A Crown of Suitors: The Muse They Can't Have

June in Zenville burned under the fierce summer sun. Deborah Vantis had just stepped off the train, luggage in hand, when her phone buzzed with a call from her assistant. "Nancy, the Endersim Medical Award committee has invited you to the ceremony. It's the most prestigious medical award in the country. You really can't skip it! And don't forget the lecture at Zenville Medical University. The dean has been trying to schedule it for ages. When can you make time?" Deborah's long, flowing hair caught the wind, accentuating her striking beauty. Her delicate features, paired with luminous, captivating eyes, turned heads as she walked. She replied lightly, "I have something important to deal with right now. You can attend the award ceremony in my place. As for the lecture, tell them I'll get in touch when I'm available." Her assistant frowned. "Where are you? It's so noisy in the background." Deborah smiled faintly. "That's a secret." She ended the call and headed to the restroom. When she emerged, the radiant beauty from moments before had vanished. In her place stood a plain, dowdy woman. Deborah ignored the shocked stares around her and left the station without a second glance. ***** Summer Manor, Bride's Resting Room Claudia Vantis paced the room, her steps quick and impatient. On the sofa sat a woman of refined elegance, her face glowing with well-preserved charm. Despite being in her forties, she exuded an air of sophistication, her eyes alluring. "The wedding is about to start! Where is Deborah? Mom, do you think she's going to bail at the last minute?" Claudia gritted her teeth, her anxiety evident. Everyone in Zenville knew that today was the wedding day of Zane Runcorn, the heir to the powerful Runcorn Group. Just days ago, Zane had fallen victim to a deadly poison and now lay unconscious, teetering on the brink of death. Elise Runcorn, heartbroken and desperate, wanted Zane to get married and leave an heir before it was too late. But not a single eligible woman from Zenville's elite families was willing to marry a man destined for death. The Vantis family, eager to curry favor with the Runcorns, had offered up their daughter instead. Of course, they couldn't bear to sacrifice their cherished younger daughter. So, they devised a plan. They brought Deborah, the eldest daughter exiled to the countryside, back to take her place. Rila Vantis, admiring her freshly manicured nails, drawled lazily, "Don't worry, she'll come." As if on cue, the door creaked open. "Ladies, Ms. Vantis has arrived." Deborah stepped in, standing calmly before them. Claudia froze for a moment, then nearly burst into laughter. The woman before her wore an outdated coarse dress. Her skin was rough and sallow, her nose slightly red. A pair of oversized black-framed glasses perched awkwardly on her nose, and her hair was styled in two clumsy braids. The transformation from her childhood beauty was almost comical. This was no elegant lady but a shabby, unsophisticated country girl. "Well, Mom, you were right. She did show up," Claudia said, barely suppressing her laughter. "Honestly, with her like this, marrying into the Runcorn family is a gift from the heavens. She should be grateful. Who else but you and Dad could find such a match for someone like her?" Claudia crossed her arms and stepped closer to Deborah. "Deborah, do you remember how you pushed me down the stairs years ago? You nearly killed me. People even say you cursed your own mother to death. Dad was kind enough not to throw you out entirely and just sent you to the countryside. Now we've brought you back and arranged for you to marry into a prestigious family. This is the best thing that's ever happened to you. You'd better appreciate it and don't forget to repay the Vantis family!" Deborah smiled. "Oh? If it's such a wonderful opportunity, why aren't you the one marrying him? Or is it that your manners are too poor to be seen in public?" "You—!" Claudia's face turned red with anger as she glared at Deborah. Deborah's clear, luminous eyes held a calm defiance, a striking contrast to her otherwise plain appearance. Those eyes, Claudia realized, hadn't lost their beauty since childhood. The memory of Deborah's once-adorable, doll-like face filled Claudia with jealousy so intense it almost consumed her. She wanted nothing more than to rip those beautiful eyes from her sister's face. "You look like a joke. A country bumpkin like you is bound to embarrass us when the Runcorns kick you out!" Claudia spat. "Enough," Rila interrupted, her tone sharp as she glanced at Deborah. "The wedding is about to start. Deborah, go get dressed." Deborah changed into her wedding gown, her slender figure lending her an understated elegance that even Claudia couldn't entirely dismiss. Claudia scoffed, her arms crossed. 'Sure, she could dress up, but she's still a nobody from the countryside,' she thought. Rila, wary of Deborah backing out, clasped her hands warmly. "Deborah, I know I'm just your stepmother, but I've always treated you like my own. Sending you to the countryside wasn't easy for us. Your father and I have always kept you in our thoughts. You grew up in the countryside and didn't do well in school. Even if we get you back, it would've been hard to find you a good match. But now you have the chance to marry into the Runcorn family. Even though Zane's situation is tragic, as his wife, you'll enjoy endless wealth and status. This is all for your benefit. You understand, don't you?" Rila's hypocritical act made Deborah's stomach churn. She remembered all too well how Rila had wormed her way into the family after her mother's death, orchestrating her exile to the countryside. If they truly cared, they wouldn't have left her to fend for herself all these years. But Deborah only smiled, her eyes soft. "Of course, Mrs. Vantis. I understand completely." Hearing this, Rila finally relaxed. "Why so formal? Call me Mom." Rila had already crafted a story to explain Deborah's absence. Her eldest daughter had been away in the countryside due to health reasons and had only recently returned. Swallowing her distaste, Deborah smiled sweetly. "Mom." "Good girl!" Rila beamed, pulling Deborah close as though they shared a bond. "Come on, let me take you to the car."