The Villain's Dead Wife

Talking to my mother felt unexpectedly comforting. After being born, my own mother vanished from my life, leaving a void I never truly understood. Even though Grandma showered me with love, something always felt missing without my mother.

Duchess Elowen, however, is incredibly kind and understanding. She didn't even bring up Meredia's suicide attempt. It's as if she just knows how to be there for her daughter without needing to delve into deep, heartfelt conversations. It's a strange but soothing feeling, like she's filling in a piece of the empty space I never realized was there.

The warmth and acceptance from this family, something I never had in my real world, made me reconsider my plans. I decided to stay in the palace and embrace the opportunity to prove myself. By becoming a scholar and contributing meaningfully, I hoped to show my worth and prevent the Duke from marrying me off to that scoundrel of a prince.

My new goal is to dedicate myself to the Solterra and Valtoria family, earning their love and respect. If I succeed, I can secure my place here and avoid the fate I dread, finding purpose and a sense of belonging in this world.

But I didn't realize how quickly my plans would unravel until that fateful night. On my coming-of-age ceremony, I was introduced to him-Kairan Alistair Ashbourne, the devil himself.

I never expected this day to come so soon. Despite all my hard work and newfound dedication over the past few days, I faced the crushing reality: I was destined to marry him, and my efforts might be in vain. The weight of impending doom settled heavily on my shoulders, leaving me to grapple with the disheartening truth...

The maids dressed me up in a breathtaking gown that felt like a dream come true. It was a deep sapphire silk, transitioning to a soft silver as it flowed down in layers of tulle. The bodice was adorned with delicate silver embroidery, intricate patterns of vines and blossoms that sparkled as I moved. The sweetheart neckline was subtly off-the-shoulder, with tiny pearls that added a touch of elegance.

My waist was cinched with a satin ribbon that tied into a dramatic bow at the back. The skirt billowed out in a full train, made of soft, layered tulle that shimmered with crystal beads scattered throughout. The effect was like stardust with every step I took.

To complete the look, I wore a delicate silver tiara studded with sapphires and diamonds, matching the gown perfectly. Silver strappy sandals peeked out from beneath the hem, adding a graceful finish to the ensemble. As I looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel like a vision of grandeur and beauty, ready for the momentous occasion.

"Oh my! lady!" the maid exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.

The hairdresser nodded proudly, "Her hair looks so smooth. All because of me."

I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, and for a moment, I could imagine my true self standing there, wearing this magnificent dress.

It had always been my dream to dress like a princess on my birthday. However, due to the struggles of my remaining family and my guardian, my grandmother, I never had the chance to fulfill it.

I missed my grandmother dearly. She had always made my birthdays special, baking me a small cake with what little she had and singing me a song.

As I thought about her, my eyes welled up with tears. The emotional pull was overwhelming, but I managed to smile through it all, "I look so pretty."

Just then, the Duke and Duchess walked in. The moment they saw me dressed up like a doll, they was instantly overcome with emotion. It was a poignant moment for them-after all, their daughter had finally turned 18 and was now a grown-up woman, ready to receive proposals from admires. Little did they know that their daughter was fated to face danger at the hands of her future husband, Prince Kairan Alistair Ashbourne.

Seeing me in my elaborate dress, my mother's eyes brimmed with tears. She and the Duke came up to me, their faces glowing with pride and love. They gently wiped away a stray tear from my cheek and placed tender kissed on my forehead. The sensation was like a warm, comforting embrace, filling my heart with a deep sense of belonging and love.

In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy for the original Meredia, who had experienced this familial love and support from the very start of her life.

Duke said, "Mery, you don't know how thrilled we are that you've finally become a woman. You've matured and become responsible!"

Oh, sure, I've become responsible-right before being handed off to a prince who probably thinks 'duty' means ruling with an iron fist!

Duchess chimed in, "Today, you'II receive proposals from many noble men. In a year or two, you might be off to start a new life."

My face went as pale as a ghost. Really? At the height of this joyous occasion, they're already talking about marriage? Couldn't we have one moment of happiness without the "and then you'II be married off" subplot?

I dramatically clutched my chest and said, "Mother, I don't want to get married! I've only just figured out how to walk in these heels without tripping over my own feet. I'm not ready to lose my newfound responsibility to marriage. Plus, who needs a husband when you've got a whole library of books to read and an entire palace to explore?"

They both chuckled and nodded probably relieved that I wasn't going to throw a tantrum and accidentally knock over the entire ballroom with my dramatic flair.

I managed to steer the conversation away from marriage. Inwardly, I was praying not to meet any man who would get down on one knee and ask, "Will you marry me?" Because if that happened, I'd probably channel my inner superhero and give them a swift kick to the, well, you know where. I mean, no one should be allowed to propose without a full background check, right?