A Romantic Moment With The Male Lead

Leonard gently held Vivian's hand, his grip both firm and careful, as if she were something fragile yet infinitely precious. With a small gesture, he helped her to her feet.

Suddenly, as if responding to his will, a grand platform materialized just beyond the pavilion, shimmering with an ethereal glow. Vivian's breath hitched. Magic had always been an awe-inspiring force in this world, yet watching Leonard wield it so effortlessly left her stunned. It was as easy to him as breathing, fluid, natural, and limitless.

Of course, everyone knew that Duke Leonard possessed magic. But no one, absolutely no one, understood the full extent of his power. He had hidden it masterfully, fooling even the most powerful nobles and his own ruthless father. It was how he had kept his hidden identity as the head of the Magic Tower a secret for so long.

And yet, here he was, displaying his power so openly before her.

Did he not fear that she might piece together the truth? Even if the original Vivian had been here instead of her, she likely would have begun to suspect something by now. But Vivian already knew, she had read the original novel. She knew every major event, every supposed truth. Or so she had thought.

Now, standing beside him, she realized how different reality was from the neatly written story she once adored.

Leonard guided her toward the stage, where tiny glowing fairies hovered around like group of musicians, their wings fluttering like petals caught in the wind. The music they played was hauntingly beautiful, a melody that seemed to carry the whispers of an ancient, forgotten romance.

With graceful precision, Leonard turned to face her. He extended his hand, his dark eyes locked onto hers with quiet intensity. Then, he gave a slight bow, embodying the very essence of nobility and charm. His movements were flawless, the perfect execution of ballroom etiquette.

"My lady, may I have this dance?" His voice was deep, smooth, like velvet brushing against her skin.

Vivian hesitated for only a second. There was no reason to refuse. The atmosphere was too enchanting, the music too alluring. It would be a shame to let such a moment pass.

A soft smile curved her lips. "Yes, my lord."

As their fingers intertwined, a thought flickered through her mind, Leonard was far more romantic than the novel had ever portrayed him. He had always been described as a man of duty rather than passion. He was supposed to be composed, logical, even cold at times.

Yet, the way he looked at her now… The way he held her…

This wasn't the behavior of a man indifferent to love.

A sudden realization struck her. In the original novel, Leonard had never gone to extreme lengths for Isla, the supposed female protagonist. He had fought for her, yes. He had protected her when necessary. But had he ever truly sacrificed something for her? Had he ever risked everything for her sake?

The answer was no.

In fact, none of the male leads had. They had only ever dealt with problems that were convenient to solve, never once going against the royal family or those with real power to defend Isla. They had offered her protection, but never at a true cost to themselves.

The more she thought about it, the more it became painfully clear: they had never truly loved Isla. They had simply played their roles for some uncleared reasons because it was easy, because the situation allowed it.

Vivian almost wanted to laugh. How had she never noticed this before? She had spent hours analyzing every chapter of the novel, looking for the female protagonist mistakes, swooning over the romance despite her hatred towards the female protagonist, but now she saw it for what it was, a beautifully crafted lie to deceive readers.

She felt cheated.

Most transmigrators had the advantage of following a predictable script, using the original storyline as a guide to navigate their new world. But her? The novel had already deceived her once, how was she supposed to rely on it now?

A wave of frustration built in her chest. If she ever returned to Earth, she swore she would track down that author, even if they were hiding on the other side of the world. And when she found them? Oh, she would make sure they regretted every misleading word they had written.

But for now, she had another problem, one far more immediate than her grudge against the author.

Leonard.

As they began to dance, he waved his hand, and in an instant, both of their outfits transformed. Vivian barely had time to process what was happening before she found herself wrapped in one of the most exquisite gown she had ever seen.

Her simple dress was now a breathtaking red gown, embroidered with golden threads that shimmered like stardust. Tiny diamonds were scattered across the fabric, catching the candlelight and making her sparkle with every step. Her hair had been styled to perfection, delicate accessories adorning her locks, and on her head sat an elegant tiara.

She looked like a true princess she was.

The original Vivian had only worn tiaras when absolutely necessary, usually for imperial events, where appearances mattered most and she needed to appear as a princess and one of the royal family representative of their powers as the imperial rulers of the Leuhtaz empire. But now? Now, she felt like she belonged in a fairy tale.

Her breath caught in her throat as she glanced at Leonard.

His appearance had changed as well. His black hair, normally slightly tousled, was now sleekly styled back, accentuating the sharp lines of his regal face. His coat matched her gown exactly, embroidered with the same golden patterns, making it unmistakably clear that their outfits were a couple's set. Even their jewelry was coordinated.

Vivian felt a strange warmth creep up her neck.

He was breathtaking. Almost unreal in his beauty.

And the way he was looking at her, his deep black eyes focused on her and her alone, filled with something she couldn't quite name, made her heart race.

This wasn't fair.

She had always been logical, even when she was back on Earth. She had never believed in love at first sight, nor had she been the type to swoon over fictional men. And yet, here she was, standing before Leonard, completely spellbound.

Was this because she was in a new, healthy body? Was it the original host's emotions bleeding into her own?

Or… was it something else?

Leonard's lips curved into a soft smile, his voice lowering to a near whisper. "This is to make up for all the dances we have missed because of my selfishness," he said, his fingers tightening slightly around hers. "I know it isn't enough, but I hope it serves as a small compensation."

Then, he paused. His gaze softened, his expression almost tender.

"And once again… thank you for choosing this selfish man. Happy birthday and happy third wedding anniversary, my wife."

Vivian's heart skipped a beat.

She had been prepared for many things. She had braced herself for political intrigue, for dangerous plots, for navigating a world that wasn't her own.

But she had not prepared for this.

For Leonard.

For the way he could look at her and make her forget every carefully built defense she had.

This wasn't part of the original story. This wasn't something she had expected.

And that terrified her more than anything.