“uhh so whats going dude?.” as she felt that the world must've wanted her to be a laughing stock the robe had fallen.. again.  She hastily yanked her robe shut, fumbling with the ties like she was wrestling a demon.

The other man covered his eyes with his scroll. “I should’ve let you drink yourself into a coma that night. You absolute embarrassment.”

“Woah man!... Who hurt you?” vi muttered under her breath.

“I did! when I agreed to be your attendant ten years ago!” he snapped. “Now fix yourself. Your presence is required this instant as your fiancée had arrived a few hours earlier!”

“MY WHAT??” Vi nearly choked on her own tongue.

The man—still not making eye contact—sighed deeply, as if the very air exhausted him. “The Lady Su. Your betrothed?. Do not tell me you forgot that too.”

“I- I didn’t forget I had a fiancée!” vi lied. terribly.. . “I just.. forgot i- is not vivian” she muttered the older must've not heard this tho...

“You forgot how to wear your robe. I wouldn’t be surprised if you forgot how to breathe.”

Before Vi could argue, a knock came at the door. The man shouted, “Come in.”

Two maids entered, bowing politely. One carried a tray of jade hairpins. The other held what looked like three full outfits stacked together.

Vi eyed the pile of silk, embroidery, and what might’ve been a decorative curtain.
“...Are you sure I’m not getting married today?”

“Do not! test me,” the older hissed.

Cue dressing chaos.

VI stood there like a mannequin while the maids layered silk on silk on silk. She fumbled with the sleeves. Tried to wear the underlayer outside. Mistook the waistband for a scarf. Called a ceremonial belt a “bedazzled seatbelt.” Asked if the ornate hairpin could be used as a dagger.

He hit her with the scroll again.

Eventually, by some miracle, the ensemble was complete.

Vi stood before the mirror, robes flowing, hair pinned up, jade crown resting regally on her or more correctly on his head.

She blinked.

“...Damn! Bro!” she smirk “I look like I walked out of a cdrama!”

She stepped closer to the mirror, tilting her face side to side with growing awe.
Then she slowly traced her jawline with her index finger like a TikTok thirst trap.
“…Bro was out here farming aura like a damn protagonist.”  
“wait.. what if- bro really is a protagonist!? what if- no! i ain't that lucky i should know my place but- ehe! What if i am a protagonist” vi grinned

the scroll man, who had just walked back in after going to the kitchen with a teacup, looked horrified. “What in heaven’s name are you saying to yourself?”            

Vi grinned. “Just appreciating God’s work. Or… whatever divine being dumped me here.”

“Stop talking before you FIND yourself DEAD! and six feet under the ground.” the man hissed

Vi sipped his ginseng smugly.
“Oh don’t worry. I’m already dead—look at me. Male. Hot. Engaged. Stuck in a palace. That’s not my life!... oh. right its not my life... its just a romcom setup? a fever dream? or....”perhaps the ending part was not so smug.