Chapter 41


    As time went on, the bustling lunchtime gradually spelt its end. The bell hadnt ring yet, but many people had finished their meal. Some of them already left the cafeteria, leaving only some other students having a friendly chat after lunch. Today, Violette fell into the first category.


    If Violette was having lunch only with Yn, they would be a little more rxed with the time. Even so, she didnt really know what to say with the members who shared the same table with her. Plus, the atmosphere was awkward.


    Yn finished his lunch first. Noticing that, Violette drank up her tea without any dy.


    Yn waited for Violette to put the empty cup on the table before tilting his head and asked, Vio-chan, youre done?


    Violette nodded. Yes. Just like you said, the dessert was delicious.


    Then Im d. Okay. Lets go.


    Eh?


    Violette thought that Yn wanted to hear her impression towards the dessert he rmended, but his content expression instantly changed. Yn lifted his fingers and offered them to Violette like an escort, helping her stand up.


    Unable to understand Yns thought, Violette was bbergasted. Even so, Yn deepened his smile and moved his gaze to Gia who was still eating.


    Gia, Ill leave first.


    Hmm.


    Dont bete.


    Gias bulging cheeks made him look like a squirrel. There were two mountains of bread at the beginning, but now there was only one left. Not to say, the size was getting smaller. As Violette recalled the remaining time, she felt like Gia would finish just barely in time. Suddenly, she forgot about how Yn was pulling her hand. Worry filled her mind, making her wonder if Gia would be alright.


    But seeing how Yn warned Gia merely for the sake of it, he must be familiar with this scene. After all, the prince didnt look like he was rushing for the time. Violette couldnt decide whether Yn thought Gia would be okay since he was always in time or because he gave up warning his friend because Gia was already beyond repair.


    Her hands were pulled by Yns fingers, reminding her that Yn was holding her hand.


    Then, well leave first.


    Yn, wait umm, please excuse us


    udia should be the one who understood the most that there was no friendly light in Yns gaze towards him. Yns eyes didnt give their usual soft impression and he only raised the corner of his mouth a little. Even a robot would look more favorable than him.


    Yns grip wasnt strong, but he moved his feet like he didnt give her any option to shake him off. Before leaving the ce, Violette managed to bow to udia. Her manners should be just barely okay she wanted to believe that.


    Yn walked ahead without any hesitation, his footsteps a little faster than usual. Even so, Violette didnt feel like he was leaving her behind. Probably, he matched his pace with her. Although he walked faster than usual, it was still slow, considering how long his legs were.


    Yn held Violettes hands in a light grip. As she watched his fluffy hair swaying, she followed him from behind, not even knowing where they were heading. Violette was sure that Yn wouldnt answer her even if she asked. Surely, Yn didnt have any destination as well.


    They walked for a while before Yn stopped at a suitable ce that caught her eyes. They arrived in the courtyard along the way to the ssroom. In this ce, there were many ces that could be called a courtyard. This one was not arge garden full of flowers, but a rtively small ce with a beautiful stone fountain in the midst of it.


    Considering the time, only a few people were standing around there, talking for a while before returning to the ssroom.


    Like those people, Yn and Violette sat down on one of the benches installed there. The sound of the water fountain filled the space, making sure that no one would listen to their conversation. It was a natural soundproof area since Violette could only hear Yns voice who sat next to her.


    Yn didnt let go of her hand, but she could see that her shoulders were slightly hanging down in dejection.


    ...Have you calmed down?


    Im perfectly calm, though?


    Right. A calm people can also run mindlessly like that, huh.


    Ahaha, sorry.


    Its not aughing matter.


    Ynughed with his eyebrows hunched, the stiff and cool trace that appeared in his face beforepletely disappeared. Violette knew well that he didnt regret what he did at all. Yn only regretted that he had made Violette bewildered. They were not childhood friends for nothing.


    She didnt want to make him go back and apologize to udia, but she had been racking her brain on whether she should make Yn improve his behavior a little bit. Since Yn seemed to have his own reasons, Violette didnt want to thoughtlessly judge his conversation with other people. Above all, her words might be a splendid boomerang, worsening the situation, and hurt herself.


    Im sorry for involving you.


    ...Its me who has involved you.


    Its her fault for choosing that seat even after knowing that udia was in the canteen. She knew that Yn was kind enough to split her from udia. Otherwise, Yn wouldnt approach them. He most probably would either skillfully avoid udia or get through him. Its impossible that he didnt have the experience and skill to do so.


    Currently, Violette was very aware of the danger of where she was standing. She was also sure that she understood Yns anxiety. And its all linked to her. She knew the best that wrong actions could lead to distrust even if it wasnt a crime. Just because her one-year crime hadpletely disappeared, what Violette should reflect on wasnt just on her crime.


    She didnt want to let bygones be bygones. It would be too easy for her. She didnt want to personally attack udia as well, stirring up his distrust even more. All of this was something Violette must bear on her back, and she shouldpensate for it without anyone knowing.


    Dont look like that. If you want to reflect on your actions, you shouldnt do it for me, but for udia-sama, right?


    I dont regret what I did to him at all.


    Even if you do, you dont have to say it.


    Violette sighed. She didnt have any intention to question about udia and Ynspatibility, but their cold war hadnt calmed down over the years. Rather, there were times when she wondered whether their rtionship had worsened or not.


    She didnt want to force them to get along with each other, considering how it wasnt something that could be established with force. Still, she also felt a little strange that Yn, who basically preferred not to fight, showed his hostility towards the prince so clearly like that.


    Was there something between them more than she knew?


    .......


    Whats wrong?


    ...No, its nothing.


    Violette wanted to ask, but she knew Yn wouldnt be honest. He was frank, but from her experiences, he would turn obstinate when udia was concerned.


    And above all, what could she do even after knowing about it?


    Just dont do anything rash, okay?


    ...Thanks.


    Yn squinted and looked happy, but he never nodded.