Deviating from the original plot

Chapter seven

She sighed, knowing the conversation was over. "Alright. I'll go."

He gave her a small smile. "That's all I ask."

✯✯✯✯✯

Even though Victoria had been taking etiquette lessons for years to fit into high society and avoid becoming an outcast like the original Victoria in the novel, she had underestimated how hard it would be.

Her first social event was a birthday brunch for a count's daughter. Many other noble girls around her age were there, all from important families. Victoria came prepared—she brought a thoughtful gift, gave the birthday girl a polite compliment, and remembered all her manners.

These girls weren't like anyone she was used to. These girls smiled sweetly, but their words were sharp and full of hidden meanings and seemed more focused on impressing one another than actually having fun. Every word felt like it had a hidden meaning, and no one acted truly friendly.

Victoria felt like every conversation was a game, and she didn't know the rules. There was no real connection, just fake friendliness.

She had expected a normal teenage birthday party— maybe with music, sweets, ponies and silly games. Instead, it felt like a battlefield, full of scheming girls in lace and pearls.

She had managed to survive the brunch with her dignity intact, but afterwards, she had hidden in her room for the rest of the day, drained.

After a few more experiences like that, she started skipping social events altogether. She never truly felt like she belonged in noble society, and in the end, she figured she would be an outcast anyway—just one who had made peace with it.

But now, with the prince's return and the capital buzzing with excitement, skipping the ball wasn't an option.

Victoria lay in bed, sulking, when a soft knock came at the door. Anne stepped in, holding her hands in front of her apron.

"My lady, your father asked me to accompany you to get a new dress for the ball," she said gently.

Victoria let out a quiet sigh and sat up. "Of course he did..."

Anne smiled. "The carriage is waiting for us downstairs."

✧✧

Victoria got dressed and joined Anne outside, where the carriage was. As they rode through the cobbled streets of the capital, Victoria stared out the window, watching the people bustle about.

They soon arrived at one of the finest dress boutiques in the capital, a nice building with large glass windows and elegant gowns displayed behind them. A bell chimed as they entered, and the shopkeeper greeted them with a warm smile and a polite bow.

A well-dressed woman stepped forward with a bright smile and a respectful bow. "Lady Victoria! What an honour to have you here. We've been expecting you."

"Nice to meet you, Madame," Victoria replied politely with a nod.

"Please, come this way. Our attendants will assist you and take your measurements."

Victoria followed her into the boutique, where the assistants moved with practised grace. Fabric swatches were shown, colours were held up to her skin, and designs were discussed while Anne chimed in now and then with honest thoughts.

Just as Victoria was turning to examine a soft ivory fabric, the bell above the door chimed again.

A voice, light and sweet, floated across the room. "Oh! Lady Victoria Valenford?"

Victoria turned, eyes meeting a strikingly beautiful noble girl with long golden curls and doe-like blue eyes. Her smile was warm, and she looked like she wouldn't hurt a fly.

"I thought it was you," the girl said, approaching. "We've met a few times before, though it's been years. You probably don't remember."

Victoria blinked, polite but puzzled. "I'm sorry... I don't think I do."

"That's alright," the girl giggled, waving it off. "You were just brought back around that time—what, five years ago now? I remember when news spread that the lost Valenford's daughter had finally been found. Everyone was talking about it."

Victoria nodded slowly, still unsure how to respond. "Uhm... Forgive me—I don't think I caught your name."

"Oh, where are my manners?" The girl laughed. "I'm Evelyn Leclair."

Evelyn Leclair. The heroine of the novel. A girl praised for her beauty, grace, and gentle charm. She was adored by everyone around her, admired for her kindness and gentle nature. In the original story, the prince, originally engaged to Celeste, had fallen for Evelyn's innocent charm. The girl who was meek, soft-spoken, and always agreeable the complete opposite of Lady Celeste, the novel's proud and sharp-tongued villainess who was sharp, strong-willed, and unafraid to speak her mind.

Evelyn's voice stayed soft. "I was just so worried about you. It must've been hard adjusting to high society after everything. I always noticed how uncomfortable you looked at the few events you came to... and then you just stopped coming."

She smiled kindly, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "I even thought about sending you a letter, but since we didn't really know each other, I didn't want to overstep. I just hope the reason you stopped showing up wasn't because someone bullied you?"

She hadn't left society because she was bullied like the original Victoria. She had just gotten tired of pretending. In this version, though, she had stepped away on her own terms. No bullies. No scandal. Just exhaustion.

Still, Evelyn had assumed otherwise.

"It's not like that," Victoria said quickly, her voice even. "It was never like that."

"Oh, that's such a relief," Evelyn replied with a soft smile. "I'm glad to hear that. I always hoped you were okay."

Of course she'd say something like that—always looking kind, always sounding gentle. It's what made everyone love her.

"That's thoughtful of you," Victoria said, offering a polite smile. "Thank you."

Evelyn looked relieved. "I really hope we can become closer. Especially with the season starting again. You'll be at the prince's welcome ball, won't you?"

"Yes," Victoria replied, though part of her wished she could say no.

"Wonderful!" Evelyn beamed. "It's going to be so exciting. It's all anyone's been talking about.

Of course it is, Victoria thought.

Just then, one of the boutique attendants returned.

"Lady Victoria, we've brought a few selections we think you'll love."

"I'll let you get back to your fitting," Evelyn said with a small wave. "But I'm really glad we met again."

With that, she turned and walked away.