The Villainess is my fiance: But she is gentle towards me-Chapter 201 -: You have gained some weight.

Charlotte opened her mouth, her face already burning red.

She was about to say something even more embarrassing, something that would have made the air explode with shame.

Before the words could leave her lips, a shadow moved.

Vivian suddenly jumped over her from behind and clamped his hand over her mouth.

"Mmph—!"

At the same time, his presence slipped, and his stealth shattered.

The room went silent.

His mother’s eyes widened as she stared at him, shock written clearly on her face.

"...Vivian?"

Charlotte froze for a heartbeat. Then her eyes lit up.

’So I was right.’

She quickly pulled his hand away, turned around, and before Vivian could react, she threw herself at him.

Her hands grabbed his clothes as she began kissing his face wildly...his cheeks, his jaw, everywhere she could reach.

"Hey—wait—Charlotte—"

Vivian tried to step back, but his body refused to move.

Magic.

She had locked him in place without even thinking about it.

If he wanted to break free, he would have to use force. And that would only make things worse.

So he stayed there, stiff and helpless, while Charlotte continued kissing him, completely lost in her joy.

After a while, when her kissing showed no sign of stopping even for a moment, Vivian finally opened his mouth through a small gap and spoke.

"Charlotte... mom..."

The moment he said that, Charlotte’s frantic kissing stopped instantly.

She froze.

Slowly, she looked up at him.

"Ahem... ahem..."

An awkward coughing sound came from behind them.

It was Elena.

"If you two are done..." she said, her voice calm but clearly strained.

Hearing that voice, Charlotte’s mind snapped back to reality.

Her face turned bright red in an instant, like a green tomato suddenly turning fully ripe.

She bit down on her lower lip, released her magic, and stepped back. She stood there with her head lowered, too embarrassed to look at anyone.

Vivian also straightened himself.

His face was just as red.

Elena let out a quiet sigh and looked at him again.

The last time she had seen him was four years ago. He had not changed much, but he had clearly grown older. Taller. More mature.

"At least he’s fine..." she muttered softly.

She stood up and walked toward him. She stopped in front of the child who had grown up in what felt like the blink of an eye.

"It’s been twenty-three years..." she whispered.

Vivian had turned twenty-three this year.

In his previous life, this was the year he had died. No one knew that truth except him. Still, everyone in the room felt the same quiet relief.

He had returned.

Elena walked forward and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Welcome home, son."

Vivian stiffened for a moment, surprised by the sudden warmth. But he quickly controlled himself.

Memories from his previous life surfaced...how his actions had only brought hatred, how he never got to meet his mother again until the day he died.

It had been foolish.

In trying not to hurt them, he had only caused them more pain... and even guilt.

"Haa..."

He let out a quiet sigh as he felt the warmth of her embrace. It had been four long years since he had last seen her. Too long.

A small smile formed on his lips.

"Yeah..." he said softly. "I’m home."

Elena hugged him a little longer before finally releasing him. She lifted her head and looked at his face.

There was no trace of the child she once had to hand-feed. She had to tilt her head up just to meet his eyes now.

She sighed gently as a thought crossed her mind.

’Time really flies...’

Meanwhile, Charlotte had finally recovered from her embarrassment.

Seeing him safe and standing there filled her with relief. As she watched the two of them hugging, her thoughts suddenly drifted far away.

’Now that he has returned, I won’t miss this chance... hahahaha... I will conquer him—’

"Son, where is the wedding dress?"

Those few words shattered her dream in an instant.

Charlotte’s gaze snapped back to reality.

Her face turned pale with panic as she saw Vivian just opening his mouth to speak.

She was about to send a mental message, but her mind froze on one thing.

"...Wedding dress?"

"What wedding dress?" Vivian asked again, his brows pulling together in confusion.

Elena smiled as she glanced from the corner of her eye toward Charlotte.

"Why?" she said calmly. "Didn’t you go away for four years to buy a wedding dress?" She paused, then added with a light, sharp tone, "Or were you there to learn the art and make it yourself instead?"

She looked directly at Charlotte.

"Isn’t that right... my dearest daughter-in-law?"

Vivian frowned even more, clearly lost.

Charlotte, on the other hand, was sweating. Her eyes avoided Elena’s gaze as panic filled her face.

’Damn it...’

She cursed herself inside.

She had thought her excuse had fooled Elena. But all this time... Elena had only been pretending.

"Haa..."

Charlotte let out a long sigh. She calmed herself and finally spoke.

"I’m sorry, mother," she said honestly. "I wasn’t told either. He only said he was safe, and then he disappeared. I didn’t want to make you worry, so I lied."

Elena looked at her for a moment.

Then she smiled.

She walked over and pulled Charlotte into a tight hug.

"Don’t worry," Elena whispered near her ear. "Don’t miss this chance... and use it for the future."

The moment Charlotte heard those words, her flustered expression vanished. In its place appeared a bright, determined look.

She turned her head and looked at Vivian, who was staring at the two of them with complete confusion.

’Yeah... this is my chance.’

Charlotte’s eyes burned with new energy and desire, while Vivian stood there, unaware that a quiet plan had already begun to move.

After a bit, Elena released Charlotte and said she was going to the kitchen to cook something delicious for him.

Vivian nodded, still confused. Just as she was about to leave, something came to his mind.

"Mom, where is Edward? I haven’t seen him in the estate."

Elena froze near the edge of the garden. She looked back and replied, "He is at your grandfather’s estate. He should be here by tomorrow."

As she said that, her eyes wavered for a brief moment.

Vivian noticed it, but he didn’t chase the thought. He simply nodded and let her go.

Soon, Elena left the garden.

Charlotte let out a soft sigh. Hesitation showed on her face, but she quickly pushed it away and looked straight at him.

"You said you would marry me one year ago," she said, pouting. "But you still haven’t."

Vivian blinked. He remembered saying he would marry her after three years... before he vanished for four.

"Did I really say that?" he asked, using a pretending tone.

"Don’t try to forget your promises!" she shouted. "You said it before going into the lake!"

Vivian didn’t seem bothered. He walked closer and stood right in front of her.

"Oh really?" he said calmly. "Did I say such things...?"

"Yes, you did," she replied. Her cheeks were puffed, but her eyes looked pleased.

"So what should I do?" he asked, tapping his chin.

"Do what?" she snapped. "Marry me right now!"

She was about to continue when—

"Okay," Vivian said suddenly. "Let’s take a short trip."

Before she could react, he lifted her straight into his arms.

"W—wait! Vivian!" Charlotte yelped, grabbing his collar. Her heart jumped, and her face turned red. "Put me down!"

He looked down at her and tilted his head.

"Hm?" he said casually. "You’ve gained some weight."

Her eyes went wide.

"W-WHAT?!" she shouted. "Put me down right now, you idiot! I haven’t gained anything!"

She began hitting his chest with her fists, her face burning red.

"I’ll make you regret saying that! Take it back! Take it back right now!"

Vivian laughed lightly as he held her without effort, while Charlotte struggled in his arms, half angry, half embarrassed, and completely flustered.

Vivian walked out of the garden while still holding the struggling Charlotte.

"Okay, don’t move," he said calmly. "We’re going on a short trip."

Before she could say anything more, his body lifted from the ground and rose into the air.

The sudden height made Charlotte freeze. Her struggle stopped at once as she looked down at the ground growing farther away.

"...You really reached grandmaster?" she asked softly.

Vivian glanced at her and smirked.

"What do you think?" he replied.

Charlotte clutched his coat without thinking, her fingers tight against the fabric.

The wind was cold, and it brushed against her face, making her hair fly everywhere.

"Idiot..." she muttered, though her voice was quiet now.

Vivian laughed again, softer this time. "You’re scared," he said.

"I am not!" she snapped, then looked down again and went silent.

The city lights slowly spread below them like small stars. Houses, roads, and trees passed under their feet. Charlotte’s anger faded, replaced by wonder.

"...It’s beautiful," she whispered.

Vivian nodded. "Yeah. Just like you."