Resigned Villainess Just Wants a Peaceful Life

Prologue

Varustian Torrentus...

"By this sacred bond, may these rings be a symbol of your unending commitment to each other. With each passing day, may they remind you of the vows you've made today, in the presence of the divine."

A husband who didn't even bother helping me put on our wedding rings and made me do it myself.

There was no tenderness, no shared smile, not even a whisper of encouragement. My fingers trembled slightly as I slipped the ring onto my own hand, feeling the weight of the moment more than the cold metal itself. It wasn't just a ring— it was a promise unfulfilled, a vow made empty by his indifference.

I looked at him, my eyes searching for any sign of warmth, any trace of the man who was about to be my husband. But all I found was a clenched jaw and eyes burning with frustration. He gritted his teeth, unable or perhaps unwilling to meet my gaze. The tension between us was suffocating, a heavy silence that spoke louder than any words could.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your union be blessed with love, understanding, and peace."

As the priest's words hung in the air, applause erupted around us, but each clap felt like a sharp sting against my skin. We both turned toward the guests, all smiling, cheering, pretending to share in our joy. But I knew better. Behind their polite expressions, I could feel the weight of their judgment, hear the unspoken mockery hidden beneath the facade of celebration.

I risked a glance at him, hoping for a sliver of acknowledgment, but his eyes were elsewhere, fixed intently on Lady Cilia. She stood radiant among the guests, her smile effortless, graceful— a sharp contrast to the hollowness I felt. She was his childhood friend, the woman he'd grown up with, and the beloved heroine of this story.

Of course, his contempt for me was no mystery. Because I, Hestia Langrave, was the villainess of this story— the one who dared to stand in the way of a love that was never mine to begin with. And now, trapped in a marriage of convenience.