Chapter 23: An excited Yuki...

While the train sped on, Yuki and Jacek stood before the doorless opening of the seventh section of the train and beheld the world outside of Echt. There was not much to see though, as all that existed before them were a long trail of trees whose ends did not come in view. Notwithstanding, the scenery was serene and beautiful in its own right.

Yuki took off her bonnet to allow her hair experience the fresh breeze out of Echt. Her silky hair was thankful for the thought and expressed its gratitude in a graceful sleek dance. Yuki shut her eyes and inhaled the fresh forest scent. Her mind clearing. Her heart easing.

While the siblings' expressive faces depicted their excitement, an impassive Treyton sat in the back of the train, in a corner where light beams could not touch. Occasionally, his grey eyes flickered with an ethereal glow as he stared at the jovial pair.

Treyton had a lot on his mind, but at that moment, he chose to think of nothing else except how captivating Yuki looked with her hair down. His eyes drifted from the two to his large hand; he could still feel Yuki's tender frame in his arms. The heat still remained that reminded him of Yuki's delicate waistline which was hidden under thick layers of fabric. Meanwhile the strong scent of himself and hers, mixed together, still lingered about his nose.

Treyton slowly shut his eyes and laid his head on the walls behind him, it was as if he believed that, such an action would help him filter his thoughts and keep Yuki out of his mind. Except, it proved to be a futile attempt, causing him to sigh loudly.

The ride was longer than Yuki and Jacek had initially thought. The excitement they both felt about being out of Echt, on a train and heading for some unknown adventure gradually abated as their lack of sleep and the exhaustion of the entire trip began to take a toll on them.

Jacek, who was completely drained of energy, sat down and sluggishly motioned for Yuki sit beside him. When she did, he gently pulled her closer and had her rest her head on his shoulder. Not too long afterwards, the two fell asleep in a heartwarming position.

…

Treyton shook the siblings lightly in an effort to wake them. They stirred, opened their eyes, and stared unhappily at him for waking them. Subsequently, the two sat up and then lazily rose to their feet.

"Are we there yet?" Jacek yawned and looked outside. The sky was clearer and much brighter. He yawned again and rubbed his tired eyes.

"Soon. We will be there shortly," Treyton responded.

"We will jump off?" Jacek did not look pleased. He watched how swiftly the train moved pass the forest of trees and gulped.

Treyton chuckled softly when he saw Jacek's reaction, still, he was not in the mood to tease him in that moment. "We needn't do that. The train will make a stop at Gouna, we will get off then," Treyton stated. He noticed Jacek's face mutate to relief in an instant.

Not long after Treyton's announcement, the train visibly slowed down and then gradually came to a halt. He gesticulated to the siblings to get off, which they did sheepishly.

The curious eyes of Yuki and Jacek scanned the vicinity as soon as the alighted. They saw the beautiful structure of Gouna sitting atop a hill in a distance. They gaped at the unique constructions upon which the golden sun sat. "I am glad you like my town already, but I think we should get going now," Treyton interrupted the duo's appreciation of Gouna.

Jacek and Yuki finally looked away from the hills and at their surroundings. A few buildings were in sight, though the general atmosphere of the area was very much rural.

Treyton led the brother and sister towards one of the houses in the plains. Two young boys who were playing in the vast fields, raced towards the trio when they took notice of them.

"Treyton!" they called out to him and hugged Treyton when their short legs finally let them reach him. He smiled and effortlessly picked the boys up, placing one on a shoulder and the next on another. The boys giggled in excitement as they bombarded Treyton with trivial questions.

Jacek glanced at his sister who wore the same expression as him. They were surprised. They both did not perceive Treyton as a children-person because of his imposing stature. Though, in that moment they both thought Treyton and the children made a pleasing sight. They walked behind him at a leisurely pace.

"Papa! Papa! Treyton is back!" one of the children shouted as the group entered the compound of the ranch house. An elderly man of average height and a friendly appearance emerged from the house with a warm expression. "Ahh, back so soon?" the man asked as he met Treyton halfway to welcome him.

"Yes. Though I will be leaving again on Monday," Treyton responded while slowly bending to set the children down on the corridor of the house.

The man nodded and looked at the duo that stood behind Treyton with his brow raised. "These are…" his voice was low as he tried to be audible to Treyton only.

Treyton looked over his shoulders at the siblings who were still curiously looking around. Their attention now fixed on the horses that were racing in the fields. He looked back his interlocutor, "Acquaintances. I wanted to show them a world outside of Echt," Treyton said nonchalantly.

"But they are humans, aren't they?" the man frowned slightly as he looked at the seemingly clueless duo whose eyes hovered on the fields in bewilderment. "Will you have them stay here, with me?" he looked back at Treyton with a serious expression.

"No. they will stay in town with me. I have my brother's permission." Treyton's expression was blunt. "That aside, where did you park my automobile? I want to return as soon as possible."

"Oh… Right. Right this way, your vehicle is over there, follow me." The man pointed to a barn and started to walk towards it.

"Wait for me!" Treyton told the siblings and followed after the man towards the barn.

Yuki and Jacek watched Treyton until he disappeared into the barn before they turned away to look at the fields once more.

They stood side by side, their eyes wide with wonder as they gazed out at the breathtaking countryside. There was no such natural splendor in Echt, thus, they had never seen such beauty before. Their eyes darted from one marvel to another, drinking in the sights and sounds.

Yuki's eyes sparkled with unusual excitement as she gazed at the distant trees. Her brows furrowed in awe as she tried to take in the sheer scale of the landscape. She gasped as she laid eyes on the herbs that randomly grew on the fields. The place was an apothecary's haven!

Jacek's attention moved from the fields to his sister who to his surprise was uncommonly so excited, she was no longer poised. His eyes were fixed on Yuki, a mixture of amusement and astonishment on his face. He had never seen her like that before; her unusual composure and calm demeanor replaced with unbridled enthusiasm and excitement.

As she squeaked and hopped around inspecting some grasses, her eyes shone like stars, Jacek could not help but stare in wonder. Her usual reserve was gone, replaced by an uncontainable joy that was almost infectious. Jacek found himself grinning from ear to ear, caught up in Yuki's enthusiasm. Truly, it was the best idea to have her go out of the duchy! Jacek found himself thinking

Not too long later, the two heard the noise of an automobile from the direction that Treyton went, they looked back at the barn at the same time. Yuki, who was squatting over some herbs, rose up and returned to Jacek's side. She was back to her poise self once more.

Emerging from the barn was an automobile, one the duo had never seen before. It had a roof unlike the ones the nobles in Echt drove, and it looked more modish than those in Echt they had seen as well. It was artistic.

As if seeing the fancy vehicle was not enthralling enough, Yuki and Jacek were flabbergasted when the saw Treyton behind the vehicle's wheel when he stopped beside them and beckoned for them to get into the automobile. They entered the vehicle in a daze.

"I wanted to let you guys eat first but it is getting late, do you think you can hold on till we reach town?" Treyton asked in a regretting tone.

"Don't mind us, Mr. Athaulfe. These peasants can go three days without food and water," Jacek uttered in a tone so polite, it was overemphasized.

Treyton's gaze shifted from the road and fell on Jacek, his brow raised. "Where from that sudden formality, Mr. Adlerian?"

"Don't mind him, he is only being dramatic after seeing you drive an automobile. Commoners speak formally to nobles in Echt," Yuki explained her brother's change of attitude to Treyton. "You didn't tell us you were a noble," Yuki seemed unfazed but her voiced sounded a bit sharp.

Treyton looked at Jacek and then at Yuki before letting out a little laugh. He started the car, wove at the elderly man and his children and drove off. "There are no nobles in Gouna. All the town's people are like family, we do not have such divisions as you do in Echt." Treyton tried to redeem himself as he looked ahead at the road that led to his town.

"You don't?" Jacek shifted and sat at the edge of his seat. His mood was better, not that he was genuinely upset anyway.

Treyton laughed. "We don't."

"But you are still wealthy, aren't you? Or do all the town people drive such flashy vehicles," Jacek was not letting Treyton off the hook for keeping his status a secret.

"Well… you will understand better once we get to town."