Deviating from the original plot

Chapter two

Victoria stepped into the dining hall, where the scent of fresh pastries and brewed tea filled the air. The long dining table was impeccably set, with gleaming silverware and perfectly arranged plates.

At the head of the table sat the Marquis of Valenford, his posture upright and dignified, though his gaze softened slightly as it met hers.

"Good morning, Victoria," the Marquis greeted with warmth in his voice.

Victoria nodded and approached the table, her words coming out quieter than she intended. "Good morning."

The Marquis gestured to the chair beside him. "Please, sit."

She lowered herself carefully into the chair, doing her best to maintain some semblance of composure. A servant moved to pour tea for her, the soft clink of porcelain breaking the silence.

"I trust you're settling in well?" the Marquis asked, sipping his tea while studying her with interest.

Victoria hesitated before nodding.

Settling in? After being thrust into this strange world without purpose? She stifled a sarcastic laugh, reminding herself that keeping her composure was more important than voicing her thoughts.

The Marquis nodded approvingly, as if he had expected as much. "It will take time, I'm sure. But you are safe here. You need not worry about anything." His words were calm and reassuring, a sharp contrast to the distance she had expected from a nobleman of his stature.

Victoria smiled faintly. "Thank you, sir."

He studied her for a moment longer, then motioned to the meal before them. "Please, eat."

She glanced down at the food—delicate pastries, fresh fruit, and several dishes she didn't recognise—and slowly picked up a piece of bread. As she did, the Marquis's gaze softened even further, as though he were trying to make her feel at ease.

"I know this isn't easy," he added quietly, his voice gentler now. "But you are my daughter, Victoria. And I will make sure you are treated as such."

Victoria was somewhat taken aback by his words. After all, she was his daughter now, and it was expected that a father would care for his children. But she still felt like a stranger in his presence, and the Marquis's affectionate gestures would likely take some time for her to adjust to.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled then, a small but genuine curve of his lips. "You are welcome, Victoria. Now, let's ensure you start your new life here well."

Victoria's thoughts briefly drifted to her real parents—the ones she had left behind. They had been her biggest supporters, always loving and encouraging her. Their care had shaped her into the person she had been before the accident. But now, all she had was the Marquis, a man she hardly knew, and this unfamiliar world.

The thought of her parents made her heart ache. How had they reacted to her death? They must have been devastated. She didn't want to leave them behind and didn't mean to die. The pain of that loss weighed heavily on her chest, and before she could stop herself, tears welled up and spilt down her cheeks.

She quickly wiped her face, hoping the Marquis hadn't noticed. Sniffling, she tried to focus on her meal, pushing her emotions aside as best as she could.

The Marquis seemed to sense her mood, though he didn't say anything immediately. Instead, he cleared his throat softly and reached for his teacup. The silence between them stretched for a moment.

She picked up her fork and poked at her food, her appetite still uncertain, but she ate nonetheless, trying to appear more composed.

After breakfast, Victoria sat quietly at the table, her mind elsewhere. The Marquis had finished his meal early, departing to tend to his demanding schedule, leaving her alone with her thoughts. The warmth of the dining hall and the Marquis' kindness did little to fill the emptiness inside her.