“Good Morning onto you, ma’am,” L said, as he walked up the counter.

“And to you, sir,” Malia replied, nodding with her head slightly. She paused for a short moment, giving L a short window to speak through, and then spoke again. “The coat is done, let me fetch it.” She walked into the back and came out with a bundle. She unfolded it as she laid it on the wooden counter. It was copper-colored, thin, and soft, but durable. It stretched considerably well, making it nimble and flexible.

It was also a couple sizes too large for L’s small figure.

“It looks wonderful,” L said.

Malia nodded wordlessly, her face unembellished.

“Just one more thing…” L said, his voice trailing, almost as if asking permission to go on. “The coat...Could you personally give it to Jroll?”

Malia’s brows tightened slightly, while her eyes widened. She held her breath for a micro-second longer than normal, and then let it go in a measured and precise way.

Ask why.

“Why?” She said, her voice plain--almost indifferent. Almost.

“Because he wants to confess his love to you,” L replied. “I apologize for stepping out of line, but for the past week, Jroll had saved me from destitution. Not only did he risk his reputation by getting me a lumberjack job, but he’s also shared his food with me, where else no one would dare sell it to me. He even refused payment, saying it was only natural to help another person out, that it was the honorable thing to do.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“What does that have to do-” Malia began, her voice uneven. She was obviously startled. 

“After getting to know him...he spoke about you. I will not repeat what he said, but he made it clear enough that he has a great affection for you. But because he cannot confess, I am doing it for him.”

Ask why.

“If,” Malia began, her voice hard. “He truly has affection for me, as you say, then for what reason is he having you do it for him?”

Close enough, L thought, smirking inwardly. “Why do you think?”

“I have no time for your silly games!” Malia yelled, smashing her fist against the counter. “Get out! Out with you!”

“You’ve rejected suitors before, did you not?”

“What of it?” she said with seething venom. She marched out of the counter and stood near the door, motioning towards it.

“If you reject Jroll too, then you would become an outcast. Rumors will spread. They’ll think one nasty thing and another. ‘Oh, who does she think she is? High and mighty, not having anyone be good enough for her?’ It will spread, and then no one would dare propose to you. The shop, too, will be hurt,” L said. “Jroll doesn’t want to risk that happening, so he’s staying quiet.”

“That’s foolish. That’s not gonna happe-”

“It will. I’ve seen it done before. You’re already attracting attention, with the store.”

Malia sucked in a sharp breath, her fists tightening. “None of this has to do anything with you, stranger. You can leave now.”

“You’re right-- I don’t care for anything that has to do with you,” L said, walking past her. He stopped, and spoke without looking back at her.”

“...but I do care about Jroll. He’s much too honorable to risk your reputation. I convinced him that it was for the best. You know the Uldrian tree? The giant tree a few dozens paces off the river bed? He’ll be waiting there for you, at evening, when everyone finishes their work for the day.”

Ask why. Say Something. Come on. Anything. Fuck. Did I mess u-

“Why the Uldrain tree?” Malia whispered, right before L walked out of earshot.

“Because,” L said, indifferently, “He thought it would be romantic.”