Chapter 9

I expected to be tired and groggy from waking up really early today, but I was actually full of energy. The thought of going out and explore the area had my heart thumping in wild excitement! I even dragged Felix out of the brothers' bed to wash our faces, and then to the kitchen so we could start cooking.

My high spirits made me boldly volunteer myself to help Felix with the food. He could not keep up with my enthusiasm, so I ended up doing all the cooking as Felix guided me through the steps of making a light breakfast for everybody while he stoke the fire.

By the time Lucas woke up and came out of the house to wash, I was already serving the piping hot food with a sprawled Felix on the table, not moving. Was he weak in the mornings? How is it that I did not notice before?

"He woke up earlier than usual." Lucas explained, probably noticing my pondering face as I looked at the sleepy Felix. Well, maybe I did wake the teen up too early in my excitement. It was my fault, then.

"Ah, let us let him sleep, then." I sighed, feeling bad for Felix. I turned to Lucas and smiled at him. "Go wash your face. I cooked today!" I beamed.

Nodding, Lucas walked to the back of the house to do his morning ablutions and came back a moment later. After sitting at the table, he did not even look at what I made before he started gobbling up the food. It would have been nice to have something to drink, like tea, but all I could offer him was water served in a chipped cup. He still gently thanked me for my efforts.

"How is it?" I asked, wanting to know if my cooking was actually good. Although I could confidently say it was edible, I ignored if it was to the brothers' liking. I had tasted it and did not seem different than what Felix made.

Lucas put down the cup and looked at me with intense eyes. I did my best to hold his gaze, but I knew I was blushing. My heart was also beating really fast. I was both nervous from being looked at by him, and from wanting to know his verdict. Finally, he nodded. "It's delicious."

I let out a sigh and smiled at him. "I am glad."

"Let's go?" Lucas stood up and beckoned at me.

"Oh. Yes!" I also quickly stood up.

I had eaten before serving breakfast, so I was just waiting for Lucas to get ready. I went to the kitchen to fetch the pancakes I made for the trip. There were several left for the others too. No matter if it is modest, I would love for them to eat three meals a day, so the pancakes were for them to eat at lunch.

While Lucas prepared two baskets, I approached the still sleepy Felix.

"Make sure to feed Mrs. Rabbit and to change her water. Also, tell Ethan and Joseph that the pancakes are for lunch. Did you hear?" I grabbed his face to make sure he listened to what I said.

What greeted me was his wide eyed expression and a red face. Oh? Is he shy? I suddenly felt like teasing him, so I moved closer to him. He finally reacted and hurriedly moved back, only to fall from the stool.

"I heard. You can go." He mumbled still embarrassed, sitting on the floor. I took pity on him and just nodded. I walked towards the waiting Lucas, and we made our way up the beaten path.

My wide smile, though, soon disappeared.

Are we not there yet?!

I had no idea how long we have walked, but I was already at my limit. Well, I might have thought the same for the past eight stops we had to make due to my severely lacking stamina. Why was the mountain so steep?! It did not look like that from the house!

But that was not the main point of this whole horrendous situation!

The worst thing of the situation was that I had not seen any good-looking flower to bring back to the house! None. At. All! I was tired like a beaten dog, sweating like a pig, and the search was a failure! All the enthusiasm I had woken up with had completely vanished.

Luckily, Lucas patiently waited for me every time I stopped to rest. I think if I were in his place, I would have abandoned myself long ago. But Lucas was not me, so for not giving up on me, I was truly grateful to him.

"You ok?" He worriedly asked.

"I am not dead yet." I joked. The bandage on my head was completely soaked in sweat, but I did not take it off. I had no confidence I could take care of my wound just like how Ethan treats it.

He had confirmed yesterday that it was healing, that is why I could do this trip; as long as I took it easy. But even after taking it easy, I felt my tongue was almost out of my mouth.

"Carry?" He asked again. It had not been the first time he offered.

"Huh? No, it is not necessary. I guess I am just not used to walking a lot." I feebly smiled, trying to reassure him. Though, I was speaking more out of stubbornness. I wanted nothing more than lay down and become dead to the world.

The only upside of the trip so far was that, despite Lucas speaking in a few words, it was easy to understand him. Meaning, I could perfectly and smoothly communicate with him. I sincerely had initially thought that due to his silent nature, it would be awkward. On the contrary, his silent presence was very reassuring.

"Lean on me?" He tried once again.

"That… I cannot continue pretending to be strong, right? Please help me." I lifted my hand towards him. If I keep refusing his help, we will not return to the house today.

He gently grabbed my hand, but his strength was firm and he easily made me stand up. His arm then coiled around my waist to support most of my weight, and we both started walking.

Our closeness and position most likely was not appropriate for an unmarried man and woman, but I did not care. First, because I actually liked being held by his strong arms, and second, because we were alone in a mountain. Who would come to scold us for being inappropriate? Nobody, that is who!

Hm, but thinking about it, we truly were alone in this mountain. Could something happen between us? More like, did I hope for something to happen? Would that not be too fast? Though, were feelings something rational?

All I knew was that I would not be against whatever happened between us.

The subtle smell of lavender carried by the breeze interrupted my train of thoughts. Before me stood a small field of lavender that had not bloomed yet. My mood instantly brightened from the discovery. I knew the flowers I was looking for were these.

It seemed Lucas also guessed my thoughts as he asked me: "These ones?" I dumbly nodded to his question, and he instantly set himself to work.

"The soil too?" I asked seeing as he dug some soil first and put it inside the basket.

He nodded. "Different soil." I hummed, not really understanding what it meant with it being different soil. All I could see was that there were few little white stones here and there.

Either way, if it was different from the one back home, it was obvious we needed to take some back so the plant could survive. Hm, we only brought two baskets—the only big ones. Only a dozen stalks fit in each basket; not enough for the garden I envisioned.

Maybe another trip in the future to look for other flowers.

But that was for later. Right now, getting the lavender plants was what mattered first. All was done after packing the soil and a few stalks in the baskets.

We also took notice of the flower's surroundings, checking the type of environment lavender thrived in. Joseph had asked us to pay clear attention to it so it would be easier for him to take care of the garden. He was very serious when it came to working the land.

With the sun high above us, we looked for shade to eat our lunch and then prepare to go back. Our meal was eaten in silence, but not an uncomfortable silence. We simply enjoyed the gentle breeze and each other's company. It was so peaceful, it somewhat felt like a date.

And like in a date, Lucas quietly called out to me with a rough voice, "Belle"

My heart flipped and started wildly beating. I felt as if it would come out of my chest. "Yes?" I timidly asked, though I was excitedly waiting for his words. I could not lie to myself, I was really expecting something out of this trip

And something did happen in that lavender field.