Chapter 5: Pastoral Life

 Three weeks later, at dinnertime, the three happily anticipated the food.

In the table were: vegetable soup, peeled and boiled sweet potato, and a stock of honey harvested from the hives of honeybees living near the southern part of the village.

 "Ahem." Vasssien let out a fake cough, "Big Sister, may I ask a question?" He hesitated a bit.

 "Hm? What is it?"

 "Ahm, about our birthday—."

 "Oh, about that, I'm sorry if I've no present to give to you again this year again." Belle looked sad. Her beautiful blue eyes were a bit glossy.

 Vaissien knew how their sister loved them. It burdened her every time birthdays came without a present. But that wasn't what he meant.

 "No. Not that. We're about to ask you something. Please, allow us to find another job aside from working on the fields, so we can help with the house's expenses." He briskly asked while smiling.

 "No! I cannot allow that. You're still young."

 His enthusiasm changed a moment later. He was arrantly denied and rejected.

 "Wait, please, think about it. We're already strong enough to do it. We'll be fourteen tomorrow."

 "Vaissien, I said no. Do you even know why Big Sister Beatrice still keeps on working as a maid even though the Baron is a bit of a crooked man?"

 "Yeah. It's to help us, right? She doesn't want to work and help pay for the expenses of the house just because we are still young, right? Men should be the ones working! Nad we are already strong and mature enough to do it!"

 In this village's conservative system, females weren't obliged to work and sustain the family, because it was the men's role to do so. In cases of families whose male members were still young, the job of the former was only to glue the family together and nurture the children until they grew up and provide for the family. In spite of that, not all families followed this trend. There were a few cases of young men being forced to work early by their parents. Even prior to reaching twelve years of age, they were already on their heavy jobs. Nonetheless, Beatrice pitied the fact itself that they were compelled to such hard labor in just a young age. As a result, she sacrificed herself instead and worked as a household maid for the barony.

 "Wait, Big Sis, I have a proposal. Instead of working a job, what about utilizing other potential sources of income?" He knew that Vaissien hadn't been adept in expressing himself well. So, Cimmerian tried to intervene.

 "Cimmy, what is it?" Although her displeasure was conspicuous, she still wanted to hear everything out.

 "I know very well the economic situation of this house, and I wanted to help. So—."

 "Oh… By the way, Big Sister, Cimmy, has just learned how to write." Vaissien cheerfully bragged with a smug face.

 "Writing, huh?" She halted for a moment. "W-Wait! What do you mean??? Is it true? When did you learn how to write?" Belle's eyes widened as she touched her very attractive bangs in surprise.

 "Hmm. About that, I actually borrowed some books the other day from Chief Feldor for reference."

 "You're so cool, brother!" Vaissien stood from his seat with sparkling eyes. "You're a fast learner, a genius!"

 "Well. Uhm… I think I've just gotten the gist of it." He scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "That's why I learned it in no time."

 "Wow, if that's the case, you only learned writing in just a few days? Aren't you quite amazing, Cimmy?"

 "Yeah. Big Sister, I told you..."

 (It's not that difficult. I just substituted some characters from my old world's. Then, I practiced writing the new letters). Cimmerian thought.

 "It's not really a big deal. Ahem..." He disrupted the chatter with a cough. "Now, back to the point. Soon I'll share my plans in detail. I'm still thinking of other options."

 "I-Is that so? Well, you really surprised me, you know? Fine, I'll hear it out." She wore a proud yet meditative look. "Hmm, how about you write down what you want to say to me, so I can check if you're lying or not?"

 "No. I'm telling the truth. But if you insist, then fine… Big Sister Belle, we know how tiring Big Sister Beatrice's job is. And I personally want to help her." 

 "Oh, by the way, I think she won't be coming home in your birthday tomorrow—." Suddenly, her lively attitude became leaden again.

 "No. It's fine, we don't have time for petty birthday celebrations, anyway. We have to focus our attention more to alleviate our problem."

 "I agree."

 It was Vaissien who stressed out that it was fine. And Cimmerian seconded him.

 Belle rubbernecked at both of them. "Wait a minute!" She put her arms forward at the top of the table. "What's happened? It seems like you two have changed quite a bit in the last few days."

 "No. We're same as always, Big Sis." Cimmerian blandly denied.

 "Yeah, yeah. Ha-ha-ha"

 "I-Is that so? Anyway, I'm glad of your improvement."

 The three laughed out loudly as they continued eating. They opened on various topics and other pastoral issues dealt at home and the fields.