Chapter 151: sunday afternoon tea VIII

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: sunday afternoon tea VIII

The introductions settled into a comfortable silence.

Eight cups of tea rested neatly upon the table.

Vivienne reached for her teacup.

The smile that had threatened to escape only moments earlier had finally begun to settle.

Across the table...

Damian quietly exhaled.

He wasn’t entirely sure what embarrassed him more—

The absurd dream from that morning...

Or the possibility that he had somehow managed to look equally ridiculous in reality.

Christopher glanced around the table with an easy smile.

"Well..."

"I don’t believe we’ve asked the most important question yet."

Leon looked up.

"Oh?"

Christopher rested one arm lightly against the table.

"How has everyone’s afternoon been?"

His gaze swept naturally around the group.

"I’m rather curious."

"This is everyone’s final rotation, after all."

Mary was the first to answer.

"I’ve enjoyed it much more than I expected."

"I thought speaking with complete strangers would be awkward."

"But everyone has been surprisingly kind."

Janella nodded.

"I agree."

"I don’t think I’ve had this many conversations in a single afternoon before."

Matthew laughed.

"I suppose that’s proof the Student Union knew what they were doing."

"It certainly feels that way," Mary agreed.

Rebecca smiled gracefully.

"It has exceeded my expectations."

Christopher inclined his head politely.

"I’m glad to hear that."

Finally...

His attention shifted toward the last person who had yet to answer.

"And you, Lady Beaumont?"

Vivienne looked up.

Only then did she truly look at the young man seated across the table.

Christopher Archibald.

The name was familiar.

She vaguely remembered seeing it while reading the novel.

He was only mentioned in passing.

Former Student Council President.

Now the Student Council Vice President.

That was... about all she remembered.

Strange.

The original novel had scarcely described him at all.

Seeing him in person...

Vivienne couldn’t help thinking the author had overlooked one rather obvious detail.

He was unexpectedly very handsome.

She smiled politely.

"I’ve enjoyed it as well."

"I wasn’t quite sure what to expect before coming."

"But..."

"I think the afternoon has been rather refreshing."

"I’ve spoken with people I probably never would’ve met otherwise."

Christopher smiled.

"Then I’d say the afternoon has served its purpose."

The conversation flowed onward with surprising ease.

Stories drifted from unusual professors...

To impossible examinations...

To favorite cafés around campus.

Even Damian found himself contributing from time to time.

Whenever someone directed a question his way...

He answered simply.

Then allowed the conversation to continue.

Every now and then...

Almost against his better judgment...

His eyes wandered across the table.

Only briefly.

Only long enough to find Lady Beaumont quietly listening to everyone else.

Fortunately...

She no longer seemed on the verge of laughing.

That alone was enough to let him relax.

--

Matthew leaned back slightly.

"Alright."

"My turn."

He grinned.

"I know everyone’s probably been asked all sorts of questions this afternoon."

"So I’ll try something a little different."

He looked around the table.

"Has anyone actually met someone they’d like to keep in touch with after today?"

For a moment...

Silence.

Several pairs of eyes instinctively met before drifting away again.

Leon laughed first.

"That’s a surprisingly dangerous question."

Matthew shrugged innocently.

"I thought we were all being honest."

Christopher smiled into his teacup.

"I believe you’ve just made everyone think very carefully."

A few quiet chuckles circled the table.

Finally...

Leon spoke.

"I have."

"Quite a few, actually."

Matthew nodded.

"Same."

"I’ve already promised someone I’d introduce them to our faculty café."

Mary smiled.

"I suppose that means the afternoon has been a success."

Matthew inclined his head.

"I’d say so."

Christopher considered the question for a moment before answering.

"Not yet."

A faint smile crossed his face.

"But I’ve enjoyed several conversations."

He left it at that.

Leon turned toward the remaining gentleman.

"What about you, Lord Blackwood?"

Damian hadn’t expected the question to reach him.

He paused briefly.

"...I’m not sure."

His answer was quiet.

Honest.

"There are still fifteen minutes left."

"I suppose I’ll know once the afternoon ends."

Matthew laughed.

"I wasn’t expecting that answer."

Damian offered only the faintest smile.

"Neither was I."

The table chuckled softly before Leon turned toward the ladies.

"What about you?"

Mary answered first.

"I have."

"There are a few people I’d genuinely like to keep in touch with."

Janella nodded.

"So have I."

"I’ve met some wonderful people today."

Rebecca smiled gracefully.

"I believe I have."

"This afternoon has certainly been worthwhile."

Finally...

Everyone’s attention settled upon Vivienne.

She smiled thoughtfully.

"...Perhaps."

The answer drew a few amused smiles.

"The afternoon hasn’t ended just yet."

"I think I’d rather wait until the very end before deciding."

She laughed softly.

"It would be a shame to overlook someone simply because I made up my mind too early."

Matthew nodded approvingly.

"I think that’s probably the wisest answer anyone has given today."

A few quiet laughs circled the table.

Across from her...

Damian found himself lingering on her answer.

The afternoon hasn’t ended just yet...

She sounded...

Genuine.

As though she had truly come here hoping to meet someone.

His brows drew together almost imperceptibly.

But...

Why?

He had known Lady Beaumont for years.

If there was one thing he had never doubted...

It was how deeply she had loved Anthony.

He had watched it himself.

Ever since they were children.

He had teased her often enough because of it.

Which was precisely why...

None of this made sense.

Why was she here?

Had she argued with Anthony?

Was she trying to make him jealous?

Or...

Was there another reason entirely?

The question lingered quietly in his mind.

Before anyone could dwell on it further...

Leon smiled.

"Since we’re apparently being honest..."

He glanced around the table.

"I’ve got another question."

"What kind of person usually leaves the strongest first impression on you?"

For a brief moment...

Everyone considered the question.

Leon laughed.

"I suppose I should answer first since I’m the one asking."

He leaned back slightly.

"Someone who’s easy to joke with."

He shrugged.

"If we can laugh together in the first five minutes, I usually remember them."

Matthew grinned.

"You’re simpler than I thought."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

Mary answered next.

"I think..."

"Someone who’s easy to talk to."

She smiled.

"If a conversation feels effortless, I usually remember it."

Janella nodded.

"I like people with a good sense of humor."

"I’ve always thought laughter makes conversations much less awkward."

Leon laughed.

"I’ll take that as encouragement."

"It means my jokes weren’t completely hopeless."

"They weren’t," Janella replied with a grin.

"Only slightly."

The table laughed together.

Rebecca answered next.

"I admire confidence."

She spoke without hesitation.

"Someone who carries themselves well always leaves a lasting impression."

Matthew nodded thoughtfully.

"That’s a fair answer."

"What about you, Senior Archibald?"

Christopher considered the question for a brief moment.

"I’ve always appreciated sincerity."

He smiled lightly.

"I think people are at their most interesting when they stop worrying about making a good impression and simply become themselves."

Leon chuckled.

"That’s a very Christopher Archibald answer."

"It probably is," Christopher admitted with a quiet laugh.

Matthew turned toward Damian.

"And you, Lord Blackwood?"

Damian considered the question for only a moment.

"...Someone who smiles easily."

The answer was so simple that, for a brief second, no one spoke.

Then he added quietly,

"I think happy people are more difficult to forget."

As the words left his mouth...

His eyes lifted almost absentmindedly.

Only for an instant.

They met Vivienne’s across the table.

She blinked, faintly surprised.

Then smiled politely before lowering her gaze back to her teacup.

Damian looked away just as quickly.

He hadn’t even realized he’d looked at her.

Leon nodded thoughtfully.

"I like that."

"It sounds simple..."

"But I think it’s true."

Christopher smiled in quiet agreement.

"Happiness has a way of putting everyone else at ease."

"It makes conversations feel much more natural."

Damian gave the faintest nod.

"Exactly."

Vivienne found herself thinking about his answer.

Somehow...

It wasn’t what she had expected.

She had always thought Damian enjoyed teasing people simply because he found it amusing.

Yet...

That answer sounded unexpectedly gentle.

--