Taste of One's Heart

Leone sat at the usual stool before the counter and watched as the dark liquid fell to the container below it.

A tiny cup was placed before Leone and Nikolas poured coffee in it.

"Please let me know how it tastes."

Leone blew on it momentarily before taking a sip.

"How is it?"

"Why don't you try it as well instead of asking me?"

Nikolas poured a cup for himself and took a sip as Leone said. He coughed and made face and looked horribly at Leone who was still drinking the coffee.

"So bitter! How could you drink something like that?"

"As I said, I needed a dose of caffeine right now. Besides, I could not throw away your feelings while you were brewing this. Mrs. Amelia once said that the coffee you brew reflects your heart- is it full of love and sweetness, or is it bitter and hateful, is it in peace or is it troubling? That's why I don't want to brew coffee or I might learn what kind of heart I have."

"I see. Then my heart is like this after all? I am not surprised but I just don't feel good offering such coffee to you."

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm willing to drink them until you can make the perfect coffee you want."

"I guess I'm the same. Please let me know when you're ready to brew your coffee and I will drink them for you."

"Only after I feel confident about it."

The two switched places and went to the corner which has a sofa, and where the hill with the mansions of nobles is visible. They brought with them the pitcher and their cups.

"I imagined that hill burning, you know."

Nicholas spat his coffee and coughed. "Please don't speak it out loud to anyone else. I don't want to imagine what could happen to you if this reached the nobles' ears."

"Don't worry, it's only you who I have told about it. You'll keep it a secret right."

"Of course. But may I ask why?"

"I just... don't like them?"

"I hope anyone could blatantly express their dislike as you."

"I am not. If I am then I might have really set that hill on fire. I just came to realize how this kind of lifestyle is not so bad. It's peaceful and simple. Before them, I am just powerless."

She is not able to make decisions for herself when she was living as Leone Nightingale. She could not be herself. She does not have the power to protect anyone.

"Nicholas, what's your opinion on this question of mine? Are status and wealth the only things that could provide you strength? What if what you only have is a strong will?"

"Hmm. They aren't the only things, I suppose. And your question, how about rephrasing them? What if you have them at the beginning and simply exhausted them? Then only your will is all you have?"

"Isn't that tiring? I suppose I would lose myself as I realize that my will is nothing but a shackle and the reason for my demise. Then, is it different if you first have the will and found the power you need later on?"

"I suppose it does make a difference. But you must have the courage to lose everything you have. The status could change while wealth is not eternal so before it runs out you must win the battle or we'll be back to the first point where you'd rather die than fight any longer. It also makes me curious, if the time does come when you don't have a reason to live, can't you find a new one instead?"

"... I said I already lost everything."

"But there is a saying... isn't love eternal? You could lose everything but not love.1"

"... Love, huh. How easy is it to say but is it really that simple? Also, isn't it ironic hearing that from someone who makes bitter coffee?"

"Stop slapping it to my face. I already knew."

"If you become my brother then I might find my reason to live. So call me sis."

"Stop it. No way!"

Leone laughed and leaned against Nikolas' shoulder. She remembered Leo from her dream, the way he brushed her hair and speak to her soothingly despite how to mean he looks.

"But really, it would be nice to have a brother." She murmured and closed her eyes again.

Nikolas felt Leone's calm breathing. He held the girl's head and place them on the couch then went to lift the girl's legs out of the cold floor, raising them to the couch as well.

He arranged the blanket Leone took with her and tucked her below it, before going back to sit and lifting the girl's head to his lap.

He brushed the girl's hair as he stared at the hill.

***

Mrs. Amelia and Mary returned before dawn as promised. The two exchanged glances when they saw a used set of coffee cups. The equipment was still warm, meaning it had been used not that long ago.

Mrs. Amelia found Nikolas and Leone sleeping peacefully. She could not help but smile at the sight, sadness mixing in it as she remembered her children being close as they do in the past.

Mary appeared with a cloth in hand.

"Thank you, Mary."

Mrs. Amelia accepted the cloth and wrapped this around Nikolas.

"Will we open the shop today, Ma'am?"

"Yes. We could accept take-out in the first two hours and resume normal operation around 10 in the morning. That could also give you time to create pastries. Will that be enough though?"

"I understand. Yes, it's more than enough. Once I'm finished I will help in serving the customers as usual. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call me."

"I will. Thank you."

It had not been long after opening the shop that Nikolas woke up to the chimes of the bell. His legs are stiff and cramping but seeing Leone's peaceful sleeping face blew his pain away.

He poked the girl's cheeks and smiled when a frown appeared on Leone's forehead. The latter swatted his hands away as one does to a fly so he could not help playing pranks on her.

He took several strands of her hair and used its ends to tickle her ears. The girl abruptly sat up covering her ears and glared at him.

He laughed and greeted. "Good morning, Leone."

****