Chapter 3: Viviana's Mother

After three days a lot of things happened in just a short span of time. The Empress sent a doctor and sent many gifts at Caster's mansion. There are lots of gorgeous dresses, jewelries and rare collectibles but father rejected them all saying "How could Her Majesty compare my daughter as an object!? Did Her Majesty think we are gullible?! Did Her Majesty thinks we lack these kind of stuff?" and because of that those servants from the royal family did not dare to come again. They will lose face if they keep bribing the Marquess. Her father is like a wall when his daughter is being wrong. To be honest he spolied Viviana too much that's why she become unruly and selfish causing her to hate Viviana in the novel.

Sophie is now outside the garden enjoying tea by herself. She already acknowledge them and accepted that her identity is Viviana Mari Dulvan Caster. At first she didn't realize though the name rings a bell but she couldn't figure out that time because her mind is in chaos. Her identity is a villain of her favorite novel titled: My Heroine, Please Love Me!.

The story is all about Jenna Norsz whose from a merchant family. Her family recently acquired the title of a Baron because they contributed enough in social circle. Her family's business is struggling because they have many competitives. Jenna is not a social butterfly but she needs to attend banquets to gather nobles and sell her products. She is very independent in such a young age of eighteen but the heroine is too kind for her own good. On her journey saving her family's business she met those male leads in the novel.

She finds this story good and not boring. Originally, this is a korean novel. It's been a long time since the last update. When she browsed, it is said the novel is near in completion but the problem is there are no enough translators that's why it's in hiatus. She spoiled herself through the internet she only know that there are three male leads but the translated novel she read there are only two. So she is very excited but she fell asleep, still she doesn't have a clue how she got here in the first place!

Sigh, but the problem is her role in the novel! The character named Viviana Mari Dulvan Caster is the only daughter of Marquess Gideon Caster and Marchioness Genevieve Dulvan Caster. Her father is the first cousin of the Empress in earlier generation. The Empress' grandmother has younger sister which equal to the Empress' mother's age. That made her grand aunt and she is married to the late Marquess Caster and gave birth to the new Marquess Gideon Caster. That's why they are related but they are distant relatives. The Empress' mother married to Earl Lionel Schawenger which is below to the Marquess in nobility.

Viviana's mother, Genevieve Dulvan Caster was married first to Viscount Harold Dulvan but he died when Viviana was five years old. Her mother became widowed at such an early marriage but she was remarried to Marquess Gideon Caster after three years of mourning. The law here stated if your spouse died you still carry his surname even if you get remarried. Her mother was able to get the dowry and few lands of the viscount as a compensation. The only successor at that time was only Viscount Harold, now he died the title is on hold and the title is still on a debate in court. The Dulvan's are now in chaos because the viscount title and it's rank in nobility is reasonable considering the wealth of the household.

Her mother is able to get remarry to avoid the Dulvan's struggle for the title. Luckily, it was stated at his last will that he will gift her mother few riches so that she won't suffer and could remarry in the future. She is not related by blood to the Empress and her son, the prince of this empire. The Marquess title is below the Duke and it is even combined by the late Viscountess which is her mother. That's why the Empress give this marriage importance. The Marquess is even her distant relative that will be good to gather relative's power as one. More importantly they are in her side so there are less possibility that they will betray her.

Sophie frowned by knowing the novel's villain's background. She doesn't want to get more in trouble and want to severe the engagement but it will take her great efforts to do that. This character is known being insanely inlove with the prince they will doubt if she suddenly severe it. She needs to think for more opportunities, if possible she will help the male lead, the prince. For now, the prince is grounded for a month. If she recalled correctly the story goes that the heroine—Jenna Norsz will meet the second male lead which is the distinguish noble businessman named Sione Huntsman. The prince's absence for a month will make the two meet.

She could get idle whenever she wants afterall she's the daughter of a noble. She even pretended that she lost her memories though she know the character and the plot still she can't act like a brat.

The news between her and the prince is still on going that's why she is forbidden to go outside until the gossip subsided. Her father forbids to talk about what happened three days ago in the mansion. Viviana has lots of enemies including the servants of the household because of her unruly behavior. She accidentally heard the gossip of the maids while she is on her way in the garden.

That she, Viviana is very shameless and all that she deserved that etc. She only sighed and let them hate her. Even she the reader of the novel got annoyed at Viviana—the character. With this one month span of free time she will try to fix her image. If she want to avoid trouble she needs to lessen atleast the enemies around her.

She putted down the teacup and finally decided. She already pretended that she lost her memories even the doctor said that she knocked her head hard so there is a possibility that what she said was true.

The maid behind Sophie startled because she putted down the teacup with little force. The tea residue is still on Sophie's hands without her knowing. The maid noticed it she pulled out the handkerchief in her pocket she was about to step forward but one of her colleagues held her hand and shook her head. The maid only smiled and walked beside Lady Viviana. She heard that she lost her memories because of the incident. The servants in the mansion is still in doubt because Lady Viviana spouted many excuses in order to get out of trouble. If this is true or not she is still their master. "My Lady your hand is wet, let this servant wipe it." she said politely while showing the handkerchief. She want to test her master so she gambled this time.

Sophie looked at her right hand and true there is a tea residue. "Oh..." she exclaimed. She was in a deep thought earlier so she hasn't notice it. "Oh don't trouble yourself, let me do it." she smiled and get the handkerchief in the maid's hands. She starts to wipe it off while continuing her thoughts.

Those maids were speechless and shocked because of what they witnessed. Lady Viviana thinks she is very noble and always finds fault to those servants. She rarely let her maids touch her without permission but wiping by herself... If there is a single stain in her body she will get angry and will not wear the dress again.

Those maids exchanged glances they were little convinced that their master might really have an amnesia. They secretly wish that she will remain like this, forever. Sophie has no clue what they are thinking about her, she is focused on her situation how to change herself for the better. Little did she know that she already left a good impression.

There is a lady sitting on a sofa. She saw Sophie through the window. "Is she really my daughter? The daughter that I spoiled too much?" she said out of the blue. After three days her daughter changed so drastically she even can't recognize her. When the doctor came and checked her condition that she really knocked her head enough that there are possibility she might lost her memories. Her and her husband feel unhappy of what happened and they put this matter in secret, even the Empress does not know.

The personal maid who attended Mrs. Caster—Alisa sighed. Even she can't believe what had happened with the young lady. They don't know how to react if they are happy or not, specially those servants who were mistreated by Viviana. She is spoiled when she was very young before she came here in the Caster's mansion. They treated it like normal kids will do but her attitude had gone worse when she get older and older. Luckily Mr. and Mrs. Caster have a long patience and endured her behavior as they are only their daughter. Now that Mrs. Caster is currently pregnant she wondered if the favor will shift to this baby. How will their young lady will take it? Could she still act unruly? She doubt that their lady's lost of memories is an act, that's why as servants they keep watching their young mistress' movements and will immediately report it to Mr. and Mrs. Caster.

"Your Ladyship needs to rest and don't worry anymore. Let the doctors cure Young Lady's illness." Alisa said while she starts to clean the embroidery set that her master used.

"What about the doctor's prescriptions? Is she taking it regularly?" Genevieve asked in a worry. She blamed herself not taking her daughter well and lost her memories. She feels that she lack something.

"Your Ladyship don't need to worry. The maids said that she drink the medicine under the doctor's prescription." she paused. "Ah, Your Ladyship it's time for Young Lady to drink her medicine." she suddenly remembered and blurted it out. She's the one who is assigned for the Young Lady's necessities so she know her schedule when the medicine should be taken.

"Let me deliver it to her." Genevieve said in enthusiasm. She want to see her daughter drink it in her own eyes so she will feel relieve.

Alisa noticed her expression, she can't help but get worried. "Your Ladyship let this servant do it. Your health is the utmost priority."

"Get the medicine now. If I won't do it by myself I will just get more worried." she said firmly. Alisa nodded and left.

Alisa came after few minutes holding a tray with bowl of medicine. Genevieve stood up supported by a maid and starts to walk to the garden. She carefully walk and reach her destination. She saw her daughter sitting in a daze. Those maids who serve Viviana saw Genevieve they about to bow but Genevieve waved her hand to stop them and leave them alone. Those maids left quietly leaving behind Mrs. Caster and Viviana with their personal maids.

"Dear, why are you in a daze? Did something happened?" Genevieve asked in a worry. When Sophie heard it she suddenly stood up and spilled the tea on the table. Everyone was shocked of her sudden reaction, she looks very nervous. On the other hand Sophie is still not use to her current life and if possible she seldom talk to everyone. In real life she is introvert that's why she find herself awkward in conversation, because in her case it ended up too quickly. Though she has friends but she is still getting isolated and ignored most of the time.

"M-mother..." she forced a smile. She fixed her posture and regained her senses.

Genevieve only smiled back and gesture the maids to clean the table. They waited for a while then she held Viviana's hand to sit down. Sophie followed her."How are you feeling? Is still your head hurts?"

"It does not hurt that much but I'm fine really." she assured her while holding her hand. She feel secured even though she is stranger to her.

"Aish, as your father and I told you to get bandage and rest but you still here outside doing a tea party on your own." she complained but she sounds more worried. Sophie's heart melts because of her warm. If just Viviana—the character in novel is like an angel like her own mother that would be good. Viviana's mother is just too kind resulting Viviana's unruly behavior which is very opposite to her parents.

"Ah, I brought your medicine here. It's still warm you should drink it." Genevieve excitedly said. Alisa stepped forward and gave the medicine to her master. Sophie gulped so hard seeing the medicine color like a moss and in her eyes it looks gross. Telling the truth she tried once to drink it yesterday while her eyes close. The bitter flavor is so strong that even she woke up the other day she still can taste it. That's why she's drinking tea hoping the taste will go away. She even throw the medicine in the morning secretly and told them a lie that she did drink it when her mother's personal maid name Alisa came and asked. The problem is her mother personally delivering it to her!

"Ah... T-thank you mother. I will drink it later." she said while forcing a smile trying to hide her disgust. The medicine looks too gross!

"I personally delivered it to you because I'm worried about your health. So that I can rest assured." Genevieve said feeling aggrieved. Sophie saw this she can't help but surrender her heart melts seeing this scene. She read the novel and she knew about her motherly love towards Viviana.

"Mother I'll drink it so don't worry anymore, okay?" she said and get the bowl. She hesitated for a second and drink it in one go. Genevieve laughed seeing this scene. The maids around them smiled seeing this scene between mother and daughter.

"W-water..." Sophie said in a hurry. She can't endured the taste.

"Servants get some water and Alisa get my sweet snacks." she ordered and those maids nodded and left hurriedly. "Does the medicine tastes so bad?" she asked while laughing. Her daughter's face looks so awkward not so lady-like but she find it lovely.

"Yes, I hope mother will allow me not to drink this anymore. I'm really fine." Sophie complained jokingly but in her heart she really wished it too.

"You won't unless the doctor said so." Genevieve smiled whole heartedly she like the new her but she still miss the old Viviana. If she just raise her carefully her behavior might not become unruly. Whatever her behavior is good or bad she still loves her.

"Mother, ask the doctor to lessen the bitterness of the medicine or make alternative flavors so everyone could drink it without problems." Sophie requested out of the blue. Because in modern times there are several flavors she was a kid, and her favorite was grapes at that time.

"Flavors? It's the first time I heard that you can add some flavors to a medicine. All the medicine I know are bitter or bland." Genevieve wondered. If the medicine that usually made have some flavors that would be good specially for children. Other parents will have no troubles to force their children to drink it. "Your suggestion is good! I'll tell your father about that. Your father has a friend that who own a hospital in the capital." she smiled while holding Sophie's hand.

"I-I was joking! Ha-ha." Sophie became nervous. She know in this ancient times medicine is still evolving and she blatantly blurted that out about flavors. If her mother tell it to her father he might inquire more and she can't explain it clearly it might arouse their suspicion.

Sophie nervously laugh and she saw Alisa walking forward behind her are several maids holding each tray. "M-mother they are here!" she pointed at their direction. Genevieve looked and didn't try to inquire about her suggestion. She can just tell it at dinner later.

"Your Ladyship." Alisa greeted them and gestured those maids to put all the foods and drink at the table. Sophie was astonished when she saw the snacks they are cute and beautiful. Genevieve smiled seeing her reaction. They waited for a while and the table is set.

"These are my snacks that I personally made. Try it, it will lessen the bitterness of the medicine." Genevieve smiled pointing the mini cupcakes that she made earlier. Sophie drooled and immediately took a cupcake and shoved it to her mouth. It's so fluffy and the chocolate melted. She took and tried several flavors and her favorite was the strawberry cupcake that tastes like strawberry shortcake in modern times. She is happy because the bitterness is gone leaving only sweetness in her mouth.

"Eat it slowly no one will take it from you." Genevieve said laughingly. She notice that there are few stains on her mouth. She stood up and used her handkerchief to wipe her mouth. Sophie was startled and awkwardly letting her be.

"T-thank you..." she said nervously. She waited until she was done. Genevieve took a step back scanning if there are still stains.

"You should eat carefully, not so lady-like! You can only do this at home, okay? Or else you will get bullied and it will make us worry." she scolded her. Though Sophie was scolded she can still feel her caring warm towards her. Why Viviana doesn't treasure her angel-like mother?! Thinking about that it made Sophie more annoyed at the character.

"Your Ladyship, it's time for your afternoon nap." Alisa interrupted and reminded her master. Her master is pregnant that's why they are more careful.

"Oh..." Genevieve looked at Alisa then at her daughter. "I can't accompany you anymore." she sighed.

Sophie smiled and said. "Mother, let me accompany you until you reach your bedroom. Is that okay?" she stood up and walked beside her holding her arm.

"Then I'll trouble you." Genevieve said while smiling. Sophie and her both laughing on the way. Those servants can't help but look at them being intimate. Others felt relieve and some are suspicion. It's very weird because Viviana usually ignore her parents when something does not go in her way. Now look, they are both having fun.

Sophie can't help but look at her mother's belly. There is a small baby bump. She remembered about the story after one month of absence of the prince he was finally released but he become more mature. He ignored Viviana at that time and he is setting his new goal to obtain power not through marriage alliance. Viviana became furious and requested to meet the prince she even visit the palace to see Her Majesty. Empress agreed what her son's doing and temporarily ignored Viviana. At that time Viviana was very frustrated she feel easily irritated and her mother tried to appease her but Genevieve was pushed so hard and fell on the ground. Her belly was hit so hard that cause her miscarriage.

"We are here." Genevieve said and looked at her daughter who was in a daze. Sophie get back to her senses and smile. "You rest too. Let's meet at dinner later." Genevieve said while waving her hand. Sophie only nodded and watch her mother to go inside.

She bit her lip and promised to herself that she will take care of Viviana's mother. Even the original plot of the novel change it course.

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