Violet Detours (BOOK 2) : Badly, Madly, Deeply

HURTING

GRANGER was standing at the balcony over the Great Hall, and from where he was he could see Guinevere and Vermilion dancing with the other guests.

He was quite surprised to see her so prim and proper as she interacted with the gentleman, considering how she'd shown her hatred upon being obliged to marry someone.

She was talking with him as if she was having a great time, and seeing that Granger knew exactly why Gusion had such a frown on his face.

He was amongst the dancing pairs as well, together with Lesley.

It aroused some kind of anger inside him. How could he be looking at another girl while dancing with his own fiancée?

While Lesley, she looked extremely dazzling in her total blue dress that Granger was having a hard time taking his eyes off her.

And there was a burning feeling in his heart as he saw the sadness reflected in her eyes.

She was saying something to Gusion, and soon looked mad at him.

It was Granger's limit. There was no way he was tolerating her being hurt anymore.

He headed towards the stairs and was descending it when his steps abruptly stopped.

Because Gusion suddenly pulled Lesley close into his arms, and Granger's heart dropped into his feet.

He stood there, staring blankly at the scene.

Because regardless of what anyone feels, Lesley was still going to marry Gusion, whether they liked it or not.

It was the rule of their families, and no one among the noble families had ever dared to contradict tradition.

Well, except for the lady he'd heard about; Carmilla, who was rumored to have eloped with her lover and was still now nowhere to be seen.

But why did he even cared?

Why was he worrying about anyone marrying? He should get his head on getting Alucard back, so he could get into searching for Rafaela, whom he had just discovered was not in the Monastery.

He tore his gaze away from Lesley and ascended the stairs again.

The people he saw as family were away from him, and he needed to see them fast.

He missed the times when they had problems but still managed to have meals together at the Dining Hall, and argue about ridiculous stuffs in the library.

Everything had changed right after the invasion.

Yes, they were able to keep the Empire. But it required lots of pain and sacrificed, and it left things forever changed.

Even Granger had to give up his violin...

He pushed the thought away before he could even dwell on it.

Sure, he had no regrets giving it up back then.

But at times when he was alone and had nothing to do, his heart and hands couldn't help but miss it.

It helped calm down Granger whenever things would get a little rough, after all.

He found himself wandering around the Castle, and came along a corridor that led him to a room filled with instruments.

He couldn't help but gape as he saw the different musical instruments in different sizes, some he couldn't even name.

But his eyes fell on one particular instrument.

The violin that was leaned against a wall over one shelf, shining against the dim moonlight as if it was calling to him.

He walked straight towards it as if in a trance, and took it off from its stand and grabbed the bow.