Several days later…
After a hectic morning like most day, Yuki and Jacek were taking a breather in the afternoon since the shop was devoid of customers. Unlike Jacek, whose exhaustion was evident through his drained appearance, droopy eyes and sluggish movements, there was nothing that could visibly prove Yuki's fatigue. She was as she mostly was, composed.
His exhaustion aside, Jacek was evidently in a good mood; Yuki could tell. He had been, since she promised to not escort for a while and also cut down on the substances she smoked. Though she made it sound as if she made that decision for Jacek, Yuki knew that was not entirely true.
Honestly, the whole drugging and Kaithenn's incident had gotten to her. She had yet to recover from that episode of her life. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to tell Jacek that truth since despite his seemingly tough shell, her brother was actually a worry wart.
Notwithstanding, Yuki was somewhat content with the effects of her clean-break on Jacek. It was not a bad sight to see him less worried, anxious and more relaxed knowing she was not in any potential danger because of men and drugs.
"What time is your court?" Jacek asked with a serious look.
"It is not a court, I say! Godfather asked me to show him around town since this is his first time in Echt. I could not refuse," Yuki clarified with a frustrated expression.
"Right, right… Just so you know, I noticed you drooling when you saw him at your godfather's, dearest sister."
"No, I was not!" Yuki fumed; her lips pursed.
"I am not blaming you; you know. We don't see hunks like that in Echt, I understand. That aside, where did you say he came from?" Jacek teased before asking his final sentence solemnly.
"Gouna… I think. You know, the town up the hills. That is where godfather's son lives. I hear it is a beautiful town, although small."
"I see…You don't suppose he will dislike it if I tagged along with you both, do you?" Jacek inquired after a thought.
If it were in the day, he would not have had any problem with his sister accompanying a stranger around. However, since the outing was scheduled for the evening, Jacek was risking nothing. He had no plan to let Yuki go anywhere without him when it was dark.
…
When the heat of the sun decreased, Yuki and Jacek's floral shop got busy again. The siblings attended to their customers diligently.
"Hello," Treyton's voice resonated through the shop. All eyes fell on him immediately. The customers goggled at the hunky frame that was uncommon in Echt. They uniformly scanned the man, from his uncustomary coiffure to his atypical way of dressing, the onlookers took it all in.
"You are welcome, Sir Athaulfe." Yuki approached Treyton and greeted him politely. She brought him away from the curious eyes of her customers to a more discreet area and offered him a chair.
"Jacek!" Yuki called to her brother who was attending to a customer at the time.
"I've got this. Just hurry," Jacek shouted back.
Yuki gave Treyton her full attention only after hearing Jacek say that. "Do you care for a cup of tea?" Yuki asked her guest.
"Please," Treyton responded with a polite smile. Yuki nodded and went to get him the tea.
"Was it hard to find this place?" asked Yuki as she handed Treyton the steaming jasmine tea.
Treyton shook his head and took the tea from Yuki, "I followed the old man's direction here, and honestly, it got easier the closer I got; I have a keen sense of smell you see." His grey eyes flickered.
Yuki was puzzled. What did having a good sense of smell have to do with finding her. Then her eyes lit with realization and amusement, "Was it the flowers?" she smiled. People always said her flower shop could be smelt from a mile away; as a joke. Yuki laughed, he didn't look it, but he had a good sense of humor.
Treyton observed the diverted girl quietly, his expression deadpan. Then his lips forged a subtle smirk, "Indeed. The entire street is filled with your scent."
Yuki chuckled bashfully. "Then if you'd excuse me, I should go and help my brother tend to our customers." Treyton nodded, a courteous smile illuminating his dashing face.
As Yuki made her way back to the queued customers, Treyton's eyes lingered on her back intently.
Jacek was barely holding the shop together when Yuki joined him. Being a competent florist was not one of his dominant qualities.
The shop remained busy until sundown. It was only after then did the siblings get another break.
"I never knew people were so interested in flowers," Treyton joined the siblings in the main part of the shop when the last two customers left.
"Most of them come for the free tea and free medical advice," Jacek explained while approaching Treyton.
"I am Jacek, Yuki's brother," he introduced himself with an outstretched hand. Treyton took his hand and shook it.
"Treyton Athaulfe. It is nice to meet you, Sir Jacek."
"Likewise. My sister tells me you are new to this town?" Jacek tried to strike a conversation.
"I am. I came to retrieve something that happen to be in this place," Treyton said and glanced at Yuki who was seated behind Jacek.
"I see, good luck with that then. I hope you find it soon."
"I will," said Treyton confidently, still holding Yuki's gaze. She blushed and averted her eyes.
This little exchange did not escape Jacek, who had mixed feelings about the attention Treyton gave his sister.
"Ah, I wanted to ask if it was okay if I tagged along on your stroll with Yuki." Jacek finally laid bare his intentions.
The siblings looked at Treyton with anticipation.
"Of course. I do not mind at all."
Jacek smiled and eyed Yuki who flashed him a small smile. Subsequently, she took off her apron and fixed her dress. Jacek on the other hand went on to set things in place for them to close for the day. Treyton waited for the siblings to pack up.
…
The three youngsters strolled first through the town square. Jacek did most of the pointing and introductions. Yuki only quietly followed the men.
Jacek was having the time of his life. Yuki understood his bearing as a projection of lack of interactions with men his age, after all, he was always with her. This subject was something that made her feel guilty towards Jacek most of the time.
Yuki was glad that Jacek seemed to have a good connection with Treyton. She found herself hoping those two became friends. And that thought to Yuki had a good ring to it; she smiled.
"What are you smiling about. Are you enjoying your date that much," Jacek whispered to Yuki when he noticed her smiling to herself.
"Anyone that sees us would assume I am an attendant following my master on his date. Do you have the right to tease me when you are clearly the one enjoying this?" Yuki retorted, making sure only Jacek heard her.
"Wait, is this jealousy I smell in the air?" Jacek questioned, feigning shock. Yuki glared at him and smacked his hand that he had on her shoulder away.
Jacek took Yuki's hand and caught up to Treyton who was walking ahead of them.
From the town square, the trio roamed in some parts of the entertainment district before taking a carriage to Stolz. Jacek and Yuki limited the stroll in Stolz to the beautiful places only.
After walking for a while, Jacek got tired, it so happened that, he was the only tired one among the three. Neither Treyton nor Yuki showed any signs of being fatigued or breathless like Jacek. Regarding Jacek's state, Yuki and Treyton suggested a rest which Jacek gladly agreed on.
"What a pleasant surprise! Welcome Sir Jacek, Ms. Adlerian." The pub owner approached the trio with a broad smile. His attention remained on Yuki for a while as he looked on to her admiringly. Then, his eyes shifted to the unfamiliar hunk behind the loveable siblings.
"This..."
"An acquaintance," Jacek stated blankly, he did not want attention to be drawn to Treyton for being a foreigner; his appearance commanded enough attention as it was.
The pub owner nodded and led the siblings to one of his finest tables and left after giving Yuki a flirty look.
"Twenty aiqes worth of barbeque, two of your largest glasses of beer and a cup of tea, please," Jacek ordered the bar staff who was tending to their table.
"Tea?" Yuki glowered at Jacek. She knew what that order implied.
"Yes, tea or do you prefer juice?Don't tell me you wanted to have what the older men are having?" said Jacek in a complacent manner. Yuki was rendered speechless.
Treyton laughed, causing Yuki to blush and look everywhere but his face. She threw a menacing glare at her infuriating brother who seemed to always want her annoyed.
When their order was served, Yuki had no choice but to drink her tea after a long banter with Jacek who was clearly enjoying his mischief.
Treyton chuckled every time Yuki was rendered dumbstruck at Jacek's comebacks to her arguments. She would have an expression like the world had collapsed, then think of a way to retort only to meet a much cruel counter from her brother. In the end, she gave up with a pout and drank her tea.
Jacek quaffed another large glass of beer after the one he ordered, which in turn made him tipsy and very high-spirited. Yuki, who was seeing a side of Jacek she had never seen before, found herself giggling at his jests.
Jacek abruptly turned serious and cupped Yuki's face in his rough palms, "I love seeing you laugh, Yuki. My heart, it gets so excited whenever I see you laughing. I-I want you to be happy. If I had some form of magic, I would have erased all the pain you…" Yuki stuffed a large roasted mushroom into Jacek's mouth before he could say anything else.
She turned to look at Treyton with an embarrassed look, "he is drunk. I don't think we can continue with our stroll," Yuki tried to hide her embarrassment as she spoke.
"I understand. Should I help you get him home?" Treyton asked.
"That, I think will not be necessary. We will go back in a carriage."
Treyton helped Yuki carry the wobbly Jacek outside and await a carriage to pick.
"Can you find your way back though?" Yuki asked, genuinely concerned.
"Surely. Do not worry about me," Treyton responded.
"That is a relief. I am sorry again about this. He isn't always this way," Yuki said while staring at the giddy Jacek.
"No need to apologize…I have to say though, you have an exceptional brother," Treyton said which made Yuki finally look into his eyes. For some reason, his expression looked pained to Yuki.
"I know, my brother is irreplaceable," she responded with candid smile.