The Villainess is my fiance: But she is gentle towards me

Chapter 273 273: Chapter: 273 Charlotte's Moment.

Vivian lay on his bed, one arm resting under his head while the other lay loosely across his chest.His eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling for a while before he let out a quiet breath, his brows pulling together slightly.

"Where is she taking so long…"

He muttered under his breath, his voice low and filled with mild impatience.

After a moment, he turned his head and slowly looked around the room.

The last time he had been here, it had looked completely different.

Back then, everything had a rough, masculine feel to it.

The walls had been decorated with things that spoke of strength and pride.

There had been a large painting of a sword-wielding warrior, standing tall as if he was conquering the entire world.

Even the smallest details had carried that same energy.

His gaze shifted toward the empty space beside the bed, and his expression softened a little as he sighed.

"There used to be something here…" he murmured quietly.

A faint memory surfaced in his mind.

There had once been a strange piece of writing placed there, something he had custom made himself.

It spoke about the "Great Love" walking against a reverse river while carrying that annoying roach who simply refused to die, no matter how much people wanted him gone.

Since his transmigration, he did not remember his name, his family, or where he came from.

But for some reason, that story he had read still remained.

"Perseverance…" he whispered softly.

He had never forgotten that chapter. It had left a deep impression on him.

The idea that even if every path was blocked, one should still move forward… that thought had stayed with him all this time.

He had even gone out of his way to recreate it here, to keep that meaning close to him.

No one in this world even knew who the "Great Love" was, and Charlotte herself had not understood it either.

His lips curved slightly as he shook his head.

"She got rid of it…"

Now, in its place, there was a large portrait.

His eyes moved toward it, and he looked at it quietly for a few seconds.

The painting was fresh, the colors still bright.

Vivian was seated on a chair in it, his posture calm and composed, while Charlotte stood beside him.

She looked almost regal, her presence strong and elegant, like a queen standing beside her king.

This portrait had been made not long before he left for the war.

And it was not the only one.

His gaze slowly swept across the room again.

Everywhere he looked, there were portraits.

Some of them had both of them together, while others were only of Charlotte.

There were even paintings of children, small figures drawn with soft colors and bright expressions, as if capturing a future that had not yet come.

Near the corners of the room, small toys were scattered.

Tiny wooden figures, soft cloth dolls, and other things meant for newborns were placed neatly, yet naturally, as if they had already become a part of the room.

Vivian's eyes softened at the sight.

And then there was the scent.

The air itself felt different.

It carried her presence.

Even the pillows… they smelled like Charlotte.

He slowly turned to the side and pulled one of the pillows closer, hugging it lightly against his chest.

He lowered his face into it slightly, breathing in the faint scent.

"…even this has her smell…"

He murmured, his voice quieter now.

He lifted his head slightly, his brows furrowing in mild confusion.

"Did she rub these things or something…?" he asked himself, though there was no one to answer.

In truth, she had.

Charlotte had deliberately done it, making sure her scent lingered on everything.

She had wanted that… so that when he returned, there would be nothing else around him but her presence.

Vivian, however, had no idea.

He let out a small breath and turned onto his back again, his eyes returning to the ceiling.

"Sigh… I wanted to spend some time and help with the paperwork still stuck…"

He muttered, his tone carrying a hint of reluctance.

He paused briefly, then shook his head a little.

"But she dragged me in here saying she had something to show me…"

A faint smile appeared on his lips, though he tried to hide it.

"Oh well… what can be done…"

He lifted one hand and placed it behind his head again, relaxing into the bed.

"Father will manage things with Edward and Grandpa…"

His voice grew softer as he spoke, clearly not too concerned anymore.

After a moment, he turned slightly to the side again, hugging the pillow once more.

His fingers pressed lightly into the fabric as he adjusted it under his chin.

"…haa… Charlotte, what's taking so long…?" he called out, raising his voice just enough for it to reach her.

For a brief second, there was silence.

Then…

The faint sound of water echoed from the bathroom.

Vivian blinked, his expression shifting as he listened carefully.

"…is she taking a bath?" he muttered, his brows knitting together in a slight frown.

He pushed himself up a little and raised his voice again.

"Hey! I told you not to take a bath at night. You'll get cold if you do that!"

His tone carried a clear scolding edge, though it was not too harsh.

From inside, Charlotte's voice came back almost immediately, calm and unbothered.

"Don't worry," she said, her voice echoing lightly through the door.

"There's this new thing called a warmer. It heats the water automatically."

As she spoke, the soft sound of splashing water followed again, steady and unhurried.

Vivian frowned slightly, clearly not convinced.

"Still… you shouldn't take a bath at night…"

He said again, his tone firm, as if trying to make a point.

There was a short pause.

Then…..

"Okay!"

Charlotte agreed instantly, her voice bright and obedient.

And yet…

The sound of water did not stop.

The splashing continued, just as steady as before.

Vivian stared at the bathroom door for a few seconds, his expression slowly turning flat.

"…she's not listening at all…" he muttered quietly, tightening his hold on the pillow just a little.

Vivian let out another soft sigh, his body sinking deeper into the bed as his grip on the pillow loosened.

Now that everything had finally quieted down, and he had a moment to breathe without interruption, a sense of calm slowly settled over him.

His eyes drifted to the ceiling again, his thoughts moving at a slower, gentler pace.

"I wonder… will it be a boy or a girl…"

He murmured quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

The thought lingered in his mind, soft and uncertain.

Then, almost without warning, another thought followed.

"…would I be able to meet my son, Ian, in this life?"

His gaze stilled, his expression turning faintly distant.

A small image formed in his mind, a bright boy, waiting patiently, always looking forward to seeing his father.

Waiting for someone who never came.

Vivian's fingers tightened slightly against the bedsheet.

"…sigh…"

A faint heaviness settled in his chest.

"It would be my fortune… if you are born again to this useless father…"

He muttered under his breath, his tone low and filled with quiet guilt.

Ever since that dream-like experience, that lingering memory, he had not been able to shake off that feeling. ..

It stayed with him, pressing against his heart in the quiet moments like this.

In that life, he had failed.

And now…

Now, if he was given another chance, he wanted to do it right.

He wanted to be there.

To watch him grow, to hear his voice, to see him smile.

"…this time… I'll give you everything a father should…" he whispered softly, his eyes softening with a quiet resolve.

His thoughts continued to drift.

"I hope he…"

"Honey…"

Charlotte's voice echoed softly through the room.

The moment it reached him, Vivian turned his head almost instantly.

And then….

He froze.

"C-Charlotte…?"

His eyes widened slightly as he looked at her.

She was right there, on the bed.

One of her legs rested gently on the mattress, while her body leaned slightly to the side.

Her left hand supported her chin as she looked at him, her posture relaxed yet strangely deliberate.

She wore a tight-fitting dress that clung softly to her figure.

Because of her pregnancy, her belly curved outward beneath the fabric, forming a gentle, visible bulge.

Her red hair was still damp, strands falling loosely over her shoulders, and her cheeks, slightly fuller now, were tinted with a soft red.

But more than that…

Her gaze.

It lingered on him in a way that felt… intentional.

Almost like she was trying to draw him in.

She parted her lips slightly, letting out a soft breath.

"…wanna make a sports team?" she asked, trying to sound alluring, her voice low and gentle.

Vivian just stared at her.

His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.

For a moment, he simply looked at her, taking everything in.

She was clearly trying.

Trying to look seductive.

Trying to charm him in her own way.

But…..

His gaze softened.

Her slightly chubby cheeks, her rounded belly, and the way she was trying so hard to appear alluring…

It did not come across the way she intended.

If anything…

It made her look unbelievably cute.

To the point that...

Vivian suddenly had the strong urge to just pull her into his arms and fall asleep like that.

Completely opposite of what she wanted.

He slowly shifted closer to her, his movement calm and unhurried.

The moment he did, Charlotte's expression brightened instantly.

Her eyes lit up as she watched him come closer.

She straightened just a little, her lips puckering softly as she leaned forward, clearly expecting a kiss.

Vivian reached her.

And without hesitation….

He completely ignored her lips.

Instead, his hands moved up and gently held her cheeks.

"…oh my…"

His fingers pressed softly into them, feeling their warmth and softness.

"My sweet wife looks even more adorable…"

"Huh!?"