Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 130

Chapter 130: Let’s Play Pretend
Khaterine drifted further into the depths of her mind, sinking into the illusion of her past life, where everything was perfect and untainted by suffering.

She did not want to wake up. Not yet. Not when she could still bask in the warmth of her husband’s love, the man who had once cherished her beyond all else.

She saw herself walking through the grand gardens of their estate, her fingers grazing the soft petals of blooming roses.

The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, mingling with the crisp morning breeze.

Birds chirped in harmony, fluttering between the lush green trees, and the sound of a nearby fountain trickled like a soft melody in the background.

She wore a flowing gown of silk and lace, its pastel hues blending with the beauty of nature surrounding her.

“Daydreaming again, my love?” A deep voice, rich and familiar, sent a shiver down her spine.

She turned to see Richmond standing behind her, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

He was dressed in his usual military attire, though the rigid formality of it was softened by the way he smiled at her.

His dark hair was tousled from the wind, making him look both regal and untamed, a man of power who had chosen to kneel only to her.

“I was merely admiring the beauty of the day,” she responded with a gentle smile.

He stepped closer, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “And yet, I find that nothing in this garden compares to the beauty before me.”

She laughed, a soft sound that melted into the breeze. “You flatter me too much, my lord.”

“I only speak the truth,” he murmured, his fingers tracing the curve of her jaw.

“Tell me, my duchess, what would you like to do today? Shall we ride through the countryside? Dine in the city? Or perhaps…”

His eyes gleamed mischievously as he leaned in. “…stay in bed all day and let me worship you properly?”

Her cheeks flushed, and she swatted at his chest, though she was smiling. “You are incorrigible.”

He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingertips, his lips warm against her skin. “And you, my love, are my greatest indulgence.”

She sighed, leaning into his touch. In this life, there was no darkness, no sorrow. Only the unwavering devotion of the man she had married.

Later that evening, they dined beneath the stars, on the grand balcony of their estate overlooking the vast, moonlit fields.

The servants had long since retired, leaving them alone in their private world. The candlelight flickered in the night breeze, casting golden hues upon Richmond’s sharp features.

Khaterine sipped her wine, watching as he studied her with an intensity that made her heart race. “Why do you stare at me so?” she asked, placing her glass down.

“Because I want to memorize every detail of you,” he answered, his voice low. “In case I ever wake up and find this is all a dream.”

Her heart ached at the sincerity in his words. She reached across the table, her fingers finding his. “Then let us never wake up.”

He smiled, bringing her hand to his lips once more. “Never.”

Days passed in the dream, each one filled with love and laughter.

They attended grand balls, where she was the envy of the noblewomen, for she had a husband who adored her like no other.

They danced beneath crystal chandeliers, the music weaving around them like an unspoken vow.

Richmond never took his eyes off her, his hands always finding some way to hold her, as if he feared she would disappear.

And when the world quieted, when the festivities ended, he would take her to their chambers, where he would whisper sweet nothings against her skin, reminding her in a thousand ways that she belonged to him.

She had never doubted his love. Not in that life.

One afternoon, she found herself sitting in their library, curled up on a chaise with a book in hand.

Richmond entered without warning, as he always did, and plucked the book from her fingers before pulling her into his lap.

“You always disturb me when I read,” she huffed, though she made no move to leave.

“Because you are too engrossed in those stories to pay attention to your husband.”

She laughed, tracing the line of his jaw. “And what do you require of my attention, my lord?”

He leaned in, his lips brushing hers in the faintest of touches. “Everything.”

She melted into him, sighing into the kiss. This was her happiness. This was the life she was meant to live.

But then…

A crack.

Something shattered.

The warmth of his embrace flickered like a dying flame. The soft glow of the chandeliers dimmed. The music faded into a haunting silence.

Khaterine stiffened. Richmond’s purple eyes looked at her with confusion, as if he, too, could feel something slipping away.

She reached for him, but her hands passed through his form like mist.

“No…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

The walls of their grand estate began to crumble. The gardens withered. The stars in the sky blinked out one by one.

“No, no, no,” she chanted, grasping at the fragments of the illusion.

Richmond’s face, his warmth, his love, it all started to dissolve. He reached out to her, but before their hands could meet, he was gone.

Khaterine screamed.

The illusion shattered.

She woke up in the darkness of her prison, cold and trembling. Her body ached, the curse of Exeistalynthe still wreaking havoc on her veins.

The scent of roses was gone, replaced by the metallic tang of blood. The warmth of Richmond’s embrace was a mere memory, swallowed by the merciless void of reality.

Tears streamed down her face as she curled into herself, the pain of loss cutting deeper than any blade.

She had been happy once. She had known love once.

And now, she was nothing.

A shadow stirred in the darkness. A deep voice, one far colder than the one she longed for, broke the silence.

“You dream of him, even now?” Zephyrion’s voice was laced with something unreadable.

Khaterine did not respond. She could not.

Because if she spoke, if she acknowledged the truth, then she would have to admit that she had lost Richmond forever.