The Villain's Dead Wife

26. Enchanted Fury

As I stepped into the west wing, I was instantly enveloped by a scent so sweet it was almost magical. The enchanted garden was unlike anything I had ever seen. The air shimmered with a gentle glow, and the garden seemed to breathe with life.

Bright flowers of every conceivable color bloomed in perfect harmony, their petals glowing softly as if kissed by moonlight. Vines with delicate, iridescent leaves twisted around elegant trellises, and butterflies with wings like stained glass flitted lazily among the blossoms. The ground was covered in a soft, velvety moss that squished pleasantly beneath my feet.

“Wow,” I breathed, taking it all in. “This place is... incredible.”

Lisa’s face lit up with delight. “I know, right? It’s like stepping into a fairy tale.”

I walked further into the garden, my eyes wide with wonder. “Who even thought of this?”

Lisa giggled. “I don’t know, but I heard it was a royal project. Apparently, it’s enchanted to bloom all year round.”

I knelt beside a cluster of luminescent flowers, reaching out to touch them. “It’s like everything here is alive and glowing.”

Lisa nodded enthusiastically. “And it’s supposed to be a place of peace and inspiration. I read somewhere that the magic here is supposed to soothe even the most troubled mind.”

I glanced at her, still amazed. “Well, it’s definitely working. I feel like all my worries are melting away just by being here.”

She smiled warmly. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Sometimes a bit of magic is all we need to put things into perspective.”

I stood up, dusting off my hands, and looked around. “You know, Lisa, this is exactly the kind of distraction I needed.”

Lisa grinned. “See? I told you it would work. Now, let’s enjoy the garden and forget about everything else for a while.”

I took a deep breath, letting the serenity of the enchanted garden wash over me. For a moment, it felt like all my problems were as distant as the stars.

“You know,” I said with a content sigh, “if the prince had shown up like this garden, maybe I wouldn’t be so annoyed with him.”

Lisa laughed. “Well, let’s just enjoy the magic while we can. Maybe he’ll take a hint and show up eventually.”

We wandered through the garden, savoring the sweet scent of flowers and watching small animals like squirrels and rabbits darting playfully around. Lisa, ever the animal lover, was trying to befriend the rabbits, her gentle coos and soft movements endearing her to the creatures.

Typical female lead behavior, I thought, smiling at how cute she looked. Unlike the often-contrived heroines in the books I read, Lisa's genuine kindness was refreshingly real.

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the peaceful ambiance. “AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! LADY!!!!!” Lisa’s terrified cry echoed through the garden.

I spun around, panic rising as I realized she was no longer behind me. Sprinting towards the sound, I turned a sharp corner and skidded to a halt. There, in the middle of the garden, a man had grabbed Lisa by her gown, his face buried in the fabric as he sniffed it with an unsettling intensity.

Oh no, a pervert! They exist in this world too!

Lisa was struggling, her sobs breaking my heart as she tried to push him away. The man’s actions were tearing the hem of her gown, adding to her distress.

Without a second thought, I charged forward. I lifted my gown slightly to give me more freedom of movement and swung my leg up, delivering a swift kick to the man’s face. He was knocked backward, crashing onto the ground a few feet away from us.