Hey everyone, I'm back with another chapter! Thank you for the encouraging reviews!

StarGirl06: thank you! I'm waiting to read your stories :)

fantasyanimegirl283: yes, I suppose both of them are holding certain insecurities. Glad that at least they put those on the table hahaha

Sairofe: What I meant is that, with the amount of possible rough play between the siblings, it is reasonable to except for a certain degree of toughness on Raelyn's part, but I'm sure you know much better than me thanks to first-hand experience :) with regards to traits similarities, yes I agree with you! I'm just trying to find that middle ground between Raelyn and her parents so she thinks that 'hey I'm their daughter'. Your English is great, in fact I didn't notice you're not a native until you said it yourself! Maybe you might want to look at my NeilxReine's story when you have the chance? My personal favorite would be Dragon's Tears. It's super long but I think it's worth it (I hope it is, lol) :) If you want something lighter, I'll recommend the 'Colours' series (it's actually my debut to this site). You can check them out in my profile!

Klaus stood by the Trade Depot together with Yang. The traders had just set up their stalls. He gently caressed his stallion; Yang seemed happy and content that morning. That Saturday would be his first date with Raelyn, riding to the neighboring town to find a ring for her.

A date… with Raelyn, huh?

Truth to be told, he had never thought that day would come. But, he knew that it was real when he saw Raelyn riding Yin into the Trade Depot, and when their eyes met, she smiled at him.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"Not quite so," Klaus replied, pleased when he realized that she was wearing the perfume he had given her back then. "Shall we be going?"

She nodded excitedly.

Klaus mounted his stallion and they began to ride side by side. It did not take long for Klaus to realize that Raelyn has been watching him. "What's the matter, Raelyn? Is there something on my face?"

"No… you just look so cool on horse."

Klaus couldn't help but chuckle. "Really? Thank you. I'm glad you find me attractive even at my age."

"It's just like what Dr. Marian said, some things better as they age. I suppose you fall into that category, although I must say I'm kinda curious to see you when you're younger."

"I'm sure Iris would be more than happy to entertain that request of yours. I'm sure they have some albums."

Raelyn grinned cheekily. "Does Mistel sell it as one of his… antiques?"

Klaus chuckled. "I wonder if he does…"

"But then, they would not have pictures of you when you're… you know, being the Alpha and all?"

"I don't think anyone has a picture of me during those years… which is a good thing."

"I bet you looked so cool and fierce to be called the Alpha by the others!"

Klaus took a moment to digest what she had just said. This girl never ceased to amaze him. Even after a glimpse of the darkness of his past, and how cruel it could be, she had simply accepted it as a part of him and talked about it so easily as if there was nothing wrong with it. Then again, perhaps she did see it as nothing wrong, as unbelievable as it was. Maybe he should start doing that, too.

"You know, I might not have a picture of me in those years… but I have something else that might fulfill your request."

"Oh, really? What is it?"

"My tattoos, as well as some of my scars. If it interests you, I can tell you the story of each scar."

As he thought, she blushed at his offer. "B-but… that means you need to…"

"Disrobe myself, certainly."

"T-that's… a bit moving too fast, isn't it?"

"Oh? Haven't you seen me in such a state before?"

Her face was now beet red and she gripped her reins so tightly. "You were covered in bandages! That doesn't count!"

Klaus laughed. "Don't close your eyes on the road, Raelyn… I apologize, but teasing you might be my new hobby from now on. You are just too adorable."

"This… this is unfair," she said while pouting her cheeks. "So you're just teasing me this whole time."

"Oh? You were hoping that I am serious?"

"T-that's… that's not what I meant!"

He couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. My girlfriend is cute, he told himself.

The jewelry shop was located near the center of the town. An amicable-looking young woman greeted them when they entered. "Welcome!"

The two of them immediately went for the ring section. There were quite a number of rings available, mounted with stones of various colors and designs. Truth to be told, Klaus had no idea what would be Raelyn's taste in fashion, let it be clothes or jewelry. She was always dressed in her farming dresses, complete with apron, with the exception of town celebrations. Even then, most of the time she was just yielding to Iris' dressing her up. Therefore, letting her choose her own ring would be much more preferable than him buying something that did not suit her taste or, even worse, the size of her finger.

While watching Raelyn choosing her ring, Klaus noticed that she often glanced sideways. He tried to follow her line of sight and then realized that she kept looking at the section for couple rings. He smiled. "Raelyn, should we get a couple ring?"

"Ah! You… you don't mind?"

"I do not. In fact, I would be pleased, too."

They moved their seats to the display for the couple rings. After a few rounds of choosing and eliminating, they were down with two options. One was a similar pair of rings. The larger one had a wider band with a small deep yellow round sapphire planted at the middle, surrounded by smaller diamonds. The smaller one had much thinner band, and a slightly larger sapphire cut into a rounded-end rectangle, surrounded by diamonds, too. One look, and it was clear that the two rings were a pair.

The other was also not identical to one another, also not really similar to one another. In fact, at first glance, they looked very different from one another. The larger one was decorated with a line of tiny diamonds, and two slightly larger ones at the middle, but with a noticeable hollow pattern at the middle, while the smaller one contained only one white medium-sized diamond, mounted at the middle; the band on the larger one was wide and rather thick, as to be expected for rings meant for males, while the band on the smaller ring was thinner, but stylized in an artful arrangement resembling a braid. Klaus taught that it was an interesting pair of rings, and Raelyn kept looking at it, too.

The shopkeeper also caught up with their interest. "This is not your usual couple rings," she said, while taking the two rings from their stand. She put the smaller rings into the larger rings and revealed that when arranged that way, smaller ring fit exactly into the hollow pattern of the larger ring, with the single diamond mounted at the smaller ring placed right at the middle of the two diamonds on the larger one.

"They're so beautiful!"

"This line is fittingly called, Compléter—to complete."

"Which one would you like, Raelyn?" he asked.

Raelyn pursed her lips together in deep thought. She then took both pairs, glanced at the tag attached to each, and furrowed her brows together and pursed her lips even more tightly. She then pointed at the first pair. "I'm fine with this."

"Hm? I thought you were interested in the second one?"

"Well, yeah… but the price…"

"Compléter is a new line, and it gained positive feedback from our customers, too…" the shopkeeper tried to explain almost immediately. "This is the last style. It would be unique."

Klaus took both pairs and looked at the tags for each like Raelyn did earlier. The price different was indeed rather not negligible, but nothing that he could not afford. He put both pairs back in front of her.

"Putting the price aside, which one do you like better?"

"That one," Raelyn replied while pointing at the second pair. "There aren't too many stones on it, too… it wouldn't be too conspicuous while I'm working. But, I didn't expect the price to be…"

"I like that one, too," Klaus told her. "Why don't we get them?"

"But…"

"If the price is your only concern, rest assured that I have it settled." Klaus patted her head affectionately. "Give me this chance to pamper you."

"P-pamper?"

"Yes, what man would not want to pamper his lady?"

She blushed slightly and finally nodded.

They went back to Oak Tree Town after the resizing was done. They dismounted after they passed the town gate and led their respective horses by their reins. "Klaus…"

"Yes?"

"Most of the time… I'll wear the ring as a necklace. That way, I wouldn't be too worried of it getting lost or dirty while I'm working."

"Like last time, correct?"

She nodded rather grimly.

Curious at her sudden sullenness, he asked: "Is there… something else you want to tell me?"

She shook her head. "I thought I should just let you know. I don't really want to repeat mistakes."

Klaus studied her carefully. He put his hand on her head gently. "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind, although I would like to think that I am a very different man from Ibuki."

"You are… but I'm not taking my chances."

"That being said, I would really be pleased if you wear the ring on your finger from time to time, for example during festivals."

This time she looked at him and slightly cocked her head to the side. Klaus had noticed that she had such tendency when she was confused. He cleared his throat. "It's a good way to signal to other men that you're taken. Please don't blame me for being rather possessive of you."

Much to his surprise, she chuckled. "Noted. I'll do that."

"Thank you."

"Oh! I just remember I need to buy some animal treats!"

"Let me accompany you, then."

They were just about to head to the Cabin Country's stall when Klaus heard someone yelled: "Get away from her, you jerk!"

He turned around and saw someone directed a punch at him. Klaus easily dodged that strike to the side, but his assaulter did not give up that easily. Who is he? Klaus thought. His voice was definitely different from Ibuki's, and while Klaus could see a glimpse of blond hair, it was of a different shade.

Klaus did not have the luxury of time to guess whom he was; when he realized that the stranger was sending a punch at him, Klaus immediately deflected the blow to the side. His attacker was thrown off-balance due to that, but he regained it soon after by doing a skillful pirouette. He was about to try another shot at attacking him when Raelyn stepped between them, yet out of his reach. "Stop!" she said loudly as she grabbed the stranger's arm and threw him to the ground with a controlled force by keeping her hold on him.

What?! Since when she… no, that level of skill is not gained overnight.

For a moment, Klaus recalled the night Craig had attacked her. It seemed to him now Raelyn's fight was more violent—on her part—than he thought it had been. Putting that matter aside, now Klaus could properly see his attacker, whom Raelyn had released from her hold. He was tall, although still slightly shorter than him, and lean. His messy blond hair barely reached his shoulders, and his clear green eyes had a rather playful glint on them. To his surprise, he could no longer sense the hostility from the other man as he dusted off his sleeve. In fact, that man laughed heartily. "You're not half bad, Lynn! Have you been practicing?"

"The farm keeps me on my heels."

It was then he averted his attention back to him. "Tell me, are you the guy who kept her waiting?! If yes, you—"

"I said, stop it, Rex!"

"You know him?" he finally asked her.

Raelyn sighed long while scratching her head. "Of course I do," she said. "Please meet my brother, Rex. Rex, this is Klaus."

"So, you are that guy!"

When Klaus noticed Rex was about to attack him again, he immediately went on the defensive stance, but turned to face him with crossed arms. "Rex, I swear—knock it off or I'll throw you for real this time!"

"W-wow… you sounded like Mom now."

Under her glare, Rex did not go through with his attack and instead offered his hand for a handshake. "Rexton Forrester, nice to meet you… for now."

Why Raelyn's brother is here? What is he going to do?

It seems that we need to wait for the next chapter to find out!

Thanks for reading!

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