A Peaceful Moment

"... Xander... how...?" Mikhail's mother asked with a shaky voice as her hands trembled. She looked so fragile almost as if she could break if you were to touch her.

"... Diane... I... the method was a tad unsavoury but I just... wanted to see you... and... this young man." Xander said as he pulled his gaze from Diane to her son briefly before turning his heated gaze back to her.

"... ... S... sit down, Your Grace..." Diane said as she instructed Mikhail to pull the chair for Xander. Mikhail quickly wrapped the fragments of the vase in a cloth and tossed them into the bin before rushing towards the dining table.

***

The trio sat around a small dining table in their quaint home as the awkward silence filled the room. Mikhail looked at his mother then to the man. Both were seated rather rigidly and said nothing to each other.

"Err... Well, it's nice meeting you. It's a surprise seeing you here right after yesterday." Mikhail said to the man his mother called Xander, rather casually as he laughed a little nervously.

"Mikhail!" Diane exclaimed with an astonished face as she tried to silence her son, grabbing firmly onto his lower arm. She nervously glanced at Xander who only rose his eyebrows inquisitively but remained silent.

"Huh? What is it, mother?" Mikhail asked as he turned to look at Diane; dumbfounded by his mother's sudden action.

Diane stammered as she opened and closed her mouth like a fish breathing in the water. However, nothing came out of her mouth. She then shut her mouth as she pondered on her words.

"... You're... being rude to someone of a higher standing." Diane finally said; smoothing over the suddenness of her prior action.

"Oh. Erm... Please pardon me, Your Honor." Mikhail said rather stiffly as he bowed awkwardly; obviously new to such an action.

There was no need for such actions in a small town secluded from nobility's reign. The village we're in is directly beneath the control of the church. So the villagers were free to live however they wanted as long as it was civil. Mikhail thought as he slowly raised his head.

Xander only grinned as he watched the antics of the two people he knew were his family, yet chose to hold in his amusement as he kept a straight face.

"That's alright, Mikhail. You may speak freely. I'm here at an odd hour anyway. This is the least I could do." Xander said with a calm voice as his gaze fell onto Mikhail, Mikhail's name rolling smoothly off his tongue.

Mikhail grew rigid from the unexpected gaze and smiled sheepishly at the man as he tried pulling his eyes away from the man's gaze.

My name... it sounds so different hearing it from this man... I feel... a little warm in my chest... Mikhail thought as his eyes stayed fixated on the man.

"Have you found the answer to my question?" Xander asked as he smiled at Mikhail. Mikhail cocked his head, wondering what the man was talking about as memories of their last conversation came to mind.

I think it was about me asking him for his name. If that's so then, yes! I know it! Mikhail thought as he perked up, looking at the man with eyes sparkling with confidence.

"Yes, I have! You're Xander, right? My mother just mentioned your name. How wouldn't I know?" Mikhail exclaimed excitedly, proud that he could give an answer so soon before feeling a heated gaze coming from his left.

Mikhail turned towards the source of the heated gaze. Only to regret it as he saw the fierce expression on his mother's face.

Ack! Mom looks like she could kill me with that glare! Mikhail thought as he immediately turned his gaze away from his mother who was glaring daggers at him for his behaviour.

He immediately cleared his throat and tried rephrasing his sentence when Xander suddenly burst out in laughter. A deep and reverberating laugh that sounded almost like the low ringing of the church bell.

"Y... Your Honor..." Mikhail muttered beneath his breath rather nervously as he prayed that he didn't offend the man. Xander didn't seem particularly mad; it's quite the contrary as he seemed to have a refreshing smile on his face.

From the corner of his eyes, Mikhail saw his mother's gaze soften as she looked at Xander. Once she noticed Mikhail looking at her, her expression harden once more and she kept a straight face.

"That was funny. I haven't seen that look on Diane's face for a long time. ... Thank you, Mikhail. It's also pretty refreshing hearing you call me without the honors and what nots." Xander said as he smiled, calming himself from the outburst he just had.

"R-right on, mister!" Mikhail said with a grin as he excitedly fist pumped the air, turning his gaze back from his mother to Xander. Mikhail's mother however only stared at him disapprovingly. 

"Mikhail." Diane warned Mikhail as he coughed into his fist, calming himself down. Xander continued smiling as he watched Diane silently reprimanding her son.

"... mother." Xander muttered as Diane looked up towards him inquisitively. 

"Pardon, Your Grace?" Diane asked; ushering Xander to repeat what he had said. Her eyes gleamed almost expectantly.

"Ehm... You are a good mother... Diane." Xander finally said as he lifted his gaze to meet hers. The two locked eyes for a short period of time, feeling as if time had slowed down.

Diane's face flushed red however and she quickly averted her gaze from him. Flustered from his random compliment, she could only muster a soft "Thank you."

Xander smiled softly as he kept his gaze on Diane. She still looks as lovely as before... It reminds me of the simpler days... Xander thought before he pulled his gaze away from Diane's flushed red cheeks, silky brown hair and beautiful violet eyes.

Xander's eyes then wandered the quaint room before his gaze fixated on a small vase with blue flowers in it. Possibly the flowers Diane was planning to place in the new vase.

"... The flowers... You still keep them..." Xander said thoughtlessly. His gaze fixated on the flowers; but his mind however, seemed to be drifting off far in the distance.

Diane looked surprised as she suddenly straightened up and stared wide eyed at Xander. She was about to say something but stopped. Choosing instead to follow his gaze towards the bouquet of blue flowers seated on the windowsill.

Mikhail stared at Xander wondering what the significance the flower meant since both his mother and the man seemed to have fallen silent. Both deep in thought as their view fell on the flower.