A Good Rest

After Leonard and Alaric left, Anna gently took Vivian's hand and led her back to her room. As they walked through the quiet halls of the grand estate, the flickering candlelight cast soft shadows on the walls, creating a peaceful yet somewhat solemn atmosphere. Vivian could feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her with every step she took. It wasn't just physical tiredness, her mind felt heavy, as though she had been running endlessly in a dream she couldn't wake up from.

Once inside her chambers, the familiar scent of lavender and chamomile greeted her. Anna wasted no time in helping her change out of her elaborate gown, carefully loosening the corset and peeling away the layers of luxurious fabric. The moment Vivian was free from the restrictive dress, she let out an involuntary sigh of relief. Anna helped her into a soft, breathable nightgown made of the finest silk, cool against her skin, light as a feather.

"My lady," Anna said gently, concern evident in her voice, "you've been pushing yourself too hard. You need to rest."

Vivian gave her a tired smile. "I suppose I have no choice but to listen to you, Anna."

The lady in waiting chuckled, shaking her head. "You never listen. But tonight, I won't let you argue with me."

Anna then stepped away briefly and returned with a porcelain teacup, steam rising from the fragrant herbal blend inside. The warm aroma of chamomile and valerian root filled the air. "This tea will help you relax. It has a soothing effect, it will ease your mind and help you sleep better."

Vivian took the cup and brought it to her lips, sipping slowly. The warmth seeped through her, spreading a sense of calm that she hadn't felt in a long time. It didn't take long for the tea to work its magic. Her eyelids grew heavier, her body sinking into the plush mattress. As Anna pulled the covers over her, Vivian murmured a soft "thank you" before sleep claimed her entirely.

She slept through the entire afternoon, lost in a deep, dreamless slumber. It was as if her body was desperately making up for the countless hours of unrest. Every bit of exhaustion, every ounce of tension, melted away as she slept soundly, undisturbed.

Ordinarily, the original Vivian had a routine, she would take an afternoon nap after lunch and afternoon tea, but she was always awake before dinner. Today, however, was different. Today, she was so drained that she slept through luncheon, missed her afternoon tea, and even dinner. It wasn't until nearly supper time that her body finally stirred from its much-needed rest.

Anna had been torn about whether to wake her. She knew Vivian needed to eat, but Leonard, the Duke and Vivian's husband, had forbidden it.

"She is exhausted from everything she has endured these past few days," Leonard had said firmly when Anna hesitantly suggested waking her before dinner. "She needs rest more than anything right now. Let her wake on her own."

So Anna reluctantly obeyed, checking in on her lady every now and then. And finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening settled in, the maids heard the soft chime of the bell from Vivian's room.

They entered promptly and found her stirring, stretching beneath the covers as if she had just awoken from a century-long sleep. Though her beauty was untouched by exhaustion, there was a noticeable difference in her demeanor, she seemed more at ease, more refreshed, as if the burden weighing her down had been lifted, if only slightly.

Vivian let the maids help her dress, allowing them to select an elegant powder-blue evening gown that hugged her form perfectly. The soft fabric draped gracefully over her, accentuating her delicate curves. Her rich, red wavy hair was swept into a loose, messy bun, with a few strands escaping to frame her face. She wore no makeup, yet her natural beauty was enough to leave anyone spellbound. A faint scent of roses clung to her skin, adding to her enchanting aura.

Once ready, she made her way down to the dining hall, her gown trailing softly behind her as she walked. Normally, Anna would accompany her, but she was nowhere to be found. Vivian assumed she was preoccupied with her duties, so she paid it no mind, knowing they would meet in the dining hall soon enough.

Anna had always been more than just a lady in waiting, she was a sister, a friend, a confidante, someone Vivian could rely on. The original Vivian had constantly encouraged her to focus on her own life, particularly her business and relationship. But Anna had always insisted that Vivian was, and always would be, her first priority.

Balancing her duties and personal life had never been easy, but Anna managed. The only reason she hadn't encountered serious issues with her fiancé, or why they had yet to marry, was because they understood each other well.

Her fiancé, Alistair Percival Ashcombe, was the second son of Viscount Ashcombe and a dedicated mage at the Mage Tower. He was so deeply immersed in research that he barely had time for the outside world. Despite this, their love remained unwavering.

As Vivian stepped into the dining hall, all eyes naturally turned to her. No matter how many times people had seen her, she never failed to captivate them. She carried herself with effortless grace, each step drawing admiration.

She took her seat across from Leonard, mirroring their arrangement from that morning. Alaric was also present this time, though Anna had yet to arrive.

"Wow, Your Grace, you look just as stunning this evening," Alaric teased as Vivian settled in.

His comment earned him a sharp glare from Leonard, and he immediately fell silent.

"Thank you for the compliment, Sir Alaric," Vivian replied smoothly, offering a charming smile.

Leonard's expression darkened slightly, though he masked it well. Alaric, however, could already envision himself suffering on the training grounds, enduring a "sparring session" that would undoubtedly be brutal.

"Did you rest well, my lady?" Leonard asked, his intense gaze locking onto hers as the maids began serving the meal.

"Yes, I did, my lord. Thank you for your concern," Vivian answered with a gentle smile.

Leonard's expression softened. "That's good. By the way, my lady, you look lovely as ever tonight."

Vivian paused, momentarily taken aback. Since transmigrating, Leonard had been surprising her more and more. This was not the cold, aloof male lead she remembered from the novel. Could it be that his soul had also changed? Or had he been reborn, or transmigrated like her? His demeanor was too different from the character she had read about.

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace," she replied, her voice soft with a hint of surprise. She lowered her gaze briefly before offering him a shy smile.

"You're welcome," Leonard said smoothly. "After supper, let's take a walk. I'd like to show you your birthday gift."

Vivian's heart skipped a beat. A birthday gift? She hadn't expected that.

"Alright, Your Grace," she said with a small nod.

At that moment, Anna arrived and took her seat. After saying their prayers, the meal began, but Vivian couldn't help but steal a glance at Leonard.

Just who was this man? And why was he acting so differently from what she had expected?