Hey guys, thanks for following this! Thanks for the reviews, too ^^

Snazziest: HAHAHA yeah, I guess a person like Klaus just have that in him, y'know, inducing nervousness? And although personally I can't wait to write something more intense... I think this kind of couple needs time to get 'intense' lol

ToOH: Thanks! Well, I thought i'd fall for Nadi, too, to be honest, but oh well... hahahaa hope you enjoy the rest of the chapters! ^^

CrimsonCrush: maybe this chapter would answer you? maaaaybe?

Klaus watched attentively as his client put his nose on the mouth of the bottle containing the sample he had brought. Klaus watched as the latter's chest rose as he inhaled the scent.

"Ah, as always, Mr. Adler," the client said. "Your scent never betrays your reputation."

Like most—if not all—artists, each perfumer had a certain kind of personal signature in their scents, especially those not tied to a certain perfume company like Klaus. That personal signature then built the perfumer's reputation. Klaus occasionally received comments on his 'signature', but he never asked further; how would it seem if he was clueless about his own signature?

"Any adjustments you wish to ask?" he asked calmly.

"No, no, no… I think this is just like how I want it to be," the client replied. "Thank you, Mr. Adler."

"You are welcome."

The meeting was concluded soon after. Klaus packed up and began his way back to Oak Tree. On his way back, he passed the market where he usually bought his coffee beans. Klaus headed in and the merchant, recognizing him, immediately prepared his usual order.

"Good day, Mr. Adler! Here's your coffee!"

"Actually, I'm planning to buy more," he told him. "Twice that amount, please."

"Oh, really? The scent going off faster in summer? Not that I'm complaining, of course!"

"That, and something else."

"Like what, Klaus?"

Klaus looked over his shoulder and Iris was already standing behind him, smiling. She usually met her editor in this town, too, so they usually had their trip to and fro together.

Klaus finished his transaction and put the two packs of coffee beans into his bag, carefully separating it from his other samples. After that, the two best friends made their way back to the town together. "How's your meeting, Iris?"

"Nothing much," she replied quickly. "So, why the extra beans, Klaus?"

"I promised Raelyn to help her buy some beans since Asche never stocks it."

"Oh, right," the blonde's eyes twinkled. "So, it's 'Raelyn' now, huh?"

Klaus held his breath. "Just a slip of tongue," he defended himself quickly.

"Not good enough, Niklaus Adler," Iris chortled. "And what about the overdue birthday present?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know…" Iris trailed off. "The scent you've been working for since… Thirteenth of Spring?"

Klaus winced. He only knew that Raelyn's birthday was on the Thirteenth of Spring just the night before from Marian (he had no idea why Marian told him). Obviously he couldn't just conjure a scent overnight; somehow mixing something he had known in the back of his head didn't feel right. He felt even worse when Raelyn gave him a present for his birthday three days ago. It was just a small, simple bouquet made of wildflowers, but still…

"It's not her birthday present," he replied. "It's too long overdue."

"Aw, don't be upset," the blonde patted his shoulder. "You can give her another time."

"Iris," Klaus sighed. "I don't have any… ulterior motives, okay?"

"Never said you do," the novelist replied almost immediately. "But since you mentioned it…"

"Iris," he said sternly.

Iris knew when not to push Klaus. She held her peace, but not before giving him one of her meaningful smile.

One thing about her pink hair, it made her so easy to be noticed. Klaus could see her from the distance as he walked into the town; she was standing in front of Asche's stall. He walked over to her, but just as he passed the center of the depot, Raelyn turned around and smiled politely. "Mr. Klaus,"

"Hello, Miss Raelyn," he replied, taking pleasure in how soft her voice were when calling his name. "How's everything?"

"It's good. I can afford a coop very soon!"

Klaus smiled. "It seems that you've settled in well with farm life."

"My mother is one herself," Raelyn said. "It's not a completely new life for me."

"Ah, I see…"

Klaus then remembered about the coffee beans. He opened his bag and gave her one of the packs. "I'm sure the scent of beans I gave you last has already diminished."

"Oh, right…" Raelyn nodded. "How much would this be?"

"This is nothing much."

"No," she insisted. "I can't impose too much. Please let me pay for this."

None of them made a move. Klaus looked at her deep magenta eyes; they reminded him of an old red wine. He finally relented. "It would be 80 G."

That wasn't the full price, of course, but at least that would please her.

Raelyn smiled and fished for her purse and gave him exactly the amount he told her. "Thank you, Mr. Klaus."

Somehow, looking at her, he knew what he wanted to give her—the kind of scent that would suit her just right.

"Miss Raelyn, do you have some time?"

The young woman nodded gingerly.

"I have something else I want to give you, but it's in my house," he told her. "I was hoping you could come over for a moment?"

After taking some time to think, Raelyn nodded. "Of course, Mr. Klaus."

They walked together, with Iris who caught up to them soon, to the western part of the town. Iris waved goodbye to them at the intersection and walked back to her house.

Klaus asked her to wait in the living room when he quickly went to his desk. Once he knew what he wanted, it wasn't hard to mix the concentrates proportionately. After he got what he wanted, he put it into an atomizer and walked over to Raelyn.

"I would like you to have this," he said. "I'm sorry I didn't wrap it in anything… and that it's long overdue."

"Long overdue?" Raelyn echoed, confused. However, she caught what he meant quickly afterwards. "Oh, it's okay, Mr. Klaus. I didn't… expect anything at all, actually."

Klaus smiled. "Why don't you try it on and see whether it's to your liking?"

Raelyn did what he asked and brought it close to her nose.

"Cherry blossoms… red wine… and chamomile?"

"I toned down the red wine and gave an extra dash of chamomile," he explained. "Did you like it?"

Raelyn looked up, right to his eyes, and smiled again. "This is so relaxing, Mr. Klaus. Thank you so much."

Klaus smiled back at her. The way she was around him: the way she smiled and the way she looked at him just stirred something in him. Something deep, he knew. It almost felt like the feeling when he had mixed everything so precisely in proportion… but this one felt so much better; not exactly intense, but definitely growing.

Perhaps only time could tell whether this was for the better or worse.

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