The Love that Never Really Dies (Sasha and Sebastian)

The villagers were ecstatic. Once the wood was measured and paid for, the farmer dragged Ian to his house for some potato and leek soup. As it was a local and expensive delicacy, it would only be prepared to honor significant guests.

Ian had already firmly made up his mind to decline even before the offer was made.

At the farmer's approach, Ian shuddered in recollection of the incident with the Villagers' Committee and hastened his departure.

"Hey, Small Fry, where are you going? My wife has prepared a feast to thank you for your help"

Ian almost yelled in exasperation as the farmer's soil-crusted hand reached out with surprising vigor to grab his snow- white shirt.

Fortunately, a slender figure in the distance quickened her pace in Ian's direction at the commotion of his struggle.

"He has a delicate stomach, sir," the figure cried from afar. "But I'm sure he appreciates the offer"

As she spoke, she forcefully pried the farmer's fingers away from Ian's shirt.

Oh my, it's as black as soot!

Susan quickly extracted a clean handkerchief and cleaned Ian's shirt as best as she could.

The farmer must have gotten the hint as he no longer insisted on Ian's presence.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Even if you won't have lunch, at least come for my wife's pineapple tarts."

Pineapple tart?

Susan, who was feeling rather hungry, swallowed when she heard that.

harm in paying him a visit, is there? This village is known for its exceptionally sweet pineapples. I heard this harvest has been

behind her, her perspiration-

Ian raised his eyebrows.

interest in morsels, he

to nod excitedly at the farmer, she gratefully accepted. "We would love to

should be grateful as Small Fry here has

way back to

bricks and worn tiles, the fragrance of fresh produce wafted from both

seemed

that day, she did not dare think about how Ian's

see me as disrespectful, or would he think I have an ulterior motive against him and cast me aside as a result? Oh, how I

only when Ian had agreed to keep her company and showed no displeasure in doing so that the knot in her chest began to loosen. Unnoticed by her,

baked tarts informed the

"It smells amazing!"

as he beckoned them in. "She got up especially early today for this. We are the first to bake with our

him with Ian following

slightly crampy, the house's interior felt refreshingly cool due to

first time in a village, he could still adapt to the

suited him, a furry thing shot between his feet when he crossed the

Thud!

and collided with

the noise, Susan hurried over with the

"What happened?"

was contorted in a curious mixture of rage and humiliation as he stared at the