The Adlerian siblings were a kind and modest pair. They neither engaged or dressed in any of the vanities of the era. They were diligent and hardworking; the supposed reason why they could maintain the respect and prestige of the Adlerian name, despite their father's death. The Adlerian siblings were an admired pair, especially among the older generation.
Of the siblings, Yuki Adlerian was the most popular. The most admired. She was the maiden most commoners hoped their daughters would be like. Despite her unknown origins and despite her status as an illegitimate child of the Adlerian household, many loved her still. In the eyes of several commoners, Yuki Adlerian was a saint birthed in the Adlerian family…
"Good day to you both. I am very sorry to bother you when you are clearly resting, but I will need you advise on a matter, Ms. Adlerian."
The siblings, who were at the time taking a break in their shop after a busy morning, simultaneously looked at the 'intruder'. It was Mr. Hydden, the man who sold fabric adjacent to their shop. At the sight of him, the siblings put on a courteous smile.
"Mr. Hydden, please come and have a seat!" Yuki offered in an exaggeratedly courteous manner, contradicting her empty eyes.
Jacek offered Mr. Hydden a chair, went away and came back with two cups of tea for his sister and their visitor. Afterwards, he excused himself to allow the two have a discreet conversation.
"How may I be of help to you, Mr. Hydden," Yuki questioned politely.
Mr. Hydden took a sip of his tea, his face tense and his shoulder, as well as the rest of his body rigid. After gulping a mouthful of tea, he stared into his cup contemplatively.
"Ms. Adlerian, what I am about saying is something I have not revealed to anyone yet. Can I have your word that this stays between us?" Mr. Hydden requested with a mildly shaky voice.
Yuki sat at the edge of her chair, her face stern and calm. "Mr. Hydden, I can assure you that you have nothing to fear, please speak freely. I will help you in any way I can," Yuki assured boldly.
The man received Yuki's kind words, as well as her attentiveness to him with a calmed expression. He sighed loudly, as if to exhale all his fear before clearing his throat to speak.
"I wanted to see your mentor since this issue relates to my pride as a man, but I was unconfident to share this with anyone. But you, Ms. Adlerian, I know well enough. Everyone praises your apothecary skills despite your age. Everyone praises your empathy and compassion. Everyone praises your discretion. Considering all that other say of you, I can attest to the fact your reputation indeed befit you, that is why I know I can speak freely with you. I know I can trust you," he explained assertively.
"I am honored you think so highly of me, Mr. Hydden. I am willing to be of help if you believe I can help you." Despite the composure and confidence of her speech, Yuki's eyes dimmed considerably after she perceived the man's praises.
Mr. Hydden nodded with a soothed smile before looking serious once again. "Ms. Adlerian, as shameful as this may sound, my pride as a man has been taken from me. My virility is flawed, I am unable to lay with my wife, if you understand what I mean."
"I understand. How long has this problem persisted for, Mr. Hydden?" Yuki inquired without much change in her courteous appearance and tone.
Mr. Hydden stared dreamingly as the roof of the shop before his eyes lit with realization. "Three months. I noticed it three months ago."
"I see." Yuki stared at the man for a while with a pensive look, as if she was trying to think of the best way to help him.
Yuki stood from her seat, "excuse me," she announced and left Mr. Hydden. Not long after, she returned with a paper bag in hand. She stretched her hand and presented the bag to the man.
"Please take this, Mr. Hydden. This is Camellia sinensis, also known as green tea. Fetch three teaspoons of the powder and make tea with it every morning, it should help with your problem. Beside this, I will get you some drugs when I next visit my mentor."
Mr. Hydden's face lit up, he rose and received the bag. "Thank you very much, Ms. Adlerian. I am indebted to you… how much do I pay for your services?"
Yuki shook her head while wearing a polite smile. "There is nothing to pay for. I find pleasure in being of help, not in receiving rewards for them. Do not worry about paying. You were in luck that I had this tea, sharing some with you does me no harm."
"Thank you. Thank you very much. You are really as they call you; you are nothing less than a saint. I am greatly thankful." Mr. Hydden expressed his appreciation to Yuki over and over again.
"Then I will take my leave," he announced before departing in evident contentment. Mr. Hydden greeted Jacek on his way out, more joyful than when he came by the shop.
Jacek, returning to his sister's side, frowned when he smelt the familiar aroma when Mr. Hydden passed by him. He neared Yuki with narrowed eyes. He watched as her courteous smile and countenance drop as soon as the shop's door shut behind their visitor.
"What did he come for?" Jacek asked as soon as he reached his expressionless sister.
Yuki plunged into a nearby chair with a loud sigh. "Erectile dysfunction," Yuki briefly stated.
Jacek face shifted to displeasure at Yuki's words. "And why would a grown man come seeking advise from a girl for such a sensitive topic?" Jacek questioned with a tone that expressed his discontentment.
Men of Echt were prideful, regardless of their social status, and their respect for women was a debated issue for years. Women were viewed as the lesser versions of men. They lacked the respect, gratification and privileges that came with being born a male. Thus, the last person a man would turn to in Echt for advise was a woman. And to think that Mr. Hydden did not come to Yuki for just any advice but one related to his honor no less; Jacek was shocked.
"According to him, I am someone he knows he can trust, given my good reputation," Yuki stated with a perceptively unhappy mood.
Jacek stared at Yuki, trying hard to curb his worry that threatened to appear outwardly. He did not know the reason, or maybe he did perceive, why Yuki seemed to loathe hearing others speak of her good-naturedness. It was one of those topics that they never seemed to speak about, though he wished they did.
"And what was in the bag he left with? Was it the tea you purchase for almost two hundred and fifty aiqes? The one you have not yet had, but idolized because it was your mother's favorite? Tell me it isn't?" Jacek asked questions he already had answers to. Yuki's silence affirmed his doubt instantly.
Jacek sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose defeatedly. No wonder she was viewed a saint to anyone who knew her. Why act like a saint when she hated being referred to as one?
Yuki had so many facades that even he was not sure with side of his sister was real. Aside her disguise as the masked raven, and the personality that went with that mask, Yuki had several other facades. She was a troublesome and reckless sister sometimes, a modest and courteous maiden at other times, a confused girl in some rare moments, and a detached, bitter and apathetic girl a few times. Of all her personalities, the one she seemed the least fond of, was her modest and courteous self, though that was the personality she wore the most.
His sister was a puzzling person that even he, her closest companion, could not fully comprehend. Jacek hoped that a day would come that he would see the true face of his sister; the personality that was the true Yuki Adlerian.