Chapter 32: simple greeting

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: simple greeting

The regustration line for freshmen student volunteers moved at an unhurried pace.

Returning student volunteers chatted easily while checking registration lists, directing newcomers toward the entrance with practiced familiarity.

Around them, small conversations drifted through the morning air.

"...There are quite a few first-years this year."

"I heard almost twice as many signed up."

"Really?"

A second-year student glanced casually toward the registration line before nudging the friend beside him.

"...Have you seen the blonde girl?"

"The one in the pale blue dress?"

"Yeah."

"...She’s beautiful."

"I heard she’s Lady Beaumont."

"...Seriously?"

Before the conversation could continue, another voice interrupted.

"Nice of you to join us, Blackwood."

Several returning volunteers looked toward the open gates.

Damian Blackwood strolled through them with the unhurried confidence that somehow made it seem as though the morning had been waiting for him rather than the other way around.

A takeaway coffee rested comfortably in one hand, while a neatly folded paper bag from a nearby café was tucked beneath his arm.

He lifted the coffee with a grin.

"Morning."

"I see I’ve already been missed."

The returning volunteers laughed.

"Oh, don’t flatter yourself."

"We’re just making sure you haven’t forgotten where the Foundation is."

Damian chuckled.

"I’d never risk that."

With an easy smile, he continued toward the entrance.

Meanwhile, one of the second-year volunteers frowned slightly.

"What’s wrong?"

"...Is Blackwood heading for the registration line?"

Several of the nearby volunteers followed Damian with their eyes.

"...Looks like it."

Instead of entering the Foundation, Damian changed direction.

--

Damian’s gaze swept absentmindedly across the registration line.

Then stopped.

Vivienne.

Even among the crowd, she was surprisingly easy to find.

The pale blue dress caught the warm morning sunlight.

Elegant without being extravagant.

There was nothing ostentatious about her appearance.

Yet somehow...

She drew the eye with effortless grace.

More than that...

She was laughing quietly with her friends.

For just a moment, Damian found himself smiling.

Good.

He rather liked seeing her like that.

Without another thought, he changed direction.

Instead of heading inside, he walked toward the registration line.

"...Morning, Vivienne."

Vivienne looked up.

For the briefest moment, she simply stared.

This was the first time she had seen Damian outside his university uniform.

A light blue Oxford shirt, its sleeves casually rolled to his forearms.

Tailored stone-coloured trousers.

Dark brown loafers polished to perfection.

An understated wristwatch rested against his left wrist, beautifully crafted but almost impossible to appreciate unless one knew what to look for.

Everything about him reflected quiet refinement.

Nothing flashy.

Nothing excessive.

Somehow...

That only made him more striking.

He’s... ridiculously handsome.

The thought slipped into her mind before she could stop it.

Which...

Was honestly rather unfair.

"...Morning, Damian."

His smile deepened just a fraction.

"I’m not even a little surprised."

Vivienne blinked.

"...About what?"

He gestured lightly toward the Foundation.

"Finding you here."

Then his eyes shifted toward Claire, Amelia and Eleanor.

"And you brought reinforcements."

Vivienne was caught off guard once again.

A faint warmth crept into her cheeks.

Before she could think of a reply, Claire laughed.

"We’ll take that as a compliment."

"It was meant as one," Damian replied easily.

Amelia and Eleanor smiled politely.

"Good morning... Damian."

He inclined his head.

"Good morning."

Claire’s eyes moved from Damian...

...to Vivienne.

Then back again.

Her curiosity finally got the better of her.

"...Is this just how the two of you talk?"

"It is," Damian answered without hesitation.

Vivienne hesitated for the briefest moment.

Then a small smile tugged gently at the corner of her lips.

"...Apparently."

Damian chuckled softly.

"I’ll take that."

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain...

She found herself smiling too.

Claire noticed.

So did Amelia.

Eleanor merely smiled quietly to herself.

A voice called from the entrance.

"Blackwood!"

Damian looked over.

One of the senior coordinators waved him inside.

"They’re looking for you."

He lifted his coffee slightly in acknowledgment.

"Coming."

Turning back to the four girls, he offered them an easy smile.

"I’ll see you inside."

With a small wave, he headed toward the Foundation entrance.

After Damian disappears inside, Claire watches the doors for another moment before smiling.

"...I think I understand why everyone likes him."

Vivienne looks at her.

"I thought you already understood."

"I did."

Claire laughs.

"I already knew he was handsome."

Amelia nods immediately.

"I don’t think anyone could miss that."

They all laugh.

Claire continues.

"But seriously, now that we’re outside the university..."

"He doesn’t feel intimidating at all."

Eleanor nods.

"That’s probably why."

"For someone with his background..."

"He’s surprisingly easy to talk to."

Vivienne finds herself remembering the past few days.

The riding club.

Lunch.

Now this.

She smiles to herself.

"...He is."

The line shuffled forward once more.

One by one, students stepped up to the registration tables to sign their names.

Beyond the open doors, the sounds of conversation drifted from the Foundation’s entrance hall.

Somewhere inside...

Anthony Ashford was already preparing to welcome the newest student volunteers, completely unaware that the young woman in the pale blue dress had just arrived.