A Gift Beyond Measure

After supper, Vivian and Leonard made their way out of the castle. The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of fresh grass and blooming flowers. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a gentle glow over the estate. As they walked side by side, Leonard's fingers wrapped lightly around hers in a firm yet careful grip, his warmth contrasting against the cool breeze.

Vivian couldn't help but notice how different he was from the man described in the original novel. There, he had been lukewarm, distant, indifferent to the woman he had married. Yet now, with their divorce already set in motion, he was anything but indifferent. His gestures were considerate, his touch gentle, and the look in his eyes was something she couldn't quite decipher.

She knew better than to think she had suddenly managed to captivate the male lead in just a single day after transmigrating into this body. That would be absurd. No, this side of Leonard must have always existed, he had simply never shown it to the original Vivian. The question was, why? His indifference and neglect toward their marriage had been for reasons known only to him, and now their impending separation made his actions all the more perplexing.

What had changed?

And why was he being so attentive now, of all times?

Vivian cast a sidelong glance at Leonard, studying his profile in the moonlight. His chiseled features were softened by the silver glow, making him look almost ethereal. The white inner shirt he wore clung slightly to his broad frame, and the dark blue trousers complemented his regal presence. Despite their casual attire, they looked striking together, like a couple deeply in love rather than one about to part ways.

Her fingers twitched slightly in his grasp. He didn't let go.

She didn't pull away.

Instead, she turned her attention to their surroundings. The path they walked on was unfamiliar, winding through the more secluded parts of the Valerion estate. According to the original Vivian's memories, she had never been to this side before. That wasn't surprising. Though the estate was not as vast as the Imperial Palace or her father's archduke estate, it was still massive, with many places one would have no reason to visit unless they sought them out. The original Vivian had only needed to know the important locations, the grand halls, the dining chambers, and the gardens where noble ladies gathered to socialize.

Yet, here she was, venturing into the unknown with Leonard guiding her forward.

As they walked, the only sounds were the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a nighttime bird. The further they went, the more the castle's presence faded, replaced by a serene stillness.

"Where are we going?" Vivian finally asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Leonard merely smiled. "You'll see."

His voice was deep, and steady, with an underlying warmth that sent an unexplainable flutter through her chest.

He was tempted to use magic to teleport them, eager to see her reaction to his surprise, but he resisted. He wanted to savor this moment with her.

Before she could probe further, they reached what appeared to be a dense forest. Towering trees loomed overhead, their thick canopies filtering the moonlight into dappled patterns on the ground. Wildflowers grew in clusters, swaying gently in the breeze, their petals luminous under the night sky.

At first glance, there was nothing particularly remarkable about this place. It looked like any other untouched corner of an estate, a forgotten grove left to nature. But then Leonard stepped forward and pushed aside a thick patch of overgrown wild grass.

To Vivian's astonishment, it was a hidden entrance.

Beyond it, a breathtaking sight awaited her.

A vast field of flowers stretched out before her, endless and glowing under the moonlight. Vibrant colors painted the landscape, violets, blues, and golds woven together in a dazzling display. A serene lake lay nestled in the middle, its surface smooth as glass, reflecting the star-filled sky. The entire place felt like something out of a dream.

Vivian took a step forward, leaving Leonard behind, her eyes wide with wonder.

Small creatures darted between the flowers, rabbits with silky fur, squirrels with bushy tails, and birds with iridescent feathers. Some of the animals were familiar, while others were creatures she had never seen before, their forms delicate and otherworldly. The air hummed with an almost magical presence, as if the entire field was alive with unseen energy.

Just as she was taking it all in, movement from the trees caught her attention.

A group of humanoid figures emerged, their bodies shimmering in the moonlight. Vivian's breath caught in her throat as recognition dawned.

Fairies.

Her heart pounded.

She had never seen fairies before, not in this world, nor in her previous one.

They encircled her, their tiny forms glowing with soft, golden light. Their presence felt warm, gentle, almost reverent. Then, without a word, they lifted their tiny hands, and a shower of twinkling light rained down upon her. It was mesmerizing, wrapping her in a soft, radiant glow. Finally, one of the fairies placed a crown of flowers on her head.

"What… what are they doing?" she asked breathlessly, turning to Leonard.

He was staring at her with open surprise, as if he hadn't expected this either. His gaze flickered between her and the fairies before he finally spoke.

"They just bestowed the fairy's blessing upon you," he said, stepping closer.

Vivian's lips parted in shock.

The fairy's blessing.

Her family would never believe this.

Or maybe they will considering how hopeless they are when it comes to her, they will probably use it to brag about how charming she is that even fairies can't help but like her at their next event.

It's really unbelievable that she is seeing creatures that were once myth to her 

And yet, here she stood, showered in the blessing of fairies, creatures said to be stingy with their gifts.

According to the original Vivian's knowledge, fairies were notoriously selective with their blessings, granting them only once in their lifetime. The fact that an entire group had chosen to bless her, a stranger, was nothing short of astonishing.

"You're incredibly lucky," Leonard murmured, his voice tinged with awe. "Even after I saved them from hunters and offered them sanctuary when their forest was burned by mercenaries, they never blessed me. Their gratitude was shown in other ways, helping me find and cultivate rare treasures, but never like this." His gaze softened, pride evident in his expression. "Yet, they willingly gave you their blessing the moment they met you."

Vivian remained speechless as the fairies retreated into the trees, completely ignoring Leonard. 

Before she could even process the implications of this, something even more shocking happened.

A magnificent creature emerged from the shadows.

A Pegasus.

Its coat was a pristine white, but its mane and tail shimmered with a deep crimson tint. Its eyes were blood-red, glowing under the moonlight like twin rubies.

Vivian's breath caught.

This wasn't just any Pegasus.

Pegasi were already rare, their existence bordering on legend. But a colored Pegasus—one infused with elemental magic—was nearly unheard of. They were said to be creatures of the Cloud Kingdom, a realm no one had ever confirmed existed. Capturing one was an impossible feat, requiring the strength of a grandmaster mage.

She turned to Leonard in disbelief.

"No way…" she whispered.

Leonard smiled, stepping beside her. "Happy birthday, my lady."

Vivian felt her knees weaken.

Her family would never have allowed this. They had always told her Pegasi were too dangerous, too wild, too unpredictable. Even though she had always wanted one, they had never let her get close to one despite having different types, let alone own one.

The original host family is strict, calculating, and protective to the point of suffocation when it comes to her safety, and has always kept her caged. They had refused to let her near magical creatures, deeming them dangerous. Even though they themselves owned rare and powerful beasts, they had always forbidden her from interacting with them.

Her father, the Archduke, had justified it as concern for her safety.

Her brothers had reinforced that belief, treating her as fragile porcelain.

Even her uncle, the emperor who dotes on her to the point of no return, had been reluctant to expose her to magical creatures.

And yet… Leonard had given her one.

What would her family say now?

Why now?

Why, when they were getting divorced?

There was something more to his actions, something neither she nor the original Vivian had known.

"My lady," Leonard said, gesturing toward the Pegasus with a small smile. "Would you like to go for a ride?"

Vivian swallowed hard.

Whatever was happening between them, one thing was clear, Leonard Valerion and his desire for divorce was not as simple as the original novel had made it seem.

And she was just beginning to realize how deep the mystery ran.

Authors Note: in addy to me, tomorrow is my big day🥰