Anje kept her eyes ahead, trying to think of something other than cod liver oil. Watching the thickening rain, she thankfully found something to say.
“It’s a good thing we harvested all the tomatoes before the rain.”
“Indeed. Some were slightly unripe, but if we place them by a sunny window, they’ll ripen gradually.”
“It’s all thanks to Mrs. Meg.”
Meg, whose knees ached before it rained, had accurately predicted today’s rain, had helped them harvest the tomatoes, making her their benefactor.
“Will the flowerbed be okay?”
“This rain won’t be a problem. Especially not for the sunflowers.”
Mentioning the flowers she cared about, he thought about the secret he was hiding. The spare sunflowers growing in the barn were ready to replace any that met an unfortunate fate.
“The morning glories seem like they’re about to bloom. I must make sure to see them when they do.”
Anje only knew that morning glories would bloom in the morning and then close up, only to open again the next day.
However, she wasn’t aware that they would bloom gloriously for only half a day before wilting, which made the nickname ‘morning glory’ sounded sad, it was such a short glory.
“The flowers are beautiful, but it’s a shame we have to say goodbye to them so soon.”
Many flowers, like lilies of the valley, would quickly turn brown and drop their petals just when she had gotten used to their faces.
Though she could meet them again as seeds or see them quietly sleeping as roots until they bloomed the next year, she wished she could enjoy the beauty of the flowers she planted a bit longer.
“How about planting a tree this time? Trees have lush leaves when the flowers fall and stay strong even in winter. It might be a different kind of fun than growing flowers.”
“A tree… that sounds nice.”
“Is there any particular tree you’d like to grow?”
“I don’t know much about trees… Oh, a holly?”
Though Aiden had explained the types and characteristics of trees during their walks, most trees still looked similar to her except for some distinctive ones.
So, if they were to plant something new in their backyard, she wanted it to be a rare tree not commonly seen in the area.
“I don’t think I’ve seen any around here. Can we get a sapling from town?’
Additionally, she liked the red berries and spiky leaves used to decorate the house at Christmas. Seeing the wreaths everywhere in December always lifted her spirits.
“It’s for Christmas preparations, I see.”
He remembered their conversation from the last carriage ride about celebrating Christmas grandly together, which made him feel excited.
“When we get to town, we can stop by the draper’s store and then look for a store that sells saplings. Or maybe we can get some from someone who grows them.”
Having lived alone, Christmas had been a busy day with many tasks—cutting an appropriately sized fir tree, preparing a turkey, making mince pies and gingerbread cookies, and mixing gin into punch.
“It’s not urgent, so let’s take our time. There’s still a long way to go until December. It’s only July; let’s enjoy summer first.”
She skillfully reined in the conversation to manage Aiden’s enthusiasm and recalled the mission associated with “town.”
“If you start feeling unwell at all, promise me you’ll tell me right away?”
Her purpose for going to town today was to help with his rehabilitation. Although she hadn’t said it outright, she wanted to help him get used to crowds and handle sudden stimuli calmly.
Understanding her underlying concern, Aiden nodded vigorously.
“Yes, I’ll definitely tell you, so don’t worry too much.”
He wanted to show her more of the town, but last time it had ended abruptly because of his seizure. He had hoped to make up for it today, but the rain made it seem unlikely, which was disappointing.
Rainy days meant the market wouldn’t open, fewer people would be around, and the shops would close early.
‘But there will be other chances.’
Aiden, who used to despise going to town, now looked forward to visiting it frequently with her.
The rain-soaked, dark brown horse tails happily swayed like his heart.
* * *
“Oh, my muse!”
Jang, who was cleaning near the window with a duster, saw Anje and Aiden approaching through the rain and eagerly opened the door for them.
“It’s raining heavily, and yet you still came! It’s an honor. Please, come in.”
“Nice to see you, Mr. Pierre. Even with an umbrella, you recognized us.”
“Well, that’s…”
Jang trailed off, evading how he recognized them with a hospitable smile. The combination of a man, a head taller than most, with a sturdy build and a woman with a delicate, doll-like frame was unique to this small town.
Notably, the man was holding a delicate, white lace parasol, obviously belonging to the woman, and sharing it with her.
“… ”
Aiden avoided Jang’s curious gaze and carefully folded the parasol to prevent water from splashing on Anje.
Unlike Aiden, who was used to getting drenched in the rain, he didn’t have an umbrella.
There was only one decent raincoat among the ones he wore for work, and he had given it to Anje before leaving the stable.
Anje stared at the only raincoat and asked him.
What about you if you give this to me?’
‘It’s okay to just get a little wet in this rain.’
‘What are you talking about? Let’s share this! Otherwise, I’ll walk in the rain too.’
Unable to refuse Anje’s stubbornness, Aiden had bent his body as much as possible and entered under the parasol, realizing after several stabs from the parasol ribs that this posture was uncomfortable for both of them.
‘Since I’m taller, I’ll hold it.’
Thanks to holding the parasol himself, he realized that people they passed were giving him very, very uncomfortable looks.
‘Anje… how about we visit a store before going to the draper’s store?’
Whether it was a raincoat or an umbrella, they would probably be selling it now that it was raining. He felt a bit wasteful spending money on something he didn’t use often, but it was better than having people stare at him with wide eyes.
‘I like sharing it like this. Are you uncomfortable?’
It was actually a joke because she enjoyed seeing him embarrassed, but Aiden took her words seriously and stammered.
‘N-No! Of course not. I also… like it very much this way.’
He couldn’t dare refuse her statement that she wanted to stay in this small space with him.
Thus, under such a deep and sorrowful circumstance, Aiden appeared at the entrance of the draper’s store, holding a white parasol.
Since he and Jean Pierre weren’t close enough to discuss such matters in detail, he simply made his request sternly, trying to maintain his usual dignity.
“I would like to see the clothes I left, Mr. Pierre.”
“Oui, Monsieur, I have them ready right here.”
Jang brought out a handful of clothes from the back of the store and lifted his chin. His pride in the clothes he had painstakingly made was evident on his face.
“You’ll try them on in the store before taking them, right? Marie, come here. The whales— I mean, Sir Aiden and his wife are here!”
At the phrase “Sir Aiden and his wife,” Aiden and Anje looked at each other simultaneously, then flinched and turned their heads in opposite directions. Being publicly called husband and wife by others was still a strange feeling.
“Welcome, both of you. You look much more vibrant than last time. Newlywed life must be treating you well.”
Mary, who had her hair roughly tied up, greeted them cheerfully.
At the word “newlywed life,” Aiden cleared his throat, and Anje bit her lip. Anyway, like twins, both of them had an exceptional talent for making people embarrassed.
“I’ll help you try on the clothes, madam.”
Mary playfully smacked Jang’s butt, who had almost openly called their important clients “whales,” and started helping Anje with a bright smile.
“Um, Mary? There seem to be too many clothes…”
Anje asked Mary in an uneasy voice as she hung a lot of clothes on the wall. She had ordered quite a few last time, but it didn’t seem to be this much.
“Hohoho, our fool— I mean, my brother got a little carried away— I mean, too passionate while making clothes. Feel free to try them on and choose the ones you like.”
It seemed like a vein briefly appeared on Mary’s forehead as she said the words “fool” and
“carried away,” but she regained her poker face and began to help Anje. The rustling sound of changing clothes briefly dominated the space.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
Anje looked at herself in the mirror inside the fitting room and nodded with a silly smile. She couldn’t hide the corners of her mouth that were twitching with joy.
“Yes, it’s really beautiful.”
* * * *
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