~2~ The Meeting Between Victoria and Charles

"Hey, Melly, don't you think it's a great day?"

'I suppose Milady was referring to the crown prince paying her a visit. Who wouldn't, I guess? She has been forced to recall who she is for a week, but she still cannot. However, we don't anticipate anything to change regarding the fact that she is excessively fixated on the crown prince. She was always enquiring about how and when they met. I constantly have trouble breathing while speaking to her.'

The maid observed the single happy lady in her enormous, opulent household, as she thought those words. Then, as though not wanting to offend the young woman, she bowed formally and responded to her query.

"I agree, Milady! A genuinely fantastic day has arrived."

"Is it right?"

"Indeed, Milady."

Following the young lady who would always take her breakfast in bed as normally recommended by Frank after her health checkup last week, the maid named Melly, then heard chuckles reverberating within her chamber. Melly glanced at the lady who was calmly gazing outside of the room through the wide window inside upon hearing those chuckles. Melly, though, thought the young woman had changed. She is certain that she heard her giggling as she spoke. But as soon as she turned to face the lady, she became perplexed. Victoria Chutlier had a melancholy expression on her face and was only grinning while gazing out the open window.

'Recently, I've been considering that the lady is a different individual. Although she appears to be the lady, she is not the same as she was in the past. Did the incident get rid of her selfish and juvenile attitude? Right now, the only thing I can see in her eyes are unpleasant feelings. Am I seeing this correctly?'

Melly, Victoria's newly appointed personal maid, was astounded by what she saw in the woman. It's because she had constantly witnessed her predecessor mistreating her before she became the young lady's personal maid. She is perplexed and appreciative of the incident at the same time because the lady of the household didn't even attempt to bully her at the moment.

Melly suddenly let out a sigh as if her body had a mind of its own. Victoria's gaze didn't disregard the possibility that her maid was likely perplexed by how she was acting, though. She intended to get to know some of the house employees during the week that she claimed to be unaware of. In an effort to avoid what Victoria would have done naturally in her original body, she also intended to run away from the plot.

"I suppose I should get some fresh air for the day. I understand that I still need to recharge this week before I can begin taking any of my individual classes."

Melly was in awe at what she was witnessing. She initially believed that someone had taken over the lady's body, but when she turned to face her, she saw that the lady's movements and laughter were still hers. However, she couldn't escape the fact that the woman speaking to her was so kind and even bothered to engage in conversation with her.

'Did the young lady knock her head and alter her attitude so significantly?'

"I am aware of your confusion. Melly, though, please have faith in this lady whom I want to improve. I wished to stay away from such conflicts. I intended to take responsibility for my past actions, but I need more time. But I do hope that one day you'll be here among my friends. Would you concur with me?"

The lady's personal maid, Melly, was unsure of how to respond. Her lips were open for a little period of time, but she was unable to utter anything. Melly was just made even more shocked when Victoria smiled at her and lovingly held her hands.

"I suppose we're already good friends if you ask me. In addition, I'm the lady of the house, so I suppose you'll have to do as I say, Melly?"

Melly was still in awe at what she was experiencing. She received the impression that the woman had undergone significant transformation and was no longer the same as she had been over the previous weeks. She believed she was only acting, but that wasn't the case for her.

'I guess for this one time she actually made a positive change. I am aware that it is unhealthy for me to always compare her to the past, but this time, in the present, I am also aware of how different she is from the past. She isn't the entitled brat she formerly was.'

"Also, Melly, you don't want to breathe in any dust that you might later choke on, right? So allow me to correct this."

But Victoria quickly corrected Melly's gaping mouth with gentle pressure. The warm water streaming down Melly's cheeks caused her to then tenderly caress her cheeks.

"Melly, you don't even recognize your own emotions? Oh then, if you'd like, we can both go to the garden. In addition, I genuinely wanted to return there today to breathe some fresh air."

'She is no longer the lady I never imagined she would be, it is true. I've always believed she is incapable of reform and will proceed down the road to hell. However, since that particular incident, she has changed, and all I can say is that I've never been more proud.'

"I agree, Milady. if you so specify."

"Well, if I claim that we may be in the garden or that we are friends already, is it true? Melly, I hope you aren't considering turning down my invitation!"

'Yes, she did make positive changes, but she hasn't lost her sense of humor. Only her negative attitude changed; she remained the same person. That piques my curiosity and increases my admiration for her.'

"Well, Milady, it's both."

"Yay!"

Victoria didn't think twice or even pause before acting. She gave Melly an unexpected embrace right away, which surprised her. However, only the two of them giggled and laughed simultaneously.

"I suppose we should leave now."

"Hmmm!"

***

"Ahhhh! It's really calming! I believed that I would never again be able to enjoy such freedom."

'Freedom, hold on. Victoria, as far as I know, didn't like such things. When she was younger, she always felt the need to remain within her house. For the crown prince to notice her, she would prefer to read books then carry out her intentions. However, I felt as though I were being suffocated inside just now. I just want to unwind, take a vacation from my preparations to flee the scene, and have a peaceful existence. That is all I want to happen. I'm not the Victoria Chutlier from this book, either. Even though I am already Victoria, I'm trying to avoid being her because I want to forge my own identity here.'

As she advanced into the garden, Anne, who was now Victoria, gave some thought, leaving Melly to smile at her actions. She was aware that her assumptions regarding the lady's continued need for change were incorrect. She desired to continue growing and caring for the lady for the rest of her life because of this.

'People evolve as time goes on, so why hadn't I considered Lady Victoria improving as time went on? All I want right now is for her to stay this way starting tomorrow. I hope she will never remember her former self.'

Then, she merely grinned as she watched the young woman rushing in front of her toward the garden as if she were expecting something. She merely exhaled a breath of relief and grinned once again as the sun's gentle beams warmed her from head to toe.

On the other side, Victoria had been content with the life she was currently living, despite being resurrected as the novel's villainess. She is almost able to envision having the things she had never imagined having.

'Why is it that old Victoria is unable to recognize the splendor of her home? She is just concerned with winning the crown prince's love. That's not the case for me, though. I am aware that my parents have held my own funeral in the country where I was born. For a brief minute, the thought that I would never be able to gaze at them or even feel their hugs hurt. I'm making the most of my time here as a result. Additionally, the Chutlier household is a prosperous duchy; it will only be reduced to ruins after Victoria attempted to murder Hersha, the crown prince's real love. I tried to steer clear of that conclusion. The Chutlier family is a righteous family. If I understand correctly, this family is in charge of the empire's planning.'

Then, as if a light had suddenly appeared in her vision, she put her hand over her eyes to cast a shadow. She grinned more broadly as she moved past the large tree entering the garden. Then, as if remembering Melly, she gave her a call.

"Melly! Come on in! It's a cheery outlook! You'll feel more at ease here, I promise!"

"Coming, Milady---"

Melly had claimed that after taking three steps, the maid would quickly take more steps backward than forward. She immediately grinned once she turned her back on the Lady.

"I-I'm afraid, Milady, that I-I still have a lot of housework to do. I-I just thought back to the task I was about to complete with the head maid's earlier instructions."

The maid quickly turned around and left after that. Victoria was walking in one direction while Melly was walking in another.

'What the hell happened just now? I assumed that Melly and I were already good friends. There must only be a misunderstanding of the circumstances here.'

"Mell——"

Victoria began to walk in the direction she was abruptly running before she had finished what she was saying. Unexpectedly, she heard a voice behind her. She was on the verge of stumbling in the direction of the garden's grasses at that very moment. She was left with no alternative but to wait with her eyes closed for her butt to land on the grass.

She waited for another minute, but she still experienced nothing. She merely felt a warm set of hands grab her and squeeze her slender waist. She realized someone had saved her from falling at that point. But when she finally opened her eyes, she was speechless.

She briefly experienced paralysis. She was doubted to be unimpressed by his stunning good looks rather than the fact that she knew who had caught her. He had a soft complexion, blonde hair that was sparkling through the sun's warm brilliance, and those emerald green eyes.

'Who is this boy, exactly? I get the impression that he is sufficiently known to me. He is really beautiful. I highly doubt that he won't win the hearts of any women. However, why do I suddenly feel afraid?'

"You can see Victoria there. The next time, exercise caution."

She could hear a gentle voice in the background. She sensed a menacing voice whispering in her ears, not a soft tone as she had expected. She just shrugged off the idea, however.

"Oh, I'm sorry, but I appreciate you catching me. I still need to finish things, so if you could please..."

"Once more," a whispered voice cut her off.

Victoria, it seems you're no longer anticipating our meeting.

'What is he discussing?'

Then, as if realizing what was happening, the young lad asked

"Didn't that incident have something to do with why you didn't recall me? Your condition was the subject of rumors within the noble society, so I assume they are accurate."

"Rumors? About me?"

'She must be completely unaware of what I'm saying, I suppose. But she has changed. All I see is a young lady who seems perplexed. She had changed from how she had been. Does she really have amnesia? I suppose it's a good thing that she isn't as fixated on me as she used to be. In that case, perhaps I won't be so irritated with her.'

"Yes, but I figured you could just be starting to remember them. Well, Milady, allow me to remind you of them.

"Huh?"

The young lad suddenly knelt in front of her and introduced himself. He kissed one of her hands after that. It appears as though he made an oath to the woman.

"I'm Charles Heiston, your fiancé and the crown prince of this empire, so let me reiterate that, Milady."

Charles assumed the woman was blushing heavily after delivering those remarks.

'She must want me to do this, I thought. What a dreadful and tedious person this foolish woman is.'

But for the first time in his life, he was mistaken in his thinking. He merely caught a glimpse of Victoria's shocked expression. He thought she must have seen a monster in him.

'What the hell have I done? I believed that I was already running away from the plot. Aren't those sufficient? No! I want to call off our engagement!'