𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄 || 𝐒𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰

Chapter Thirteen

It had been pure bliss for both Sebastian and Vienne since entering a relationship with each other two weeks ago. Vienne had never felt so alive in her life, and it truly made her feel like she was thriving for the first time in a while. Sebastian felt the same way. After spending so many years of his life in such a horrible place, he was able to find happiness within Vienne.

They had seen each other almost every day since their confession, in complete secret. Vienne had told both Marie and Ceci what had happened, and they pitched in to try and help the two of them keep their relationship under Claudine's radar. Whether that meant sneaking Sebastian around the house or sneaking Vienne out—they were just happy to see Vienne happy.

Of course, Ominis also knew of what happened, as he knew of Sebastian's plans to tell Vienne in the first place, and his home continued to be a safe haven for the two. This was the happiest Sebastian had seemed all year, and it was all worth it.

Another market day had finally come around, but this time, Vienne had asked Sebastian to accompany her when she went. It was a slight risk, as they would be out in public with one another; however, the people in the markets were not the kind of people to ever socialize themselves with someone like Claudine Austen, as she was a high-class snob who could probably care less about them. As far as many of them were concerned, they liked Vienne, and they wouldn't go around spilling her secrets.

Sebastian was surprisingly eager to go as well. Not only was it an opportunity to just be around Vienne, but also so he could meet and interact with the locals, and after living here for a year but hardly meeting anyone outside of some snobbish socialites, that sounded wonderful.

Vienne had also strongly reassured him that they would be fine being seen together there, and that helped soothe his nerves knowing that nobody was going to rat them out to her mother.

The weather was nice, the sun was shining, and it was the perfect opportunity to go out. As they roamed around, arms linked with one another, it reminded Sebastian of the small markets around Feldcroft, and that brought small bits of peace to his heart remembering his old home. It had been so long since he had been back—he wondered what had changed.

"And that's Mr. Babin's shop stand. I go there to get my herbs and spices often." Vienne said, gesturing at the little shop stand. "I slip them to the kitchen aid without my mother knowing." She chuckled.

"Food that bad?" Sebastian asked with a humorous tone, quirking a brow.

"She just has no taste." Vienne replied.

They walked up to Mr. Babin's shop so Vienne could do her purchasing and her conversing with the man as usual. She asked Sebastian to quickly go to another vendor and grab something, and as he walked away, Mr. Babin leaned over his stand.

"Is that fellow with you who I think he is?" Mr. Babin asked, curiosity in his tone. He had never seen Sebastian around or heard of him, but he was certainly not Edward—everybody knew who Edward was. But the fact that Vienne had brought a man here, arms linked together, spoke volumes of what their relationship might be.

Vienne took a quick glance at Sebastian before leaning towards Mr. Babin. "It's exactly that." She replied, a smile on her face. "But of course, my mother doesn't know. She's still hung up on Edward Carter for Merlin's sake. The last time I was here, I made it clear how I felt about him, but he keeps pressing."

Mr. Babin's brows furrowed. "So, your mum doesn't know you're with him?" He asked, trying to understand the situation.

Vienne nodded her head. "We've been keeping it a secret for the past two weeks. But I really like him, Mr. Babin. I've known him for a few months now, and he just makes me so happy; happier than Edward ever could, that's for sure. But my mother won't see it that way. Sebastian doesn't come from status or wealth, and she'll think lowly of that." She explained.