Age 14 part 3
The first thing I noticed was a strange smell. When I got off the carriage, I instinctively wanted to pinch my nose. Of course, I didn’t want to do something so rude.
I wanted to use Clean spell. I didn’t have enough magic to cast it over the whole area, so I had to endure it.
When Barrett stood in front of a house, he knocked.
My real family was inside this house. My heart pounded. I was meeting my family for the first time.
Would my real mother embrace me and cry like it happened with Annette?
The door was opened by a boy with chestnut hair and chestnut eyes, about the same height as me. He was my brother. I could definitely feel the blood connection.
"This is your brother, Mal. He’s twelve years old and the eldest son," Clue informed me quietly. As I was feeling emotional about meeting my sibling, Mal glared at me.
Well, it’s understandable. I’m replacing the sister he loved. It can’t be helped but I feel a little down.
"May we come in?"
He opened the door wide, perhaps frightened by Barrett. Though Barrett is technically a noble, there’s something different about him compared to commoners. Maybe Mal sensed that.
Inside, there was a middle-aged woman with the same hair color as mine. Next to her was a boy smaller than Mal and an even smaller girl. All three looked bewildered.
Is this my real mother? She turned her gaze away from me instead of embracing me.
As expected, no one welcomed me. I had expected this, but the stark contrast to Annette’s reunion made me want to cry.
"This is Annette, your real daughter. As I mentioned earlier, I have brought her here. I will take my leave now."
With that, Barrett quickly departed. Left behind, I couldn’t move. I didn’t know what to do in such a situation. I had learned social etiquette, but it was useless now.
"Why don’t you introduce yourself?" Clew suggested.
"Right."
"My name is Anna. I’m a changeling raised as a noble for fourteen years, so there’s a lot I don’t understand, but please take care of me."
I bowed my head politely, but there was no response. With such a cold reception, I could only brace myself.
"I’d like to know your names."
My mother started at that. She then introduced herself.
"My name is Bella. You can call me Bella."
Huh? Is she indirectly telling me not to call her ‘mother’?
"I’m Mal. I don’t acknowledge you as my sister."
"I’m Fritz. Where did Annette go?"
Fritz had chestnut hair and blue eyes. His hair was like mine, soft and cat-like.
"I’m Annie. I’m six years old."
Annie also had chestnut hair and blue eyes. Maybe our father had blue eyes.
"I’ll make some tea, so have a seat."
I hadn’t eaten anything since morning, so I felt relieved. But when the tea was served, I froze. I wondered if they were harassing me. I checked everyone else’s tea and found it to be the same.
The tea was almost colorless and tasted like water. Still, it quenched my dry throat.
"You can use Annette’s room. She said she didn’t want to take anything from the room, so you can use them as you like."
"Is Annette’s room a single room?"
"Yes, she needed a private room to study. We let her have it because she was earning the rent for this house. I always thought she was a bit strange, but she turned out to be a noble’s daughter."
"But can you continue to pay the rent? Isn’t it expensive?"
The house seemed larger than I expected, suggesting a high rent. While a private room was nice, being evicted because we couldn’t afford it would be problematic.
"It’s strange for someone raised as a noble to worry about rent. Well, don’t worry about it. We received money to take care of you until you graduate from the academy."
Graduate from the academy? What does that mean?
"Even if you say academy, I don’t plan to attend."
"Huh? But didn’t you pass the entrance exam?"
"I did, but I’m not smart enough to be a scholarship student, so I can’t pay the tuition. I’ve heard it’s very expensive, so it’s impossible."
Using the money I just received, I could probably attend. Perhaps that was the Sennet Marquisate’s kindness. But do I really need to force myself to attend the academy? There are a lot of people who know me there. I'm certain Annette might find it difficult if I attend.
And then there’s Ed. Seeing him might hurt. If he said something mean like he did when we first met, I wouldn’t be able to recover.
I want my interactions with Ed to remain as good memories.
"I see. So, what do you plan to do now?"
That’s what I wanted to ask.
Seeing Bella’s attitude, it seemed normal for commoners to have their future decided at my age.
What should I do now?
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