Chapter 57: An accidental confession...

It was like the quiet before some major tempest as the tranquility of the following three days after the incident of Yuki's attack when she went to her godfather's, was so calm, it was almost absurd. Aside the lack of intrusion or attacks while Yuki was confined at home, those days were very much regular and ordinary.

By then, Yuki had enough time to overcome the teeming negative thoughts and memories that tried to swallow her whole.

By then, she had enough time to forget and keep under lock and key any memory that was able to stir her emotions towards a depressing edge.

By then, she was back to being herself again; she was back to being the girl who did not ponder too deeply about anything.

While sitting in her mother's bed, Yuki's blue eyes had an unusual glow to them as she gazed at a worn-out paper in her hand. Like a strange habit she developed overnight, Yuki always found herself staring at the sheet of paper she found in Treyton's pocket every time she was by herself.

At first, she believed the attraction was towards the stunning handwriting on the paper. However, the more she read the message, the more soothed Yuki found herself. Before long, it became a ritual-like tendency she indulged herself in.

"If you are going to stay home, at least make yourself useful!" Mrs. Adlerian yelled.

Yuki's thoughts were interrupted by her mother's glass-scattering pitch. She chuckled, folded the paper and put it in the pocket of her dress. Slowly, she rose from the bed and headed out towards the living room where she was sure to find her mother and brother bickering.

The mother and son were at each other's throats since that morning, when Jacek decided to take a break from work and stay at home with Yuki. According to him, working in the shop alone was hellish and draining without his sister, and also that he needed a break to replenish his energy while by her side.

Mrs. Adlerian was beyond enraged at her son's twisted way of thinking. In her view, Jacek was but a lazy person who was making excuses to not go to work that day. And since she was unable to dismiss him from the house, Mrs. Adlerian resorted to occasional criticism every time she laid her eyes on her son.

When Yuki arrived at the living room, she was met with Treyton's drained countenance. He observed her like one would, his savior.

"Say sir Treyton, is not your hard work and robustness the reason for your fine physique?" Mrs. Adlerian turned her gaze from Jacek to Treyton who was sitting across from her.

Treyton cursed his luck for getting caught up in the argument of the mother and son duo. Because of his duty to keep watch over the house, he could not stay in his room to avoid the two, and neither could he excuse himself to sit outside because of the blazing heat of the sun. In the end, he had to sit between the pair as they ceaselessly quarreled.

"You can say so, Mrs. Adlerian," Treyton replied politely, in the best way he knew to appease the vexed mother. He had not known her long enough, but he knew her well enough to not oppose her; Mrs. Adlerian was a harmless-looking scaring woman!

Jacek threw Treyton a menacing glare. "What do you mean by that? Surely, you are not implying that all the men of Gouna look the way they do because of their hard work, are you? Be honest and boast of your good genetics like always!" Jacek argued, very much offended that he was being picked on for his weight again.

Treyton returned Jacek's gaze with a look that expressed his unhappiness for being dragged into an argument he wanted nothing to do with. All he wanted was his peace of mind, how were the two unable to see that?

Before anyone could say anything else, Yuki stepped in to pacify the atmosphere.

"Sir Athaulfe, can you help me tend the plants in my garden?" Yuki requested with a polite and well-mannered tone.

Without hesitation, Treyton rose from the sofa and approached Yuki, a look of gratitude and contentment evident on his face. "My pleasure," Treyton expressed genuinely.

Jacek stared at the two, betrayal written all over his face. He narrowed his eyes at his sister who in his view, left him to burn in an inferno while saving someone else. Jacek was utterly speechless.

"Then, we will be outside, mother, brother," Yuki announced and followed Treyton out of the living room.

As soon as the two left, Mrs. Adlerian snickered evilly while eyeing her son whose mouth hang slightly open with a look as if he witnessed hell breaking loose. "You can replenish your energy with me. As you can see, my daughter is replenishing her energy with a sturdier person," Mrs. Adlerian taunted her son before she rose and also left him.

Jacek, completely dumbfounded by his mother's evil and his sister's betrayal could only sit in silence, his face deprived of any major emotions as he questioned the world, his family, and his life choices.

In the backyard garden, Treyton and Yuki laughed at Jacek's expression when they left him.

"I am not too sure if he will be willing to speak with you for a while," Treyton reasoned with a chuckle.

"Well, I tell him time and again to not argue with our mother. He should consider it punishment for always stirring her," Yuki replied as she started to uproot the weeds amongst her flowers.

After Yuki's diligent training, Treyton had a fair knowledge about gardening, thus, he applied his newly acquired knowledge on the fields. He was determined to have Yuki acknowledge his skills that day no matter what.

When Yuki finished uprooting the weeds among her roses, she diverted her attention towards Treyton to see how well he fared with the little area she assigned to him.

When Yuki's gemlike eyes fell, first on Treyton, and then the field, her heart almost stopped beating. Her mouth hung open from shock as she stared at the man who returned her gaze innocently.

Treyton's gardening gloves were worn and frayed; his hat stained with mysterious splatters. His shoes were soaked, as well as the surrounding soil under his feet, yet, barely any water could be traced on the parched roots of the plants he was supposed to water. Meanwhile, his pruning attempts resulted in chopped-off branches and mangled leaves, the poor shrubs looked like victims of a brutal haircut.

"Pfft!"

Yuki's attention was drawn on her brother's mocking expression and muffled laughter. She narrowed her eyes at him.

Jacek tried in futility to control his laughter. He was pondering over how to repay Yuki for her betrayal, but who knew she would receive divine retribution for her actions against him. She loved that garden, in fact, Jacek was sure she idolized it; thus, he could only imagine her turmoil as she beheld the devastating state Treyton had rendered it.

Yuki inhaled and exhaled air in a steady attempt to keep herself calm. When the action worked, she walked up to Treyton, her face sweetened with a kind smile. After reaching him, she gently snatched the pruner from his hand. "Please go and take a rest," Yuki said with a courteous smile.

Despite her friendly appearance, Treyton flinched at the dainty girl's murderous aura. He did not dare speak up or refuse her request, after all, although she made it sound like a request, Treyton perceived it an irrefutable command. As such, he immediately stepped away from the garden and went to stand at the spot he always stood when he accompanied Yuki to the backyard.

Jacek laughed even louder after seeing Treyton's docile conduct in the face of Yuki's evident anger. Subsequently, he joined him in standing far from Yuki's wrath and garden.

"The women in your family are fucking scary," Treyton declared as soon as Jacek joined him. His eyes lingered on Yuki's back as she tried to undo the havoc he had wreaked.

"So scary you've lost interest in her?" Jacek questioned while staring in amusement at his inwardly fuming sister.

"It isn't like I can lose interest just because I want to…besides, her anger is kind of cute, if I dare say," Treyton thought out loud. His eyes softened with affection, then a small smile appeared on his face when he remembered Yuki's expression earlier.

After sensing Jacek's gaze on him, Treyton turned and beheld his surprised expression. It was only after then did Treyton realize he spoke out what he was thinking. His face was filled with regret and anxiety as he held Jacek's gaze. Unexpectedly, Jacek appeared much calmer than Treyton anticipated.

He tore his gaze from Treyton's and resumed watching Yuki. "Do you like Yuki?" he asked while looking ahead.

Treyton's eyes lingered on Jacek briefly, before he turned to look ahead. By then, Yuki was done fixing as much damage as she could. She took off her garden hat and wiped the sweat on her face with the back of his hand. When her wandering gaze landed on them, Yuki narrowed her eyes scornfully before tearing her eyes away in annoyance.

Treyton chuckled. "I suppose I do. I adore your sister. Am I not allowed to?" Treyton glanced at Jacek in hopes to see his expression after the confession.

Jacek did not return Treyton's gaze, he continued to observe his irked sister with a thoughtful countenance. "If you are able to accept and adore Yuki when she reveals herself to you…" Jacek turned to look at Treyton, his face serious and unwavering.

"If you can do that, then I will be willing to let you court my sister," Jacek added firmly.