Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Two: Arthur

She doesn’t understand why he’s angry at her. Normally, a family cares for their family but she cant even feel a single concern from him. She felt sad not because she’s in this crazy situation but because of the cold treatment Vivi received all her life. To think that Vivi loves her brother so much and this is what she get, a bunch of crap for her affection. Everything disgusts her and she gets even more annoyed staring at his face.

“Get out.”

His tone sends chills to her spine yet she remained calm. Merriam glance at Viviene for a while before turning her back and walks away from the room.

‘Merriam, please don’t look at me like this is my deathbed.’

She felt the nervousness creeping inside her but she tried her best to not show it to him. His eyes glowed bright blue as he glared angrily at her. Now she’s certain that her brother is not an easy person to deal with. She swallowed her saliva as she stare back at him.

“You really are a disgrace in this family. Do you even know how embarrass our family was because of your stupid actions? Are you really that narrow-minded?”

Her eyes widen as she heard his harsh words. She cant believe that she’s being scolded right after she just recovered.

‘What kind of brother is he? Does he still have a heart?’

While she’s thinking how much of a jerk her brother is, a memory suddenly flashed in. Its an unpleasant memory of the past, back when she’s just a child.

“brother, I did not really do it. Please believe me.”

“Don’t lie to me. A lot of people saw you Viviene.”

“hick.. Hick.. Brother please believe me.”

“you are a disgrace in this family.”

Her eyes trembled as she lowered her gaze. Its always been like this. No one would listen to Vivi’s side of the story. Because she is wicked that she was hated by everyone and they thought that she deserved every suffering she’s experiencing right now. Nobody knows the reason of her rotten personality due to the fact that no one cared.

“Are you ignoring me Viviene?”

His words were like painful poison that burns her heart continuously. She firmly close her eyes and let the numbness took her senses as she spoke to him.

“… I’m sorry, brother. This will not happen again.”

Her heart is filled with hatred as she ask forgiveness to something she didn’t do. Its suffocating and painful that her mind becomes blank. Arthur watch her staring the floor. Her tone is cold and its difficult to determine her sincerity. He spoke to her again.

“You’re not allowed to go outside of this room, Viviene”

After he said those words with fury he left the room. His angry image and deathly aura did not subside after his disappearance. She can still feel his glare towards her and the feeling of being murdered a thousand times inside his head. She pick the pillow and punch it furiously to cool her anger down.

“You i***t brother! Jerk! You did not even ask if I’m okay!"

The poor pillow accepted her anger. In Viviene's head, she imagined that the pillow was Arthur's handsome face badly beaten by her fists. She satisfied herself according to her delusions of her beating her brother to death. After expressing her anger she lay down on the bed and stare at the ceiling.

'I'll punch your face someday.'

She thought like a child imagining her dream when she grow up.

After he scold her, he went out from the room and met her maid. Merriam lowered her gaze, afraid of offending Arthur who’s having a bad mood because of Viviene.

“She’s not allowed to go out from her room. Understand?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Make sure she’ll write her apology letters for the crown prince and Lady Eliza.”

“The Miss is already working for it Young Master.”

“Don’t write letters for her. Let her write on her own since she had good hands.”

Arthur knew that Viviene would order her maid to write letters for her. She’s becoming too dependent to her maid who’s always soft towards her. Merriam can sense what he’s thinking so she open her mouth to clarify the misunderstanding.

“The miss did not ask me to write for her, Young Master.”

“Pardon?”

“She’ll write the letters on her own.”

He stare at her observing if she’s kidding around or not. Merriam is a serious type of person and doesn’t joke around in work. His expression remain cold and indifferent as he answered.

“I see.”

He started to walk away from Merriam. He’s thinking deeply about Viviene’s condition. He remembered her expression as he entered her room. Her face displayed both shock, amusement, and nervousness. Her complexion is paler than before and she lose weight for being unconscious for three days. However, he did not feel anything but anger and annoyance of her childishness.

‘She deserved it.’

He conclude as he entered his room.

Viviene did not let Arthur’s mean words get into her. She took the pen and paper and started writing the letters to be sent to the imperial palace and Walmeir Household. She recall herself drowning in the lake again. She did not deny the fact that the commotion was her fault but what makes her mad is the truth that everyone wants her dead. After writing her name as the sender, she put them in a nice envelope and sealed it with the Cruel symbol. She put it nicely on her table and pick another sheet of paper.

She wrote on the top “Vivi’s Transformation and Survival Plan.” Every great achievements required a great plan as well so she thought of many things that could help her. Viviene is ignorant of everything around her and spend most of her time spending money and attending parties she’s not even invited. A trouble-maker in the family and the thorn of the society.

‘Now I can relate why Arthur hated Vivi so much.’

Aside from Viviene being extravagant and mean, she doesn’t have any talents that she can showcase to everyone. She’s bad at everything, mean and ignorant, a perfect villainess and a laughing stock in the social circle. Frustrations are slowly killing her as she sigh heavily.

“Thankfully, I’m an awesome person.”

She mutter to herself with confidence. She started to write something on the paper with a bright smile in her face. She paused and read her plan silently. The paper consist of four sentences and an emergency exit plan all in bold letters:

1. AVOID STRESS

2. LIVE LONGER

3. BE THE BEST

4. REPEAT

EMERGENCY PLAN FOR WORST SCENARIOS: RUN AWAY

She nodded and smiled satisfied of her plan in surviving as Viviene Cruel. Someone knock the door.

“Milady, its me”

Merriam speak behind the door. Viviene hid her plan in the drawer and answered Merriam.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Merriam entered handing a tray full of mouthwatering foods. It had steak, soup, a pudding for dessert and a red wine. She felt suddenly hungry all of a sudden and felt excited to taste the foods with her mouth. Merriam put the tray on the table.

“Thank you for the food!”

She said cheerfully and started eating. Her eyes sparkled as the she tastes the food’s rich flavor.

‘The only sunshine in my dark world.’

“I’m glad you like the food Miss.”

She glance at Merriam who’s smiling at her. She felt embarrassed of her ungraceful actions while eating. However she cant stop it! No one can stop her from doing what she likes! After eating, she took a warm bath and get ready for bed but she’s not sleeping yet. She needs to learn about the empire’s history and gained more knowledge.

‘According to plan number three I need to be the best!’

She opened the book and started reading however, she felt sleepy as she continue reading. She slap her cheeks until it went red but she’s still drowsy.

“I need motivation. A motivation that could wake me up all night.”

An image of a certain person came inside her head. Her blood boiled and her blood pressure rising. The corner of her mouth lift into a smirk as her eyes burned in fury.

“But of course, my jerk brother can be my perfect motivation.”

She remembered his harsh words and she felt herself burning up.

‘No one can stop me from reading this damn book!’

She thought and rage all night reading the whole history book.

Morning came, Merriam walk in the hallway and stopped at Viviene’s room. She knock on the door and speak politely.

“Milady, may I come in?”

No one answered so she speak again.

“I’ll be entering milady.”

She opened the door and enter the room. Her eyes fell to the lady who’s sleeping on the bed with her mouth open, her hair messy and hugging the history book she asked yesterday. She cant resist her laughter as she watch Viviene in an epic state. She shook her head as she smiled.

“Oh Milady, you wont get a man if someone sees you in that position.”

She opened the blinds and wake Viviene up. Viviene felt a slight headache for sleeping so late last night. She had two hours of sleep just to finish the book she had.

“Good morning Milady.”

Merriam greeted while smiling brightly. She look at her with an annoyed expression because of her headache.

“I’ll take a bath before eating breakfast.”

She ordered as she stood up, rubbing her eyes. She look at the book she’s holding and a smile formed her lips. She face Merriam with a triumphant face and hand her the book which made Merriam surprised.

“Here, I’m finish reading it.”

She cant hide her smile as she thought.

‘Mission accomplish’

Merriam is surprise of what Viviene said. The lazy lady of the manor finished a book in just one night. No one can even imagine that the lady can accomplish a task—

“And the letters are ready. Please send them out.”

“H-How did you--?”

“A great motivation is the key.”

She answered as she wink.

“Oh.”

“I want to take a bath now.”

“Yes, Milady.”

After bathing and getting ready for breakfast she did not bother herself in going to the dining room. She just asked Merriam to take her breakfast in her room and bring her a medicine for headache. She look herself at the mirror and stare herself for a while. She still has the weird feeling inside of her as she look in the mirror. Her messy black hair and black eyes were gone and were replaced with soft long ginger hair and amber irises.

“I cant still believe that this is me right now. Its like I’m dreaming.”

She mumble to herself.

‘I need to know how to return in my original body. For now, lets struggle in Vivi’s life.’

She thought and walk towards her desk. She took the paper from her drawer and read it to be reminded of her plan about survival. As she read her plan, someone knock the door.

“Milady, may I come in.”

Viviene hid the paper back and told Merriam to come in. She open the door with the food and medicine. After eating and drinking the medicine she requested a book about basic politics.

“Aside from politics, the library also have romance novels Milady. Would you like to read some of it too?”

Merriam asked.

“That would be good. Please bring some of it too.”

“Then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

Merriam left the room and headed to the library. She took one politics book and two romance novels for the lady. As she went out from the library, she met Arthur along the way. She bow down and greeted him with respect.

“Good day Young Master.”

Arthur look at the book she’s holding and asked.

“For whom are those books?”

“Its for Miss Viviene, Young Master.”

“Viviene?”

“She asked me to bring books in her room because she wants to read.”

He couldn’t believe what he’s hearing. Viviene is reading books in her room.

‘Is the world about to end soon?’

He thought in disbelief. He would rather believe that the sun will rise from the west and set at the east than believing that his sister is reading books. Merriam resist herself from smiling seeing the Young Master’s epic expression. Even she finds herself hardly believing that the miss can read. Viviene dislikes reading books because its boring. She would rather be outside the house and ruin people’s day than to stick her nose in books. But today is different, and perhaps, the lady is changing?

“I’ll be taking my leave, Young Master.”

Merriam said and walk passed through him. Arthur glance at her back still in shock.

‘So she’s not joking? What happened to my immature and stupid little sister?’

He wondered and started walking towards the duke’s office. Arthur had a long day doing paper works. His butt his numbing and his shoulders were already stiff from writing too much documents.

“Finnian, take the documents I’ve finished signing. I’ll take a stroll outside for a while.”

He ordered.

“Yes, Young Master.”

The butler answered.

Arthur went to the garden. He’s watching the roses in full bloom and smell its sweet fragrance. As he walk his eyes went to the window of Viviene’s room. In there he saw Viviene sitting on the edge with a book in her hand. Sunlight hit her face as she read the book with a serious expression.

‘So she’s really serious in reading.’

He thought. He turn away and face the roses again. He raise his hand and pick a rose, sniff it and decided to pick some more. He carefully remove the thorns and choose the most beautiful roses in the garden.

‘I heard girls love roses.’

He thought and went inside the mansion with the roses in his hand.

Viviene felt that the letters in the book are dancing. She pause for a while and close het eyes. She felt like her head is about to explode from too much information. She glance at the view outside and saw the pretty red roses.

‘The roses are so pretty.’

She suddenly felt lonely. Merriam is working with other chores so she cant just summon her all she wants. Aside from Merriam there’s no one she could talk to. She sigh and started reading again, hoping to get rid of the emotions slowly building up inside her. Someone suddenly knock the door so she stopped from reading and glance at it.

“Its me.”

Her eyes widen as she stare at the door.

‘Did I just hear my brother’s voice?’

“Viviene, may I come in?”

‘Oh my gosh! Its really him!’

She look at the window searching for any signs of the world approaching to its end but failed.

“Viviene?”

“Ah, come in.”

The door opened and once again she saw the magnificent face of her brother. His white silky hair and charming blue eyes are still breathtaking.

‘He’s still handsome. If its not of his disgusting treatment towards me we would have had a close relationship. Sorry bro, I had pride too.’

“Hello brother. What brings you here?”

She asked. He raise his hand, give her the roses and said.

“For you.”

She stared at the roses then to Arthur, she even look at the window if the end of the world is happening.

‘Did he hit his head or a bee stung his brain? Why is he suddenly so nice?’

She wondered as she felt that somethings not right with her brother in front of her.

“Uh, thanks?”

“And, I also want to talk to you.”

She look at him with wide eyes.

‘Talk to me? About what? What’s wrong with him?!’

She wondered.

"T-Talk to me?"

She asked in disbelief.

"Yes. I thought that we should spend some time often. What do you think?"

She can feel her mind is going crazy. Spending time with him is the least thing she'll do and according to her plan number one that she SHOULD avoid stress to obtain plan number two which is to live longer!

"Viviene?"

"Ah, of course brother. A family should spend time together. Its a nice thing!"

She said as she laugh awkwardly.

'No choice. I have to face him and proceed to plan number three which is to become the best sister for him!.. May God is with me.'

She prayed as she smiled ear to ear facing her stone face brother.