Chapter 70: familiar paths

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: familiar paths

Vivienne stood where she was for another moment.

Watching Damian disappear toward the Polo Club.

Only after he had completely vanished from sight did she finally turn toward the neighboring equestrian grounds.

"...I’d better hurry."

Practice was about to begin.

--

Unfortunately...

The horses knew nothing about romance.

Nor did they particularly care.

"Lady Beaumont."

Vivienne blinked.

"...Yes?"

"You’ll want to keep your eyes forward."

She looked down.

Only then did she realize her horse had quietly slowed to an almost leisurely walk while its rider had been smiling absentmindedly into the distance.

"...I’m sorry."

She gently stroked the horse’s neck.

"I’m distracting both of us today."

The horse flicked an ear.

Vivienne laughed.

"You really are much more responsible than I am."

The instructor could only sigh.

This was already the third time that morning.

The lesson continued.

Or at least...

It tried to.

Every few minutes, Vivienne’s thoughts wandered right back to the same place.

Anthony.

His calm voice.

"I think you’ve made a good choice."

"So am I."

She smiled again.

"Lady Beaumont."

"...Yes?"

"The reins."

"Oh!"

She hurriedly adjusted her grip just before her horse decided to correct her posture on its own.

The instructor pinched the bridge of her nose.

Several nearby students laughed quietly.

Vivienne covered her face for a moment.

"...I’m sorry."

A little while later...

The instructor demonstrated a simple turning exercise.

Vivienne attempted to follow.

Halfway through...

Her attention drifted once again.

Perhaps...

After practice...

Anthony might still be nearby.

Maybe she could simply say goodbye.

Nothing more.

Just...

A brief conversation before they returned to their respective dormitories.

Perhaps...

If they happened to leave at the same time...

They could even walk together for a little while.

The thought alone made her smile.

Her horse, meanwhile, had already begun slowing down again.

"...Lady Beaumont."

"Oh!"

She straightened immediately.

"I really am sorry."

The instructor finally gave up.

"I’ll consider it a successful lesson if you remain on the horse until the end."

Vivienne laughed so hard she nearly lost her balance.

Fortunately...

Her horse appeared determined not to let its rider embarrass herself any further.

By the time practice ended...

She still wasn’t particularly fond of horses.

Her legs still ached.

Her shoulders were sore.

And yet...

She barely noticed.

Students gradually began leaving the equestrian grounds.

Vivienne adjusted the strap of her bag before making her way toward the familiar pathway separating the two clubs.

Her eyes naturally drifted toward the Polo Club.

Students were beginning to come out.

She slowed.

Perhaps...

Anthony would be among them.

One minute passed.

Then another.

Several familiar faces emerged.

None of them were Anthony.

Vivienne waited just a little longer.

"...He’s probably still busy."

Student Council.

Classes.

Club responsibilities.

Anthony always seemed to have something waiting for him.

She smiled to herself.

"...I’ve probably bothered him enough for one day."

Besides...

Tomorrow...

They would both be at the Ashford Foundation.

There would be another chance.

Satisfied with that thought...

She finally turned toward the main campus.

The walk back was peaceful.

The breeze was cool.

Students passed by in small groups, chatting about weekend plans and upcoming assignments.

Vivienne walked quietly among them.

About halfway back...

She frowned ever so slightly.

"...Hm?"

Something felt...

Different.

She couldn’t quite place it.

Then...

She realized.

"...Where’s Damian?"

For the past two Fridays...

Somehow...

They had ended up walking back together after club activities.

Today...

He hadn’t appeared.

Without really thinking...

Vivienne reached into her blazer pocket and pulled out her phone.

Her thumb hovered over Damian’s name.

A message began forming almost automatically.

Are you still at the Polo Club?

She stared at the words for a second.

Then laughed quietly at herself.

"...What am I doing?"

He was probably still helping clean up.

Or talking with his coach.

Besides...

It wasn’t as though they had promised to walk back together every Friday.

It had simply...

Happened.

Twice.

That was all.

Vivienne deleted the unfinished message before slipping her phone back into her pocket.

"...We’ll probably see each other tomorrow anyway."

The thought came so naturally that she hardly noticed it herself.

With one last smile...

She continued toward the university.

--

By the time Vivienne reached the cafeteria...

The lunchtime crowd had already begun to gather.

Claire, Amelia, and Eleanor were waiting near their usual table.

Claire looked up first.

The moment Vivienne approached...

She smiled knowingly.

"...It went well."

Vivienne stopped.

"...What did?"

"The gown discussion."

Claire gestured toward the empty seat.

"Sit down."

"You’ve had that smile ever since Tuesday."

"Today it’s somehow even worse."

Amelia laughed.

"I was thinking the same thing."

Eleanor nodded.

"You look..."

She searched for the right word.

"...Lighter."

Vivienne laughed softly as she took her seat.

"...It went very well."

Claire immediately leaned forward.

"So?"

"What color?"

"Emerald."

Amelia smiled.

"Oh."

"That’ll be beautiful."

Eleanor nodded in agreement.

"I can picture it already."

Claire wasn’t finished.

"And?"

Vivienne looked up innocently.

"And?"

"What did Anthony say?"

Almost immediately...

Vivienne’s cheeks turned pink.

"He said..."

"...it was a good choice."

Silence.

Then...

Claire smiled.

Amelia smiled.

Even Eleanor smiled.

None of them teased her.

There wasn’t any need.

Seeing Vivienne this happy somehow felt far more rewarding than any joke they could have made.

The conversation gradually shifted.

"So..."

Claire finished the last bite of her sandwich before letting out a dramatic sigh.

"...Tomorrow."

Amelia smiled.

"The Community Outreach and Development Program."

Eleanor rested her chin on one hand.

"I’ve been thinking about what Mrs. Bennett said all week."

Vivienne looked up.

"’You’ll stop discussing leadership..."

"’...and begin practicing it.’"

"Exactly."

Claire groaned.

"And don’t forget..."

She lowered her voice theatrically.

"’Enjoy this week.’"

"’It’ll be your last calm one.’"

Eleanor laughed.

"That part worried me more."

"I’ve been wondering what they meant."

Amelia shrugged.

"Whatever it is..."

"I don’t think it’ll be another meeting."

"They made it sound like we’d finally start doing something."

Claire pointed her fork toward her.

"That’s exactly what scares me."

"Doing something."

The table laughed.

Vivienne smiled.

"...Do you think we’ll be very busy?"

Claire answered without hesitation.

"If our professors are warning us in advance..."

"...probably."

Eleanor nodded thoughtfully.

"I wonder what they’ll have us do first."

Amelia smiled.

"We’ll find out tomorrow."

A comfortable silence settled over the table.

Tomorrow.

The Ashford Foundation.

The thought made Vivienne smile almost unconsciously.

Not because of the work waiting for them.

Though she was genuinely looking forward to that.

But because...

Anthony would be there.

Claire caught the smile immediately.

She exchanged a quiet glance with Amelia.

Neither of them said a word.

Some things no longer needed teasing.

Tomorrow would arrive soon enough.