Chapter 49: An unpleasant encounter...

Two days later, on a warm Saturday afternoon, Yuki and Jacek sat in his room, having very random conversations. Their mother had gone to visit a friend in the neighborhood, while Treyton was asleep in the living room after keeping watch over the house the entire night.

No one had intruded the house after the man who did, two days prior. It was almost as if nothing was out of place as the household was characterized by its usual tranquility, both day and night.

If anything was different, it was the bond that was formed between Yuki and Treyton in the course of their time together within those two days. Both Mrs. Adlerian and Jacek could attest to the connection the two seemed to possess as well as the intensity in their gazes whenever they made eye contact.

While Jacek laid on his back in his bed reading a newspaper of the happenings of the world outside the duchy, Yuki was sitting on the floor beside his bed, peeling some apples.

When Yuki turned around to offer her brother an apple she had peeled, her eyes fell on a darkened bruise on his neck. It was a bruise he had obtained from her on her birthday. Since he had been covering up ever since they left the hotel, Yuki had completely forgotten about it. she slowly reached her hand out to touch the dark spot.

Jacek turned his face from the newspaper and looked at Yuki. His brows creased when he caught sight of the gloom that shrouded her delicate visage.

"Do not frown," Jacek ordered before pinching the girl's cheek tenderly.

"It may look like a bruise you inflicted in your eyes, but to me, it is like a badge that affirms my affiliation with you even in your darkest days. So, instead of looking at it as if it were an injury, consider it a mark of our bond, okay?"

Yuki stared blankly at her brother before nodding slowly in agreement. "Thank you for being by my side this year too," Yuki uttered with a meaningful expression.

"By the way, I have been thinking…" Jacek shifted and laid on his side so he could look at Yuki, who glanced back at him, giving her full attention.

"Do you have romantic feelings for Treyton?" Jacek questioned while wearing a solemn expression, revealing no hint of emotion.

Yuki was evidently taken aback by Jacek's unexpected question. She shifted in discomfort and averted her gaze from Jacek's. "I am not sure… I have never been in love, you know. Still, ever since I came to know it was, he, that was at my side on my birthday, my heart feels weird at the mere sight of him. It is not a feeling I can put to words simply…do you think that is love?" Yuki looked back at Jacek, innocence in her eyes.

Jacek became contemplative as he beheld his sister. Was that love? Jacek was not sure either; he was clueless about romance after all. But considering what he had seen with the two, he was fairly certain they loved each other; his mother believed so as well. Treyton had denied it when he confronted him about liking Yuki romantically, although his attitude towards Yuki gave a contradicting answer every time. Till they were both sure about what they felt for each other, Jacek assumed he had a little time to be by Yuki's side.

Before Jacek could give Yuki his response, a gentle knock on his door interrupted him.

"Come in!" Jacek permitted with hesitation, his eyes leaving Yuki's face to scan the creaking door.

"Sorry for intruding," said Treyton before peeping through Jacek's door. When Jacek beckoned for him to enter, he did. Treyton's eyes narrowed after noticing how Yuki avoided his eyes, blushing, upon his entry. What were the two discussing before he arrived?

"I have to return to the old man's house to retrieve something. I was wondering if you two would like to come with me. I can guard Yuki in the process," Treyton stated calmly.

"Sure, let's go…but is it safe for Yuki to go out?" Jacek asked worriedly.

"So long as I am by her side, yes, she will be safe. Will you come, Yuki?" Treyton averted his attention from Jacek to his sister. She slowly lifted her face and gazed up at him bashfully, her exquisite eyes as innocent as ever.

"I have no problem tagging along," Yuki expressed softly.

"Alright. Let us go now, we can be assured that there will be no open attacks this time of day," Treyton declared and left the two to get ready.

…

Treyton, Yuki and Jacek came to an agreement to walk from Stolz to the entertainment district because they felt stuffy from staying indoors for too long, and this was despite the fact that, it was grilling-hot that afternoon.

The stroll turned out to be a rejuvenating exercise for Yuki as she was the one who was mostly indoors. She wore a look of content as she strutted under her parasol between the two men. Occasionally when her gloved hand brushed against Treyton's, a giddy sensation would overturn her stomach. Anyhow, her poise and confident gait masked the strange feeling without flaw.

When the three arrived at old Cecil's house, he was seated in his rocking chair in his porch. As soon as Yuki laid her eyes on him, she was reminded of their last encounter and conversation. How could she have forgotten?!

"Shit!" Jacek cursed under his breath when he saw the old man. He was also only remembering they had to confront the old man now that they were there! It had completely skipped him when Treyton suggested coming back together. If he had known the old man was home, he would have waited in town with Yuki while Treyton retrieved whatever he was going for.

"Why are you frozen in the middle of the compound? Did you see a ghost?" Old Cecil spat when he realized the youngsters were still not coming to greet him. He sat up in his rocking chair and stretched his sore limbs.

Treyton and the siblings walked to the corridor, neared the old man and greeted him politely. After the greeting was shared, Jacek and Treyton excused themselves since they were aware that the old man would have it no other way.

"Get over here," Old Cecil called in his hoarse voice, beckoning for Yuki to get closer.

With hesitant steps, Yuki approached the old man, her anxious eyes fixed on his aged face. When she arrived by his side, he sat upright, lifted his gaze and gave her a knowing look.

Taking the hint from her godfather's familiar expression, Yuki shut her parasol, then placed it against the wall and went to stand behind her him. She cautiously raised her hands and placed them on both sides of her godfather's shoulders.

Steadily, Yuki's fingers kneaded her godfather's worn, stiff skin with a soothing rhythm. Her thumbs pressed deep, easing the tension of his weak muscles, at the same time, her palms cradled his shoulders, holding him in a warm, comforting embrace.

Old Cecil's eyes closed in relaxation then fluttered open again, a small smile played on his wrinkled lips as he surrendered himself to Yuki's treatment. Consecutive sighs and contented hums escaped his lips as Yuki's hands moved in slow, deliberate circles towards his back.

"How are you?" Old Cecil inquired in a low voice which was followed by a satisfied sigh.

"I am fine," Yuki replied blankly.

"Was it very painful?" A loud silence followed Old Cecil's sensitive question as he wore a glum look despite how pleasurable he felt from Yuki's adept massage.

"It was… it was very painful. But I wasn't by myself. My brother was with me." Her expressions were calm; her emotions were restrained by her undivided attention on the massage.

Old Cecil's lips parted in his attempt to respond to Yuki, however, before he could verbalize his thoughts, a group of newcomers arrived at the same time and interrupted him.

"Good day, Old Cecil!"

Yuki lifted her eyes from her godfather's shoulders to look ahead, towards the direction of the audible greeting. As soon as she saw the newcomers, her blank expression evidently faltered. As she held the three approaching women, her eyes drifted between their familiar faces with a darkened expression.

Yuki's eyes narrowed, as her lips pursed into a subtle scowl. Her shoulders stiffened and her back straightened as though she was preparing for an unpleasant encounter. Yuki tried with great difficulty to put a mask on her seeping emotions, but gradually she succeeded at the attempt by putting a calm mask on her sour expression.

The approaching women, a mother and her daughters, belonged to the Arquette household. The mother, seemingly in her late forties, wore a stern expression, with deep lines creasing her forehead and around her mouth. Her dark hair sat atop her head like a crown, adorned with several accessories. She stood tall and exuded an air of confidence and authority.

The older daughter, Sunny, who was two years older that Yuki, shared her mother's sharp features, but with a softer edge. Her long, curly brown hair, adorned with a floral ribbon, fell down her back elegantly. Sunny had a little nose ring and a scattering of freckles across her cheeks, giving her a more approachable and youthful appearance.

Finally, the younger daughter, Moony, a bashful maiden who even though shared Yuki's age, looked and acted much, much younger. She was a blonde with a fragile and uncertain air about her.

Even though so much time had passed, the three were just as Yuki remembered them. She forced a small smile when the family met her shallow gaze.

"Oh! Yuki! What a pleasant surprise. It's been forever!" Sunny exclaimed when she recognized Yuki.

"Ah…yes. A pleasant surprise indeed," Yuki uttered with a kind smile.

'Pleasant? Ha! Don't make me laugh! I curse my luck for this encounter!' Yuki thought behind her courteous smile.