The Wolf's Grave

Chapter 2: Fleur's final decision

After spending the entire night pondering over her plans, she has eventually commenced the process of gathering her belongings and is now fully prepared to depart at any moment subsequent to her grandmother's funeral.

Upon finishing her packing, she felt the urge to step out of her room and explore the living room in hopes of encountering her uncle. Regrettably, he was nowhere to be found, leaving her to ponder on the possibility of him having spent the entire night secluded in his office, diligently working on the imperative paperwork that demanded his attention.

Since she found herself alone once again, she made a firm decision to satisfy her inquisitiveness about the experience of strolling through the city.

As she prepared to head out, she decided to transform her appearance by donning a lovely cottagecore floral dress paired with a comfortable pair of white sneakers. Anticipating a potential rise in temperature, she grabbed a stylish cap to shield her face from the sun's rays.

After exiting the grand mansion, she made her way towards the bustling park where people had gathered in large numbers. Curiosity ignited within her as she pondered the reason behind such a crowd. Suddenly, her eyes fell upon a delightful spectacle - a dog gracefully dancing alongside its owner, its tail wagging in sync with the rhythm.

The thought crossed her mind that they could possibly be part of a circus troupe, captivating audiences with their impressive skills. But her amazement didn't end there. As she continued to observe, her eyes widened in disbelief. A mischievous monkey appeared, perched upon a unicycle - a peculiar bicycle with only one wheel. The sight alone was enough to astonish her, but what happened next left her utterly flabbergasted. The nimble primate, effortlessly balancing on the unicycle, began to juggle not one, not two, but a whopping five oranges simultaneously! the sheer display of dexterity and coordination was nothing short of extraordinary.

Overwhelmed by the sheer incredibility of the scene unfolding before her eyes, she couldn't help but marvel at the monkey's astounding abilities.

As she observed the world around her, she came to the realization that it was far more enigmatic and awe-inspiring than she had initially anticipated.

The show, which featured a troupe of animals trained by a single person, finally came to an end after three minutes. The audience, which included people of all ages, applauded as the animals bowed. To show their appreciation, everyone, including the children and the elderly, gave money to the monkey who was collecting it in a basket. Upon reflection, she deemed it appropriate to contribute financially, as she had been an observer of the spectacle as well.

Delicately sifting through her bag, she discovered, much to her chagrin, that the sole currency she possessed was a one hundred-dollar bill. How thoughtless of her to overlook the fact that the majority of her funds resided securely within her bank account! Who in their right mind would venture into a public setting with such a substantial sum of cash in hand? Evidently, she would.

With no alternative, she ultimately relinquished the sum of one hundred dollars to the monkey. In response, the monkey executed an elegant bow, seemingly expressing appreciation for her generosity.

With a radiant expression on her countenance, she responded by saying "you are most welcome" in a cordial and warm tone.

Upon experiencing the monkey's admirable politeness towards her, she eventually bid farewell to the bustling crowd, feeling a sense of contentment. With a newfound curiosity, she became intrigued by the idea of indulging in the delectable vanilla ice cream delicately encased within a crisp cone.

As she gazed around the park, her eyes landed on an ice cream truck that was being operated by a man who appeared to be in his middle age. The ice cream sold in the truck looked absolutely scrumptious, but she was immediately faced with a dilemma. She realized that she had no change on her, which meant that she would not be able to purchase any ice cream from the truck.

The only option available to her is to let go of the idea of getting an ice-cream, as she lacks the necessary change to purchase it.

As she wandered through the city, she could not help but notice the abundance of charming cafés boasting mouth-watering treats in their windows. The bookstores were equally enticing, with colorful flower displays adding to the overall ambiance. She was eager to explore each and every store, but first needed to find one that could break her large bill.

As she strolled along the street, her gaze fell upon a quaint and tranquil café, its ambiance exuding a sense of serenity. With only a mere trio of patrons occupying the intimate space, she felt compelled to venture inside and discover what hidden treasures awaited her within the walls of the shop.

With a warm and amiable demeanor, she greeted the new day by uttering the words

"Good morning."

Her tone was filled with positivity and kindness, as if she was excited to start the day and share her positive energy with those around her. Her friendly greeting was a reflection of her outgoing personality, which radiated a sense of warmth and hospitality that made everyone feel welcome in her presence.

The simple phrase "Good morning" was more than just a greeting to her, but rather a way of expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to experience another day filled with endless possibilities and opportunities. It was a reminder to embrace the day with open arms and a positive outlook, and to spread kindness wherever she went.

The cashier could not just help but smile, revealing a soft aura around him, he's around the same age as her and so she thought she could speak at him normally.

As she approached the order station, a sense of fear and embarrassment washed over her, causing her to draw closer in an attempt to prevent anyone else from overhearing her forthcoming words.

“Would you guys take change? One hundred dollars to be exact.”

The cashier exuded a warm and friendly energy that made her somehow comfortable speaking with him. She noticed that they were of similar age and felt comfortable enough to speak to him in a casual manner.

"In order for us to provide you with an exchange, miss, it will be necessary for you to make a purchase from our menu." said by the cashier, who is obviously refraining himself from laughing out loud.

As she stands there, a wave of embarrassment washes over her, causing her cheeks to gradually flush with a deep shade of red. The intensity of her embarrassment is overwhelming, engulfing her completely.

"O-ohh.. t-then I'll get the Iced coffee, p-please!"

It is difficult to fathom how she can find peace and comfort as she retires to her bed tonight, fully aware of the fact that she has just exhibited a complete lack of self-awareness and grace in a public space such as a café in the bustling city.

"Is there anything else that I can assist you with or do you have any further requests?" The cashier asked gently

"Maybe a strawberry cake will do.. please"

With grace and poise, she tenderly passed her funds to the cashier. As the cashier processed her payment, she was attentively studying the menu and its corresponding prices.

It would be wise for her to acquaint herself with the true value of these foods as soon as possible, as she currently lacks knowledge in this area.

Upon receiving the change from the cashier, he graciously expressed his gratitude.

"Please make yourself comfortable in one of those chairs as your order will be arriving soon." he said with a smile on his

face.

As she settled herself in the comfortable chair next to the open window, an aromatic fragrance of lavender wafted through the air, emanating from the nearby store. The ambiance of her surroundings seemed to exude a tranquil and soothing atmosphere, eliciting a sense of calm within her.

It was fortunate that she had the idea to bring her book with her, as the tranquil surroundings made it an ideal moment to indulge in some leisurely reading.

As she was engrossed in her book, her long-awaited order finally arrived and was served by a middle-aged woman who exuded a cheerful demeanor. Despite her age, the woman emitted a warm, motherly aura that could instantly put anyone at ease.

With gratitude in her heart, she expressed her appreciation to the woman by saying,

"thank you, ma'am"

while a gentle and warm smile graced her lips.

"I extend my warmest welcome to you, miss, assuming that you must be a recent resident in this bustling city! It is truly hard to fathom how someone as stunning as yourself could have slipped my memory if you have been residing here all along!"

Fleur couldn't just help but blushed due to the excessive praise she was receiving, likely because she is not accustomed to such attention.

She finds herself at a loss for words in response to the overwhelming flattery she has received. Luckily, her moment of uncertainty is interrupted by the timely arrival of the café's head chef, who urgently summons the middle aged aunt to the kitchen due to the absence of staff.

However, Fleur could not help but wonder if she had just heard him refer to the middle aged aunt as "madam." After all, she was the owner of this establishment, so it seemed strange for someone to address her with such formality. It made her wonder how many more surprising things she would encounter throughout the day.

Once she had completed her meal, she made her way out of the café, expressing her farewell to the current staff members.

As she leisurely wandered through the bustling streets of the city, her mind filled with uncertainty about her next move, her attention was suddenly captivated by a whimsical bookstore that appeared straight out of the pages of a fantastical tale. It was as if the universe itself had conspired to guide her, relieving her of the need to ponder her next steps.