That day, a week after the flower festival. I was having tea with Philip at the Duke Laurenson’s residency.

Because of his outrageous lie, that I often came to visit, we had been meeting more often. Regarding that, his parents only gazed at me happily.

When I put on the earrings I had received the other day, as per my maid’s advice, he looked extremely pleased. I politely declined when he offered to buy me more earrings—‘Would ten suffice?’ I only had two ears, after all.

…Of course, there were many cases of long silence like before. But, strangely, I didn’t feel as awkward as before.

“By the way, will Philip attend the school reunion next month?”

At my casual inquiry, Philip looked embarrassed. After some contemplation, he opened his mouth.

“I won’t.”

“I see, so that’s how it is.”

“What about you?”

“Of course, I won’t either.”

When I answered so, he said, “I see…”

For some reason, he looked terribly relieved…

◇◇◇

“Viola, forgive me…”

“I, it’s alright…”

“Even though Viola is currently experiencing such a hardship, I—!”

Three days later, Jamie, whom was both thin and in pain, visited our house while crying.

A quarrel with her lover led to them breaking up. She fell into a depression and locked herself in her room for a month. Inherently, her temperament was strong. However, when it came to men, she became extremely weak. That was why she didn’t even know about my accident. She cried, wailing that she was unworthy of being my best friend. After all, she failed to be with me during these difficult times.

To be honest, she was more likely to die than I, whom was in an accident, because she looked like she was about to collapse. My circumstances aside, I was pretty alright, so please don’t worry.

“As I’ve said, I’m alright.”

“Really…? Also, please, stop being so formal.”

“I, I understand.”

Afterwards, she talked about how close she and I were for about two hours. Although it was embarrassing, I was also joyful.

After Rex had instructed me, I was worried about talking with Jamie. Sometimes, Jamie could be unpredictable. She would do things beyond my wildest imagination.

I told her that I was recovering, and that every once in a while I’d visit Philip. That was enough to surprise her.

“Come to think of it, have you received the invitation to the reunion…?”

“Yes, it has arrived.”

“…I’m certain Hugo will attend, too.”

After a breather, the topic shifted to the alumni reunion.

Hugo was her ex-lover, and also my former classmate. I remembered that he was generally a good person. I couldn’t tell myself, but there might have been more to him that what met the eyes.

“…Viola, why don’t you go with me?”

“Eh?”

Jamie gazed at me with puppy eyes. That was her habit when she had a penchant for something.

“I, I don’t think I will go.”

“I see, Viola doesn’t remember a thing, as such, it’d be difficult…”

“…”

Seeing the way she smiled bitterly made my heart ached. I had been helped by her many times in the past.

I also knew of her unprecedented love for Hugo.

However, from the bottom of my heart, I didn’t want to go. I had been anxious for a while.

“…After some thinking, maybe meeting them would be the best? If I were to meet my former classmates, it might jog my memories. Let’s go together.”

“R, really?”

“Yes.”

“Viola, I love you…!”

While stroking Jamie’s back, who hugged me vigorously, I felt overwhelmed by the thought of Cyril. I decided I’d go home as soon as I met everyone.

The day soon arrived. I was heading to the venue with Jamie whose complexion had improved.

“Do I look fine? Or is this strange?”

“No, you look cute. You’ll be fine.”

“Thank you very much, Viola.”

I couldn’t help but pray for things to go well for the both of them.

…By the way, I had told Philip I wasn’t going to go. Well, originally, it wasn’t like we reported to each other what events we were participating in, so it should be fine.

When I arrived at the venue, the attention fell onto me. Jamie clung to my arm saying, ‘If anyone says something despicable, tell me right away! I’ll tell dad to annihilate them!’ Although her face was pretty, she made some ominous remarks.

“Viola! You came!”

Cyril was the first to beckon to me.

Jamie, whom was beside to me, stared alternately between us. She looked anxious. It was probably because she knew that Cyril had confessed to me in the past. I forgot to mention to Jamie about my conversation with Cyril in the previous ball.

“Good afternoon, Lord Cyril.”

“Yes, hello. I’m glad to meet you.”

“Hello, I’m also present!”

“Yes, Lady Jamie, I know. It’s been a long time.”

It seemed that for a long time, Jamie didn’t like Cyril very much. She always said that Cyril spelled trouble.

I laughed bitterly at Jamie who looked ready to pounce. I scanned the venue and found him immediately.

“…Jamie, Lord Hugo is there.”

Hearing my whisper, Jamie looked surprised for a moment. Then, she looked as if she was about to cry.

“B, but I don’t know how to approach him…”

Certainly, it was difficult to approach someone you had quarreled with. Because we were merely acquaintances, I couldn’t say I got along well with him either. More so considering my current situation.

When I was troubled, Cyril spoke. “Do you wish to speak to Hugo?”

“…Yes, but…”

“Shall I relay it to him?”

“Eh?”

Neither I nor Jamie could hide our surprise. He had made such a sudden offer. Apparently, the two had an exchange. Jamie was a little hesitant, but eventually came to the conclusion that it was the best to just go forward and approach him.

After ten minutes, thanks to Cyril’s cooperation, we were able to bring the two together in a fairly natural way. We were relieved.

“Thank you very much.”

“Don’t worry about it. I just want to converse with the two of you.”

“Well, is that so?”

He told me with such a refreshing smile. I grew restless. What was Cyril really thinking?

Everyone was gazing at me. Their gazes stung.

I wanted to go home as soon as possible. But thanks to my current predicament, I couldn’t just excuse myself right there and then.

After talking with them for a while, the venue grew noisy. When I was looking around, wondering what was happening, the other ladies were making a fuss.

“Lord Philip is here!”

After hearing that, I leaked out a stupid voice.

…Why was he there?

I couldn’t exactly say anything because I ended up going against my words and participated, but… didn’t he say he wasn’t going to participate?

While I was wondering if he was lying, I found him in the crowd.

Somehow, I felt awkward. I was thinking of taking advantage of the turmoil and going home.

Then, for some reason, even though our distance was far, our gazes still met.

---

***T/N: Speaking of which, ain’t Phil and Cyril the same? Both want to take advantage of Viola’s ‘amnesia’ to win (speaking very loosely here) her love. Despite so, I hated Cyril more, for thinking he still stand a chance to be with a betrothed woman after so long. Not to mention, after Viola had plain cut off her ties with him post his confession. Didn’t that just scream his inability to take a no?

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