45th Dawn - The Flirt and the Hoyden

At that moment, I suddenly have this feeling that everything I went through before landing on this apprenticeship is nothing but the tip of the iceberg.

Mother used to say that the world is much more cruel than I can imagine. I thought I already get it when I'm still starting out. I believed that I finally had the hang of it when I went through countless do-overs. Right now, however, I realize I'm not even halfway there yet.

"Even so..." I trailed off before looking up to Tristan with newly-found resolve.

"I'm not scared. I'll take them on," I blurted out after a brief pause, much to his surprise.

"Even when they shove you into a giant pressure cooker and gobble you up alive...? Also, they're nobles," he remarked incredulously while I only chuckled.

"I can't say I've been through harder but I did get a fair share of tribulations. Besides, I'm already tired of hiding. I'm just gonna face them either way, so what's the use of getting the cold feet? If it gets to it, I'll even lift a fist!"

I'm glad I was able to talk about this with him.

If he didn't open my eyes to see how grinding this competitive workplace can be, I might not be able to accept the thorny path that comes along with this apprenticeship. I should be grateful enough that I easily passed and the Baron somehow favors me. Dealing with envious hedgehogs is the least I can do.

"Anyway, I have this question for a while now. How on earth do you know all these? Certainly, you didn't just catch wind of the contract leaking, the source of the rumors, the apprentices' behavior, and my predicament in great detail, did you?" I inquired, narrowing my eyes at him in suspicion.

I failed to catch him off guard with this, however. Tristan just smirks at me meaningfully before leaning on the wall, both hands in his pockets. For a moment, I notice a glint of mischief glazing his amber pupils as he peers at me knowingly.

"Well, I think it's alright to tell you... I'm no ordinary merchant apprentice, Missy. I'm more like an information broker than a business-minded crowd pleaser," he quipped, baffling me even more.

"You mean, a stalker?"

"Of course not. What I mean is, I may be in the marketing department, but I also have a hand on the circulation of information around here - in and out of business."

No matter how hard I try to interpret it, he still appears like a stalker to me. Information broker seems like another term for those old women in the neighborhood who like to gossip all day.

"Then, why did you say all that? I get that Baron Pierre ordered you because you're slacking off, but why go all through the trouble of warning me? Also, I remember that you called me that nickname before. Are you saving face now?" I started again, still skeptical of his true motives.

"For one, I just told you that I was only having a break. Not slacking off..." he trailed off to which I only rolled my eyes.

So, he's really just saving face.

"And also..."

At this, Tristan stands upright again before pacing closer to me. I just blink at him in puzzlement when he leans towards me all of the sudden, meeting my eye level and occupying my personal space. Caught off guard, I take a step backward but he suddenly snakes an arm around the small of my back and pulls me closer.

"...It's because I think you're cute."

Smoky. For some reason, his voice came out smoky. At that, I just remain dumbfounded and unmoving. I can feel the hair on my skin stand on end as he continues enclosing the gap between us. This is probably why he has that mischievous look earlier. He'd been wanting to goof around with me all along.

"Ack!"

A bit creep out, I suddenly clenched my fist and punched him in the face out of reflex.

With a loud groan, Tristan stumbles backward from the impact. He then caresses his swollen cheek while voicing out grumbles. As soon as what I did finally sinks in, my hands flew to my mouth, eyes bulging in flummox and mortification.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry, Tristan! I didn't mean to!"

"I-It's fine... Just a bit... surprised..."

He looks more like in a world of pain than surprise, though. For a while, I continue blurting out words of apology while he just keeps up his tough guy facade. Lewis used to tell me how painful my pinches are, so I can only imagine how my punch feels like. It takes several minutes before the two of us finally settle down. But then, just when I thought he already learned, heonly picks up where he leaves off and resumes flirting with me, much to my chagrin.

"I've heard that the director knew you from a popular portrait. People talked about how ethereal and jaw-dropping your beauty was. At first, I thought they're just kidding, but as soon as I laid eyes on you, I say the rumors didn't do you justice at all."

I feel like gagging from all these.

Driven by my womanly instinct and desire to escape from this dangerous fellow, I finally swerve around and make my way downstairs. Staying there makes my ears rot. A compliment isn't anywhere flattering when it's coming out from the mouth of a playboy.

"Hey, can I call you Lillian now? I did advise you and all."

Without noticing it, Tristan has followed me all the way to the hall. I just pay him no mind and continue walking while he keeps treading behind. Though I'm at least a bit thankful to him for letting me know all those things, befriending him is another story. Also, I'm no newbie to dealing with guys like him. They only follow me around because of how I look, but once they get the taste of my fist, they'll all scurry away.

Yet, Tristan isn't seem to be fazed.

Then again, he likes saving face.