Chapter 26: a quiet detour
Anthony adjusted the last of the practice mallets against the storage rack before stepping back.
The assistant coach gave the equipment a quick glance before nodding in satisfaction.
"That should be everything."
Anthony inclined his head politely.
"I’ll take my leave, then."
"Enjoy your lunch."
"Thank you, sir."
Leaving the equipment shed behind, Anthony stepped out into the warm midday sunlight.
The polo grounds had grown noticeably quieter.
Most of the members had already returned to campus.
Only a handful of assistant coaches remained, tending to the last of the horses before the stable hands took over.
Almost unconsciously...
Anthony’s eyes drifted toward the maple tree beside the pathway.
...
No one.
Lady Beaumont was gone.
A quiet breath escaped him.
"...Good."
It seemed she hadn’t waited after all.
He adjusted the strap of his satchel and started toward the main path leading back to the university.
After only a few steps, movement farther down the tree-lined walkway caught his attention.
Two familiar figures.
Damian.
And Lady Beaumont.
They were already some distance away, walking side by side beneath the shade of the maple trees.
Anthony slowed almost imperceptibly.
...
Some things also really never changed.
When they were children, Damian had always been remarkably good at distracting Lady Beaumont.
Whenever Anthony and Damian managed to steal an afternoon together—whether for fencing lessons, riding practice, or simply wandering the Ashford estate—it rarely took long before a much smaller Vivienne came searching for Anthony.
And Damian...
Well.
Damian had always found that amusing.
One teasing remark was usually enough.
Vivienne would puff out her cheeks in indignation.
Accuse him of being insufferable.
Sometimes she would stubbornly tug at Anthony’s sleeve, insisting they leave together instead.
Other times she would march after Damian herself, determined to prove him wrong.
Either way...
Anthony somehow found himself with a few moments of unexpected peace.
It had become such a familiar routine that no one thought much of it anymore.
Not even the household staff.
A faint smile touched the corner of Anthony’s lips.
Perhaps some habits simply never disappeared.
His gaze lingered on the two distant figures.
Only...
Something was different.
Back then...
Vivienne had always walked away in a huff.
Today...
She wasn’t glaring at Damian.
She wasn’t arguing.
She wasn’t trying to drag Anthony away.
She was simply walking beside him.
From this distance, Anthony couldn’t hear what they were saying.
But once...
Very briefly...
He saw her smile.
Anthony blinked.
...
That was new.
That was new.
Perhaps...
People really did grow up.
The thought came quietly.
Without fanfare.
Without any deeper meaning attached to it.
Lady Beaumont was nineteen now.
It would have been stranger if she hadn’t changed at all.
Anthony watched for only another moment before lowering his gaze.
He adjusted the strap of his satchel and continued toward the university.
Lunch would begin soon.
After that, there were still club commitments, tomorrow’s volunteer activities to prepare for, and no shortage of responsibilities waiting for him before another week of classes began.
There was little reason to dwell on something so ordinary.
With that, Anthony quietly continued on his way.
--
The closer Damian and Vivienne came to the university cafeteria, the more crowded the pathways became.
Students from every direction steadily converged toward the large stone building at the center of campus.
Vivienne looked around in mild surprise.
"...It’s much busier today."
For the past four days, lunchtime had never looked quite like this.
There had always been students, of course.
But never this many.
The walkways buzzed with conversation.
The line outside the cafeteria stretched nearly to the courtyard.
Damian noticed where she was looking.
"Friday."
Vivienne turned toward him.
"The schedules overlap."
"First-years, second-years, juniors, and seniors all end up here around the same time."
"I see."
"It only happens once a week."
Vivienne nodded thoughtfully.
"That explains it."
"I was beginning to think everyone at St. Albion had suddenly decided to eat lunch together."
Damian smiled.
"Sometimes it feels that way."
By the time they reached the entrance, the line had already begun moving.
Fortunately, it moved quickly.
Damian exchanged easy greetings with several upper-year students along the way.
Some nodded respectfully.
Others stopped just long enough to ask about polo practice before continuing toward their own tables.
Vivienne watched the exchanges quietly.
"You know quite a lot of people."
Damian glanced ahead.
"I guess I’ve been here long enough."
Vivienne studied him for a moment before a small smile found its way onto her lips.
"Somehow..."
"I don’t think that’s the only reason."
Damian only smiled.
"You’re free to think that."
Vivienne found herself smiling again.
How curious.
He teased people without the slightest hesitation...
Yet whenever the conversation turned toward him, he seemed content to brush it aside as though it weren’t worth discussing.
She wondered if he even realized he did it.
Before she could dwell on the thought any longer, Damian gave a small nod toward the serving line.
"Looks like it’s moving."
Together, they continued toward the counter.
A few minutes later, both of them balanced trays in their hands.
Damian stepped ahead and pulled open one of the heavy wooden doors leading into the main dining hall.
"After you."
"Thank you."
Vivienne stepped inside.
Warm light poured through the tall windows overlooking the central courtyard.
The spacious hall was alive with conversation.
Students occupied nearly every table.
The sound of cutlery, laughter, and overlapping conversations blended into a familiar midday hum.
Vivienne instinctively searched the room.
Near one of the large windows...
She spotted three familiar figures seated together.
Almost at that exact moment—
Claire looked up.
Her eyes found Vivienne immediately.
She lifted a hand to wave.
Then...
She noticed the tall young man walking beside her.
Claire’s hand froze in midair.
Beside her, Amelia slowly blinked.
Even Eleanor, usually the calmest of the three, looked up with quiet surprise.
Vivienne, still unaware of the expressions waiting for her across the room, smiled and began walking toward them.