"Scones - Fritz's Side"
For Fritz, his sister Annette who was five years older, was like a father figure. If it weren't for Annette working, the family would have been s. Annette was always someone who seemed to solely think about how to earn money.
"I'll show them someday."
That phrase was her mantra.
To whom? Even if asked, she wouldn't answer, but always walking forward, she seemed much more like a father than our father, who was always avoiding responsibility.
Moving to a bigger house felt strange. Until now, no matter how much she earned, she never wanted to change homes. She said it was wasteful to spend money on a house. Yet suddenly, she insisted on having her own room and rented a large one.
Why did she do that? Did she foresee this happening? That's what it felt like. Yes, perhaps she prepared this house for Anna, who lived as a noble. But would she use the money she cherished for a stranger like Anna? It seemed she knew she would be taking Anna's place. Did she feel guilty about it? Annette wasn't supposed to be such a sentimental person...
"What do you think about Anna?"
After school, Fritz and Mal were walking along the path leading to the forest. Fritz tilted his head when Mal asked about Anna.
"What do I think?"
"Yeah, I mean, is she really our sister?"
"Well, she is, isn't she? She switched places with our sister. Besides, our sister was completely different from us. Not just in appearance, but also in character, right? Compared to that, Anna resembles us."
"True. I've been thinking the same. But Anna also gives off a different vibe from us."
"That's... maybe because she lived as an aristocrat?"
"Hmm, could be."
They reached their destination without walking much. This place, abundant with medicinal herbs, was discovered by Annette. There was a cave nearby, and a river flowed close by. Moreover, for some reason, monsters didn't approach this area, so they could gather herbs without worries.
There were various herbs like Healing herbs, Full Moon herb and Antidote Grass, but they could only gather intermediate-grade ones for healing and antidotes. Although the price doubled for advanced-grade ones, it was a blessing for Fritz and Marl to be able to gather intermediate-grade herbs since they couldn't hunt monsters.
Annette also taught them not to pick them all, as once they were depleted, they wouldn't grow back. Mal wanted to make a quick buck quickly before someone else found this place, but he couldn't defy Annette.
"Hey, even if Annette isn't here, we'll keep our promise, right?"
"Yeah, don't want to anger the fairies."
When Annette told them this place was protected by a barrier because it was a fairy's drinking fountain, they were skeptical. Still, they followed Annette's advice because they knew of her mysterious power.
"I never knew fairies were reak."
"What did they want to achieve by swapping children..."
"Bro, let's eat the scones Anna gave us. I'll boil some water."
Taking out a pot from the luggage in the cave, they lit a fire and boiled water, while they also made soup using mushrooms they gathered while picking herbs.
"When it snows, we won't be able to gather anymore."
"This winter, without our sister, what will happen?"
"We should be fine this year since we got money from our sister's house. But we should make sure not to let that guy steal our money..."
"That guy? Anna?"
"Nah, it's Dad."
"...Dad, huh. Wonder where he is now."
Fritz didn't particularly like his father. Sometimes he would show affection, but he was cold to Annette. And he always blamed their mother, spending money recklessly. So, although relieved when he left, would he show up again?
Shaking off the unpleasant thoughts, Fritz ladled the soup into bowls.
"It's a bit cold, so let's warm up."
"Since Anna left the scones on a hot stone, they should be warm."
Scones were something Fritz and Marl had seen in bakeries but never tasted. They were too expensive compared to the bread they usually ate. In truth, they had been wanting to eat them since they received them in the morning.
"Delicious!"
A crispy texture. The scent of butter spreading in their mouths. It was a taste they had never experienced before.
Marl and Fritz both got so engrossed in eating, that they forgot to even to speak.
"Hey, do you think we'll get to eat scones again?"
"Since these were made at the Marquis' house, Anna probably just brought us leftovers, right? We'll have to buy next time, but it's impossible until we become adventurers who can hunt monsters."
While regretting eating too quickly, Mal put the remaining crumbs of the scones into his mouth.
"I'll become an adventurer who can hunt monsters soon and earn money to eat plenty of scones!"
When Mal declared, Fritz raised his hand too.
"I'll work hard for the scones too! But becoming adventurers who can hunt monsters is still far off. I want to eat them sooner. Ah, I wish I could have given some to Annie too."
"Uh, I ate them all in one go, but I should've saved some for Mom too."
As the two regretted, their mother and little sister Annie were enjoying freshly baked scones with jam.
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