If only earlier in the evening Gilbert had invited her to have sate usus, surely right now Viona would still be with him outside. Not at home, and certainly not meeting with Edrik, who apparently had been waiting for her to ask her out to dinner.

Stubborn Edrik, he never gave up in his pursuit of Viona. He was willing to come almost every day just to meet her, even though Viona had politely rejected his advances multiple times. But it's just like Edrik, never giving up that easily.

"Join Edrik, Vi. And Dad pleads with you not to refuse this time, let alone run away like you did before."...