The Stepmother Who Changed the Plot
Chapter 2: Almira Carney
This novel is titled rather ironically, "The Thornless Rose." It tells the story of a beautiful girl, akin to the queen of all flowers, yet she is fragile, gentle, and possesses a boundless kindness.
Her circumstances are also quite tragic. As the daughter of a merchant, a class most scorned by the aristocracy, her mother died giving birth to her. Her father was constantly preoccupied with business affairs, leaving only her elder brother to care for her. It seemed as though the two siblings would simply grow up together.
However, a turning point made both of their lives only worsen. Their father, who was lucky to be home even once a month, suddenly announced that they would soon have a new mother. Indeed, their father had remarried the daughter of a viscount. However, this woman was a widow with two children of her own. She feigned composure and gentleness in front of their father. But after marrying into the family, her true colors were revealed. She was a woman who loved extravagance, valuing dresses and jewelry more than her own children. She enjoyed attending parties and balls that lasted all night.
Yet, if it were only that, it wouldn't be worth mentioning. The stepmother incited her twin children to bully their step-siblings, teaching them mischievous pranks. And she would sit there, enjoying the spectacle.
Despite being oppressed within her own home, the female lead maintained a saintly heart, and she also had her elder brother who was always by her side, protecting her and enduring pain in her stead. The two siblings repeatedly complained to the butler, but to no avail, as their stepmother was, after all, of noble birth. And their father rarely came home, and when he did, he would stay in his study or bedroom, not allowing them near.
They grew up day by day under constant suppression. Finally, the female lead's coming-of-age ceremony arrived. The ceremony was not grandly held like her stepsister's, but was merely a small party inviting neighboring merchants and landowners. The stepmother's scheme was clear; she didn't want the female lead to step into high society.
However, an unexpected guest appeared. The youngest duke of the Empire, while passing by, had his carriage break down and stopped by the female lead's manor for assistance. He unexpectedly met the female lead. And then, like so many other stories – Cinderella and the prince, or rather, in this case, the Duke – they fell in love.
Love is a matter for two people, but marriage is a matter for society. The two faced criticism from the aristocracy, opposition from the royal family, and meddling from a host of female and male supporting characters, including the female lead's step-siblings. In the end, they were separated, and then the female lead wandered aimlessly, lost her memory, and nearly got sold into a brothel. In short, the author threw in every cliché imaginable. But the ending was still a HE (Happy Ending) because the male and female leads hugged each other and jumped off a cliff.
If Lam hadn't camped outside the author's house for two days straight, begging for an ending with a shred of humanity, the author might have gone for a BE (Bad Ending). But perhaps she should have silenced the author right when the woman submitted her manuscript. Now, Lam has transmigrated into that very novel, and to make matters worse, she's the final boss – the stepmother with two villains under her wing.
Lam paced around the room, hoping to understand some of the habits of this body. Suddenly, Lam found a large mirror leaning against the wardrobe. She walked over to it and looked at her whole form, observing the original owner.
"So beautiful."
That was all Lam could utter. A perfect body, even after having two children. It was no wonder she could use this beautiful body to deceive everyone.
"Almira Carney."
The daughter of Viscount Carney – a nobleman who knew nothing but pleasure, wine, and women. His wife was the same; the Viscountess was only interested in noble gatherings and doing everything she could to elevate her status in society. The couple were truly perfect specimens who gave birth to a perfect daughter. The Viscount considered his daughter a tool to exchange for a life of luxury. He first married Almira off to the second son of an Earl to gain prestige. But unfortunately, when she was eight months pregnant, her husband died in a carriage accident, before inheriting his own title. So, the Earl's family coldly returned her to her maiden home.
After five years, the Viscount's family's circumstances became even more dire due to their extravagant lifestyle. Now, the Viscount needed money more than anything, and he decided to marry this daughter off to a widowed merchant in exchange for benefits. Almira was aware of this, but she didn't object. Given her situation, no wealthy nobleman would marry her; it would only be poor nobles or old landowners seeking prestige. But to maintain her daily life, she needed someone wealthy. Therefore, she agreed to marry the merchant.
As for her two biological children, Almira had no affection for them; they were merely something for people to pity her for. She was very intelligent, usually remaining silent to conceal her true nature. But she was also a pitiful figure, nothing more than a pawn.
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