Spring 18
I tacked the paper to the bulletin board, letting out a small sigh. I was sincerely hoping that a certain red-haired man would fulfill my request.
I've always had trouble sleeping, ever since I was a young girl, but my sleep difficulties became much worse after my mother passed. I felt my face flush as I imagined Jack handing me the lamp grass for me to drift off into a slumber at night to dream about him.
I looked over at him and Mana laughing about something before looking down in disappointment. I wish I had been the one to have met him at Cherry Blossom Square! I sighed again in sadness; he'll probably end up with Mana. They get along very well, and they see each other a lot. If Jack can overcome Douglas, that is.
I looked over at them again, saying their goodbyes. They looked so...happy! And Mana deserved to be happy, too, right? Especially after what she's been through.
"Hey there, Rosalind!" Jack exclaimed, then, noticing my face, he gave a worried look.
"Is something wrong?" I blushed and thought up a lie quickly.
"No, nothing's wrong. I-I just hope that someone will be able to fulfill my request."
"Oh! I'll do your request!" He exclaimed as he looked at the board.
"Lamp grass in Trieste forest? No problem!" He exclaimed, ripping the paper off of the board. "I'll be back soon, Rosalind!" I blushed.
"Be careful, Jack!" I held my hand to my chest, feeling the fast, hard thumps from my heart. I looked over towards the general store as tears began to form in my eyes. I'm just setting myself up for hopeless hope. But why do I have so much hope for myself and Jack? Am I really that hopeless myself?
I leaned against the stair rails of the manor's entrance; I was in such a daze over my worrisome thoughts, hoping Jack would bound through the manor's doors unharmed. It's been over an hour since I had last seen him, over an hour since he took my request. My heart began to race. I immediately straightened up when I heard the doors click, my heart pounding faster.
Please, let it be him.
And as though the gods heard and answered my prayer, Jack walked in, unharmed.
"There you are, Rosalind! I've been looking for you." Jack said with such delight that I blushed.
"O-oh? You've been looking for me?" I asked.
"Uhm, yeah. I have the lamp grass you asked for!" I should have just died right there! I had completely forgotten about him taking on my request for a fraction of a second.
"Oh! You-you found the lamp grass?" I asked, trying to hide the fact I had forgotten about him taking on my request as he handed me the red flower. I felt some form of a magical surge when our fingers brushed together for a quick moment. I deeply inhaled the flower.
"What a beautiful fragrance!" I sighed. "It's very calming."
"Yeah, I noticed that too when I picked it up." Jack said, as I blushed.
"Did you know that the scent of this flower can even cure insomnia?" I looked over towards Jack, who had a concerned look on his face.
"It can? I didn't know that." I giggled.
"Don't worry. I'm sure I'll be able to sleep better tonight."
"I hope so." Jack said with concern; there was a moment of silence.
"Well, I better get going! Take care, Rosalind." He said, turning his back.
"Oh, wait! Jack?" He turned to face me again.
"Yes, Rosalind?" I blushed; I just wanted to see his face again, but I couldn't tell him that! I had to think of something quickly.
"You've helped me tremendously!" I pulled out my pouch. "I insist that I pay you for your deed."
"O-oh! There's really no need—." But before he could refuse, I shoved 2000G into his hands.
"Please, take it! You've been a tremendous help!"
"Ah! But this is way too much, Rosalind!"
"It's no problem for my family!" My eyes widened slightly. Did I just rub my family's wealth into Jack's face? I blushed slightly.
"Use it for a rainy day!" I exclaimed, trying to save my outburst "It-it could be useful in the future!"
"Huh. When you put it like that, I guess it could be useful some way in the future!" Jack put his finger to his chin in a thinking manner. I wondered what he had in mind for his investment.