Chapter 5
As much as Jake said that he will not do anymore favors for Yue, this is one promise that he cannot seem to keep to himself. Time after time, Yue leaves Alvarna then returns after some time. Every time that she comes back to Alvarna, she has a brand new request waiting at the bulletin board. Jake passes by the bulletin board every morning to check on requests. Time and time again, he finds Yue's requests pinned to the board. Most of them are requests to collect items to sell in another village or town. Each time he finds a request by Yue, he keeps finding some reason to complete them. Most of the time, the requests are to gather materials from monsters, so Jake completes them saying that it's only training for himself.
Jake does not complete every single request posted by Yue. If the request is too easy or involves Jake doing something that he does not like, he will not do them. Fishing is a prime example of a request that he will not complete. Regardless if he completes them or not, he still goes over to see Yue. Even if it is to tell her that he does not want to complete her task. Even if Jake does not volunteer to do every single request, he still does the vast majority of them.
After some time, Yue begins to learn and understand Jake. His likes, his dislikes, his strengths, and his weaknesses. Sometime in Fall, Yue begins to assign most tasks specifically for Jake. As Yue spends more time with Jake, she begins to appreciate his company. Most of the time, she has Jake escort her through monster infested areas to try to reach places she can’t go alone. Jake does his very best to protect her with his very life. He says that it's an elf code to do his jobs to the best of his ability, but Yue knows that Jake is fighting hard because he cares for her. He will never admit it, but Yue can see it in his eyes.
As time continues to pass, Yue begins to hold Jake dear to her. He is not perfect, but he is slowly changing from an ill tempered hermit to her knight in shining armor. Jake has admitted that Yue is different from other humans. He may not know it, but he really enjoys Yue's company. Even as his feelings change little by little over time, he keeps telling himself that Yue is a human and there is no way that he can see her as anything more than a friendly merchant.
During one of her requests, Yue gives Jake a special item she made just for him. It is a hachimaki, the far east equivalent of a bandanna. Yue tells him that it's for luck and protection. Jake is a bit disappointed because he was hoping for more of Yue's delicious food. Because Yue made it for him, he accepts it anyway. Ever since then, he wears it while training when Yue is away. He doesn't know why, but it gives him comfort while in the field battling monsters.
It is now Winter in Alvarna. The snow has piled up on the buildings and roads. One of Yue's favorite seasons because daikon radishes are in season. Jake is not entirely fond of Winter, but he doesn't hate it either. The blacksmith shop is slower in Winter, which gives him plenty of time to train.
On the 14th day of Winter, Jake goes off to work like he normally does. Just like clockwork, he heads to the De Sainte-Coquille park so that he can check the board for missions and tasks. As he is passing through the park, Yue is just south near the dock selling some food to one of the villagers of Alvarna. Just after she gives her customer his change, she notices Jake walking through the park. She bows gracefully and thanks her customer before running off towards Jake. As she is approaching him, she starts to get butterflies in her stomach. She's quite nervous because it's a very special day for her.
“Jake!” called Yue as she gets closer to him.
Jake stops and looks back at Yue. He raises an eyebrow at her, considering that they usually don't meet unless there is a task involved. He wasn't even given a chance to look at the board yet. Instead of complaining, he stands by and waits for her. After Yue catches up to him, she stops to catch her breath for a moment. There is a moment of pause as they look at one another. Yue is quite happy to see him, Jake on the other hand keeps a serious look on his face. Deep inside, he feels happy to see Yue.
“Well, what is it? If it's about a request, I haven't checked the board yet,” said Jake breaking the silence.
Yue shakes her head no, and responds, “I don't have a request for you this time. But. . .” Yue looks down, and blushes before continuing, “it's Valentines day today. And I have a gift for you.”
“Valentines day? What's that?” asked Jake in a confused tone.
“Valentines day is not really celebrated here in Norad. But it's a special day we celebrate back in my hometown. You see, on Valentines day, girls give chocolates to close friends or. . . Guys we like,” explains Yue.
“I see, so you think of me as a close friend then?” asked Jake thoughtlessly.
Yue sighs sadly and answers, “Umm. . . Something like that. . . Or. . .”
Jake crosses his arms and takes a deep breath “well, I guess I should be grateful. . . But I don't really like chocolate. It's too sweet, and more suitable for females. Couldn't this 'Valentines Day' be a little bit more healthy, and give out spinach or onions instead?”
Yue whimpers sadly, she understands why Jake doesn't take the holiday a bit more seriously. It still makes her feel sad that Jake is turning her gift down. She handmade the chocolates herself and hoped that Jake would understand her feelings a bit better with it. Now she's starting to wonder if she misunderstood Jake the whole time. Maybe Jake doesn't like her after all.
“Okay. . . I'll just go to the farm and see if I can buy something a bit healthier. . .” said Yue in a sad tone.
Jake lets out a stressful sigh. He can clearly see in her large blue eyes that her feelings are hurt. He wouldn't care at all if this was any other human, but he hates seeing Yue this way. He still doesn't understand the meaning of Valentines day, but he can clearly see that this is very important to her. He then scratches his head and thinks for a moment, all he needs to do is accept the chocolates. Yue never said anything about him eating them.
“Fine,” said Jake. Yue looks up, surprised by his sudden comment. Jake then continues, “I'll accept your chocolates this time, but don't think I'll be so willing next year. Just stop making that sad face, it bugs me.”
Yue smiles and nods cheerfully. She then takes off her backpack and rummages through it searching for the chocolates she made. It takes her a minute to find it among the collection of items she has in her large backpack. “Here you go, Happy Valentines Day Jake!” she said while handing Jake the neatly packed chocolates.
Jake takes the chocolates quietly. He then notices something that makes his heart stop for a moment. On Yue's hand, he sees her wearing a ring. Not just any ring, but an engagement ring. For a moment, Jake wonders if Yue had gotten engaged with someone from another town. He quickly realizes that if she did, she would have mentioned it to him earlier. He then remembers that he gave Yue money to buy an engagement ring to fool someone in another town. The ring does look very expensive, solid gold and lined with three rows of real diamonds.
What confuses him the most is why is she wearing it? Was she wearing it the whole time since she got it? Yue's kimono hides her hands almost all the time, so there was no way he could notice it before, even if Yue is handing him something. This time, Yue reaches deep into her backpack, which she needed to pull back the kimono to reveal her hands. She only needed it in another village, why is she wearing it in Alvarna?
After Jake takes the chocolates, Yue nods and says, “Well, I have to go to work now. I hope I see you later today. Jyan eh!”
After Yue takes a few steps away, Jake asks, “Why are you wearing your engagement ring?”
Yue looks back at Jake, then she folds back her sleeve to look at her ring. Afterwards, she laughs and answers, “I guess you noticed it. It's a very pretty ring, isn't it?”
“It's not like it's a real engagement ring, you only got it to fool that rich guy. You almost had me fooled for a second there. So if you don't need to wear it, why do you?” asked Jake.
“Because. . .” Yue then caresses the ring against her face happily and answers, “because I someday want to get married.”
The sudden confession made Jake's face turn red. It isn't something he expected out of her. To him, Yue seemed like the type of girl who is more interested in her work than to think about something as serious as marriage. He doesn't know why, but his heart begins to beat a little bit harder. He never felt this way before, not even towards Cecilia.
“I love my job, I really do. Traveling around meeting all sorts of people. Some people even see me as a member of their own family. But still, I've always wanted a family of my own. I've always dreamed of meeting a great man who is hard working, strong, caring, and protective of me. I wouldn't care if he is a human, elf, or somewhere in between. It doesn't matter to me. What does matter is who he is on the inside.
“I know that I'm not really engaged. And this ring may not be a real engagement ring. But I love wearing it, because it makes me feel like I am engaged for real. I just hope that someday, this ring can become a real engagement ring.”
Yue then giggles, and continues, “that reminds me. I still have to pay you back for the ring. It may take some time, but I am working hard to make up the money. So please wait a bit longer, okay? Bye-bye!”
And so, Yue goes off to her next stop to sell more goods. Jake on the other hand is petrified out of shock. So many things are flowing through his mind, mainly of Yue. He lets out a huge sneeze, the cold weather is getting to him just standing there. He then checks the time, and finds that it's about time to open up the shop. He runs to the east without checking the bulletin board and goes to work.
The next day, Jake decides not to go to work. He knows that he will get screamed at by Tanya, but he never cared about what she tells him anyway. He's not ill, but he has so much to think about. His heart is far more confused than his head. He is beginning to realize that he cares deeply for Yue. But at the same time, his his heart is reminding him that Yue is a human. He simply cannot suddenly drop his hatred for humans that easily. His heart is tied into a knot. His human side is telling him to love Yue. But his bitter elf side is telling him to forget his feelings for her. Something inside of him is trying to tell him that she will abandon him someday. The pain in his chest is far more painful than any blow he had received while fighting monsters.
Just then, his long elf ears picks up Yue's voice from outside. He gets up and takes a look outside the window of his room. Yue is across the road in front of the church gathering a crowd of customers to buy her food. Winter is cold, so it's a perfect time for Yue to sell warm drinks. Some of the customers are also examining Yue's kimono and asks about how warm it is.
Jake continues to stare at Yue from inside his window, he cannot just look away from her beautiful smile so easily. She is a popular girl, strong in mind and body, talented in many arts, and has so many skills. But even so, she's a human. Jake has tried for so long to pretend that he doesn't have a human side. He is now asking himself that how could he feel for a human after so many years of bitterness?
After some time, Egan walks in to check on his son. He quickly notices that Jake is looking out the window at something. So he walks over to him and asks, “what are you looking at Jake?”
Jake looks back at his father then then walks back to his bed. After throwing himself on his bed with his hands folded behind his head, he answers, “nothing. I'm not looking at anything at all.”
Egan is not convinced. He takes a look outside; the only thing he can see is Yue and her crowd of customers. He can not help but smile, Yue is a close friend of his after all. He cares for her like if she was part of the family. He then looks at Jake resting on the bed, and says, “you know, that girl is really something special. She's beautiful, spirited, kind hearted, and very talented. It would be nice if she would become my daughter-in-law, and-”
“If you like her so much, then why not marry her! After all, you're the one who likes humans, not me!” snapped Jake.
Egan sighs after hearing his son's words. He knows clearly why Jake feels the way he does. He was hoping that his heart would heal over time. But there are some wounds that will not heal so easily. Egan then pulls out a photograph from his chest pocket and stares at it for a moment. He sighs deeply while staring at the photograph. “Jake. I understand that what happened between me and your mother was not easy for you. I will not ask you to forgive the past, it would be wrong of me to. But still. . .”
Egan rests the photograph on Jake's dresser and continues, “I will say this. Don't let the past stop you from having a better future. You're my son, and I care about you deeply, regardless if you are an elf or a human. Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you. Just, make a good choice.”
Egan then exits Jake's room leaving the photograph behind. After a moment of silence, Jake becomes curious about what his father left in his room. He walks over to the dresser, and finds a small photograph faced down. He picks the photograph up and takes a look. He can quickly recognize the woman in the photograph. It is one of the very few photographs of his mother.
She is a very beautiful human, long brunette hair, hazel eyes, and a lovely smile. Just looking at her brings back so many happy memories he had with her as a small child. But her marriage to Egan was very short lived, and he hasn't seen her on over 15 years. Jake has felt abandoned ever since she left. The most important person in his life left him behind. He has never forgiven her, or any other human.
When he needed her the most, when the other human kids made fun of him because he is a halfling, she wasn't there to comfort him. He needed her to embrace him and tell him that everything is okay. His father's love is not enough, he needed his mother as well. Because his father was the only one there for him, he no longer wanted his human side. He wants to be a full elf, even if that was impossible.
At that moment, he starts to think about Yue. She knows that he is half-elf, but she still cared for him. She may have left Alvarna countless times, but she always came back. When he was troubled and wished to be alone, Yue was there. When he was injured, she treated his wounds. He pushed everyone away, but she was the only one who pushed back. No matter what he did, Yue was always there for him.
At that moment, he starts to understand Tanya's words. Yue may be a human, but she is not like his mother. Yue is different. Tanya is different. Kyle is different. Alicia is different. No two humans are the same. Not everyone is going to leave him behind.
Jake finally makes his decision. He takes a look out his window, but notices that Yue is gone. He looks around, but she is nowhere in sight. He rushes out of his house and looks around. There are too many footprints to tell which way she went. He wants to find her quickly, he wants to tell her the truth about how he feels.
He rushes over to the dock to find Alicia. If anyone knows where Yue is, she knows. “Hey Fortune Teller!!” yelled Jake tossing her a 20 gold piece at her. After Alicia catches the coin, he demands, “tell me where the merchant is!”
“You mean Yue?” asked Alicia. “Hold on a sec. . . Holly-”
“Oh shut it!” Yelled Jake. “I'm in a hurry, and I don't need to hear your stupid incantation! Just tell me where she is!”
Alicia sighs, “okay fine! She's headed towards Fallen Star Path. She's leaving to the next town already.”
Jake then nods and rushes north. Alicia then crosses her arms and says, “geez, what bit him in the ass today? Would it kill you to be a bit more gentle?”
Jake runs as fast as his legs can take him. He has no idea how far has Yue made it, but he hopes that he could at least catch her before she leaves. He runs into people, even slips and almost falls into the snow. He doesn't care what anyone says at that moment, he wants to reach Fallen Star Path before she does.
Just as Alicia predicted, he finds Yue heading towards Fallen Star Path. He yells “HEY!!!” several times until he gets Yue's attention. She stops and looks back at Jake rushing towards her. It's not like him to be so frantic, he's usually so serious and calm. So she waits there to see what's going on.
Jake stops in front of her and takes a moment to catch his breath. “Jake, is everything okay?” asked Yue curiously.
Jake then looks up at Yue and asks, “I want you to tell me the truth. How do you feel about me?”
The sudden question shocks Yue. She looks down, and starts playing with the sleeves of her kimono saying, “I. . . I really like you. . .No, I mean to say. . .” She then takes a deep breath, and looks up at Jake's eyes. She blushes while she confesses, “I love you Jake! I have for a long time, but I know how you feel about humans, so I never said anything to you before!”
Jake then takes Yue's hand and rolls back her sleeve exposing the engagement ring saying, “would you like to make this ring a REAL engagement ring?”
Yue gasps in shock and asks, “Jake. . . What are you saying?”
Jake then smiles for the first time, and asks, “Yue, will you marry me?”
Yue gasps even harder. She turns around and looks away, she was not expecting Jake to propose so suddenly. Her heart is racing a thousand beats a minute, she can only try her best not to faint. She only holds her chest and says, “I. . . I don't know what to say. . . I can't believe you feel the same way I do. . . And you smiled for me, I never thought your smile would be so nice. . . And you called me Yue, not once did you call me by my name before. . . This is just too much at one time. . .”
“I am not going to ask again,” said Jake. “So, what is your answer?”
Yue then turns around to see Jake's smile once again. She then smiles herself, and says, “yes! I accept.”