Disclaimer: Do not own anything pertaining to the series... yada yada raggle fraggle.
"Your name is… just Leyna?"
The questioning tone in Klaus' voice seemed less confused and more intrigued. Leyna's smile dampened and she realized her stupidity. She had forgotten what last name she used when applying for the farming position. No one had asked for her last name in the six days that she had been a resident of Oak Tree Town. Miss Veronica spoke of how the community fosters a sense of family by only using first names, which had given Leyna a greater sense of ease. Seemingly oblivious to the panic he had instilled in her, Klaus offered an encouraging smile and waited for her response. Leyna looked around nervously and found the rabbit once more, finishing the remains of the meal. What she wouldn't give to be so nameless! Her palms began to sweat.
What are you doing? Just say something!
"Turbit!"
Leyna shouted at the taller individual, much louder than she had intended. She could only imagine the look of shock on her own face. Her heart began to beat faster and encouraged a blush to sweep across her cheeks in embarrassment. Slender black eye brows rose in surprise on the gentleman's face but then settled on a slight furrow. Tilting his head ever so slightly to the left, his right hand rose in a gentle fist to rest his head on his thumb in contemplation. His left hand met to cup his right elbow and he leaned back gently, gazing out into the trees. The rustling of the leaves from the wind seemed to mock the awkward silence. Leyna felt somewhat rude for staring, in addition to her outburst, but she could not stop her gaze from studying the lean figure. In truth, she was captivated. He looked like a noble. And she had just made a fool of herself.
Klaus wore a long coat that stretched to his wrists and the bottom hem stopped just below his knees, where black trousers could be been peaking out from the tops of tall, laced-leather riding boots. The more Leyna looked at the coat the more she convinced herself that she had possibly offended someone very important. The coat boasted a perfect match to the dark green of the nearby pines, while the wrist cuffs and pressed coat collar provided contrast with a lighter green olive-tinted hue. A large embroidered diamond pattern, of the same cuff and collar olive color, lined the bottom exterior of the coat. Smaller diamond shapes of the main pine shade rested inside the olive diamond design and a slightly lighter green shade accented the bottom half of the outer diamond design. Thin black satin trim lined the edging of the coat, the cuff where it connected to the jacket, and the entirety of the flat pressed collar. A crisp white shirt and a golden scarf peaked out from behind the coat as he shifted his stance to face her, putting his arms down to his sides once more. At the moment the coat was buttoned against the chilly morning wind and the black glass buttons down the front and on the wrist cuffs glimmered in the sunlight, as if freshly polished. There was no mistaking it. The coat had specifically been tailored for his body, perfecting edging every portion of his tall, athletic build. She suddenly felt very humble in her dirty farm clothes. A familiar heaviness drifted over her.
Maybe I could afford a coat like that if I saved every cent of my earnings for a year…
"Miss Turbit?"
His voice held a note of concern, and Leyna realized that she had taken a few steps closer to Klaus in order to inspect the elegant coat. She had closed the meter between them by half and she noted that he towered over her by at least 30-40 centimeters. Embarrassed, she took a step back and managed to speak.
"Ah, um. I am sorry. Your coat… is very handsome. I-I mean, I am sorry for staring!"
She quickly bowed, trying to repel the returning blush. When she stood up once more, Klaus' brows were still furrowed in a quizzical look. When he spoke, she knew that she had been caught.
"It is strange that you say that Leyna 'Turbit' is your name, as I was specifically sent by Miss Veronica to escort a Leyna 'Hartgard' to the Town Guild."
A lump rose in her throat and her hands, folded on top of her wrinkled apron, began to fidget. She opened her mouth to speak, but Klaus silenced her gently by raising a hand, signaling to halt. Glancing to the side in order to avoid his intense gaze, she noted the rabbit had finally finished and was watching them in silence. She silently begged it to stay, but it turned and hopped away into the brush. She was now utterly alone with the stranger, and her wide hazel eyes snapped once again to his bright gold ones as soon as he uttered the first syllable.
"The residents of Oak Tree value honesty as a primary principle to build friendship upon. I would keep that in mind if you plan on being here long-term. Now…"
He straightened his shoulders and allowed his face to relax into a smile, his voice adopting a much more welcoming tone as well.
"Would you please explain what motivated you to tell me a false last name?"
Hey y'all! Thanks for stopping by the second chapter. I know the chapters are a little short so far... Like most, I am still trying to find the balance between school, family, social life, and writing. My family from out of state came to town this week so my time has been even more limited. You'll probably get three or four more weeks of 800-1200 word chapters before summer classes ease up a bit. I promise to keep updates on Friday though! So stick with me for a bit and I promise it will always be steady, even if they aren't novellas.