubilated along with her.
"Yes! Mission complete! Hurray, Host!"
A wide smile spread across Ivy's face as the system's words echoed in her ears.
The two carriage men exchanged glances as Ivy and Lucien disappeared into the castle.
"The Duchess seems different today," one remarked.
The other nodded. "Indeed. Our master looked like a young man deceived by a playful woman."
"Let's mind our business," one said.
"Agreed," the other replied.
_______
Ivy had settled comfortably in her room after the servants showed her the way.
Lucien had walked away after allowing her into the castle, and as for his current location, Ivy had no idea. She was already beginning to enjoy her new life.
Looking closely, fifteen maids had bathed her without her lifting a finger. It was a life of luxury.
But this calm was only the prelude to the storm.
The chibi bird pecked Ivy on the hea
d, snapping her out of the daydream that made her seem like a gold digger.
"The body can't be lazy! New mission alert: spend a night with the Duke!"