Chapter 201:
A Debt Repaid From That Fated Day
“WHY’D YOU BRING ME ALONG?”
They were waiting for the car to take them home, Yulan’s eyes on Violette’s back as she gazed at the tidy rows of trees. Then that voice, only loud enough for him to hear, struck him from the side.
He and Marin didn’t even give each other a sideways glance. The air between the pair was that of two complete strangers.
“You heard me,” Yulan replied. “I needed a witness.”
“I don’t suppose God is the only thing you have no faith in.”
Yulan had said that he wouldn’t vow before God because he had no faith in God. If he had no faith in humanity either, why would he vow in the presence of another person?
Yulan scoffed at the fair inquiry. He sensed Marin tense in response, but he hadn’t meant to mock her. Quite the contrary—he agreed with her. He was laughing at himself.
“Good question,” he said. “At first, I thought all I wanted was to vow to Violette and Violette alone.”
She was the only person who needed to hear his vow. He never once wanted the approval of anyone else, and initially he thought their wedding ceremony should be just for the two of them. He might’ve invited Marin, but if she declined, he’d have carried out the ceremony without her.
The real reason he invited Marin was because he remembered how she’d clung to him, weeping bitterly.
“But I thought…I wouldn’t mind you being there to witness it,” Yulan concluded. “That’s all.”
The day Marin grasped at him, sobbing, numbly spitting out her murderous rage to Yulan—she remembered none of that. He didn’t envy her a bit, nor did he resent her not remembering that day. Yulan was grateful that he hadn’t forgotten, but for Marin, not remembering would be far more peaceful.
Still, she was his only comrade, the only other soul dyed black with rage and resentment from desperate days of constant struggle. In a world where everyone else condemned Violette, Marin was the only one who’d seen eye to eye with Yulan.
The way she’d wept and cursed with the same despair and rage as him—he couldn’t remember that very clearly at this point. He didn’t care enough for her to call her a friend, nor was their bond deep enough to call her a sister in arms. Still, he felt he owed a debt to the brave woman who’d fought and lost everything that day. This was one way he could repay it.
“Besides, she was happy to have you there,” he added.
“Except when she turned bright red and cringed.”
“She’s so cute when she gets embarrassed.”
“Indeed. Thank you for the lovely spectacle.”
“Damn it… I can’t wait to graduate.”
“I won’t ask what exactly you have in mind in saying that, but let it be known that I won’t change rooms.”
“Hey. I’ve got my limits.”
“I serve Violette, not you.”
As the two spoke without exchanging so much as a sideways glance, the once peaceful atmosphere between them froze so cold, a blizzard might’ve started howling at any second. They shared a faint bond of camaraderie, but Yulan hated to admit it…and Marin probably felt the same.
Violette finally approached the two, head tilted in curiosity. “Why so quiet, both of you?”
“No reason.”
“It’s nothing at all, my lady.”
The moment Violette arrived, the frozen air around them both warmed to a springlike temperature. They were truly so similar; it was that similarity that produced friction between them. Still, with one warm chuckle from Violette over their response in perfect unison, neither cared at all about their cold exchange.
“Ready?” Yulan asked.
“Yes. I thought those little creatures Rosette told me about would be here. As you’d expect, though, they were difficult to spot.”
“Well, we can’t know what would stand out to someone from another nation. We’re used to the ecosystem here.”
“I looked them up in the library, so I do remember what they look like. But if somebody asked me where to find them, I couldn’t say.”
“Well, Duralia’s a big kingdom. It’s actually been a while since I’ve been in this part of it. Anyway, why don’t we shop a little before we head back?”
“Sounds good. Maybe we should buy some things for our new home—”
Violette was interrupted by a tiny growl. A glance toward the noise revealed the nervous Marin. Her eyes darted to and fro, and the ears poking out of her blue hair were bright red.
“Oh dear…excuse me.”
Violette giggled. “Let’s get some breakfast first.”
“How about we check out that place we passed along the way?” Yulan suggested. “I’m sure they have a breakfast menu.”
“Think they have eggs Benedict?” Violette asked.
“Wouldn’t you prefer pancakes?” Yulan teased.
“Oh, yes. Those pancakes we had the other day were scrumptious. Where would you like to eat, Marin?”
“I’m fine with going wherever you wish, Lady Violette.”
“But, Marin, I’m asking what you want.”
“I don’t care, so long as it’s a big helping.”
Concealing her former embarrassment, Marin again donned her trademark poker face. Aloof as a cat, she exuded lithe beauty from head to toe. There was no longer a trace of the skin-and-bones waif she used to be.
Yulan trusted Marin. Since they more or less got along and cherished the same person, they were on the same page in many ways. Communicating with her was easy, since they could sense what each other was thinking without putting it into words. But neither would say they liked or cared for the other. Even what transpired today was merely repayment of a debt owed on both their parts.
Still, Yulan was genuinely happy to see Violette and Marin side by side.
I’m so happy…
For if Violette had ever seen Marin as heartbroken as she was on that fated day, she’d have gone mad with grief.
I’m so happy you’re smiling, Violette.