After Mr. Hydden's departure, the siblings rested for a while before the receiving another visitor. This time, the visitor was someone the siblings were expecting. It was someone who often went by the shop when the sun reached its peak and the shop was mostly vacant. It was Treyton Athaulfe.
"Look who shopped by today too. Say, you are not already attached to me, are you? If you are, I will tell you now that my sister is the only one, I will readily give my attention," Jacek uttered satirically.
"Ha! Is that your dream? I am no god, but I guess I can grant you something as simple as my company. Your lonely ass probably needs it." Treyton retorted, a conceited air about him.
Jacek narrowed his eyes at Treyton then smiled. "You are still sharp tongued I see."
Treyton returned the smile, neared the two and bowed politely to Yuki. She bowed back, a small smile lingering on her face after seeing his and her brother's little exchange.
Yuki went and made a cup of tea for Treyton before joining him and Jacek in the main part of the shop.
"So, this Mascherata, it is all I hear people speaking about these days. What kind of festival is it?" Treyton asked Jacek. The two had grown considerably close over the past few days. So much so that they no longer used honorifics with each other.
Treyton always went by the shop to spend time with the siblings in the afternoons when their shop was devoid of customers. The old apothecary was mostly never home; not that he was someone Treyton could communicate freely with anyway. He enjoyed the company of the siblings better.
"A vanity fair is all it is," Jacek said scornfully. Treyton's furrowed brows clearly stated his confusion.
"It is a festival where everyone attends in masks. It is basically a masquerade festival where anyone can attend in a guise," Yuki tried to clear Treyton's puzzlement.
"So, it's a masquerade ball?" Treyton was still lost.
"Similar, but no. The mascherata is an entire festival. It encompasses the participation of even the nobles of Beicheden; some of them at least. Many things set the mascherata apart from regular masquerade balls, you would have to experience it first hand to understand," Yuki elaborated.
"It sounds interesting. So, are you two attending?" Treyton queried. The siblings exchanged looks before Jacek turned back to look at Treyton.
"No. Not this year. We have something to do and will not be able to attend on that day," Jacek said superficially.
Treyton studied the siblings and nodded his head, non-verbally communicating his understanding. "I am curious about how it is celebrated. It is a pity I can't attend with you both." Treyton sounded regretful.
Jacek turned his gaze from Treyton, he examined Yuki's face and noticed the wrinkles between her brows. He inwardly sighed. It was obvious that she was overthinking as usual. They would indeed attend the mascherata festival, but their intentions were not as pure as Treyton's. Jacek wondered if their purpose for attending was shameful to Yuki. He wondered if the thought of escorting on such a blissful day bothered her; perhaps it did. Afterall, despite her daring guise, the Yuki he believed he knew, was quite meek.
After work that day, Yuki and Jacek decided to accompany Treyton back to the entertainment district. They believed it was only right to do so, as Treyton kept them company and even helped around the shop.
As the trio sauntered through the town square, and towards the entertainment district, Jacek's grip on Yuki's hand tightened, an instinctual gesture of protection and care.
Jacek walked slightly ahead, his eyes scanned the multitudinous people that where making their way in and out of town square with watchful intensity. His body was angled in a way that would shield his sister from the bustling crowd. Yuki's smaller hand was enveloped in Jacek's, her fingers intertwined with his as she looked up at him with trusting eyes.
"Careful. Be careful," Jacek repeated time and time again to Yuki.
Treyton who was looking at the siblings the entire time found his heart soften. "How old are you, Ms. Adlerian?" Treyton asked.
Treyton spoke formally with Yuki still. Despite how close he and Jacek had gotten; Yuki was still as distant as ever. It was as if Jacek was the only person she sort to be close with.
"I am seventeen years old," Yuki replied. She looked confused at first, then her eyes fell on her held hand and Jacek, she blushed when she assumed what Treyton might have had in mind and withdrew her hand from Jacek's grasp. "He is too protective, isn't he?" she questioned bashfully.
"Too protective? When did seventeen years become an age of independence. You are still a girl," Jacek retorted.
"Most girls my age are married with children, I will have you know," Yuki spatted back.
Treyton laughed at the idea that he might have ignited the siblings banter this time around. How were they so chaotic yet so cordial at the same time?
"I was only asking because you seemed both mature and youthful altogether. I did not mean to spite you," Treyton sounded apologetic though his bland expression did not really help in proving that.
"Forget Jacek, I will be turning eighteen in a month's time."
"Really. When?" Treyton asked eagerly as he turned to look at Yuki.
Was it just her or did he appear a bit too excited about her birthday? Yuki thought. At the same time, when the idea of her birthday materialized in her mind, her neutral expression became dark. A deep frown crept onto her face and she instantly tensed up.
Jacek who was standing beside her, in that moment, did not look too good himself, he looked even worse when he glimpsed at Yuki. Without a second thought, he drew her into his arms and embraced her while stroking her head gently.
"It is alright, Yuki. You are alright," Jacek whispered to her, his hand trembled slightly as it moved from Yuki's head to her back. He patted her gently on her stiff back.
The scene did not escape the mass of people that found themselves in the vicinity. They looked on to the unfolding gesture with curious eyes. Treyton was just as curious but more confused at the sudden change in the siblings. "Is she alright?" Treyton neared Jacek and asked.
"She is fine… aren't you, Yuki?" Jacek passed the question to Yuki who slowly nodded. She stayed in Jacek's arms for a while before pulling away. She looked completely fine.
"I am sorry. I am just a little fatigued," Yuki lied between her teeth.
Treyton studied the girl who maintained her courteous smile. Even though she was smiling, her shoulder's trembled mildly. "You should head home and rest then. There is no need to force yourself to accompany me when you are tired."
Treyton turned his attention to Jacek stated, "You should get her home now. I will find my way back myself."
Jacek nodded, his face an exhibition of worry and anxiety. He gently took Yuki's hand once more, "We will be leaving now," he announced. Subsequently, he halted a passing carriage with a hand gesture, helped Yuki get on and followed her inside.
Treyton watched as the carriage take off, his expression bald and passive.
In the carriage, Jacek had Yuki place her head on his shoulder as he caressed her head. Yuki shut her eyes with her brows furrowed. "You will be fine, I will be with you," Jacek tried to comfort her.
In a month's time? She had completely forgotten how that day got close as time went on. Was that day advancing towards her that quickly? Yuki pondered. She paled under her fake tan.
Jacek studied his sister with a desperate profile. He hated moments like these the most. He hated when he could not be of any help to Yuki and he hated it more, that any words he uttered in those moments were practically useless. Was she not suffering too much? Why did she have to have such a thorny life?
"I want to laugh a lot. I want to be happy. I want to live in my present with you and mother, Jacek. I wish I could completely forget my past. I wish I were a normal girl. What is the cost of bliss? Can the money I make not afford it? Can I be happy?" Yuki lamented with a choked voice; her eyes still shut. A drop of tear escaped her left eye and streamed down her cheek.
Jacek wiped the stray tear with his thumb. "We will find the clues of your mother's disappearance, Yuki, and maybe the truth about you as well. I believe you will finally be happy afterward. I will make sure of it. I will be with you through everything, we will pull through together, alright?" Jacek lifted her chin so she could look at him. She parted her wet lashes. "Alright?" Jacek repeated.
"Mm" Yuki hummed. "We will." She liked how that sounded, it meant she wouldn't be alone. It meant she would suffer less, right?