villainess chapter 28

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Vivian was lost in a dream. She stood alone before a door in Harrington Manor, in Greenville. Commotion erupted from within, and the door suddenly burst open.

“Oh… That’s…” Knights bearing the crests of the Imperial Family and the Grand Duke Grey emerged, their faces etched with grief. In their arms, they carried her own lifeless body, stiff and cold. Vivian covered her mouth with both hands at the horrific sight. This is a nightmare. The people around her, seemingly oblivious to her presence, busied themselves with their tasks. Then, a familiar voice reached her ears.

“Vivian. Vivian. I was wrong. I didn’t lock you in that room intending for this to happen.”

To her astonishment, Arthur stood before her, disheveled and weeping like a wounded animal. Why… why are you…? It was a side of him she’d never seen before. Arthur hated showing any sign of vulnerability, especially to her. As the Earl, he was always cold and controlling, even towards his wife. He often subtly belittled her for her youth, and in their final moments together, he had become openly violent.

“This can’t be happening.” His reaction made no sense. He locked her in a cramped closet and claimed he hadn’t foreseen her death? It was ludicrous. Does he think crying like this will earn him forgiveness? Does he even have a conscience? Vivian was stunned. He feigned such remorse, yet he was the one who had killed his own wife. He’s such a two-faced man. He’s only putting on this act because there are so many witnesses. Tears of anger and hatred welled up in Vivian’s eyes as she watched him.

“I… I was wrong. Vivian. Please, wake up…” He continued to beat his chest and cry out in anguish. As his shirt came undone, the faint scars on his body became visible. The scene unfolding before her was utterly repulsive, so sickening and chilling that her stomach churned. If this is how he truly feels, why did he abandon me then? Why did he hurt me? She felt even more wretched than when she was dying, trapped in that dark, suffocating closet. Tears of despair streamed down her cheeks. Arthur, still sobbing as if genuinely heartbroken, was finally dragged away by the knights.

“Stop it and come with us.”

“Vivian! Vivian! Please…” Even as he was being pulled away, he continued to weep as if his world had ended. The manor fell silent, devoid of even the servants.

“Is it finally over?” Vivian, having witnessed everything, felt her eyes and heart hollow out. The oppressive silence of the empty space swallowed her whole. After a long moment of silent tears, she bit her lower lip so hard it bled. I will never be entangled with that madman again. She didn’t care why he was acting this way now that she was dead. She felt foolish for even momentarily feeling sympathy for him. He had appeared to her as a wounded boy, covered in injuries. But all of it, his appearance and his behavior, must have been a calculated lie. Yes, that’s it. I can’t feel any pity for him. He’s a different kind of person than I am. Vivian, having calmed the storm of emotions within her, quietly shook her head. 

She had endured the suffocating marriage to Arthur, believing it was penance for her mother’s sins. But Arthur had no right to judge her. You insulted not only me that day, but also my sister and our entire family. If anyone has the right to condemn my past sins, it’s only God and my sister. I won’t blame you in this life. But I hope you suffer as much as I did by your side. Yes, she had to sever all ties with him now, ensure their paths never crossed again. She might not be able to prevent him from becoming an Earl, a stroke of luck she couldn’t interfere with, but she could disrupt his business. And if he was still the same man, she would ensure his own downfall. Vivian was determined never to die so miserably again. Just as the emotions swirling within her shifted from despair to anger and vengeance—

Pong—

A warm, faint light appeared before her. The light shimmered silently, hovering in the air.

“What is this?” The orb of light floated, radiating warmth. When she reached out to touch it, it gently evaded her hand, leaving behind a trace of warmth. It then began to drift forward, illuminating the dark hallway.

“Are you telling me to follow?” she whispered. As if in answer, the light flickered rapidly. Following its lead, she found herself in a different place. Vivian looked around at the opulent surroundings. It was a room in the Imperial Palace, one she had visited once with her sister. The light that had guided her stopped before a figure slumped on the floor. Vivian’s eyes widened.

“S-Sister?”

“Vivian. I’m so sorry I was too late, that I couldn’t save you before this happened. Please, open your eyes.” It was Flora, weeping beside a glass coffin filled with flowers and Vivian’s own body. She pounded her chest with clenched fists, her sobs wracking her body.

“Sister…” Vivian’s heart ached for her sister. Flora, growing thinner each day under their mother’s torment, had never blamed Vivian. She had simply watched as Vivian’s marriage to Arthur, a transaction between their family and his, proceeded. Perhaps Sister had her own reasons. Tears welled up in Vivian’s eyes as she looked at Flora, who seemed on the verge of collapse.