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Novel Catalog
Chapter_39
The evening had taken a lighter turn as Vivienne and Isolde found themselves indulging in their spontaneous cake break, with the simple joy of eating something sweet offering a temporary respite from the chaos of the day. Vivienne’s mood had shifted, her smile growing brighter with each bite, and the presence of her companions only made the moment more special. The cake, though small and seemingly ordinary, was enough to make her feel a little bit more at ease, a small victory in a night that had already been full of drama.
Isolde, always the lively spirit, had clearly enjoyed herself as well, her excitement evident as she continued to savor the dessert. Her bubbly nature seemed to put everyone in a more relaxed mood, even Leopold, who couldn’t help but observe their enjoyment with curiosity. Despite his earlier reluctance, seeing Vivienne so carefree, so full of light in that moment, made him wonder if there was more to her than just the image he had of her before.
Percival, on the other hand, remained quiet but observant, his eyes rarely leaving Vivienne as she laughed and chatted. There was something about her—a spark that had caught his attention from the very beginning, and tonight it seemed even more pronounced. He found himself drawn to her, not just for her beauty, but for her resilience, her ability to navigate everything life threw at her with a strength that was hidden beneath her calm and approachable demeanor. He hadn’t missed the way she had dashed to the cake shop, her speed and grace surprising everyone around her, and the way she had done it so effortlessly, as if she were on a mission of her own.
Her simple, joyful declaration that she loved strawberry cake made something stir in him, a realization that there were deeper layers to her, memories she held onto that perhaps even she wasn’t fully aware of. The brief, fleeting mention of her past made him pause. He wondered about the person she was before the Hawthorn family, before everything had changed, and what it was about strawberry cakes that held such significance for her.
“I’ll buy your cakes from now on. Anytime there’s a new one, I’ll get it for you,” Percival said, his words sincere, with an added layer of something more meaningful, though it was hard to say if Vivienne caught the weight behind them.
“Great!” Vivienne beamed, the warmth of her smile spreading across her face. Her response was pure and genuine, her joy evident as she savored the cake, not only for its flavor but for the connection she felt with the people around her in that moment.
The casual offer of buying her cakes was something small, yet Percival couldn’t shake the thought that it might be the beginning of something much larger. He didn’t fully understand what it was that drew him to her, but he knew one thing for certain—there was a part of Vivienne, a story, that was yet to be told. And as he sat there, watching her enjoy something so simple, he found himself wanting to know it all.
Meanwhile, Thomas, Leopold, and Isolde exchanged quiet glances. Despite the lighthearted atmosphere that had taken over, they were all aware that Vivienne’s life was anything but simple. And with Percival’s attentiveness, they couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to this connection than just a shared love of strawberry cake. The night was still young, and the path ahead for Vivienne, Percival, and everyone involved was still uncertain—but for the first time in what felt like a long while, Vivienne seemed to be genuinely happy, savoring not just the cake, but the company, the laughter, and the fleeting sense of normalcy that came with it.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.
