VIVIAN
Vivian woke up with the image of the golden lotus still lingering in her mind.
She closed her eyes and searched her consciousness again.
There it was.
A lonely golden lotus floated silently in an endless white space.
"...What exactly are you?"
No matter how long she stared at it, nothing happened.
No voice or missions nor a system notification.
Vivian sighed.
"It must belong to the original Vivian."
"Looks like even transmigrating doesn’t guarantee a cheat code."
With a disappointed shake of her head, she got dressed and headed downstairs.
The dining hall was already filled with the aroma of breakfast.
Vivian sat gracefully before the long table while Robot Number Ninety-Nine served the dishes.
Arin stood quietly behind her as usual.
Vivian looked up.
"Arin."
"Yes, Miss?"
"Sit down."
Arin blinked.
"...Where?"
"Here."
Vivian pointed to the chair beside her.
"We’ll eat together."
The color drained from Arin’s face. She immediately knelt.
"I... I can’t, Miss."
"You said slaves aren’t qualified to eat at the same table as their masters."
Vivian rubbed her forehead. She had forgotten how terrible the original owner was.
She walked over and pulled Arin to her feet.
"I said sit."
Arin shook her head desperately.
"I can’t."
Vivian narrowed her eyes. "Eat."
Arin remained frozen. Vivian folded her arms.
"If you don’t eat..."
"I’ll sell you back to the slave market."
Arin gasped. "O..Okay! I..w..will."
She hurried to the chair and began eating as obediently as possible.
Vivian couldn’t help smiling.
Looks like I have to act a little evil.
Otherwise she’ll never listen.
Just then, Robot Number Ninety-Nine approached.
"Princess Vivian."
"Mrs. Emelianna Astronova is requesting a holographic call."
"Do you wish to answer?"
Vivian looked up blankly.
"...Who’s Emelianna?"
Arin nearly dropped her spoon. She stared at Vivian with growing suspicion. "Young Miss... really isn’t acting like herself."
"...Your mother, Miss."
Vivian immediately choked on her food.
"Cough! Cough!"
She grabbed a table napkin and wiped her mouth.
"Of course I know."
"I was just... testing you."
Robot Number Ninety-Nine projected a holographic screen into the air.
A beautiful middle-aged woman appeared.
She possessed the same violet eyes as Vivian, but her gaze was cold and dignified. She had a silver dress and a golden crown.
Vivian forced a bright smile.
"Hello, Mother."
Silence.
Emelianna simply stared.
The longer she looked, the deeper her frown became.
"...Who are you?"
Vivian’s smile stiffened.
"Haha..."
"Of course it’s me."
Emelianna’s eyes narrowed.
"My daughter hasn’t called me ’Mother’ in years."
Vivian laughed awkwardly.
"I... suddenly realized family is important."
Her mother’s expression remained indifferent.
"Since you’ve finally remembered I’m your mother..."
"Have you realized your mistake?"
Vivian blinked. "What Mistake?"
"For what you did to your sister."
"You should apologize to Elena."
Vivian immediately nodded. "Yes, Mother."
"I’ll apologize."
"And from today onward, I’ll get along well with my sister."
Emelianna was shocked..she nodded.
"...Good."
"Come back to the Astronova Mansion."
"I have something important to tell you."
Without waiting for a reply, the hologram disappeared.
Vivian let out a long breath.
"...That was terrifying."
Ding! The mansion doorbell rang.
Robot Number Ninety-Nine’s eyes flashed.
"Princess Vivian."
"Your little boyfriend has arrived."
Vivian frowned.
"...Boyfriend?"
The front door slid open.
A breathtaking young man walked inside. He is Nerion Vaelor.
He has Long aqua-blue hair flowing down his back.
His sapphire eyes shimmered like the sea itself.
Tiny iridescent scales sparkled around his neck and the backs of his hands, glowing beautifully under the morning light.
Vivian froze.
He’s gorgeous...
She unconsciously stared.
No wonder he’s the second male lead.
Then she quickly slapped both cheeks.
"Get yourself together, Vivian."
"He’s not yours."
"He’s the heroine’s."
"And he was one of the people who threw the villainess into the Forbidden Zone."
The handsome merman rushed over excitedly.
"Sister Vivian! I miss you"
Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her.
Vivian’s nose twitched.
"...Ah..."
"...Ah..."
"ACHOO!"
She immediately shoved him away.
"Why do you smell like fish?"
Nerion froze. His handsome face turned completely sour.
"...You once said my body scent was your favorite."
Vivian frowned. "I definitely never said that."
She waved her hand in front of her nose. "Next time, wear some fragrance."
"You’re suffocating me."
Nerion looked completely heartbroken.
He suddenly dropped to his knees and hugged her leg dramatically.
"Vivian..."
"Have you fallen out of love with me?"
His crystal-blue eyes filled with tears.
Plink. A pearl rolled onto the floor.
Then another...And another.
Vivian’s eyes sparkled brighter than the pearls themselves.
"...Pearls!"
She instantly knelt and began picking them up.
Robot Number Ninety-Nine silently appeared beside her carrying a small basket.
Together...One human. One robot.
Collected every single pearl.
Vivian looked at the kneeling merman with stars in her eyes.
"Cry more."
She smiled sweetly. "Cry for me, baby."
"If you really love me..."
"Keep crying."
The merman stared at her in disbelief.
What...?
She used to stop me from crying because she said my pearls were too precious.
What happened to her?
He quickly recovered. A pitiful smile appeared on his face.
He deliberately let his shoulders tremble before weakly reaching for Vivian’s hand.
"Vivian..."
"I skipped breakfast just to come see you."
"My head feels dizzy..."
"I think I’ll faint..."
As he spoke, he intentionally leaned his body toward her, hoping she’d catch him.
Vivian calmly took one step sideways.
Thud! He fell flat onto the floor.
"..."
Arin silently looked away trying to hide her laughter.
The robot continued collecting pearls not caring about the world..
Nerion slowly sat up, utterly confused.
Why didn’t she catch me?
Vivian pretended not to notice his acting.
Nice try!
Too bad I know you’re only using Vivian as Elena’s substitute.
The merman dusted himself off and forced another smile.
"Oh, right."
"I almost forgot."
"You’ve been admitted to Saint and Saintess Academy."
"You promised we’d attend together."
Vivian’s eyes immediately reddened. She lowered her head and sniffled.
"I can’t go."
The merman was startled.
"Why?"
"My mother cut off my allowance."
"I don’t have any money."
The merman instantly looked wronged.
"I... I’m poor too."
"I don’t have money either."
Vivian nearly laughed.
Liar!! You’re the Crown Prince of the Merfolk. There’s no way you’re poor.
He sobbed while holding her. "You know am a poor orphan. you are the only one i have. Without you, I can’t afford mere food."
She suddenly smiled brightly.
"I heard something interesting."
"A pink pearl is trending across Haxia."
"They say it’s created from a royal merman’s blood..."
"...and tears."
"If you can get one for me..."
"I can sell it."
"Then we’ll both have money."
The merman’s smile froze.