19th Dawn - Brilliance

That night, I return to the inn with a cheerful mood, only to get dampened by the siblings' troubled expressions.

For some reason, Ruben left his diner and went all the way here. He's discussing something with Madeline when I showed up. Upon seeing me, they instantly scramble away and act all jumpy and jittery, as if they've been talking behind my back. At this, I just squint my eyes at them in suspicion, undeceived by their play. That's until Ruben suddenly jolts and comes up with something else to say.

"I just remembered, Lily. What's with you and that guy earlier at the diner?" he suddenly inquired, much to my surprise.

"I don't know him. He just found me sneaking out of the inn," I answered, still cringing at our mortifying encounter earlier.

"Oh, really? Then why did he tell me all about that jumping from the upper floor and seeing your underwear?"

"W-What?! He saw?!"

"You didn't know?"

I just facepalm at this, face all flushed like a teakettle and feeling flustered. Recalling the incident, I recoil in embarassment as hairs stand on my end. That's until I suddenly have an inkling that I saw that boy before, yet couldn't remember when and where. Seeing my reaction, Madeline then continues to tell me what that blonde was doing near the inn in the first place. I learned that he's actually searching for me that time, but Ruben refused to disclose any information about me without my permission, and also because he's not from the neighborhood. Now, it turned out that he already met me without him knowing it.

"Thank you for not telling him, Ruben. I seriously don't want to involve myself with someone who reeks of bad news."

"Well, the thing is, he's asking about your hair ties."

I'm not that surprised when he said that since he wasn't the only one who did. Then, after assuring the siblings that I'd deal with him directly the next time we meet, I proceed to make my way to my room and let them continue with their private conversation. Too exhausted by today's cascading chain of events, I find myself drifting into sleep the moment my back flops on the soft cushion of my bed.

"What a rough day for a lady, indeed..."

After my work on the next day, I meet up with Lewis at the monument once again, my portfolio in hand. For today, I decided to tie my hair into a ponytail with a red and black, checkered scrunchie. As expected, he reacts at this with puzzlement.

"You made it?" he asked incredulously.

"Of course~ Am I awesome or what?" I replied with a cocky grin, much to his indifference.

He just silently proceeds to draw on his sketchpad and remains apathetic, miffing me. I haven't even given him permission to draw just yet. I also have to remind him about my portfolio.

"What are you doing with your sketches, by the way? Are you an apprentice?" I asked, which made him chuckle for some reason.

"What's funny?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm not an apprentice. I'm but a mere peddler who loves to draw."

I react a bit taken aback since I didn't see that answer coming. It's probably natural to have this kind of response, though, considering how odd and bizarre this line of work is. Apparently, a peddler is somewhat akin to a nomad, which means they have no permanent place to stay in and will always travel around. They move from one city to another and would label themselves as adventurous hunters or venturesome merchants. Because of this, they're usually exposed to the hazards of the outside world.

Once Lewis is done with his drawing, I instantly show him mine and ask for feedback. I feel relieved when he reacts stunned instead of revolted like most of the workshops' instructors who reproached me for this. But then, the silence that follows is quite stifling. He didn't say anything for a while and just continued flipping the pages of my portfolio, carefully scanning them one by one.

"Your works are brilliant, Lillian..."

Flummoxed, my eyes went as wide as saucers at his uncalled-for commendation. His reaction even takes time to fully register in my head. After all, nobody had ever described them like that, not even Sol nor Madeline. Now, I think I may have found someone who can completely understand me.

"R-Really?" They're not weird?" I questioned a bit nervously.

"What're you talking about? Of course, they're weird..." he trailed off, much to my bafflement.

"Huh?"

"...And that's why they're brilliant."

I then look at Lewis as if he just grew two heads. He only laughs at my bewildered expression, which I don't find humurous at all. Leaning on the handrail beside me, he beckons me over and shows his sketch of me with a gentle smile on his face.

"Everything has beauty in it, Lillian. It's just that not everyone can see it."

Once again, I find myself knocked out of breath as I look at his illustration.

Even though it's only in black and white, I can almost see colors flowing right through it with how resplendent and transfixing it is. My eyes glisten with awe as a gush of elating emotions rush within me.

"It's beautiful..." I mumbled, voice low and brittle.

I never thought I'd see myself this beautiful.

For the next succeeding days, my daily routine includes meeting up with Lewis at the same spot. I let him use me as his model while he gives me opinions on my sketches. He also offers to teach me how to enhance my drawing from time to time. From then on, we'd hang out like this and help each other out.

Though I have no issue with talking about myself, considering how I always like running my mouth, I notice that Lewis seems to be a reticent and secretive one. He doesn't say much, but when he does, what always come out are words of wisdom and sagacity. Because of this, I sometimes find myself thinking of him as someone more than a mere peddler.