Chapter 45: Justification Required

Chapter 45:
Justification Required

 

BY THE TIME Violette finished helping the student council, the sky was dark.

She was so focused on her work that she let her second cup of tea grow cold. She drank it quickly, not wanting it to go to waste, but it was still delicious even if it wasn’t fresh.

“Sorry for keeping you here so late,” said Claudia.

“You’ve been a huge help,” said Milania, “but look, it’s already dark.”

“I’m just glad I was useful,” Violette replied.

Claudia and Milania both put their work aside for a moment and slumped over in exhaustion. Still, there was unfinished work left on the table. They only paused to see Violette off.

“I’ll check over your work later. You’re free to go home if you’d like. Your chauffeur…” said Milania.

“He should be at the school gate,” said Violette.

“That’s good. It’s dark, so I’ll walk you there.” Milania thumped his stack of papers on the desk to line up the edges, then placed his fountain pen on top as a paperweight. Finally putting his work aside, he pushed his chair back and stood with a stretch. Claudia didn’t comment; he was already back in work mode.

Violette only understood when Milania held out a hand to escort her.

“Oh, um…it’s just the school gate, you don’t have to…” It was a short walk to the gate, and she didn’t want special treatment, especially if it meant taking Milania from his work.

“You can never be too careful.”

“That’s true, I suppose…” The academy’s security was solid, absurdly strong against attacks from outside, but did nothing against enemies already within the gates. Under the surface, this stately academy hid a mess of conflicting factions and shifting loyalties, made even more dangerous by teenage infatuation and ulterior motives. There was no harm in being vigilant.

“You helped us out here today, Violette,” Claudia said without even looking up. “We just want to make sure you get home safely. Consider it a thank you.”

“That’s right. And if you refuse, I’ll have to follow you like a creepy stalker, and I’d really rather not,” Milania added.

That persuaded her. Violette didn’t like it when people went out of their way for her, but she hated causing trouble even more.

“Then…could I trouble you to escort me to the gate?”

“Of course,” Milania responded with a broad smile and casually grabbed Violette’s bag. As he got in position by her side, it might have looked to an observer like he had a hand on her hip, but his fingers never actually touched her.

Violette was surprised at his care. She studied his face, wondering if this was what made him so popular; he met her gaze with a perfectly mannered smile. Despite the smile, he felt like a stranger—like his true thoughts and feelings were being carefully hidden.

Right before she left the salon, a voice called from behind.

“Violette,” Claudia called.

Violette stopped. “Yes?”

“Thank you again for all your help.”

“Huh…”

Claudia turned away, but Violette could see how his pale skin flushed red in the bright light of the room. Even his ears were crimson. In a calm corner of her mind, she was amazed at just how many times today had surprised her.

Full of surprises, but not bad.

“I’m the one who should thank you,” Violette replied.

When Claudia found her in the courtyard, he’d given her exactly the excuse she needed. Claudia might have just been looking for some help with the paperwork, but to Violette, it was a lifeline that saved her from drowning in pain. She was so grateful.

Claudia might not understand why she thanked him, but Violette still bowed her head before leaving the room.

 

***

 

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The sound of their footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway, the only sign of life left on campus. At least, that’s how it felt. There were likely other people around somewhere, servants at least, and of course Claudia was still working in the salon. But the academy seemed cavernous and eerie when it wasn’t full of people.

She preferred this awkward silence to struggling to find something to talk about. Milania strode ahead of her, and she ended up trailing him. She kept her gaze straight ahead and tried to stay detached. Being alone with Milania made her nervous in a different way than the anxiety she felt with Claudia.

To Milania, Violette was an egotistical girl who harassed his best friend. He likely didn’t even realize she’d changed. Claudia had noticed that Violette seemed different, but neither boy was the type to gossip, and Violette hadn’t confessed to Claudia or been rejected. He probably didn’t know anything.

The two walked in silence for a few more minutes.

As they neared the school gate, they spotted a vehicle still shining under the dark sky. Only then did the tension in her shoulders finally relax. The atmosphere between them was strained, like something heavier than gravity weighed her down, and she had just about hit her limit when the gate came into view.

“Um, this is fine,” Violette said.

“That’s your chauffeur?” Milania asked.

“Yes.”

“All right, I’ll head back. Be careful on your way home.”

Violette retrieved her bag from Milania, bowed to him, and turned to leave. The walk to the car had been uncomfortable, but now the realization that she was going home dragged her spirits down. Maybe the ride home would be the most comfortable part of her day.

I hope I don’t get in trouble for being late.

Even though she had a good reason for her lateness, she hoped she could get through the evening without having to explain herself. She had to hope that her parents’ apathy to everything she did would protect her—they probably wouldn’t notice if she got home late, or even never came home at all. Maryjune was the only one who put in the effort. If she was concerned and brought it up, Violette would have to figure out an excuse—hopefully one that didn’t include Claudia and require an explanation of everything that had happened between them.

Maryjune might want them to be close, but Violette couldn’t do it. It wasn’t her fault, and it was even less Maryjune’s. It was the dysfunctional environment they lived in.

As she watched the scenery drift by, she tried to guess what would happen when she got home. She let out a sigh so soft that the chauffeur couldn’t hear.