<Celeste Montali’s Diary>
“YOU’RE ALREADY a grown woman inside, and yet, you want to marry a child? That’s creepy.”
Ouch.
I didn’t expect those vicious words from Sonata Florin, the eleven-year-old heroine of my favorite romance fantasy novel ‘Unholy Marriage,’ after I shared my life story with her.
By that, I mean revealing the fact that I came from another world.
That I only look like a child outside because of the body I possessed, but I’m a grown woman inside.
“Miss Sonata, please don’t misunderstand,” I pleaded. “It’s true that I need to marry the boy you saved, but it’s only for my survival.”
Diether Hexford, the unconscious boy, is the novel’s hero and Sonata’s future husband.
[It’s amazing how I met the hero and the heroine in this dangerous setting.]
We were shipwrecked off the coast of an unfamiliar island and met unexpectedly.
“How is a cradle snatcher the heroine of a romance novel?”
Again, ouch.
“It seems like you weren’t listening to me properly, Miss Sonata,” I said defensively. “You are the heroine of the novel and not me.”
[Uhm, let’s backtrack a little.]
***
JUST A week ago, I was living a miserable life as Choi Aera– a twenty-five-year-old Kpop idol-slash-actress embroiled in a bullying scandal.
The stress gave me insomnia.
One night, after taking my meds, I slept peacefully only to wake up as a different person inside a fantasy world the next day. To be precise, I possessed Celeste Montali– the first wife of the novel’s hero.
[And a character destined to die later.]
It has only been a week since I possessed the twelve-year-old rich commoner.
Even so, I’ve adjusted quickly. I hate my life as Choi Aera, after all.
[I was dumb and young in high school, hanging out with the wrong crowd. But I never participated in the bullying. I learned the hard way that being a spectator makes me just as guilty as the bullies.]
As a result of my reckless teenage years, my life and career were ruined overnight.
Waking up as Celeste was a blessing in disguise.
Luckily, I have the original Celeste’s memories. I also have the acting skills I honed as Choi Aera to help me act like how the original Celeste did.
The only problem is I entered the novel way too early.
[Let’s backtrack a little more.]
So, three days ago, I boarded a cruise ship with my new parents for vacation.
I locked myself in the cabin planning how to avoid my early death, actively avoiding spending time with my new parents.
Then… boom!
The cruise ship sank after a huge explosion.
I hit my head hard on the bedside table when the cruise ship shook hard, then I fainted.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the heroine.
Sonata, Unholy Marriage’s heroine, has purple hair and unique golden eyes.
[That’s how I instantly recognized her.]
Then my focus shifted to the unconscious hero that Sonata is busy saving.
[The novel stated several times that only Diether Hexford has silver-blue hair on the entire continent, so I can’t be mistaken.]
Anyway, I’m quite mesmerized watching Sonata suck out the poison from the venomous wound on Diether’s arm. Experts from the modern world wouldn’t recommend that.
[But the novel said Sonata is an expert in poison arts.]
Plus, this is a fantasy world.
“You’re amazing, Sonata.”
I realized my mistake as soon as the heroine turned to me with suspicious eyes.
[Oh, no.]
“I didn’t give you my name yet. Did my father send you after me?”
[Let’s come clean to earn Sonata’s trust.]
“I know what I’m about to say may sound crazy, but I swear I’ll only spill the truth,” I said, hoping that my sincerity reached Sonata who is supposedly good at judging people. “Actually, I’m not from this world…”
And that was how I ended up telling my story.
Sonata, on the other hand, listened while cleaning Diether’s wound.
“When I woke up, I’m already in possession of this body.”
Sonata sat on the sand, put the unconscious Diether’s head on her lap, then leaned against the boulder behind her. “So, I’m just a book character in some novel that you’ve read before?”
I gasped, realizing my careless mistake.
“You’re saying this world is nothing but a world inside a novel?” Sonata asked, tilting her head to one side. “Fascinating.”
Whew.
I’m relieved by Sonata’s calm reaction.
“But…”
“Yes, Miss Sonata?”
“You’re already an adult inside, and yet, you want to marry a child? That’s creepy.”
Ouch.
“How is a cradle snatcher the heroine of a romance novel?”
“It seems like you weren’t listening to me properly, Miss Sonata,” I said defensively. “You are the heroine of the novel and not me.”
Sonata just remained silent.
“I need to marry the boy,” I said hesitantly. Argh, Sonata’s silence is making me talk more. “For my survival.”
After all, the novel stated Diether’s mother adored Celeste.
Of course, I’m aware that the child died at Diether’s hands.
[But since I know the ‘future,’ I can change that gruesome fate.]
“You keep saying I’m the “heroine” of this world.”
“That’s right– you are the heroine, Miss Sonata.”
“I’ve been reading all sorts of books since I was three,” Sonata said. “My experience as a reader tells me your interesting life story as a “transmigrator” makes you more of a main character.”
“Huh?”
“The fact that you’re here now already changed the story that you know,” Sonata said casually. “Don’t you think you’ve already become the heroine of this world?”
That’s… valid?
“I hope I’m wrong, though,” Sonata said while looking at Diether. “Marrying a child is already bad enough– but it looks like you’re going to practically raise your husband, too.”
My conscience is clean, but Sonata’s harsh words make me feel guilty.
[I need the Hexfords.]
There’s a reason why I avoided my new parents.
[I’m pretty sure this is the tragic accident that killed Celeste’s parents.]
I also know that Celeste’s greedy relatives would steal the poor child’s inheritance by faking her parents’ will, and I don’t have the energy to deal with that.
[The best course of action is to marry Diether Hexford and live comfortably.]
“In the original story, Celeste died early,” I confessed. “A few years after Celeste’s death, you and Diether Hexford got married.”
Ah, I mentioned Diether’s name out loud.
But Sonata just looked at me as if she wasn’t interested.
“I have no intention of dying here,” I declared firmly. “But don’t worry, Miss Sonata. I will divorce Diether Hexford later.”
[I just need enough time to save up money before running away.]
“I will run away as soon as I have the funds and means to do so.”
“Are you confident that you can run away by then?”
“Huh?”
“Haven’t you considered the possibility that Diether Hexford may fall in love with you?”
“That won’t happen,” I said confidently. “After all, it’s you who’s destined to be with Diether, Miss Sonata.”
“The story has already changed, and will continue changing because of you,” Sonata said with a straight face. “Why do you still insist on following the ‘plot’ of the novel that’s obviously in shambles now?”
“Because it feels wrong,” I argued firmly. “I’m already a grown woman inside, so why would I fall for my young future husband?”
[And those were probably my famous last words.]
***
I CAN’T really remember what happened next after my (almost) one-sided conversation with Sonata. In fact, I don’t even recall falling asleep. But when I opened my eyes, I’m already lying on a bed…
… while holding the hand of a sleeping boy.
[Diether Hexford?!]
“Dear, you’re awake?”
I turned to the beautiful lady sitting on the chair beside the bed.
Platinum blonde hair, clear blue eyes. The lady, who looks like she’s only in her early thirties, looks at me as if she’s about to cry any moment.
I’m pretty sure this is Grand Duchess Eleanor Hexford, the male lead’s mother.
“Child, may I ask you some questions?”
I nodded slowly, acting meek.
“May I know your name?”
“It’s Celeste Montali, ma’am.”
“Montali…” Lady Eleanor whispered, obviously relieved. “Miss Celeste, are Zekiel and Helene Montali you parents?”
I pretended to be confused, then I acted like I’m having a panic attack. “My parents! Ma’am, do you know where my mother and father are? They’re with me in the cruise ship…!”
[My past as an idol-slash-actress comes in handy now, huh?]
“Miss Celeste, I know it’s hard, but please calm down,” Lady Eleanor said, holding my shoulders in an attempt to soothe me. “I hate to be the bearer of the bad news, but you have the right to know. Your father… and mother… they didn’t survive the shipwreck.”
“That can’t be true, ma’am. My parents… I need to see them first…”
To complete my act, I pulled my hand away from (the sleeping) Diether’s grasp. Then I tried to stand up, but my knees gave up quickly.
That wasn’t an act.
My entire body really feels like a Jell-O at the moment.
“You shouldn’t move abruptly, Miss Celeste,” Lady Eleanor said while helping me get back to bed. “I already identified your parents’ bodies, and I already took care of all the necessary procedures. You can check them later, so please take a rest for now.”
“Ma’am, I’m grateful, but I’m confused,” I said, acting anxious. “Why are you helping me?”
Lady Eleanor smiled sadly at me. “I’m a good friend of your late father, Miss Celeste.”
[Let’s pretend I don’t know Lady Eleanor is still in love with Celeste’s father– her ex-lover.]
“Perhaps, are you… Lady Eleanor?”
“You know me?”
“My father often mentioned his friend, ‘Lady Eleanor,’ to me. Father didn’t have any noble friends in our town, so I thought he was just lying,” I lied. “B-but I didn’t expect we’d meet like this, my lady…”
Lady Eleanor’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Miss Celeste, would you like to be my daughter-in-law?”
“Is that even possible, my lady?”
I’m just acting dumb.
I know noble children in this world could get married as early as ten years old. But a child marriage is considered a political marriage. Hence, it’s not consummated until both parties are of age. And they’re strict about that rule.
“A child marriage is allowed within the nobility. I would love to adopt you as my daughter, but my husband would never allow it, so I’d like you to marry my son instead,” Lady Eleanor explained. “But don’t worry, Miss Celeste. You just need to marry my son in order to use our family name. You’re free to divorce him anytime.”
“That offer sounds too good to be true, ma’am,” I said hesitantly, hiding my excitement. “Why are you being good to me?”
“You saved my son’s life, Miss Celeste.”
Huh?
“Diether briefly woke up earlier,” the Grand Duchess explained. “He said a girl around his age saved him. He couldn’t remember what the girl looks like, but you were the only person beside my son when the rescuers found him.”
What happened to Sonata then?
I’m curious, but since my survival comes first, I just shrugged it off.
[Sonata is the heroine– she’ll be fine.]
“Miss Celeste, was my son mistaken?”
“No, my lady,” I said, shaking my head. Then I turned to Diether Hexford who’s still sleeping peacefully beside me. “I saved this boy’s life.”
And that’s how I, Celeste Montali, became Diether Hexford’s fiancée.
***
IT HAS only been two weeks since I arrived at the estate, but everyone is already treating me like I’m the daughter of House Hexford. I particularly grew close with Riette, the maid that Lady Eleanor assigned to me.
My appearance definitely played a huge part in charming the people around me.
[Celeste’s pastel pink hair and baby blue eyes make her look soft, and that makes everyone feel like they have to protect me.]
But I can’t use my appearance on Diether who keeps avoiding me.
And that hinders my mission.
[The reason Diether killed Celeste in the novel is related to his mommy issues, so I need to fix his mommy issues by helping him get close to Lady Eleanor.]
Fortunately, an opportunity arrived.
After I heard the name of the guest who arrived at the estate this morning, I sneakily followed the servants that brought refreshments. Then I hid behind the bushes while watching Diether and the guest who are having tea in the garden.
Don Baldwin, the guest, was Diether’s older cousin from his mother’s side.
“I heard that the child is the child of Aunt Eleanor’s ex-lover, Diether.”
“…”
“You have to get rid of that child, Diether.”
[Excuse me???]
“It’s only been a week, but I heard Aunt Eleanor is already enamored with that child. Auntie probably sees her dead ex-lover in that little girl.”
[Well, he’s not wrong…]
“At this rate, that child will steal all of Aunt Eleanor’s love and attention from you.”
[So, this little bastard was the one who made Diether hate Celeste!]
“My poor cousin, don’t forget that your father only forced Aunt Eleanor to marry him. You weren’t born out of love.”
[Why would you say something like that to a child?!]
“You’re the son of the monster who tormented Aunt Eleanor, so how do you expect your mother to love you?”
[This snake…!]
“Unfortunately, you were also born ugly and weak. No wonder Uncle Daniel is disappointed to have a son like you.”
My hand subconsciously reached for the stone near my feet.
“I’m the only one in the family who can tolerate your existence, Diether. Hence, you should listen to me. Get rid of that child– ouch!”
Don Baldwin was forced to stop sprouting gibberish after getting hit by a stone. It was the stone that I threw at him.
Then I ran to Diether.
“Don’t listen to him,” I said, covering Diether’s ears with my hands. Then I copied what Sonata said to him in the novel. “I don’t know about your parents, but there’s at least one person who’s glad that you’re alive. And that’s me, Diether. I don’t regret saving your life– and I never will. Plus, you’re handsome and cool!”
Diether’s pretty sky-blue eyes widened as they twinkled beautifully.
I feel guilty for stealing Sonata’s line because it was the line that made Diether fall in love with Sonata.
But it won’t have the same effect, right?
[There’s no way a child would fall in love with a stranger just because of a few kind words.]
“You peasant!”
Ow!
Don Baldwin suddenly grabbed and pulled my hair after calling me a ‘peasant.’
[This snake has a death wish, huh?]
***
AFTER I got treatment for the scratches and bruises I received from having a dog fight with Don Baldwin, I told Lady Eleanor the things Don Baldwin said earlier.
[Now she’s shocked.]
“Your Grace, thank you for being kind to me, but I need to leave now,” I said, acting hesitant. “I can’t stay here anymore.”
“What do you mean by that, Celeste?”
I thought of all the mean things Knetz had said to me ever since I debuted as an idol.
And, just like that, tears rolled down my face.
“Your Grace, I don’t want to steal your love and attention from Lord Diether,” I said between sobs. “And please don’t let your feelings for my father stop you from being a good mother to your son.”
Lady Eleanor covered her mouth with her hands.
“Your Grace, if you’re only kind to me because you see my father in me, then please stop,” I said in a cracked voice. “Lord Diether and I don’t deserve all of this.”
I wanted to say more, but Lady Eleanor suddenly burst out crying.
“I’m so sorry, Celeste,” Lady Eleanor said, hugging her tight. “You’re right – both you and Diether don’t deserve to suffer because of me.”
Comments (0)
See all