Jealous after all

Elrick returned to his room.

He closed the door.

His arm never left the handle.

His forehead rested against the wall.

(Nira... Why is it always you who can break me like this?

Why is it always you... that makes me so unreasonable?)

(I just lost my child.

And my wife... she's losing her mind behind bars.

And me... I'm torn between emotion, love, and anger.)

(Nira... what made you think of killing yourself?

Would she really do it?)

"Agh!"

He groaned in frustration, dragging himself back

Back to a time when everything was still peaceful.

At the edge of town stood two houses side by side.

Elrick, by himself, was sweating.

Burnt out, swinging his axe back and forth,

chopping firewood in front of his house.

Then, the neighbor's door creaked open.

Nira, as always, came out with a bright smile.

Wearing her hat and a fine dress,

she waved at him with a basket full of bread.

"Hey, Nira!" he shouted,

resting his axe on his shoulder and walking toward her.

"What have you got for me this time?" he asked with a grin.

Nira tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Here. This is your share.

I made it extra special because you've been working so hard."

She handed him the bread and turned to leave.

But Elrick grabbed her wrist.

"Nira!" he called.

"What?" she frowned.

"Please accept me."

Nira pulled her hand back.

"No! I told you already. I've always seen you as a brother.

You're my neighbor. We grew up together."

"But Nira, we're not related. Give me a chance. Please."

Nira shook her head,

then quickly walked down the road toward town.

Elrick was left in silence,

his fists clenching, the wood splitting in frustration.

The next day.

Elrick received a latter.

"Greetings, Elrick.

I've been thinking a lot about you.

And I've decided... to invite you to dinner tonight.

If you're willing.

With love,

Nira, your neighbor."

"What?!"

Elrick's heart raced.

Is this a date? With Nira?!

He was bursting with joy.

All his day's work went smoothly.

His head filled with love, warmth, and excitement.

That night.

The restaurant wasn't grand.

but it was decent for a small town.

When he arrived,

Nira was already seated at a small square table with four chairs.

She wasn't dressed for a date just her usual casual dress.

Elrick took a deep breath and walked slowly toward her.

"Nira," he called.

She gave him a small smile and gestured to the seat beside her.

He pulled the chair out and sat down.

But something felt... off.

Why am I not sitting across from her?

Why beside her?

Something was wrong.

He look at her.

"Nira, thank you fo—"

Before he could finish, Nira cut him off.

She smiled brightly.

"Well, you know why we're here, right?

You said you were ready for a relationship."

"So I'd like you to meet my best friend."

A girl stepped forward and sat across from him.

"This is Reana."

Elrick's heart dropped.

His hand clenched under the table.

(How could you do this to me, Nira?

Is this some kind of a game to you?...

Fine. If this is how you want. I to will play...)

He smiled. Eyes gaze softly to Reana.

"My lady," he said smoothly, kissing Reana's hand.

"My name is Elrick. Pleased to meet you."

Nira stared at him.

Something about his behavior felt... wrong. Off.

Elrick smiled back, eyes sharp.

"I always knew my sister would find me a good partner," 

he said smugly.

Somehow...

Nira felt something rising.

Anger? Or was it... jealousy?

She stood up.

"Alright. Enjoy, you two."

Then she left quietly, and without looking back.

Meanwhile, at the table...

Elrick treated Reana like a lady.

The kind of woman she'd always dreamed of being.

And soon, the whispers began.

"Elrick... dating Reana?"

"But I thought he liked Nira?"

"Is he going to marry her now?"

"No way... This town is getting wild."

The rumors spread like wildfire.

After dinner, Elrick stood and gently offered his hand to Reana,

helping her rise from her seat.

He walked her out.

"Thank you for the fine dinner, my lady,"

Elrick said with a charming bow.

Reana giggled, doing a polite curtsy in return.

"Well, likewise.

I enjoyed this dinner with you.

Can we... meet again sometime?"

Elrick lifted her hand and kissed it, eyes never leaving hers.

"Well... we may."

That night...

Back in her room,

Reana stood in front of the mirror.

She ran her fingers through her long, dark hair,

still in disbelief at the night she just had.

"Did I... really find myself a man?"

She whispered to her reflection, smiling shyly.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glowing.

She let out a soft, dreamy breath.

"Elrick... He's a fine man."

The next morning...

The village woke with the sun,

but the air still carried yesterday's gossip.

Reana stepped out of her home,

her dress light and her heart lighter.

She walked through the town with a little more sway,

a little more smile.

She crossed the street to her tailor shop.

As she walked in, the girls working there greeted her.

Some teasing her.

"Wow. Someone just got herself a man."

Another giggled, "I wonder who!"

Reana couldn't hide her smile.

As they worked, her mind kept drifting to Elrick's smile.

Like every day,

Nira arrived with her basket of bread.

"Already lunchtime!" she called as she entered.

Reana rushed up to her, hugging her tightly.

"Oh Nira! Thank you for yesterday.

You knew exactly what kind of man I'd fall for.

And yesterday was amazing!

He was so gentle and... I love him so much!"

She told Nira everything.

But as Nira listened, her ears burned.

Something deep inside her... twisted.

(Why? Isn't this what I wanted?)

As they talked, until passed hour.

Elrick arrived with his wagon.

"My lady," he raised his hand toward Reana.

"Come. I'll take you home."

The other girls erupted in aww's and giggles.

But Nira...

She grew cold.

She stood still, lips tight.

Elrick glanced at her,

his eyes cutting sideways.

And smirked.

(So... jealous after all huh?.)