Two years had passed since Emma found herself in the body of Lillian Thomson. During the two years, she managed to grow accustomed to her new living situation. Learning more about the world than the novel had ever told her.
Her image had changed. She was not a villainess anymore but the other young ladies still kept their distance.
As if she was written to be alone.
She was not hurt by that. She was used to being alone and plus she had her personal maid. Who became her only friend.
And now she goes by Lillian Thomson.
--❁--
"Lillian!"
Wind blew as the trees around her swayed, leaves twirling as the red curls danced around her head. Looking up from the book she was reading, she saw Mrs. Thomson- her mother, walking towards the garden.
Sitting up as she ran her fingers through her hair- trying to comb it in place. Then groaning as she was brought back to reality.
"Mrs. Hart is here for your fitting." Her mother informed, eyes darting around the space Lillian occupied. "Lillian-" She paused and looked at the maid next to her then back at her. "You should consider attending some gatherings with ladies your age. Maybe have some tea with them." Her mother suggested, smiling softly at Lillian.
Lillian looked up at her mother and smiled but it did not reach her eyes. "Mother, there's nothing to worry about- reading is all I need."
Mrs. Thomson gave her a small smile then said, "We should hurry now before we anger Mrs. Hart."
--❁--
"Green would look lovely on you, or brown and oh- blue!" Mrs. Hart excitedly said while examining Lillian. "Your eyes." Mrs. Hart paused as she stared into her eyes. "They are beautiful." She said, "You are going to be one of my most beautiful master piece." She added while smiling.
This never happened before.
The day of Lillian's fitting, no one showed up because nobody wanted to deal with Lillian's temper. So she had to buy a gown instead of getting a custom made gown.
Is the story changing?
Lillian thought as she smiled back at the dress maker. Mrs. Hart. She was the highest praised dress maker in the empire because not only did she set trends, she personally made the queens wedding gown.
In the novel, the Crown Princes had paid her to make a gown for Elodie but she had two requests. One from the Crown Prince and the other from the Duke. Not knowing what to do, she made two gowns. One a deep blue and the other a soft green.
Lillian shook her head, remembering the trouble the two gowns caused.
--❁--
The next day as the sun raised, whispers filled the walls, the kitchen and the servants.
"The lady never leaves the estate."
"I only see the lady sit outside."
"Do you think she really changed?"
"Don't you think that her eyes are kind of witchy?"
"Quiet before anyone hears you."
Lillian knew of the whispers around her, the rumours that passed around. To be honest, she was kind of excited to transmigrate but what she was waiting for, was for her debutant ball. The night the female lead made her appearance. She squealed in excitement as she thought about it. She could be part of the story, watch it unfold in front of her and hopefully survive.
Guide the female lead to the right path.
Was the plan she had thought of. Every novel has a character that the world revolves around and without that character. The world falls, meaning survival depended on the female lead.
Lillian could do anything to change her fate but her fate laid in the hands of the female lead.
"Make the female lead realize that she loves one of them more than the other." Lillian said, "But that could also be disastrous." She added, pacing around her room. "Or...make the other love interest fall for someone else."
Lillian nodded her head at her idea but stopped. "But the novel said that they love was not ordinary." Lillian sighed at that. Reason, the author had not disclose why their love was not ordinary.
"That fuck-"
The door opened as her personal maid walked in. Eyes narrowing at her as if she knew that Lillian had done something not lady-like again.
"I heard you swear." She said
"Must have been the wind."
Her personal maid, Serra, stared blankly at her then sighed. "The carriage is ready."
Lillian paused for a second, staring at Serra in confusion. "Carriage? What carriage?"
"The Viscount ordered you to go outside the estate." Serra said, "Orders." She added before Lillian could disagree.
"Tell him that I'm not feeling well." Lillian argued back, dramatically falling onto the couch. The back of her hand resting onto her forehead.
"I guess you don't like reading anymore." Serra said, turning to the door.
"What do you mean?" Lillian asked, eyes wide as she stared at Serra for an answer.
Serra smiled then said, "The Viscount ordered to burn your books and close off the library if you don't comply." Which caused Lillian to gasp then she stood up. "Healed already- what a miracle." Serra happily said which caused Lillian to roll her eyes.
"And there will be two knights accompanying us." Serra added as she gestured for Lillian to follow which she complied but not without sending remarks her way which Serra laughed them off.
"Is the villainess back?" Serra jokingly said as she laughed which caused Lillian to freeze. Serra stopped walking, looking concerned as she asked, "Are you okay?"
Villainess.
The word made Lillian remember her role. Hearing the word coming out of Serra made her think that maybe she can't fully change her image. Maybe there's still others who view her as that.
Viscount's daughter who thinks she's above all.
"I should have gone out instead of staying inside the estate." Lillian suddenly said, "What if they think that I haven't changed." She panicked.
"Calm down Lillian, I assure you that no one thinks that." Serra said, comforting her as she rubbed Lillian's arm and Lillian nodded along.