"By the way, Charlotte… did you tell my father anything about what happened yesterday?" Vivian asked, his eyes fixed on her.
They sat across from each other at the dining table.
Charlotte hadn't touched a single meal in the past two days, and Vivian himself hadn't eaten either.
Though he suspected that she hadn't said anything to his father, because if they had known, they would have come rushing to him and his mother… well, she would have never left him alone for days if she knew what had happened, he waited silently for her answer.
"No," came the answer he had been waiting for. "But… if you want, I can tell them," she teased, a cheerful grin lighting up her face.
Vivian frowned at her. "No, don't tell anyone. Although… you can tell Father, but…" He trailed off, imagining his mother's reaction, which sent shivers down his spine. "Mother… don't… don't tell her anything."
"Hahaha!" she laughed, watching his reaction. "Okay, I won't tell anyone. Now pass me the bread," she said, reaching for it.
Vivian passed her the bread while taking a bite of the meat on his plate.
After that, they continued eating, chatting about many things.
Charlotte explained what the academy was like: it consisted of four years, starting from age 14. Now that Vivian was 15, he would begin in the second year, and after graduation, he could leave the academy.
"Ahh, Charlotte, I almost forgot!" Vivian interrupted, remembering something. "What about my admission? Did I pass the exam?"
Charlotte pondered for a moment before answering. "After what happened in the gymnasium, I took you to my room and summoned the royal physician and the healer. After that… I didn't leave my room, so I don't really know. We should ask the dea—"
She was interrupted by a voice. "You don't have to worry about admission."
The owner of the voice was none other than the dean, who was approaching them from the door of their reserved room.
Seeing him, they both stood and greeted him. "Good afternoon, Dean Rolack."
"Haha, good afternoon to you as well," he replied with a soft laugh. "May I join you?"
"Yes, of course," Charlotte nodded, extending a chair to the dean.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they all settled into their seats.
The dean took a piece of meat from the plate on the table and began, "So, where were we? Ah, right—admission. Vivian, you are far above the standards required for this academy."
Hearing this, Vivian's face lit up. "Dean Rolack, can I start attending from tomorrow?"
"Well, of course you can," the dean said matter-of-factly as he raised his fork slightly to catch their attention. "But you should also notify the academy of the subjects you intend to take."
"Yes, I will do so," Vivian replied at once.
"Make sure you study hard," the dean encouraged.
"Yes," Vivian responded firmly.
They continued eating for a while, chatting as the mood grew lighter.
Between bites, the dean shared stories about the past, how he and Vivian's grandfather had become friends when they were young, and just how exceptional his grandfather had been.
He also spoke of Charlotte's deceased grandfather, another dear friend of theirs during their own academy days.
As they finished eating, the dean stood, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "By the way, Vivian, your grandfather will be coming to see you in a few days."
"Grandfather? Why? Did you inform him about… what happened?" Vivian asked, confusion furrowing his brow. Why was his grandfather coming to the academy?
"Well," the dean began, "I have informed him about what happened, but the real reason is that he wants to see you. He said he hasn't seen you for a year or so, and he wants to spend time with his grandson," he explained gently.
"Ohh." Vivian nodded, his thoughts drifting to his grandfather.
He had never met him after his transmigration, yet through the real Vivian's memories, he knew what kind of man his grandfather had been, and he felt a deep affection for him as well.
'I don't even know if this affection is truly mine or borrowed from the real Vivian,' he thought, but the warmth lingered nonetheless. A faint smile rose across his face as he murmured, "Then I will be waiting for him."
"Very well then, I will take my leave," the dean said, bidding them goodbye as he left the room, waving with a warm smile.
After the dean departed, Vivian called out, his voice tinged with anxiety, recalling that his grandfather was at the family estate. "Charlotte… do you think Grandfather will tell Mother what happened?" He looked at her, worry written across his face.
If she were to find out, she would rush here and never leave him for days. And the worst… she might go after Kafrik. No… I can't let that happen, he thought grimly.
"Relax, Vivian. He won't tell Mother," Charlotte assured him with a smile. "He knows how she is, and he definitely wouldn't want to start a war, at least, not now." She knew a conflict was inevitable, but now wasn't the time.
Vivian let out a relieved sigh, relaxing slightly at her words.
"By the way… what about my uniform?" he asked, shifting the topic.
"You don't have to worry. I've already prepared your uniform," she said, standing up. "It's all in the closet of your room, the one made just for you."
"And now that we're free…" she paused, her eyes glimmering with anticipation. "Shall we take a tour of the city?" she asked, extending her hand toward him, her smile blooming like the shiuli flowers—fragrant, delicate, and beautiful.[1]
Vivian, momentarily forgetting to even breathe, unconsciously reached out and took her hand.
"Then let's go," she said, that same enchanting smile lighting her face.
Vivian followed her without a word, his thoughts completely captivated. In that moment, only her smile existed in his mind, and he silently thanked the luck he had cursed all his life, it was now smiling back at him.
Even if he was ill and destined to live a short life, this life was worth a million times more than his previous one.
In this life, he was surrounded by everything he had ever dreamed of in the past, back when he lay in bed, enduring the unbearable pain of his rotting flesh.
And for the first time, he felt the urge to thank the gods, if they existed at all. He lifted his gaze to the ceiling and silently murmured in his mind,
'Thank you, God, for giving me so much.'
________
[1]Author's Note:
In my country, where I live, there are flowers called shiuli. They bloom during the season of Durga Puja, carrying with them a fragrance that reflects purity and beauty.
These delicate blossoms bloom at night and fall by morning, covering the ground beneath the tree with their sweet, lively scent. To many, they symbolize fleeting beauty, nostalgia, and divine love. This is why her smile, in this scene, is compared to the shiuli flower.