Note: The english and extended version.
Veronica, the Duchess of Audovera, was renowned as the most breathtaking woman in the kingdom, but her beauty was matched only by her reputation for arrogance and indulgence. Her life had always been one of luxury and excess-until the day her husband, the Duke, left for war.
It was then, amidst the emptiness of their grand estate, that something within her stirred. Memories of another life flooded her mind, revealing a shocking truth: she had reincarnated into the body of the villainess from a fantasy-romance novel she once read.
The plot was clear, and her fate was sealed. Her husband, the Duke-the novel's male protagonist-would soon fall in love with the saintess he met during the war. Upon his return, he would demand a divorce, casting Veronica aside. But the story didn't stop there. Left to stew in her bitterness, the villainess would meet a tragic end at his hands.
But this Veronica was different. Armed with knowledge of the story's events, she resolved to take a different path. She would play her role with grace, sign the divorce papers without a fight, and step out of the limelight. Peace, freedom, and a quiet life were her new goals.
Three years passed. The war ended, and the Duke returned. Veronica, prepared for her fate, was ready with her pen poised over the divorce papers.
Yet, to her growing confusion, the Duke didn't say a word about separation. His eyes, once cold and distant, now lingered on her with an intensity she didn't recognize.
"Why hasn't he asked for a divorce?" she wondered, her perfectly laid plans beginning to crumble.
As she grapples with her husband's inexplicable behavior, Veronica must navigate a new and unpredictable future. Can she successfully avoid the villainess's doomed path, or is she destined to play a different role altogether?
That's quite a sigh.
A man's voice, deep and observant, breaks through the silence.
Immediately, I straighten up, as if being pulled by an invisible string. My eyes dart to the source of the voice, and there he stands. Tall and composed with a posture so impeccable that it makes me wonder if he has a military background.
A pair of clear blue eyes gaze at me expectantly from behind a mask that molds perfectly to his face. His features are strong and angular, his jawline sharp.
His attire is immaculate, every detail of his ensemble meticulously pressed and tailored to perfection. As he steps closer, the tiny golden coat of arms pinned to his chest catches the light, momentarily blinding me.
Standing in front of me is the Duke. I lower my gaze. The less he sees of me, the better. All he needs to remember is the lady in the blue dress and my job here will be complete.
--
In a world of glittering ballrooms and masked deception, a humble governess steps into the shoes of a rebellious noblewoman, risking everything to save her family. But when a dashing duke takes an unexpected interest in her, the line between duty and passion begins to blur.
As secrets unravel and hearts collide, she must decide: will her charade cost her everything? A lush story of love, identity, and second chances, this story promises a happily ever after where true hearts triumph over society's expectations.
** Inspired by the glittering world of Bridgerton.