[TIDK] 113 – Night Train of Magic

On Wednesday, the day had finally come for Scarlett to go to the vineyard villa with Viktor. She anxiously waited for him, fully aware that promises like these were often broken. However, she had received news from Evan Wright that the curfew had been lifted, and that she was no longer under the scrutiny of the royal police, as Andrei had revealed. With that as her pretext, she arrived carrying a weight of unspoken words.

In the drawing room, Scarlett and Viktor sat together, sipping tea, as they awaited his arrival. After a while, Viktor finally appeared.

Scarlett sat up, her frustration evident as she spoke, "We were supposed to go to the vineyard. Did you forget?"

Viktor, seemingly unfazed, replied, "I thought the promise was broken," gesturing for his butler, Wilkins, to bring him his teacup.

Scarlett's fingertips trembled with anger at his nonchalant demeanour. She couldn't contain herself any longer and confronted him, "I have nothing to do with the police. I didn't even know Andrei was a police officer. I know everything now.”

Viktor looked at Scarlett's face, his expression complex and uncertain. He couldn't find the right words to convey his remorse without further resentment.

Realising the weight of his mistake, Viktor finally spoke, "You were right, and I was wrong. It was not you who betrayed me, but me. The suffering you endured during that time was a result of my life, made even more cruel by my own mistrust."

He struggled to find a gentle way to express his apology, fearing it would not be enough. After a moment of contemplation, he cautiously continued, "Okay, now that we've confirmed you have nothing to do with the royal police, I apologise."

Scarlett couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions at Viktor's words. The way he had questioned her love for him earlier made her sick, and she didn't want to dwell on it any longer.

"It's fine," she responded coldly. "Anyway, I received the apology, so I can leave now."

Viktor, however, suggested they still go to the villa since they were already there, proposing they take the night train and arrive the following morning. His tone lacked enthusiasm as he reached out his hand to her, but Scarlett ignored the gesture and stood up.

It was then that she noticed Viktor's blue tie pin, her gaze fixating on it momentarily. Viktor bowed his head towards her and said, "I remember you saying that if I wore something blue, you would feel relieved. It's a sign of my apology."

Scarlett felt a mix of unease and anger, realising he had remembered her words. At that moment, Viktor politely inquired, "Did you do your hair yourself?"

"Huh?" Scarlett was taken aback by the question.

"It looks nice," Viktor complimented, causing Scarlett to touch her own hair, somewhat impressed. She sensed his remorse for not believing in her and for her anger.

An apology—something he had never uttered before.

Meanwhile, Viktor signalled for a servant to take Scarlett's bag. She held onto the top handle with both hands and hesitated. "It's okay. Something important is in there."

"What is it? Do you have something to share with me too?" Viktor asked, his curiosity piqued.

"... No, I have nothing," Scarlett replied, second-guessing herself. Should she have prepared something for him?

As Scarlett worriedly glanced up at Viktor, he smiled and reassured her, "Don't look like that. I'm just kidding."

"Okay..." Scarlett replied, a mix of relief and uncertainty filling her voice

♔♔♔

When they arrived at the train station at night, it was just thirty minutes before the last train was scheduled to depart. The station employee rang the bell repeatedly, announcing the imminent departure. "This is the last train. This is the last train," his voice echoed through the station.

Standing beside Scarlett, Viktor observed her as she clutched her thick shawl tightly with both hands. Discomfort was etched on her face. Scarlett, trying to distract herself from his gaze, hid her pale hand and commented, "I've gotten used to not wearing gloves. It's hard to work with them on."

Viktor responded with little enthusiasm, simply saying, "Ah," before removing his own gloves. He handed them to Scarlett, and although she thought she glimpsed a ring on his left hand, she didn't pay it much attention. The darkness would have made it difficult to see anyway. Indifferently, she accepted the gloves, feeling the warmth that lingered from Viktor's hands.

Noticing Scarlett's remark, Viktor turned to look at her. Since his hands were bare, the servants swiftly opened the luggage and retrieved a box of spare gloves. Viktor put on a fresh pair from the box, while ten servants accompanied the two of them on their journey. Three maids attended to Scarlett, six footmen were present, and Blythe, who always stayed by Viktor's side, joined them as well. Scarlett, accustomed to venturing out on her own, felt uneasy with such a large entourage.

Although it seemed excessive, it was customary for nobility to travel with numerous attendants, even for simple trips. It was not unusual for even the tenth heir in the succession hierarchy to have ten servants in tow. Viktor clicked his tongue in annoyance and muttered, "Ten people, and no one remembered to bring a pair of gloves."

Scarlett replied, defending herself, "I'm a guest. It's not their responsibility to bring my gloves. Don't be angry."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the last train. As the train attendant moved through each compartment, switching on the lights, the windows of the train gleamed in the darkness. Scarlett whispered to herself in awe, "The night train feels like magic."

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