The Groom and the Auto Memories Doll (花婿と自動手記人形, Hanamuko to Ōto Memorīzu Dōru?) is the third chapter of Violet Evergarden Volume 2.
Summary[]
Silene, a young man about to get married the next day, is searching for his mother, who had wandered outside, when he runs into Violet Evergarden and Benedict Blue. The two had found Silene's mother when their motorcycle broke down and are looking after her, who claimed that she was looking for her husband and son in the mountains. Silene thanks them and explains that his mother is mentally unwell. Violet and Benedict argue over whether or not Violet should run back to the city to get help, but Silene interrupts them and proposes that they push the motorcycle back to his village of Kisara and find a mechanic there. He explains that his village is currently busy with preparing for his wedding celebration, so they will have to stay there for a day before they could get someone to fix the motorcycle. The two agree to go with him.
Upon returning to Silene's mother's house, they are met by Silene's mother's servant, Delit, and his bride, Misha. Silene and Misha leave Violet and Benedict behind to give their greetings to various houses before the wedding. Some time later, there was a clatter at the front door, disturbing Silene's mother, but Violet comforts her.
It is sunset by the time Silene and Misha finish their greetings. Because of Misha's shyness, Silene was the one who did most of the talking. On their way home, Misha talks about how kind everyone in the village is, how Delit had taught her how to cook Silene's favorite dishes, and how her mother-in-law's house is big enough for all of them to live in. Silene snaps at her and she apologizes for saying that because she knows that he hates that house and his mother. Misha then asks him the reason why he hates them. Silene explains that when he was young, his parents constantly argued, and one day his father left their home with Silene's older brother and never returned. Ever since then, his mother's mind had become more and more unstable until she began to mistake Silene as being either his father or brother. She only remembered the childhood version of him. Silene is unwilling to let go of his hard-fought happiness, which is why he refuses to live with his mother.
When they come home, they are met with telegrams of well wishes from their far-off friends and relatives. In the tradition of Silene's village, they must be recited by someone at the ceremony, but Silene and Misha hadn't chosen anyone to do that. The groom is also supposed write and recite a poem about his feelings for his bride, but Silene also hadn't done that. Just as they wonder who they are going to ask for help, Violet appears. Delit suggests that they should ask her to do to the job as she is an Auto Memories Doll. Silene is hesitant to ask a favor of a guest, but Violet surprisingly agrees.
The wedding goes well the next day, although Silene's mother had to be taken back to her house by Delit because she started to wander around during the ceremony. Violet announces that she will also be reading a letter from Silene's mother congratulating her son on his marriage, which shocks him. In the letter, Silene's mother tells him to look into her eyes, and if he thinks what he sees is beautiful, that means he loves her and she loves him. She asks him not to forget the color of her eyes. Silene realizes that he has forgotten the color of his mother's eyes because he had not looked at her properly for a long time. Misha encourages him to go to her.
At his mother's house, he runs into Violet, who is about to leave. She explains that his mother asked her to write a letter while he and Misha were away, but she was worried that he might not read it if she was the one who gave it to him because she had caused him too much pain, so Violet decided to read the letter at the wedding to convey his mother's feelings to him. This contrasts with Silene's impression of his mother, but Violet claims that she was lucid when she was talking to her and that she talked about him when they first met. Silene goes to his mother's room and calls out her name. She once again mistakes him for his brother Jonah and wonders where Silene is, but when Silene says that he is right here, she seems to see him for the first time. She remarks on how much he's grown and congratulates him on his marriage. Mother and son embrace, but by that time his mother's moment of sanity passes. She once again asks him where Silene is, but this time, he tells her that he isn't going anywhere anymore.
Characters[]
- Silene
- Violet Evergarden
- Benedict Blue
- Silene's mother
- Claudia Hodgins (mentioned)
- Delit
- Misha
- Silene's father (mentioned)
- Jonah (mentioned)