Chapter 199:
One Year
INTOXICATED BY THE HECTIC HUSTLE and bustle, Violette retreated to the usual place for solitude. When she arrived at the little spot tucked away in a corner of the school garden, she remembered the day she’d met Rosette. If she hadn’t visited the garden that day, the pair would’ve graduated without speaking to each other once. That really reminded her that one never knew which way fate’s dice would fall.
What would the Violette that day think of me now? She’d probably resent me for having such a good life, or suspect it was all feigned. At the very least, she wouldn’t believe that she’d become part of Yulan’s future.
And, if the Violette of one year ago had seen her today, what would’ve devastated her? That Claudia hadn’t chosen her? That, no matter how hard she wished for it, her family never loved her? That she entangled Yulan in her horrible life?
“Probably everything,” she mused.
She envisioned each scenario easily. It made her laugh, although she was laughing at herself. She could imagine herself transformed into a monster, eyes popping out of their sockets, her hair a wild mess. In reality, she’d let bloodlust tempt her to commit murder, so it would be more accurate to describe that as a memory, rather than her imagination.
Now Violette could look back on those days with detachment—nostalgia, even. That was all because she’d been able to free herself from everything.
With a sigh, she fell into her thoughts.
There’s sure to be many hardships ahead. We’ve resolved the biggest problem, but a mountain of tasks is still left undone. The first trial I have to face will be meeting Yulan’s parents. Then again, they already know me, and we’ve spoken. So, while I’m nervous about that, I won’t feel nearly as nauseated as I did visiting my own parents.
The worried Yulan had forbidden Violette from being present when he met with her parents, so meeting with his was her best chance to show her strength and resilience.
Forgetting she was in public, she stretched and yawned. Interlacing her fingers tightly and stretching her arms to the sky was euphoric for her back. Then a breeze carried the soft fragrance of flowers to her. It was a pure, gentle fragrance she knew well.
“I thought I’d find you here,” Rosette said.
“Oh dear. It appears I’ve been caught.”
Rosette wore her usual smile, but it looked a bit more vibrant than before. Her new role as Prince Claudia’s fiancée had its share of challenges. The official announcement would come after graduation, but the whole academy knew already.
“I’m so tired…” she sighed.
“Hang in there. I wish I’d brought some drinks out here.”
“Oh, it’s all right. I won’t be here long. I imagine people will soon approach me to offer congratulations.”
Another sigh escaped her soft pink lips. Her closed eyelids sparkled with light eye shadow. Rosette didn’t ordinarily wear makeup, but as a prince’s fiancée, she now needed to meet all sorts of people. A crisp, clean appearance no longer sufficed—her natural assets had to be enhanced to their fullest.
The look suited Rosette, and Violette thought she was very pretty. Still, the fatigue telegraphed by her sigh was something Violette couldn’t approve of unhesitatingly.
“You really do look tired. Will things be this way until the official announcement?”
“Once Claudia has more freedom, I think they’ll settle a little. At the moment, he has his final student council tasks to tend to, you see.”
“Right. He’s preparing documents to transfer leadership?”
“Yes. The election won’t be for a while, but he’s already chosen his successor.”
Yulan would succeed Claudia, so the person helping him with the documents was presumably the next term’s president. Since Yulan would be that person’s aide, Milania was likely filling him in on that position too. Violette had heard nothing about other members being present, so she worried that the two would butt heads. Yulan’s history with Claudia went without saying, but he and Milania weren’t really that compatible either.