Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 1

“Is someone in Prince Xavier’s tent?”

“I saw it, too. It looked like Vivian.”

“No way. The daughter of a mistress? His Highness would never be interested in someone like that.”

Vivian Snyder was still trying to recover from the pain when she heard familiar voices outside the tent. They were from friends of Celia Snyder, her half-sister.

Vivian opened her eyes and realized she was lying on a rumpled bed, her clothes in disarray, one arm exposed, her hair tangled and loose. At a glance, anyone would think she’d just been with a man.

Staring at the all too familiar tent and hearing footsteps getting closer, Vivian was finally certain about one thing—she had been brought back to the past.

It was the very day she’d been framed for sneaking into Prince Xavier Shelton’s bed to seduce him. She’d never had anything to do with Xavier, but someone had knocked her out cold and dumped her in his tent.

Just fifteen minutes later, Xavier would come back, tell his guards to haul her out in front of everyone, and destroy her reputation forever. She’d be the laughingstock of the whole camp and later despised by the whole city.

Back in her previous life, Vivian never knew who had set her up. It wasn’t until Celia ended up marrying Xavier that it finally clicked: she had been made a scapegoat for Celia’s fear of being caught with Xavier.

At that thought, Vivian closed her eyes and let out a cold, mocking laugh. Knowing there was no time to lose, she quickly tidied herself up, grabbed the dagger from the table, and slit a hole in the back of the tent.

Making sure to avoid the group of noble girls outside, she slipped out through the opening.

Half an hour later, Vivian returned to the main tent of the Snyder family, dripping wet. The moment she stepped inside, a harsh voice rang out. “You brat, you actually had the nerve to come back here?”

Vivian looked up. Her father, Quentin, Duke of Aurea, stood before her, his face stormy and dark. His fists clenched and unclenched as he glared at her, barely holding back his fury.

“Father, who made you so angry?” Vivian asked, feigning innocence. She knew perfectly well that Celia’s secret meeting with Xavier must have caused a scene, or Quentin wouldn’t even spare her a glance.

“Wow, you’ve got some nerve. Still playing innocent, huh? Tell me, where were you just now?” Quentin barked.

“I went to the pond on the east side of the hunting ground,” Vivian answered.

“Really? Didn’t you sneak off anywhere else?” Quentin’s tone was icy. “If you just confess now, maybe I’ll go easy on you.”

Vivian didn’t flinch. “Then please tell me. Where should I have been?”

Quentin’s fury boiled over. He snapped, “Still so stubborn, huh? Let’s see if you’re just as tough later. Someone, bring the family punishment rods!”

“Father, please wait,” a gentle voice called out.

Celia walked in gracefully, linked arms with a stunning woman. Behind them was a group of noble ladies and their daughters.

Smiling gently, Celia persuaded, “Father, Vivian is too delicate for family punishment. However serious her mistake, just let Sylvia handle her.”

The beautiful woman beside her, Sylvia, dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice trembling with sorrow. “Celia, you’re so kind, looking out for Vivian. But I really can’t bring myself to teach this shameless girl anymore. Quentin, it’s better if you deal with her.”

Sylvia was the daughter of a disgraced official, Quentin’s childhood sweetheart. She’d been kept as a mistress outside Aurea Manor. It wasn’t until she gave birth to Vivian that Quentin finally took her in as a concubine.

Everyone in Aurestus knew Sylvia for her gentle nature and virtuous ways. She always deferred to Flora, Quentin’s wife, and Celia, never overstepping.

Celia tugged gently at Vivian’s sleeve, her voice soft and coaxing. “Vivian, just admit your mistake and apologize to Father and Sylvia. Let’s end this here. No need to let things get out of hand.”

Vivian laughed coldly. “I did nothing wrong. Why should I confess?” she retorted.

Vivian looked around. Aside from her family, a crowd had gathered on the steps outside. All were Celia’s close friends, coming here for the spectacle.

If Vivian confessed now, those people would soon start spreading rumors and adding fuel to the fire. She’d end up becoming exactly what she was in her previous life: despised by everyone.

Celia’s composure finally cracked. She looked like she just couldn’t believe how stubborn Vivian was. “Vivian, you—”

Ignoring her, Vivian said coolly, “You guys should at least verify whose underwear this really is before laying blame on me.

“If you want me to admit my mistake, bring some real evidence. Some random piece of clothing can’t prove anything. For all we know, this could be yours, Celia. Would you confess to a crime just because someone said you did it?”

Celia’s fingers shook, and her lips twitched ever so slightly.

Quentin snapped, “How dare you! You have no shame, and now you even dare to falsely accuse your sister?”

Sylvia’s face was the picture of heartbreak. She unfolded the pale yellow underwear, her fingers brushing over the delicate orchid embroidery.

Her voice was rough with emotion as she said, “Vivian, please, don’t be so stubborn. I made this for you myself. Do you think a mother wouldn’t recognize her own sewing?”