Virtual World: Being The Protagonist's Mother

Chapter 1

1

Bad news: I've been transported into my own novel.

Good news: I'm the biological mother of the protagonist.

In other words, I'm the author.

This is a classic romance novel, with a plot revolving around an unloved prince who uses the heroine and then realizes he loves her. After countless twists and turns, they finally get their happy ending.

And another piece of news, whether good or bad, I've become the mother of the protagonist, Lucinda.

Lucinda's laughter echoed outside the carriage. Through the gap in the curtain, I saw a flash of red.

A young, carefree rider in red.

Lucinda was riding ahead, leading the way, while my carriage followed leisurely behind.

People along the road greeted Lucinda warmly, "Miss Lucinda, taking your mother out for a walk again?"

Lucinda responded with a smile, "Yes, Kiera. The weather is lovely today. How much for these peaches?"

Kiera handed some peaches into the carriage, "These peaches are sweet lately. Give them to your mother to try."

One after another, apples and apricots were also handed into the carriage.

In my writing, Lucinda was lively and cheerful, kind-hearted, and praised by everyone in Eylouis as the Lady of Ylavine.

Before I could recall which part of the plot this was, the carriage suddenly shook violently.

Someone exclaimed, "The horse is startled!"

I couldn't keep my balance and hit my head on the corner of the carriage, doubling over in pain.

A tall figure broke through the carriage door, rushed in, and carried me out.

I rubbed my forehead and struggled to lift my head.

This was the first time I saw Lucinda's face clearly. Her big, round eyes were like a fawn's, and she was anxiously holding my hand, "Mother, are you alright?"

I couldn't help but call out, "Lucinda."

Lucinda looked at me in shock, "Mother, you're awake?"

I looked around in confusion, seeing the astonishment in everyone's eyes, and finally remembered this part of the plot.

Lucinda's mother had saved her from drowning when she was ten, fell ill with a high fever, and became mentally affected, unable to speak.

On this day, Lucinda was taking her mother for a stroll when the horse got startled, and the male lead, Brandon, saved Lucinda's mother.

This was the beginning of their feelings for each other.

Lucinda, completely focused on her mother, hurriedly supported me to go home, "Mother, let's go home now. I'll find the best doctor to check on you!"

"No, Uncle, you have Father's token. Go to the palace and get a doctor!"

Brandon, dressed in a dark robe with his hair tied up, looked elegant and handsome.

Unfortunately, my daughter didn't even glance at him.

Brandon stood calmly to the side, seemingly unbothered by being ignored.

Seeing Lucinda about to leave, I realized something was wrong.

"Lucinda! Wait a moment!"

#2

In the plot, the two felt an instant connection and exchanged names.

Although I didn't hear any system voice, from my experience as a writer, usually, you have to follow the plot to return after being transported into a book.

Thinking of modern conveniences like tablets, hotpots, and air conditioning, I took a deep breath, "Lucinda, thank your savior first."

Lucinda glanced at Brandon in confusion, then remembered he had saved her mother.

I gave a respectful nod to Brandon, "Thank you for saving me. May I know your name?"

Brandon nodded back gently, "I am Brandon, the third prince."

Lucinda, holding my arm, replied cheerfully, "I'm Lucinda from the Riley family. I'll definitely treat you to a drink someday!"

Brandon handed over a handkerchief, "Miss Lucinda, your mother's forehead is injured and needs proper care."

A handkerchief!

This was the symbol of their love in the story.

I watched excitedly as Lucinda took the handkerchief. After Brandon left, I reminded her, "You must keep this handkerchief safe."

Lucinda looked at me puzzled, "Mother, what are you saying? We have plenty of such handkerchiefs at home."

Saying this, Lucinda gently wiped the wound on my forehead with her own handkerchief.

Only then did I feel the sharp pain spreading across my forehead.

On the way home, Lucinda's fair face was full of joy as she snuggled up to me, "I knew it, Mother would definitely get better!"

Based on my experience, I should now play the role of Lucinda's mother well, so I found an excuse, "I feel like I've slept for a long time. Lucinda, you really look like you did when you were a child!"

Lucinda frowned, on the verge of tears, "I thought I had harmed Mother. It's great that Mother is awake."

I felt a pang of sorrow, thinking that Lucinda was only fifteen, and hugged her tenderly.

After returning to the Rileys' residence, the doctor examined me thoroughly and said that the bump on my forehead had cleared my mind, and there was no major issue.

Lucinda was overjoyed and excitedly took out paper and pen to write a letter to her father in the middle of the night.

Lucinda's father, Alexander, was a high-ranking general, often away at war.

I urged her repeatedly before getting Lucinda to go to sleep. Looking at the unfinished letter on the desk, I fell into deep thought.

In the plot, Alexander, who supported the crown prince's faction, was seen as a thorn in the male lead's side. After returning to the city, Alexander was wrongly accused of treason by the male lead and ultimately sacrificed himself to protect the Riley family.

Thinking of Lucinda's tear-streaked face in the carriage during the day, I remembered that at fifteen, I was just a child who loved to pester my mother for ice cream.

I couldn't bear it and secretly resolved to help Lucinda skip the heartbreaking and physically painful plot and head straight for a happy ending.

Chapter 2

I hastily scribbled two more words on the letter: "Return quickly."

Lucinda teased from the side, "Mother and Father still have such a good relationship!"

I hurriedly folded the letter, trying to hide it. "What do you know about these things? You're still young!"

Lucinda pouted, "I'm not a child anymore. Julissa from the Hollands' residence, who is my age, is already engaged!"

Remembering my task to steer towards a happy ending, I tentatively asked, "Have you invited the third prince recently?"

Lucinda slapped her forehead. "I completely forgot! I'll send an invitation to the third prince right away. We must thank him properly!"

Seeing me nod, Lucinda's eyes sparkled as she leaned closer and whispered, "Mother, what do you think about marriage? But I still want to..."

I thought she was reluctant to leave the Rileys' residence, so I quickly reassured her, "Marriage is wonderful, just like your father and I, supporting each other for a lifetime."

Lucinda lowered her head and said nothing. I added, "I really want to see you get married, Lucinda."

A trace of sadness flashed in Lucinda's eyes.

Seeing her silence, I thought that it was natural for a girl to have mixed feelings about marriage, so I quickly changed the subject. "Where do you plan to host the third prince?"

The priority was to arrange their engagement and get the plot back on track.

"How about Peony Garden? I saw the flowers blooming beautifully there yesterday."

Lucinda's eyes lit up again. "Mother, do you like Peony Garden? Then let's arrange it there!"

At that moment, I didn't notice Lucinda's use of "we."

A few days later, I was also invited to the banquet.

I sat at the head seat, with Brandon and Lucinda seated on either side of me.

The maid, Joelle, stood beside me with a stern smile.

I felt like Joelle and I were standing out awkwardly, like two sore thumbs.

Brandon and Lucinda exchanged polite pleasantries.

I sighed quietly and slowly stood up. "I'm not feeling well, so I'll excuse myself. Lucinda, make sure to entertain our guest properly."

Lucinda jumped up. "Mother, where are you going? I'll go with you!"

I winked at her, signaling for her to spend some time alone with Brandon, but she didn't get the hint at all.

I had no choice but to whisper in her ear, "I need to use the restroom."

Lucinda froze, then awkwardly chuckled. "Then hurry back, Mother."

I nodded. "Joelle will accompany me."

The peonies outside were blooming beautifully, perhaps because there was no modern pollution. The ancient peonies were larger and more vibrant.

I strolled leisurely, occasionally picking a few peonies for Joelle to hold, planning to put them in a vase later.

Joelle frowned seriously. "Madam, there's no place to put so many flowers."

I glanced at her. She looked only fifteen or sixteen, yet so serious.

Indeed, people in ancient times matured early. When I was fifteen or sixteen, I was still playing in the mud.

I hummed lightly and smeared some flower petal juice on her face. "Come on, Miss Serious, give me a smile!"

Joelle squinted her eyes as I rubbed her face, trying to scold me righteously, but her words came out as muffled grumbles.

The sun gradually set, and I wondered how Lucinda and Brandon were getting along.

I wasn't paying attention and bumped into someone in a black robe.

Still recovering from an old injury, I winced and held my forehead.

A gentle voice said, "Madam, I apologize for my rudeness. Are you alright?"

I looked up and saw that it was Brandon.

I stared at him in confusion. "Why is the third prince here?"

Brandon looked a bit embarrassed and bowed. "I left the banquet to admire the peonies and got lost."

I pointed towards the exit. "The exit is that way."

Brandon thanked me, and I thought he would leave, but he stood still in front of me.

I felt a headache coming on and tentatively asked, "Third prince?"

Brandon suddenly bowed deeply. "I have a request, Madam."

I gasped, remembering that I had set the male lead to be a vengeful and cunning character. I quickly rushed to help him up. "Third prince, you flatter me..."

Brandon stubbornly said, "I know you left the banquet to give me and your daughter some space. To be honest, I fell in love with her at first sight and can't stop thinking about her. Please, Madam, grant us your blessing..."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but feel delighted and nodded quickly. "I'm very happy about this... I mean, my daughter is very happy too."

Brandon looked up in surprise, and I helplessly supported him, preventing him from bowing again. "I have only one request."

Brandon nodded. "Please, tell me. I will do anything."

I looked at him seriously. "Please cherish my daughter and protect her."

Brandon's dark eyes flickered, but he remained respectful. "I will cherish her. In a few days, I will personally request the royal decree. I promise to give Lucinda a grand wedding."

I nodded in satisfaction, watching him leave.

Finally, my daughter was about to begin her happily ever after.

However, before the royal decree arrived, a panicked Lucinda came rushing in.

She stumbled into the room, her face pale. "Mother..."

I hurried over to support her. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

Lucinda collapsed into my arms, tears welling up in her eyes. "Mother, something's happened to Father!"

Chapter 3

I stood there, stunned, as if I couldn't believe what Lucinda was saying.

Unexpectedly, the story still unfolded as fate had written, only changing from suicide to murder. It seemed that my condition for returning home was to complete the storyline; otherwise, the world wouldn't correct itself.

Lucinda had already fainted from crying i