Deviating from the original plot

Chapter twenty-four

The next morning, Anne had already packed a small travel bag and placed it neatly in the waiting carriage.

"Stay safe, Victoria," her father said as he walked her out, his tone laced with concern. "Stick with your group, be mindful of your surroundings. And please, cross the road properly. Oh, and have fun too. Be nice."

Victoria rolled her eyes affectionately at his fussing. "I hear you, Father. Don't worry so much."

"I can't help it—it's your first time travelling this far from home by yourself."

"You sappy old man," she teased, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. She pulled back and kissed his forehead. "Take care of yourself too, alright?"

With that, she stepped away and met Damien near the carriage.

"Your first trip away," he said, opening the door. "Must be exciting."

Victoria gave a dry chuckle as she climbed into the carriage. "Hardly. I barely know the girls who'll be at the holiday house. I think they just invited me to be polite."

Damien raised a brow as he stepped into the carriage after her. "Still, it might turn out better than you think."

Victoria leaned back against the seat, gazing out the window. "I hope so. The last time I saw those ladies, they were... less than pleasant."

Damien chuckled. "Well, if one of them gets on your nerves too much, you can always crack a champagne bottle over her head."

Victoria groaned, rolling her eyes. "Are you ever going to let that go?"

The journey stretched on for nearly three hours, winding through open countryside and thick clusters of forest, until at last the carriage rolled into the quiet outskirts of Lythmore.

Victoria stirred as the wheels crunched over the gravel path leading up to the estate. She peeked out the window and saw a grand manor in the distance.

"We're here," Damien said, straightening his coat as the carriage slowed to a stop.

A footman opened the door, and Victoria stepped down gracefully, smoothing her skirts as she glanced around.

"Lady Victoria, you came!" A cheerful voice called out.

It was Lady Briony, dressed in a sunny yellow gown, waving at them from the steps with a group of finely dressed young nobles clustered behind her.

Briony spoke. "I'm so glad you could make it. Do come in and freshen up—your rooms are ready. We'll be having lunch in the garden once all the guests have arrived."

"Thank you for the invitation. It's lovely to see everyone again," Victoria replied.

"It's lovely to see you too," Marianne said sweetly, while Odette and Celina offered polite nods of acknowledgement.

"Lady Victoria, here you are again," Evelyn said, stepping forward with a warm smile.

"Lady Evelyn," Victoria greeted, returning the smile.

"Nice to see you again, Lady Evelyn," Damien added with a nod, but Evelyn's smile faltered.

"Lord Damien," she replied stiffly. Then, slipping her arm through Victoria's, she leaned in slightly. "Is he required to stay with you?"

"He's staying at a nearby resort while we're here," Victoria explained calmly.

Evelyn's shoulders relaxed. "Okay," she said, a bit too quickly, before flashing a bright smile again. "We're sharing a room, by the way!" she added with a cheerful giggle, tugging Victoria gently toward the manor.