Wysten's narrowed eyes widened slightly. Yuki was quick to notice that for a brief moment, his expression was neither stony nor disdainful. Instead, in that brief moment, his face portrayed his amazement and awe as he held her gaze.
Of course he would be perplexed. Anyone would be after hearing her question. Perhaps, he had expected her to ask about how they teleported to her godfather's abode. Or for her to inquire about what Master Reigh's identity was. Or why that gigantic wolf appeared out of nowhere and attacked Master Reigh. Perhaps he expected her to ask questions that a normal person would ask.
'It is a pity! He was solely mistaken if he assumed her simple.'
She had more important things to wonder about. She had her priorities. There were some questions she would ask even at the cost of her life!
Yuki believed she was far from being an ordinary person. She believed she was not normal, still, she deserved to be told to her face that she was not normal. That she was not human. If her life was going to be an unpredictable drama, she deserved to at least know the part she was to play, no?
Yuki had a strong feeling that Wysten knew something about her. She was certain he did! Except, she was not too sure if he would be willing to share what he knew with her.
Wysten regained his composure under the perceptive eyes of the girl in his arms. His expression reverted back to normal. "Are you human?" he repeated her question, his tone bald and cold.
"You need not say anything lengthy. Respond with a no or yes," Yuki decisively told him, her eyes seething with an unwavering conviction.
Wysten's white eyes narrowed even further. He looked down at Yuki contemptuously. His lips parted slowly, then they closed once more. He cautiously set Yuki on her foot, then he unhurriedly leaned into her. Then, he brought his mouth towards Yuki's ear and whispered in the calmest tone, "You are a despicable monster."
Without another word, Wysten withdrew himself from Yuki, straightened his back and walked away from her without looking back even once.
Yuki stared at the departing figure with a blank expression. Her ear tingled from the icy words that had penetrated it while her mouth stood ajar for lack of words. Yuki's heart clenched when she recalled the words Wysten had just said to her. She tightened her fists unconsciously.
"Monster?" she muttered to herself in a daze.
Subsequently, Jacek reached his sister and hugged her. He squeezed her against himself tightly, as if doing so could keep her by his side forever and at all times.
"You are not hurt, are you? You are alright, aren't you?" Jacek questioned.
He held Yuki at arm's length, taking in the sight of her. His eyes scanned her face, as if to convince himself that she was truly there, truly safe. Jacek's jaw clenched when he noticed his sister's painfully dazed self.
He pulled Yuki close again, his embrace warm and protective. He held the back of her head tenderly and placed it against his chest as if offering her a temporary resting place.
"Jacek…" Yuki called delicately.
"I am here, Yuki."
"What does it mean for one to be a despicable monster?" Yuki asked, her head on Jacek's chest while her eyes stared into a distance.
"A despicable monster?" Jacek echoed. He glanced at Yuki and shifted his gaze to the direction the person who was with Yuki earlier went.
"Someone called me a despicable monster."
Jacek frowned at Yuki's statement. He released Yuki from his embrace to meet her gaze. "It was the man that just left, right?"
"Mmh," Yuki confirmed.
"And he called you a despicable monster?"
"He did."
"Who was he?" Jacek asked with gritted teeth. His facial expression as well as his callous grip on Yuki's shoulder, depicted his vexed state of being.
Yuki negligibly winced at her brother's tight grip on her. She stared into his furious eyes thoughtfully before saying, "I do not know, truthfully." She believed it would be the best thing to do if she hid the identity of Wysten from Jacek.
Jacek narrowed his eyes and peered into Yuki's unwavering face. He did not dictate a lie from her firm expression, but he knew that Yuki mostly said the word 'truthfully' when she lied. Although he would have wanted to call her out on lying, Jacek chose not to. Yuki barely hid anything from him, and when she did, the reason was always tangible.
"You are not a monster. And far are you from being despicable. I do not suppose you have taken some stranger's words to heart, have you?"
Yuki shook her head. "No," she responded gingerly. "I know I am not a monster. I am Yuki Adlerian. A courteous, kind and modest woman. I am not a despicable monster!" she declared assertively, as if to convince and remind herself who she was once more. Because deep down, the essence of her being was shaken by the three words that resonated in her head time and time again.
Surely, those were the last words anyone would have wanted to hear when they had doubts of their origin and their very being.
Yuki and Jacek made their way to the cottage. Old Cecil stood before the house, awaiting the two. When the siblings arrived before the old man, Yuki pleaded with Jacek to be left alone with him once more. Jacek was reluctant, very, but since Yuki was adamant on being left alone with her godfather, Jacek had no choice but to comply. He walked hesitantly into the house after eying Yuki with a concerned expression.
"Are you alright?" Old Cecil asked Yuki after she returned with Jacek to the house.
Yuki nodded and lowered her head apologetically. She felt remorse for putting a such a worried look on her aged godfather's face.
"I am sorry for causing you to worry, godfather."
"What is there to be sorry for. If anything, I am the one who needs to apologize. I always knew that woman did not like you, only, I assumed it was different now that you are older. I was wrong to have left you with her."
Yuki remained silent after being reminded of Mrs. Arquette. Her words resonated in her heart once more, Yuki's eyes dimmed. She rarely met people who disliked her. Whenever she was Yuki, everyone was drawn to her and showed her great love and admiration. Everyone loved Yuki Adlerian. Everyone loved the polite young woman that sold flowers in the town square. Everyone loved the kind and modest daughter of the Adlerian household. Everyone loved the Yuki she wanted them to love.
But once in a while, there came by someone who disliked her despite her lovable personality.
When Old Cecil's dull eyes perceived his goddaughter's extremely upset countenance, he drew closer to her and cloaked her in the warmth of his arms.
Her godfather's embrace was not as steady or as affectionate as Jacek's, nonetheless, it was fatherly and comforting to the distressed Yuki. Her stiff frame slowly melted in the old man's warm hug. And although, her mind was elsewhere entirely, she was not oblivious to the concern emanating from the man that raised her.
Yuki shut her eyes, her dark expression settling into a slightly calm one. She returned Old Cecil's embrace affectionately.
"I hope you do not take anything that woman says to heart, in my view, she is only envious of you just as she was of your mother," Old Cecil said, trying to relieve Yuki of any burden Mrs. Arquette's words might have left on her dainty heart.
"Envious?"
"Yes. Mrs. Arquette has always envied your mother for many reasons. She treated her no better than she treats you. She always hated your mother and always tried to bring her down whenever they met."
"And she is projecting her hatred of mother on me?" Yuki was doubtful, her tone was proof of that.
"It may be so, since you resemble your mother so much. Aihan's compassion, her modesty, her courtesy, it is as if you two are one and the same. That may be why that woman hates you too. She knows neither she nor her daughters can ever sum up to the women you and your mother are," Old Cecil stated without a hint of doubt in his hoarse voice.
"However, despite how similar you are to Aihan, your own kindness and modesty far surpasses hers. Your reputation is proof of that. It pleases me that you grew up so well, Yuki...I am proud of you."
Yuki froze up momentarily after hearing Old Cecil's words. Then, her lips curved up into a lifeless smile. "I am glad you feel that way...but I know I can never be as wonderful as mother. She was a saint and I am far from that."
"What are you saying…" Old Cecil gently pushed Yuki away, held her at arm's length and peered at her.
"What is the purpose of the money and herbs you send to me each month?" Old Cecil inquired.
Yuki's eyebrows rose at the unexpected question. "I wanted you to use it for patients who had no money to pay for your services. And those who had no money to pay for medicines," Yuki uttered in a bald tone.
"Yes. Your mother did same. Even before birthing you, she always sent me money to care for poor patients. I don't think you knew this already, did you?"
Yuki shook her head in denial. "I did not know that, truthfully," she said with a surprised expression.
"Of course you didn't. It was only between herself and I. Your mother was the kindest woman I've ever met. And I can say with certainty that you are just as kind as your mother, if not even kinder. You are a wonderful child, Yuki. There is no need to be modest about it."
Yuki smiled superficially to her godfather. 'A kind, modest and courteous girl' and 'a despicable monster' Yuki wondered which description was true of her. She wondered what she truly was between the two.
In her heart though, Yuki knew best the description that suited her true nature...