♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

Story Event－Forget Me Not

（Eternal Bonds Route：Chapter 1）

＞＞＞Eternal Bonds Route

Forget Me Not: Eternal Bonds, Chapter 1：

I left the study and went to the dining hall with Giles.
Giles：As you know, before the opera house opening ceremony,
Giles：we will be holding a party to celebrate the occasion.
The party was to celebrate the unveiling of the renovated opera house.
It was also being held to let all those who had helped with the renovation be the first to see the restored building.
Giles：I would like you to take a look at the food that will be served on the day.
At Giles's words, the waiting maids brought forth a variety of dishes—everything from appetizers to desserts.
They lined them up on the table for me to look at, and my eyes widened as I stared at them.
Jily：Wow, that's amazing!
Jily：Everything looks so delicious.
I smiled brightly up at Giles, and tried the first dish in front of me, which happened to be tiny macarons.

（Wow, that's so good!）

I found myself smiling even more as the sweet taste filled my mouth.
Giles smirked as he watched my expression.
Giles：So the food is fine, then?
Jily：Yes, it is!
I lifted my head to meet his gaze, and to my surprise he frowned a little.
Giles：Goodness me.
Jily：What?
Giles reached out, his long fingers moving towards my mouth.

（Ahh, did I get food on my face or something?）

I reached up towards my lips, wanting to brush it away even though I couldn't see it.
Giles caught hold of my wrist with his free hand.
Giles：Hold still.

（Oh!）

He leaned closer, and his fingers slid gently along the edge of my lips.

（I DID get food on my face! Ahh, geez.）

I felt myself blushing, and I spoke in a soft voice.

Choose 1>>> I'm sorry.
Jily：I'm sorry.
Giles smiled cheerfully in response to my words.
Giles：It's quite all right.

Choose 2>>> Thank you.
Jily：Thank you.
Giles's expression relaxed into a smile at my words.
Giles：This is for your sake.

Choose 3>>> Ahh, how embarrassing.
Jily：Ahh, how embarrassing.
I spoke without thinking, and Giles's eyes crinkled with amusement.
Giles：Don't make that face at me. It's fine now.

Giles moved his hand away, and spoke in a crisper tone.
Giles：But try not to let that happen on the day of the party.
Giles：If I see you with crumbs on your face, well—
He slid his fingers under my chin, lifting my face so that I was looking directly at him.
Giles：I will have to start your lessons all over again from scratch.
Jily：Geez, Giles—
I laughed helplessly, my cheeks turning even redder.
Before I could say anything in response—
Nico：Your visitor is here, Jily.
Nico knocked at the door and stepped into the room as he made his announcement.
Giles glanced up at the clock, and then stepped back from me.
Giles：It would appear he's right on time.
Giles：Off you go.

＊＊＊

I left Giles in the dining hall and hurried down the corridor with Nico.
I felt unease welling up inside me, and I tried to push it down.

（I know there's been opposition to the whole idea of restoring the opera house.）
（But the opening ceremony will go well. It has to, right?）

I sighed softly, and Nico stopped walking.
Nico：What's the matter, Jily?
He leaned towards me, studying my expression.
Jily：Nico—
Nico leaned towards me, his gaze turning serious as he studied my expression.
Nico：If something's happened, you can talk to me about it.
I smiled to myself at his gentle, reassuring expression.

（Ahh, you always see right through me.）

I looked down at my hands for a moment, and then spoke.

Choose 1>>> I'm feeling a little uneasy.
Jily：I'm just feeling a little uneasy.
Nico smiled softly at my quiet admission.
Nico：Thank you for being honest with me, Jily.

Choose 2>>> It's nothing. I'm fine.
（I'd feel bad for worrying you, though.）
Jily：It's nothing. I'm fine.
I smiled up at Nico, and he narrowed his eyes slightly.

Choose 3>>> I'm just a bit nervous.
Jily：I don't know why, I'm just nervous.
Nico's eyes widened in surprise.
Nico：But that just shows how much you care, Jily.

He starting walking again, his smile as bright and cheerful as ever.
Nico：I don't know all the details, but I just know it'll be fine.
Jily：Really?
Nico：Well, look at how hard you've been working!
Nico：Besides, I'm always here for you, right?
Jily：Nico—
His words were so sure that I felt my anxiety easing somewhat.

（You always know how to make me feel better.）

Jily：Thank you.
I smiled at him, and at that moment we arrived at the ballroom.
Nico：Good luck, Jily!

＊＊＊

I stepped into the ballroom, letting the door shut behind me.
Louis turned at the sound of my footsteps.
I was expected to dance at the party, and it was a dance I wasn't familiar with.
So Louis had agreed to teach me with plenty of time to practice.
Jily：I'm looking forward to learning the new dance. Also—
I looked up at Louis, my heart filled with gratitude for his assistance.

（You've helped out with the restoration of the opera house more than anyone else.）

Jily：Thank you. Really, thank you.
Louis：You're welcome. I'm looking forward to the opening.
Louis gave me a small smile, and then offered me his hand.
Louis：Let's get started.
I placed my hand in Louis's, and he pulled me towards him.
We began to dance together, and I did my best to follow Louis's instructions.

（Ahh, I'm not doing this very well at all.）

Even as I thought that, Louis spoke quietly.
Louis：No, that's no good.
Louis：Come closer.
I nodded quickly in response to his crisp tone.
Jily：Okay.

（It doesn't matter how many times I practice—dancing is really difficult!）

But I pushed my frustration aside and moved closer to Louis.

（I want to do my best on the day of the party, though!）

I tried to think positive as we began dancing again.
After a short while, Louis smiled down at me.
Louis：Yes, that's better.

（Oh, thank goodness.）

I smiled up at him with relief, and his smile broadened in response.
Louis：Besides, I know.
Jily：Know what?
Louis leaned closer and spoke softly in my ear.
Louis：I know just how hard you're working for this.
Jily：Louis—

（You may be a strict teacher, but you're always encouraging me to do my best.）

Jily：Thank you!
I smiled at him again, brushing back my hair, but as I did so—

（Oh!）

The bracelet I was wearing got caught in the lace at the front of my dress, just above my breasts.
I tried to pull it free, but I couldn't see it properly.
Louis：Here, let me.
Louis reached out and carefully untangled my bracelet from the lace on the front of my dress.
Jily：Thank you—
His fingers brushed against my skin as he did so, and I found myself blushing.
Louis：What's wrong?
Jily：Nothing!
Louis：It's okay, you can tell me.
I sighed softly as I looked up at him.

Choose 1>>> I'm just a bit embarrassed.
Jily：I'm just a bit embarrassed.
（I can't believe I got my bracelet caught right there!）
I pressed my hand against the lace of my dress, and Louis smiled faintly, his eyes sparkling.
Louis：You think the strangest things sometimes, Jily.

Choose 2>>> It may not bother you, but—
Jily：It may not bother you, but—
（I can't help it—my heart is racing!）
I frowned a little, chewing on my lower lip, and Louis blinked at me.
Louis：Did you think I was going to do something?

Choose 3>>> When you do things like that—
Jily：I just—when you do things like that—
（I don't know how to react.）
I glanced up at him briefly, and he blinked slowly at me.
Louis：Are you saying you want me to do things like that?

Jily：No, I just—
I started to speak, but then cut myself off again as Louis smiled, his expression clearly amused.

（Wait a minute—）
（You were just teasing me, weren't you?）

Jily：Geez, Louis!
I laughed, shaking my head as I let my hand drop away again.

＊＊＊

The days seemed to pass quickly after that, packed full of preparations for the party.
I felt almost overwhelmed, but somehow we managed to get everything done in time.
At last it was the day of the party itself, and I was ready.
I sat quietly in the carriage as it carried me towards the opera house.

（So many people have helped make this a reality.）

As I looked out the window, I could see other carriages travelling towards the opera house as well.

（I'm so grateful to all of them.）

I started to smile when the front of the carriage tilted with a sudden loud crack.

（What the—?!）

The whole carriage careened sideways, and I was thrown against the side of it.
Jily：Ahhh!
A sharp pain shot through my head, and my body felt suddenly distant and dazed.

（Help me—）

My vision faded away, but my last thoughts were of one man...

◆ Select a Suitor ◆

＞＞＞Choose Louis：http://a168119.pixnet.net/blog/post/384756100

＞＞＞Choose Giles：http://a168119.pixnet.net/blog/post/384755002

＞＞＞Choose Nico：http://a168119.pixnet.net/blog/post/384756136