villainess chapter 8

Flora, noticing Vivian’s reaction, smiled and addressed Emma in a gentle voice. “Madam, do you perhaps have any chocolate? The dresses are so beautiful and intricate, even just from the sketches, that I’ll need some time to consider them carefully.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness. Please take your time looking at the designs, and I’ll have some brought to you.”

“Thank you.”

Her kind sister, as always, knew her preferences well. Bittersweet chocolate was Vivian’s favorite treat. While at the Earl’s estate, she rarely had such indulgences, as her husband, Arthur, didn’t enjoy sweet things. Instead, he would host afternoon tea for her or occasionally throw parties, where Vivian could savor an array of sweet and fluffy tea foods and desserts to her heart’s content. However, he wasn’t fond of her socializing with others.

“Vivian, people outside the manor are dangerous. You’re delicate. It’s best to minimize gatherings with outsiders.”

As Arthur became busier, their afternoon teas became less frequent, and the chefs at the Earl’s estate gradually stopped preparing sweet dishes. Venturing out to buy them herself was an unthinkable dream.

“My precious, delicate Vivian. The outside world is full of all sorts of people. It’s safer for you to stay here with me.”

“My Lord, it would be alright if I went out with the knights. I often went out with my sister when I was at the Duke’s manor.”

“My dear, this is different from the Beaufort estate. You are no longer a princess, but an Earl’s wife. You must be cautious and refrain from going out. Unfortunately, I have many enemies. I trust my kind wife will understand.”

Using her safety as a pretext, Arthur allowed designers and merchants into the manor but never permitted her to leave. It was a stark contrast to her time at the Duke’s manor, where she would often venture out with Flora. Of course, Arthur would occasionally purchase chocolates and small tea foods for her from merchants. But desserts eaten alone were tasteless. No matter how exquisite the ingredients or how skilled the pastry chef, they felt as coarse as sand in Vivian’s mouth.

And that wasn’t the only restriction. He forbade her from attending any social gatherings except those hosted by the royal family or high-ranking families. It was a life confined within a gilded cage. Her only moments in the fresh air were spent strolling in the manor’s garden with Arthur.

Vivian’s gaze darkened. Stop it. This is just making me endlessly depressed. This isn’t why the gods turned back time. She decided to sever the chain of unpleasant memories.

A chocolate, placed beside the cake at some point, caught her eye. She picked one up and savored the deep, subtle sweetness that spread through her mouth.

Flora, who had been quietly observing Vivian’s fluctuating emotions, quickly shifted her attention to the catalog as her sister seemed to break free from her reverie.

Vivian took a sip of milk. “Mmm.” The sweetness of the chocolate blended with the richness of the milk, spreading a pleasant sensation through her mouth. She couldn’t help but smile.

As the sisters looked through the catalog together, Vivian spoke. “Sister, may I excuse myself to the restroom?”

“Of course. Take your time.”

“Princess Vivian, I’ll have a staff member escort you.”

“Thank you.”

As Vivian left the private room and followed the staff member down the second-floor hallway, the boutique’s door chimed, and a woman entered. Glossy black hair contrasted with her porcelain skin. Slightly upturned eyes and citrine-colored irises gave her the appearance of a haughty cat. Taller and more slender than most noblewomen, her figure was reminiscent of Flora’s. Though her features were feline, her overall aura resembled a charismatic predator.

A young man followed, sharing her dark hair and eyes. His skin, though not as fair as hers, was smooth and refined. Tall for a teenager, his sturdy frame suggested he had yet to reach his full height. He shared a similar aura with the woman, but his was colder, more untamed.

The two, who appeared to be siblings, were chatting amiably. The young man, his expression hardening, spoke in a bored tone. “Caroline, why do I have to look at your debutante dresses?”

“Oh, you should call me ‘sister.’”

“People will disapprove if a man like me enters a boutique frequented by ladies. It’ll be burdensome.”

The woman scoffed. The young man’s handsome face creased in a frown.

“What do you mean, ‘a man like me’? You’re still three years away from your coming-of-age ceremony. Just escort me properly. Are you going to act like this with the future Grand Duchess too?”

“That’s different. And you’re the same age as me.”

“I was born first. And despite appearances, I’m a delicate young lady, so Father asked you to protect me. Have you forgotten?”

“Delicate? Who? You?”

Vivian, passing by, paused at the sound of their voices and glanced down at them. Their faces seemed familiar, yet the woman’s mention of a debutante dress meant they couldn’t have met before. In her past life, she hadn’t come to the dress shop with her sister.

Sensing Vivian’s presence, the young man stopped talking and looked up. Their eyes met across the space. The boy’s dark eyes widened as he saw her. His lips parted as if to speak. “Vivi?”