An Unforgettable Night

The night was bathed in silver moonlight, painting the secret enchanted garden of the Valerion estate in an ethereal glow. The soft hum of fairies playing enchanting melodies filled the air, blending harmoniously with the rustling leaves and the distant chirping of magical creatures. Vivian moved gracefully across the grass, her heart swelling with a mixture of emotions, joy, wonder, and, deep down, guilt.

This wasn't meant for her.

The care, the apology, the affection, all of it was meant for the original Vivian, the true owner of this body. Yet here she was, a transmigrator from Earth, experiencing everything the original Vivian had desperately longed for in her three years of marriage. It felt unfair. She was an outsider enjoying the love that never belonged to her.

But then again… had the original Vivian been here, this moment would have never happened.

The real Vivian had been too proud, too stubborn to let go of her marriage with Leonard. Had she continued on that path, she would have only met a tragic fate. And in that reality, this beautiful night would have never existed. The thought sent a shiver down Vivian's spine.

So was it truly wrong for her to enjoy this?

With a deep breath, she allowed herself to let go of the guilt. Just for tonight.

The garden was nothing short of a dream, flowers that glowed softly under the moon, vines woven into intricate arches, and fruit trees that swayed as if dancing to the fairies' music. Small magical creatures stood around them, their tiny wings fluttering as they watched in silent fascination. And then there was Leonard, the man she was dancing with, dressed in matching attire, his presence commanding yet gentle, like a god stepping down from the heavens.

Vivian couldn't help but marvel at the irony.

This man, her husband, had once shown her nothing but indifference. In the original story, he had barely spared the original Vivian a glance, treating her as nothing more than a political arrangement while all his affections had been directed toward Isla the female protagonist of the original novel although the so-called affection has now proven to be a lie. And yet, tonight, he was here, holding her close, his gaze filled with something she never thought she would see, tenderness.

Was this really happening?

Or was it just a dream?

If it was, she didn't want to wake up.

The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and ripened fruit, their fragrances mingling into something intoxicating. The cool night breeze caressed her skin, making her shiver slightly as she spun in his arms. But it wasn't just the beauty of the moment that made her breathless, it was the sheer freedom she felt.

Back on Earth, dancing had been her greatest love. She had always dreamed of twirling for hours, of losing herself in the rhythm of music. But her weak heart had never allowed her such luxuries. Just a few minutes of movement would leave her breathless, her chest aching with unbearable pain. Her family, terrified of losing her, had always been overprotective, keeping her wrapped in cotton wool, and restricting her from the very things she loved most.

But here, in this world, in this new body, she could dance.

And not just for a few fleeting moments, but for as long as she wished.

It was exhilarating. Liberating.

Leonard twirled her once more before pulling her close, his strong arms steadying her. His dark, soul-trapping eyes locked onto hers, and for a brief moment, she forgot to breathe. There was something unreadable in his gaze, something that made her heart pound, whether from excitement or something deeper, she wasn't sure.

After what felt like hours of dancing, a chuckle rumbled from Leonard's chest. "You're enjoying this more than I expected."

Vivian, still slightly breathless, looked up at him with a mischievous smile. "Can you blame me? I've never been able to dance this long before."

His gaze softened, as if sensing the deeper meaning behind her words. "Then we should make sure you can dance whenever you want."

Vivian blinked, momentarily stunned. Had she misheard him? His words held a promise she hadn't expected, a promise of indulgence, of care.

Before she could dwell on it, Leonard suddenly waved a hand, and their elegant attire transformed. The flowing, jewel-encrusted gown she had been so enamored with disappeared, replaced by a simple, comfortable outfit, a loose inner shirt and fitted pants. Vivian let out a disappointed gasp.

"My dress!" she pouted, looking at him accusingly.

Leonard chuckled. "You'll find all your dresses in your room when you return. I promise."

At his reassurance, she perked up, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Alright then. What's next?"

"Games," he said simply, a playful glint in his eyes.

And so the night continued, filled with laughter and mischief. The fairies, ever eager to join in, formed a team with Vivian against Leonard. But even with their combined efforts, they struggled to gain the upper hand, Leonard was simply too strong, too skilled.

Frustrated, Vivian narrowed her eyes. If playing fair wasn't working, then…

A smirk tugged at her lips. She knew another way.

Back on Earth, she had often played games with her best friend and fiancé, Arthur. And when the odds were against her, she always resorted to one tactic, the beauty trap.

And so, without hesitation, she met Leonard's gaze, letting her expression soften, her lips part slightly as she gazed at him with what she hoped was an alluring look. She even brushed a strand of hair behind her ear for added effect.

It worked.

For the briefest of moments, Leonard hesitated, his hand faltering just enough for her and the fairies to claim victory.

"YES!" Vivian and the fairies cheered in unison, celebrating their hard-earned win.

Leonard, on the other hand, simply stood there, arms crossed, amusement dancing in his eyes. He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Did you just use a beauty trap… to win a game?"

Vivian grinned triumphantly. "And it worked!"

Leonard exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face before looking at her with an indulgent smile. He had seen through her little trick the moment she attempted it. And yet… he had let her win anyway.

He hadn't planned on letting her lose.

Whether he was stronger, faster, or more skilled didn't matter, what mattered was the joy in her eyes, the satisfaction on her face. He had wanted her to win, to feel that moment of happiness.

Vivian wasn't oblivious. She knew he had let her win. And somehow, that knowledge made her heart warm even more.

Feeling bold, she ran up to him and beamed. "Leonard, I won!"

Leonard looked at her for a long moment before reaching out to ruffle her vibrant red hair, now tied into a ponytail. "Yes, you did, my lady. Well done."

The night stretched on, filled with more laughter, more joy, more stolen moments of warmth. It was only when the first light of dawn began creeping into the sky that Vivian felt exhaustion settle in.

Without a word, Leonard scooped her up, carrying her effortlessly toward her room. She barely had the energy to protest. As he laid her down and tucked the duvet around her, she reached out, grasping his hand weakly.

"Thank you… for making today one of the happiest days of my life," she murmured sleepily. "Let's keep going to the enchanted garden… until we finalize our divorce."

Leonard was silent for a long moment before finally whispering, "As you wish."

He made sure she was warm and comfortable before leaning down, and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. And with that, he quietly left the room, the ghost of a smile still lingering on his lips.