View source for Shadows of London: 2-10 Moment of Farewell

{{StageNav|Shadows of London: 2-9 Tomb of the Undying|Shadows of London: 2-11 Encroaching Darkness|Shadows of London}}

''Aunt Petit issues an ultimatum but Caroline is determined to see this through.''

==Info==
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|DressUp=Yes
|Style={{Style|AT2}} {{Style|S2}} {{Style|F2}}
|Recommended=[[Henry VII Chapel]]
|PerfScore=
|Blueprint=Gulliver's Travels
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===Dialogue Choices===
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I went to Jesse's grave yesterday. I—
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* '''I discovered a few things'''
** Story continues
* '''I'll never forget Jesse'''
** Story continues
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==Transcript==
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Expand for script.
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{{Dialogue|You|Aunt Petit...}}
*I stare sadly at the lamb chops on my plate, completely losing my appetite.
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|You're not a child anymore, Caroline. I understand that you have your own thoughts and ideas.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|During this period, I have been trying my best to give you space to do what you wanted...}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|...even though every time you go out, I worry about your safety.}}
{{Dialogue|You|I know you've been worried, Aunt Petit. And I know you care about me.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|But after what happened this afternoon, I hope you will carefully consider the current situation.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|Think of this uncontrollable epidemic. Think of the chaos in the Eastern District. Think of Scotland Yard—}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|London has become extremely unsafe. If you stay here, your life will be in danger.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|This is where I draw the line, Caroline. Your life and safety are where I draw the line!}}
*Aunt Petit's voice trembles. Tears well up in my eyes.
*Perhaps the most difficult thing in the world is to defy those who truly care about us in order to do what must be done, despite the dangers.
*I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, allowing myself to recall the moment when I made my decision.
<br/>
{{Dialogue|You|(No, I can't just leave with all this sorrow!)}}
*I gaze out the window at this city shrouded in fog, clenching my fists, and quietly make a decision.
*In the blink of an eye, the heavy burden on my chest lifts, and only my remorse towards Aunt Petit and Grandpa is left.
{{Dialogue|You|(Grandpa, Aunt Petit, please forgive me for not keeping to my word... Ignorant bliss isn't what I want.)}}
{{Dialogue|You|(For the sake of finding answers, I'm not afraid of any danger.)}}
<br/>
*When I open my eyes again, my throat is still tight, but I have swallowed my tears.
{{Dialogue|You|Aunt Petit, I'm sorry. I'm not rejecting your love and care. It's just that we value different things.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|Caroline!}}
{{Dialogue|You|You said that you draw the line at my life and safety, and I'm truly touched to hear that.}}
{{Dialogue|You|But with all due respect: your life and safety are also where Mr. Erskine draws the line.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Even so, you refused Mr. Erskine.}}
*At the sudden mention of this incident, Aunt Petit is clearly shaken, and her gaze involuntarily shifts away.
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|That's... that's different...}}
{{Dialogue|You|It's no different, Aunt Petit. We both know that we are deeply loved, and this love moves us deeply, yet we cannot waver.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|...}}
{{Dialogue|You|You didn't mean to hurt Mr. Erskine by refusing him, any more than I mean to hurt you by refusing to leave London.}}
{{Dialogue|You|So please understand me, and trust me—just like you trust yourself.}}
*Aunt Petit looks at me. Her expression turns melancholy and contemplative as she slowly exhales.
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|When did you grow up, Caroline?}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|Thirteen years ago when Cyril knocked on my door, you were still so young.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Aunt Petit?}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|Speaking to you now feels like having a conversation with a woman who's wise beyond your years...}}
*She sits quietly, gazing sadly in the direction of the door, as if still looking for that drenched, tearful little girl.
*But thirteen years have passed, and that little girl has vanished without a trace.
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|Alright. Since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|But take these. Please.}}
*Curious, I take the pieces of paper Aunt Petit hands me. They're filled with dense writing, and I see many names.
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|After living in London for so many years, I've managed to build up some reliable connections.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|If you encounter any difficulties and need assistance, you can try calling on these people.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|Even if some of them are not in London, write to them, and they could probably still provide some help.}}
*Aunt Petit speaks lightly, but I knew the weight of this list. This is a powerful network that gathers elites from all walks of life in London.
{{Dialogue|You|Thank you so much, Aunt Petit.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Perhaps it's not my place to say this, but... you truly are an incredible woman.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|...}}
*As she recognizes the sincere admiration in my words, the corners of her mouth turn up, and her eyes shine with self-confidence and pride.
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|Anna and I will go to France, but you can continue living in this house with the housekeeper, cook, and other staff.}}
{{Dialogue|Madam Petit|I've also left you some cash. You'll have to learn how to manage your own household. Will you be alright?}}
{{Dialogue|You|This is something every lady should know. And besides, I was a student of Madam Violet Petit.}}
*I smile to hide the sorrow in my heart. It is my duty to keep my aunt from worrying about me while she goes to France.
<br/>
*That night, we end our dinner with smiles and retire to our own rooms.
*When I lay my head on my pillow, the tears that I've been holding back finally flow from the corners of my eyes.
*I wonder if my aunt is grieving our upcoming separation too.
*But even in the farthest corners of the world, our bonds with our loved ones are treasures that we carry throughout our lives.
<br/>
*A few days later, Aunt Petit and Anna get into the carriage early in the morning to head to the train station.
*The farewell is bittersweet. Aunt Petit and I keep a stiff upper lip, as does Anna. Jack, on the other hand, is crying uncontrollably.
*His face streams with tears and snot as he waves goodbye. Seeing his loyalty makes me glad he'll be staying with me.
*I watch the carriage go, silently praying for Aunt Petit to have a safe journey.
*Suddenly, I notice a nondescript figure standing at the corner not far away. I can't help but walk over.
{{Dialogue|You|Good morning, Mr. Erskine. Did you come here to see my aunt off?}}
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|Can't you just pretend that you didn't see me, Caroline?}}
{{Dialogue|You|I apologize.}}
*Mr. Erskine keeps staring in the direction the carriage departed, his tone indifferent.
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|So, she left, and you stayed.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Yes. I chose to stay in London.}}
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|To have been able to convince your aunt shows that you are a very capable person, Caroline.}}
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|I hope you'll be alright in London on your own. Anyway, I'm leaving too. I've got to catch a train tonight.}}
{{Dialogue|You|I guess you must be going to Provence too, right?}}
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|A well-mannered lady should not smile so, Caroline. Behave yourself.}}
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|I knew from the start that you weren't someone who gives up easily. Neither am I.}}
*I smile knowingly.
{{Dialogue|You|Mr. Erskine, Aunt Petit has a cold exterior but a warm heart, and she's no fool.}}
{{Dialogue|You|She knows what true love is.}}
*Mr. Erskine snorts and casts a sidelong glance at me.
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|Caroline, I have known Violet for over a decade, much longer than you.}}
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|Now, I need to prepare for my trip. Oh, by the way...}}
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|If you don't have plans, perhaps you could pay a visit to the Lindvalls' residence.}}
{{Dialogue|Bernard Erskine|I heard that their family is also setting off today.}}
{{Dialogue|You|!}}
<br/>
*After bidding Mr. Erskine a hasty farewell, I immediately rush to the Lindvalls' residence.
*Sure enough, the once magnificent mansion is deserted, its doors and windows all closed.
*I stand still in front of the tightly locked gates, looking towards the familiar great hall, now blocked from sight by tightly drawn curtains.
<br/>
{{Dialogue|???|Are you Caroline?}}
*Startled, I turn and see a beautifully dressed woman. Her face looks strangely familiar.
*Luckily, my memory, well-trained by Aunt Petit, serves me well. I greet the woman formally.
{{Dialogue|You|Good day, Countess.}}
*The lady in front of me is the Countess of Essex, but her maiden name was Lindvall. She's Jesse's sister.
*I've only exchanged a few words with her at tea parties. But her eyes and brows resemble Jesse's.
*In fact, at this moment, I'm reluctant to look into her eyes, which are the exact same shade of purple as Jesse's.
{{Dialogue|Countess|I just bid farewell to my parents. I heard that Madam Petit was also leaving for France today. Is that true?}}
{{Dialogue|You|Yes, Aunt Petit will catch the noon train to Dover.}}
{{Dialogue|Countess|Aren't you going to leave with her, Caroline? Or are you going back to Hampshire alone?}}
{{Dialogue|You|No, I've decided to stay in London.}}
*She looks at me with a hint of confusion, but her eyes are filled with kindness and love.
{{Dialogue|Countess|Oh, I see... You must have your own reasons too.}}
*Her soft voice caresses my heart. She does not ask further.
{{Dialogue|Countess|I'll be staying here too. If you ever need any help, you can come to me, Caroline.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Thank you very much, Countess. If it wouldn't be too much trouble for you...}}
{{Dialogue|Countess|Oh, not at all. Most of the people I know have already left, so I'd be very happy if you came to visit me.}}
{{Dialogue|Countess|We can have tea, chat, and talk about—}}
{{Dialogue|Countess|...}}
*She abruptly stops speaking, and her lips tremble slightly. My heart is pained by her expression, so I quickly speak up.
{{Dialogue|You|I'll come visit you when I'm able, Countess.}}
*Her eyes glisten with tears. She nods gently at me with a tender smile before turning around and heading towards the carriage.
*Her graceful figure, accentuated by her fine silk clothing, is like a slender, nameless flower before Jesse's tombstone.
*In an instant, it feels as if something grabs hold of my heart and gives it a fierce tug.
{{Dialogue|You|Countess!}}
*She turns around and looks at me quizzically.
{{Dialogue|You|I went to Jesse's grave yesterday. I—}}
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<big>I discovered a few things</big>
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{{Dialogue|You|I discovered... I think... Maybe it's possible that Jesse...}}
*Her face grows paler with each word I speak, and my courage gradually disappears.
{{Dialogue|You|(Should I really speak of the strange circumstances surrounding Jesse's grave? Would it be a good thing for his family to know?)}}
*A tremendous force presses upon my chest, and I feel incapable of uttering another word.
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<big>I'll never forget Jesse</big>
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{{Dialogue|You|I... I didn't... I won't forget Jesse...}}
*I forcefully swallow the words that are surging in my heart, and they turn into incoherent sobs.
*Her face grows even paler, but a warm smile spreads across her face.
{{Dialogue|Countess|Thank you, Caroline. It's such a pity... Our whole family is very, very fond of you.}}
*A tremendous sadness weighs heavily on my chest, and I feel incapable of uttering another word.
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{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Ah, there you are, Miss Rayes.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Roger?}}
*A tall man in a tweed jacket casually interrupts our conversation. It's Roger, of course.
*He tips his hat and bows to the Countess, who merely glances sharply at him before turning and boarding her carriage.
*Priscilla also walks up to me, waving goodbye to the Countess.
*Once the carriage has gone, Roger puts his hat back on and turns around to look at me sternly.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|It's best that what just happened doesn't happen again, Caroline.}}
{{Dialogue|You|What do you mean?}}
*His accusatory tone causes my brow to furrow.
*Priscilla murmurs softly, "Not again," and tugs at his sleeve forcefully. But Roger pays no attention to her.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|We just discovered a few unverified details yesterday, and now you're spreading them all around town?}}
{{Dialogue|You|That's not what I was doing!}}
{{Dialogue|You|The Countess isn't just anybody. She's Jesse's sister. She's his family!}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|So?}}
{{Dialogue|You|You—}}
*Priscilla covers her eyes, sighs, and gives up on her futile attempts to ease the tension.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Even as Jesse's friend, you couldn't accept the idea of opening his coffin to aid our investigation. Would his family?}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|We still don’t know exactly what happened at Jesse's grave.}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|In case Jesse Lindvall has truly transformed, we cannot just inform his family willy-nilly.}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|If you're really his friend, please put yourself in his shoes and think about it from his perspective.}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|No one would accept their loved ones turning into a monster.}}
*That word ignites the fury in my heart.
{{Dialogue|You|You have no right to presume what the Lindvall family would think.}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Perhaps. But you have no right to presume what Jesse Lindvall would have wanted either.}}
*I look up angrily, but Roger just gazes calmly back at me.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Face reality, Caroline. For Jesse Lindvall's family, the best thing would be for them to believe that Jesse is dead.}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|A normal death, while sad, can be accepted. But an unnatural life beyond death is a different story.}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|You'd better give up on the absurd notions that love and affection overcome the odds and everyone lives happily ever after.}}
{{Dialogue|You|I'm not that naive, Roger. But humans and the Blood Clan have coexisted before.}}
{{Dialogue|You|I just feel like Jesse's family is more deserving than us to know about Jesse's situation—}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Do you really think so?}}
*He stares at me strangely. I suddenly feel like I'm choking.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Do you really think the Lindvall family is completely unaware of these circumstances?}}
*—that morning, only a simple, hasty funeral was held, almost devoid of proper etiquette.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Do you really think that the strange condition of Jesse Lindvall's body didn't arouse their suspicions?}}
*—Doctor Grey’s serious, secretive expression.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Do you really think the Lindvall family left London just to avoid the epidemic?}}
*—the grand gates are locked, and the mansion is silent. There is only the lonely figure of an abandoned woman who has lost the protection of her family.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|You know what these upper-class families are like, Caroline. Otherwise, why didn't you tell the Countess everything just now?}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Have you ever wondered why Lindvall's family left, but she stayed behind?}}
*I have nothing to say in response. Priscilla sighs softly as she listens to our argument.
{{Dialogue|Priscilla Barnet|Everyone knows that it's because she married the Earl of Essex, who was already in his sixties, as his third wife...}}
{{Dialogue|Priscilla Barnet|It was through her marriage that the Lindvall family became prosperous.}}
{{Dialogue|Priscilla Barnet|Now the Earl is bedridden, and she has to stay by his side and take care of him.}}
{{Dialogue|Priscilla Barnet|Otherwise, all the upper-class families in England would point fingers at her and say she's not respectable.}}
*—"Yes, my sister is the esteemed Countess of Essex. Oh, what a proper and yet suffocating marriage."
*Jesse's helpless, indignant expression flashes through my mind.
*I suddenly feel my legs go weak. Priscilla purses her lips, just as angry as I am, as she pats my shoulder.
{{Dialogue|You|(Yes... I should have thought of that.)}}
*As I recall the Countess's lonely, helpless figure, I feel the genuine love and care my aunt had for me even more deeply.
*Even though she and I have different views on life and marriage, her motives were always good.
{{Dialogue|You|...I understand. What I did just now was indeed inappropriate.}}
*I take a deep breath, collect myself, and look back at Roger.
*He looks stunned for a moment, as if he didn't expect me to admit my mistake so quickly.
{{Dialogue|You|I won't disclose the findings of our investigation to anyone else until the truth comes to light.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Now that Aunt Petit has left London, I have more freedom to act.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Why don't you both come to my house to discuss what to do next? What do you think?}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|...}}
*Roger doesn't immediately respond. Instead, he glances at Priscilla.
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|Your description of Caroline in your letter was spot on.}}
{{Dialogue|You|Hmm?}}
{{Dialogue|Roger Evans|She's serious by nature, honest, and sometimes too strict, but she's not one of those dull people. She's a misfit like me.}}
{{Dialogue|Priscilla Barnet|Roger!}}
*Priscilla is bright red with embarrassment as she turns to him with a huff.
{{Dialogue|You|I'm not worthy of such high praise.}}
*Upon hearing my respectful tone, Priscilla looks disgusted.
{{Dialogue|Priscilla Barnet|You shouldn't talk that way, Caroline. Don't be pretentious.}}
{{Dialogue|You|It's a sincere expression of my admiration, Priscilla.}}
*She awkwardly averts her gaze, blushing furiously.
*Roger and I both smile at Priscilla's rare moment of embarrassment, our quarrel put aside for the time being.
<br/>
*If Jesse has really become a member of the Blood Clan, how will his family react?
*Or rather, what I am truly pondering is—how should I, along with Doctor Grey, approach this situation?
*Monster.
*Roger's cold word still linger in my ears.
*I seem to hear Doctor Grey say this word in the same chilly tone.
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{{StoryNav|Shadows of London}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shadows of London: 02-10}}
[[Category:Shadows of London Story]]