Chapter 141: A new Sunday III

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: A new Sunday III

The laughter around the table gradually faded into a comfortable silence.

The conversation no longer revolved around Anthony.

Or broken engagements.

Amelia suddenly clapped her hands together.

"Enough."

"We’ve spent far too long talking about heartbreak."

Vivienne smiled.

"Oh?"

Amelia exchanged a glance with Claire and Eleanor before looking back at her.

"Actually..."

"The three of us were already planning to go somewhere after lunch."

Vivienne looked at them curiously.

"Where?"

Claire answered first.

"The Student Union is holding one of its Sunday Afternoon Teas today."

"They don’t organize them very often."

"This just happened to be one of the weekends they did."

Eleanor nodded.

"We’ve been talking about going all week."

Vivienne tilted her head.

"I’ve never heard of it."

Claire smiled apologetically.

"That’s because we never brought it up."

"...Why not?"

Amelia answered without hesitation.

"Because you were engaged."

She shrugged.

"There wasn’t much point inviting someone’s fiancée to Saint Albion’s unofficial matchmaking event."

Vivienne laughed.

"...Unofficial matchmaking event?"

"The official explanation," Claire said with a perfectly straight face, "is that it encourages students from different colleges to socialize."

Amelia grinned.

"The unofficial explanation is that it’s where single people go to meet other single people."

"My brother said everyone claims they’re only there for the tea."

Eleanor laughed softly.

"And somehow they always leave with someone’s telephone number."

Vivienne looked from one friend to another.

"So the three of you were already planning to go?"

Claire nodded.

"We thought it would be fun."

"It’s our first time too."

"We’ve only heard stories."

Amelia leaned her elbows on the table.

"But now..."

She pointed at Vivienne.

"We’re inviting you."

Vivienne blinked.

"...Me?"

"Of course you."

Amelia looked almost offended she had to explain.

"Vivienne."

"Anthony told you he couldn’t love you."

"So what?"

She waved a dismissive hand.

"He’s not the only man in Saint Albion."

Claire laughed.

"That’s certainly one way to encourage someone."

"I’m serious."

Amelia folded her arms.

"You’re beautiful."

"You’re intelligent."

"And you’re a duke’s daughter."

"If one man can’t see what everyone else can..."

She shrugged.

"Then let’s go meet the others."

Vivienne couldn’t help laughing.

"The others?"

"There are thousands of students in this university."

Amelia spread both hands dramatically.

"I’m sure at least a few of them have functioning eyesight."

Even Eleanor burst into laughter.

Claire smiled warmly.

"She’s exaggerating."

"...Only a little."

She looked at Vivienne.

"But I think she’s right."

"You’ve spent the entire week thinking about Anthony."

"Perhaps it’s time to think about yourself instead."

Eleanor nodded in agreement.

"University isn’t only lectures and examinations."

"We should enjoy these years too."

Vivienne looked at the three women surrounding her.

Yesterday...

She had asked Anthony whether she would be free to accept a date from someone else.

Less than twenty-four hours later...

Her friends were already trying to introduce her to half the university.

Life certainly moved quickly.

She laughed, shaking her head.

"You three really don’t waste any time."

"There’s no reason to."

Amelia smiled.

"The sooner you remember Anthony Ashford isn’t the only man in the world..."

"...the better."

Claire nodded.

"Or even the only man in Saint Albion."

Vivienne smiled despite herself.

"I suppose that’s true."

Amelia suddenly snapped her fingers.

"Oh."

"And if we happen to be right..."

She shrugged innocently.

"This might even serve as a wake-up call for Damian."

Vivienne stared at her.

"...Damian?"

Amelia nodded.

"If he really does like you..."

She spread both hands.

"Watching other men ask for your cellphone number might finally convince him to do something."

Vivienne burst into laughter.

"That is absolutely not going to happen."

"I keep telling you."

"We’re just friends."

Claire smiled.

"Perhaps."

"But if we’re wrong..."

"I suppose we’ll find out eventually."

Vivienne shook her head, still laughing.

"I honestly don’t know what’s gotten into the three of you today."

"We’re trying to cheer you up."

Amelia answered without the slightest embarrassment.

"And besides..."

She leaned back casually.

"Damian Blackwood may be one of the university’s most eligible bachelors..."

"...but he isn’t the only one."

Claire laughed.

"Now you’re recruiting."

"I’m being practical."

Amelia began counting dramatically.

"The Law College."

"The Business School."

"Medicine."

"Engineering."

"There are handsome men everywhere."

Claire covered her face, laughing.

"You’re making Saint Albion sound like a catalogue."

"It practically is."

Eleanor smiled into her teacup.

"I think Amelia has spent too much time listening to her brother."

"Probably."

Amelia admitted cheerfully.

"But he’s been right so far."

Vivienne laughed harder than she had all week.

The ache in her chest hadn’t disappeared.

She doubted it would overnight.

But somehow...

Sitting here with the three girls who had become her closest friends...

The future didn’t feel nearly as frightening anymore.

Perhaps Anthony Ashford wasn’t the only future she could have imagined.

Perhaps...

She simply hadn’t allowed herself to imagine another one.

She looked around the table before smiling.

"...All right."

"I’ll come."

Amelia pointed triumphantly across the table.

"I knew you’d say yes."

Claire glanced toward the clock mounted on the wall.

"In that case..."

"We should probably have lunch."

Eleanor closed her notebook.

"And we’ll need to stop by the dormitory afterward."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

"To change?"

Claire nodded matter-of-factly.

"It’s afternoon tea."

"It isn’t a ball."

"But most people still dress nicely."

Amelia grinned.

"Besides..."

She looked Vivienne up and down.

"If we’re going to parade Saint Albion’s newest eligible lady around campus..."

"We’re doing it properly."

Vivienne laughed, rolling her eyes.

"I’ve only been single for one day."

"Exactly."

Amelia stood, slinging her satchel over one shoulder.

"So let’s not waste Day Two."

The four girls rose from the table together, gathering their books and notebooks.

Around them, the study hall buzzed quietly with conversations as students prepared for another week of classes.

Outside the tall windows...

The bells of Saint Albion chimed noon.

Tomorrow, preliminary examination results would be posted.

Tomorrow, lectures would begin again.

Tomorrow, university life would continue as though nothing had changed.

But today...

Today was different.

Yesterday...

Vivienne had let go of the future she thought had already been written.

Today...

She was taking her first step toward one she knew nothing about.

And for the first time since arriving in this world...

That uncertainty didn’t frighten her.

It felt...

Wonderfully exciting.