Happily Ever After

Chapter 26

(Y/N) POV

"(Y/N), why did you stop running?" Lizzy asked, drawing my attention back to her. "You were in the lead! Don't tell me you did that to make me win on purpose." Lizzy crossed her arms.

"No, of course not. It's just that I saw Alois with his..." I turned my head, searching for the two men, but they were nowhere in sight. "...butler."

"What are you talking about? There is no one here besides us."

"Right... I suppose my eyes were just playing tricks on me." I swear I saw them just now, but if what I saw were real, then how did they suddenly disappear out of the blue? "Lizzy, do you want to take a walk around the field?"

"Sure! That would be splendid. We can even pick some pretty flowers along the way."

As Lizzy and I walked along the sea of bluebells, I failed to realised that I was subconsciously heading towards the place where I 'thought' I saw Claude and Alois.

"This looks like a fine spot. Let's pick some bluebells and make flower crowns!" I suggested.

"Oh yes. That would be nice."

And so, we gathered some bluebells and proceeded to make ourselves a flower crown each. However, as I was picking the last few bluebells to complete my crown, I noticed something shiny lying on the ground. So, I went closer and picked it up.

My eyes widened in surprise. "It can't be..." I whispered to myself.

"(Y/N)! Are you done with yours? I already finished mine."

"I'm almost done with mine. It only needs a few more bluebells, and I'm finished."

~•~

"Thank you for today, Lizzy. I really enjoyed spending time with you. See you soon!" I waved goodbye.

"Farewell, (Y/N)! Send my regards to Aunt (Y/M/N) and Uncle (Y/F/N)!"

"I will! Have a safe trip home!"

After sending off Lizzy, I went straight to my room. I put down the stuffed bear and the flower crown on my bed. Then, I headed to the powder room to touch up and refresh myself before supper.

"Miss (Y/N), please come down for dinner. Your parents are requesting for your presence," Mary informed.

"Coming! I'll be down in a minute."

"Oh and Miss (Y/N)..."

"Yes?"

"There is a guest at the dining hall."

"Who is it?"

"Well, it is for you to find out. Excuse me, Miss (Y/N)."

'Huh... who is this so-called guest?' I thought. 'I guess I have to find out for myself.'

I headed downstairs and immediately went straight to the dining hall. To my surprise, my (E/C) eyes caught two blue hues that were too familiar.

"Oh, if it isn't... Earl Trancy. Good evening."

"Good evening to you too, Lady (Y/L/N)."

Alois stood up and approached me. I took it as a sign and offered my hand. He kissed it and looked at me in the eyes.

"I believe we started off on the wrong foot, my lady. I apologise for my rude behaviour towards you the last time we met."

"You have my forgiveness." I smiled at him. We walked towards the table and took our seats.

"Might I ask what you are doing in the (Y/L/N) manor, Sir Trancy? Your butler informed me that you are very busy, thus you could not meet with me. Was there perhaps a change of plans?" I inquired.

"Ah about that. What my butler said was indeed the truth. However, I received an invitation from Mr. and Mrs. (Y/L/N) to have dinner at the manor. Seeing their friendship with my late parents, how could I refuse? Also, I don't think mother and father would be happy if I turned it down."

"There's no need to be too formal, Alois my lad. You can simply call us Auntie (Y/M/N) and Uncle (Y/F/N) like before. Besides, you are like family to us." Father stated.

"Oh, I err... alright Uncle (Y/F/N)."

"Dear, please apologise to Sir Trancy. You're clearly making him uncomfortable." Mother said.

"No erm... not really, Auntie (Y/M/N). Everything is fine." He assured. "The doctor has recently diagnosed me with amnesia, a form of memory loss. I have retained important information about myself and my family, but memories about other people — not so much. I do remember you... somehow, just not everything about you. So, it felt quite unfamiliar on my tongue."

'Oh, so maybe he does remember me.'

"We understand. Is it alright if we call you 'Alois', Sir Trancy?" Mother asked.

"Sure, Auntie (Y/M/N)!" Alois beamed.

I felt the thick air vanish from the dining hall. The mood certainly became much lighter than before. Mother, Father, and Alois began to let loose little by little, so I decided to do the same. We merrily chittered and chattered while waiting for dinner like the good old days. Everything was going pretty well, that was, until Father asked a question which seemed to have flipped the switch.

"So Alois, where were you during the last two years?"

~•~

Fun fact: Hand-kissing is a greeting gesture that indicates courtesy, politeness, respect, admiration or even devotion by one person toward another. A hand-kiss was considered a respectful way for a gentleman to greet a lady.

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