Haru gracefully slipped between the people in the crowd with ease. It was second nature for a commoner like her, at least one as poor as her. She had to fend for herself no matter what so that meant learning to make it in society.
After paying the baker for a loaf of bread, Haru took her change and placed the baguette in her basket. Besides the freshly made baguette, inside the basket was a slab of beef. Haru started to hum a tune as she made her way to the market. She picked out a few potatoes and other assorted vegetables. Haru paid the man behind the stall and walked off with her purchases. Her mom would be so pleased. Because Baron paid the remaining amount she owned the man for her earrings, Haru had a little extra money to buy more food.
Haru had just reached the western gate to head home, but a gloved hand shot out in front of her to stop her in her tracks. "Excuse me, I would like to pass, sir" Haru said while looking down at the ground. She could see the fancy dress shoes that men wore with their suits. This man was obviously from the upper class. She couldn't look the man in the eye or he might hurt her or yell at her for not being polite.
"May I help you with your basket, Miss?" a familiar voice said. Haru looked up in shock to see Baron standing in front of her.
"Oh, I-I don't need any…help" Haru said lamely. Baron chuckled.
"As you wish." Baron glanced down at the brunette in front of him. She was so short compared to him. The top of her head only reached his shoulders. He never realized how tall he was compared to some people. Or maybe it was because Haru didn't get the nutrition she should? No, she didn't look that poor. Haru blushed under his intense gaze and turned her attention to something else. Baron began to say something, but she cut him off as something caught her eye.
"You know what, here!" Haru said as she shoved her basket into Baron's hands. He was surprised, so he fumbled to get a grip on the basket and his cane. Haru rushed over to the edge of the street. She quickly looked both ways and crossed the busy street. Carriages rushed at her from both directions, but Haru glided by them at the perfect time. She obviously had a lot of practice.
On the other side of the street, Haru bent down to watch a cat. It was trying to cross the street, but it kept jumping back when a horse trotted past. Haru shook her head with amusement and shuffled over to the dark grey cat. She held her hand out for the cat to sniff and inspect. It abruptly pressed its face against Haru's hand and began to rub against it. Haru giggled and petted the cat by dragging her hand across its back. She gently picked the feline up and grabbed a small box off the ground. She tucked it in her pocket and crossed the street again. Baron walked over in long strides to her.
"Isn't he so handsome?" Haru gushed to Baron as she held up the cat. It looked at him with mismatched eyes. Slowly, the cat's eyes drifted downward like it was in a trance. Its gaze landed on the gold ring right on Baron's right hand. Baron rubbed the ring uneasily. Haru drew the cat closer and snuggled with it. The cat meowed and licked her cheek. Almost as if understanding the cat, Haru nodded her head and put the feline down. As she put the cat down, Baron noticed the gold collar on its neck for the first time. It must belong to a noble family. Haru pulled the small box out from her pocket and tied a handkerchief around it.
"There you go, Lune. Now it will be easier to carry. I hope whoever you choose likes it" Haru said to the cat as she set the box down in front of it. The cat nodded its head. It opened its mouth and grabbed the knot on top of the box with its teeth before walking away into a crowd of people.
"Was Lune the name of the cat?" Baron asked as he watched the grey cat disappear from sight.
"Yeah…the name was on the collar" Haru said carefully. Baron could tell it was lie, but he didn't press for details even if it hurt knowing she wouldn't tell him the truth. Baron looked down at the basket sadly. There was only a day's worth of food in there.
"So were you heading home?" Baron questioned as he formed a plan in his head.
"Yes."
"Was this the only food you bought?" Baron pressed. Haru looked down dejectedly.
"I'm not a nobleman like you, Baron. I don't live in luxury. I buy what I can" Haru said in disgust. Baron grabbed one of Haru's free hands and kissed it. Haru's unhappy face grew a blush. She looked beautiful with the red tint to her cheeks.
"I did not mean to imply anything, Miss Haru. I just would be delighted to at least buy you lunch" Baron said coolly. Haru pulled her hand away to dig in one of her pockets. She took out the gold pocket watch she had the day before. She looked at it and gasped.
"I am so sorry, Baron. I just didn't realize the time. I have to get home. My mother is waiting. Maybe some other day" Haru said in a rush before snatching the wicker basket from Baron's hands and running back into the alleyway from yesterday. Baron tried to follow, but he was stopped by two men before he could even take a step forward.
"Oh no, you don't! You are not getting away from us this time" Toto said angrily. "I don't know how you keep getting out of our sight."
"It's his cat-like reflexes" Muta said sarcastically. Baron and Toto both looked at Muta unamused.
"That's not funny" Baron whispered harshly. Muta shrugged.
"I thought it was pretty good."
"Baron, we are taking you home" Toto said sternly. He was about to grab Baron's arm, but surprisingly Baron didn't put up a fight. He calmly walked in the direction of his mansion with the stature and pride of a nobleman. Toto and Muta flanked him on both sides. Once the trio reached the eastern part of town, Baron began to tip his hat to his fellow noblemen and noblewomen. They nodded back in return with a smile.
Although they didn't notice it beforehand, they noticed it now. For some strange reason, Baron had a silly grin on his face. To Toto and Muta, Baron almost looked love-struck. Wait a minute!
"Baron, did you run into that peasant girl again?" Toto asked through clenched teeth. Not one for lying, Baron simply nodded, not even noticing what Toto called Haru. His smile faltered a little, but it came back just as strongly as it was before.
"What did she say?" Muta questioned curiously. Baron's smile grew wider.
"Oh Muta, Haru is everything I ever dreamed of in a young lady. Today, she helped a cat cross a street. I could tell immediately she was smitten with the feline. She just adores cats. She also said that she'd let me take her to lunch one day" Baron said happily. Muta looked over at Toto. Toto didn't seem so pleased. He was such a birdbrain. Couldn't Toto tell that Baron was too smitten with the girl to go back? He should lighten up and give this Haru person a chance. Although, Muta did agree with Toto that Baron fell in love with her too fast. He shouldn't have given his love away so easily.
"Come on Toto, if Baron likes her, then I'm willing to give her a chance. What do you say, birdbrain?" Muta teased. Toto shot Muta an icy glare.
"Birdbrain?! Can't you think of anything else to call me, you idiot?" Toto screamed as he tackled Muta to the ground and started throwing punches. Muta fought back with punches of his own. Soon the two were running around chasing each other and rolling on the cobblestone.
"Knock it off, you two. We are in public. You can carry on your fighting when we get back home" Baron hissed as some of the upper class folk looked at the dueling men with ludicrous stares. Toto and Muta ignored their friend and continued the fight. Baron decided to ignore them and head home by himself. It wasn't his 'cat-like reflexes' that made it easy to escape his bodyguards' watch. They fought every minute they could. The blame was all on them for distracting themselves.
Walking a few more blocks brought Baron to his mansion. It wasn't as big as some of the surrounding mansions since he wasn't one for extravagance, but it was bigger than the normal upper classmen's who had no title. Baron entered his house to be greeted by the young servant, Yuki, again. Baron smiled at her before going to his room. He hung up his cane and hat on a rack in the corner. Since he was inside, Baron also removed his suit jacket. With one big breath, Baron landed on his bed in frustration. Should he wait by the western gate tomorrow to see if Haru would come, or should he wait to see if he met her by chance again? The decision was too hard. There were so many risks at stake. What if he stood there waiting forever, for her not to show? What if she did come, but wouldn't be happy to see him so soon? What if she thought he was a stalker and wanted to end their sort-of friendship? Baron was so confused.
He ran a hand through his tawny hair and took a deep breath. He pulled his hand away to stare at the gold ring on his finger. It was a family heirloom, a gold band embedded with a cat's eye gem. It always shone in the light, proving it looked like a cat's eye with its sheen. He never took it off unless it was time for a bath and even then he didn't always take it off. It meant too much of a great deal to him. Baron rolled over on his side and stared at the wall. His eyes slowly drifted shut as he fell asleep even though it was still only the middle of the afternoon.
The next day…
Baron was waiting by the western gate. He made his decision to go there bright and early in the morning. As the saying goes, "The early bird catches the worm." Baron definitely wanted to catch Haru as she came into the city from her home. Three hours ticked by and Baron began to give up hope that Haru would come, however, as soon as he turned to leave, Haru walked straight through the western gate. So she lived outside the city? Draped over Haru's arm seemed to be a few quilts and handkerchiefs. They were obviously made from different scrapes of fabric put together, but that fact didn't take away the elegance the blankets held. If Baron didn't know any better, he would have thought that the quilts were made by a professional.
Haru didn't notice Baron as she passed by him. Baron decided to use that to his advantage and surprise her. He followed Haru through many streets and around many corners. Baron knew Toto and Muta weren't trailing too far behind to keep watch on him. To his surprise, Haru entered the only Von Gikkingen Orphanage in the city. It wasn't too long before she emerged from the building, waving behind her to someone in the building as she left. Only the handkerchiefs remained in her hands. Soon enough, they followed Haru until they were back in the eastern part of the city. She knocked on the door of some fancy house, and a woman answered the door.
The lady flashed Haru a smile and held a hand out to her. Haru handed the lady the handkerchiefs she had in her hand. In exchange, the lady handed Haru a dollar or two. Haru pocketed the money in her change purse and bowed politely before leaving.
Baron took this as his chance and closed in on Haru. He politely tapped on her shoulder to inform her of his presence. Haru jumped and spun around. Baron chuckled at her reaction.
"Baron, what are you doing here? If I didn't know any better, then I'd say you're stalking me" Haru teased. Baron's whole face turned red.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I must confess that I sort of was, Miss Haru" Baron said bashfully. It was Haru's turn to blush.
"Oh. I was just kidding."
"I know. I just hate lying or hiding the truth from people. I had to tell you the truth" Baron stated while trying to avoid looking in the brunette's eyes. Haru was the opposite of Baron, all she could do was stare at him. "Could you stop staring at me? It's making me uncomfortable" Baron said softly.
"S-S-Sorry" Haru stuttered.
"N-No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have been so blunt with you" Baron said uncomfortably.
"It's fine" Haru said weakly.
"So, uh, you live outside of town?" Baron said in attempt to start a conversation. Apparently, the topic was a sensitive one.
"What?! You followed me home?" Haru accused in an unbelieving tone. "H-H-How could you?!" Baron's eyes widened.
"Never!" Baron answered seriously. "I would never dream of prying on someone's personal life. It is improper." Haru's expression turned to one of relief.
"I should have guessed. You are too much of a gentleman, Baron." Haru flashed Baron a smile. Baron couldn't help but beam. He held an arm out for Haru to grab.
"May I take you out to lunch now? I only followed you because I couldn't wait to see you again by chance."
"Alright" Haru complied. She took Baron's arm and let him lead her away.
A/N: What do you think? Can you make any assumptions about what is going on in the story? Please tell me all your opinions, whether they are good or bad.