Living Happily After

25: Another Face

Huh, so this is Leiden, such fresh air.

'Such weird person as well.'

Who?

'You, you idiot. you're still standing in front of the train, people are looking at you.'

Grrrr, I really don't like this second voice in my head.

A normal person stepped out of the train, not really normal, though normal-looking. A woman around 25 in cargo pants and over sized polo shirt walked towards a certain office.

Shit, I don't where to find this Violet girl.

'Violet Evergarden. And stop cursing, you'll be figured out, women here are decent and modest.'

Aren't I modest?

'You curse, you think that's modest?'

Just help me think, where do I find her?

'Try that office, looks like a copper station.'

Right.

As a bystander, you can see that same woman creeping up the office.

'Wait!'

What?

'Straighten your back and try speaking more politely.'

Right, okay, I can do this.

'Thinking like this isn't going to help you speak more polite.'

Tch.

Emma entered the office.

"Uh, hel- can you...uhhh help me with something?" Emma said, deciding what to say while saying it.

"Uh, yes, of course what can I help you with?" James said, letting the woman in.

"I'm looking for a....Violet Evergarden?" Emma asked.

All of the officers' ears in the office has perked up, they all heard of the assassination attempts on Violet, and since it was one of their Sergeants' wife, they became protective, they all suddenly stood up, startling Emma.

"Uhhh...." Emma said, kind of scared.

"Sorry, it's just that an assassination attempt was made on Violet about a month ago. She's our friend." James explained.

Emma suddenly felt nervous to ask them where to find Violet, even though she had no intention to hurt her. "Um, so-"

Emma stopped when she glanced at a face she thought she'd never she again. Lucas Mellor. 'Brother.'

That's when Gilbert walked in. "Is there a problem here?" When he walked in, the officers still had a dark face.

"Uh, no, I was looking for Violet Evergarden?" Emma asked yet again.

Gilbert narrowed his eyebrows, 'Evergarden' means she only knows Violet's pen name? If she were from Leiden, she would've known who I am if she was looking for Violet.

"I'm her husband. Do you need something?" Gilbert said, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Husband? I never heard of Violet gettin' married." Emma said, her mouth accidentally slipped.

"Gettin'...Violet?" Gilbert asked, raising an eyebrow. 'What's with the slight accent?'

"Shit." Emma mumbled.

"Are you close with Violet?" Gilbert asked. 'She did ask for my wife in a first name basis.'

'Well, no use hiding your accent now, but you still can't tell the truth yet either.'

"Nah, we just met in...Gardarik, my old man asked for her." Emma said, going back to her regular voice.

"Conrad?" Gilbert asked, confused. 'Conrad is the only name I can think because Violet talked about him once.' He thought.

"Uhh, yeah, he wasn't a very much open person..." Emma trailed.

"Okay, so why are you here?" Gilbert asked sternly.

"Uhh..." Emma didn't know what to say next.

The officers stared more intently at her.

'I thought you had a plan?'

You..are not helping.

"Uhh, can we speak in private?" Emma asked, sweating a little.

"Okay." Gilbert said carefully.

Once they both entered Gilbert's office, Emma-

"Look, I told myself I wasn't going to do this, but I want to get it over with already-"