Anje was also worried that such a suggestion might hurt Mrs. Meg’s pride. However, Anje had learned so much from Meg that she had a strong desire to give back. It was thanks to Mrs. Meg that she hadn’t felt lonely on the farm and had slowly become closer to Aiden.
… She was also a bit grateful for the part where Meg had reserved a room at the inn on festival day.
“Studying to read and write… Actually, I’ve wanted to try it for a long time, but I was worried I might make it too hard for the teacher. At my age, I wonder if it’s really okay to start now?”
She wanted to be able to send letters to her nephews or younger siblings without asking others for help. However, her biggest concern was whether she could really learn well starting at this age.
Anje pounded her chest and showed a confident face.
“Don’t worry. I learned how to write much later than others. That’s why I’m confident I can teach you in an easy and fun way!”
Having changed private tutors many times and experienced various teaching methods, she was capable of doing this.
Looking at her, Meg’s eyes showed a hint of sympathy.
“Oh dear, so it hasn’t been easy for you. From your attitude, I thought you were definitely the daughter of a wealthy family.”
“Ah, well… y-yes. I do get told I seem a bit high-class.”
Though she couldn’t tell what kind of past Mrs. Meg imagined for her, Anje didn’t think she was assuming anything about her past, such as carrying a toad in her tutor bag or intentionally writing letters in mirror writing to make her burst with anger.
However, Anje remained silent about the truth to maintain her public image.
“Then let’s study together starting next week, Aunt Meg. I’ll teach you how to read and write, and you can teach me delicious recipes.”
“That sounds good. I actually still have the old textbooks my younger siblings used.”
With the situation smoothly settled, it was time to head back. Aiden, left alone during the meal, might feel lonely.
To their surprise, when they returned to the kitchen, they were greeted by a sweet smell. Anje sniffed the air and asked.
“What’s that smell?”
“I thought it might take a bit longer for you two, so I baked a simple dessert while waiting.”
“A dessert?”
“Let’s finish the meal first. The taste will be ruined if it gets cold.”
The growing scent of chocolate chips and cookie dough from the oven stove made Anje realize that Aiden had prepared chocolate cookies.
“Let’s have them after they’ve cooled down.”
But from the way he was taking his time, it seemed like they weren’t just ordinary cookies.
Anje filled the cups with tea, tapping the table with the knife and fork while urging for dessert, and finally, Aiden brought the cookies.
When Anje lifted the light cloth covering the plate, she burst out laughing.
“What is this, Aiden?”
On top of the cookies, the chocolate chips had been carefully arranged to form smiling faces. Three big cookies, all smiling.
“I thought you two might still feel awkward, so I thought this would make you smile.”
His shy explanation, as well as the cookies he made, were very cute. Without thinking, Anje pulled him into a light embrace and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you for thinking of me.”
“It’s nothing.”
Both of them, momentarily forgetting that Mrs. Meg was sitting in the same room, stared at each other before quickly snapping back to reality.
Meg, who was carefully observing them sitting stiffly in their chairs, smiled with an expression resembling that of a cookie, drawing a long curve with her lips.
“I should have just kept pretending to sulk and not come back.”
“…I’m not sure what you mean.”
Anje avoided her gaze, while Aiden blew on his tea, which wasn’t even that hot.
Meg thought the red eyes and golden hair weren’t bad at all. No matter how they looked, if they were their children, they would be undoubtedly lovable.
Oh, she almost forgot to ask this.
“Sorry for the personal question, but do you two prefer daughters or sons?”
“Yes?”
“I’ve heard a secret method from a gypsy who once visited our village. She said it helps to have a child of the desired gender. Don’t you need it?”
The method she referred to was nothing more than a folk belief, like walking ten steps backwards under a mulberry tree on a full moon night and burying walnuts in the ground.
However, she was quite serious about these methods and hoped to share her wisdom with younger people.
“I-I’m not quite sure… ha ha ha.”
“Ehem, I’ll just go check on the horses in the stable for a bit.”
Anje lowered her head, and Aiden quickly fled the kitchen. Of course, he wrapped the freshly baked cookies in paper and carefully tucked them into his pocket.
“Come on, don’t be shy. Just tell me.”
Despite Meg’s persistence, Anje couldn’t say anything, just mumbling.
She could never tell Mrs. Meg.
‘There’s nothing we’ve done that would lead to having a child…’
She couldn’t say that, not with the expectant look in her eyes.
Maybe she’d even grab Aiden by the hair and ask, “What have you been doing all this time, sharing the same bed?”
‘Actually, I feel like asking that myself.’
Anje broke a cookie with a smiling face in half.
* * *
Mary succinctly summarized the hesitation and roundabout way Anje expressed her concerns into one sentence.
“To summarize what Madam is saying, your friend is sharing a bed with her husband but is worried that they haven’t done anything that would lead to having a child, correct?”
“Yes, that’s it exactly.”
Anje sighed with relief. She had heard such topics whispered behind fans by women but had never openly discussed them, making it difficult to talk about.
“Why on earth would that happen at such a vigorous age?”
Mary declared without a moment’s hesitation.
“Well, obviously, it’s because the man is impotent.”
“…C-Couldn’t there be another reason? Like maybe he cherishes her too much to touch her…”
“There’s no other reason. In his mid-twenties, full of life, and yet, sleeping with his wife and doing nothing? In technical terms…”
Mary whispered an explicit term into Anje’s ear.
“Good heavens! Y-You shouldn’t be saying such things, especially as an unmarried young lady!”
Anje looked around in alarm to make sure no one overheard. Thankfully, there was no one nearby to catch their conversation—especially the vulgar term Mary had used.
Aiden had given them the kitchen so they could talk and cook freely, and Jean said he would be busy processing delayed orders.
Mary casually responded.
“What’s the matter, it’s all God’s will. If there are some who rise, there will also be some who bow.”
The way she casually quoted a scripture was truly like the young lady who used to go to Sunday school with her parents every week, but the way she quoted it was irreverent.
Anje picked up an eggplant from the basket, which he had just picked from the field, and muttered while fiddling with it.
“No, there… I’ve heard there’s no indication of any physical defect, though.”
“Then it’s probably a psychological issue. Oh, hand me that, please.”
Mary took the eggplant from Anje and began slicing it vigorously. While her intention was to help Anje with the preparation, the sight of the eggplant being mercilessly chopped made Anje flinch.
“Ah…”
“Oh no, was this not supposed to be used?”
“N-No… it’s fine. It’s just that it didn’t look very tasty, so… let’s go with this one instead…”
“Really? Well, you’re right. Smaller vegetables do tend to taste better than overly large ones.”
TL/N: TBH IDK HOW THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY NOVEL ATP… BUT I FIND THIS REALLY HILARIOUS LOL. ME TO THE AUTHOR: “IK WHAT ARE YOU DOING.”
They were preparing the base for an eggplant gratin, a dish that was simple to make, perfect for a gathering, and paired well with the baguette Mary had brought.
Anje cautiously steered the conversation back to the previous topic.
“So, regarding psychological issues, what could they be?”
“Most likely, a lack of confidence. Feeling inadequate compared to his partner, being hesitant to show all aspects of himself, or maybe he has some sort of trauma.”
The way Mary spoke made her sound like an expert, which made Anje unconsciously admire her.
“You seem much more mature than I am, Miss Mary. You seem to know a lot about relationships and this kind of thing?”
“I’ve met quite a few people so far, though none of the relationships lasted long. Oh, but this is a secret from my parents.”
“Of course, it’s a secret.”
A promise between ladies was sacred. Anje nodded earnestly.
“Then, Miss Mary, in your opinion, what’s the solution in this kind of situation?”
Perhaps Mary could help her solve her problem.
“It’s simple. Make the first move. Pounce on him, then nom nom, enjoy your meal. The end.”
TL/N: THE NOM NOM GOT LOL
It was far too bold a solution for Anje to follow. Mary raised an eyebrow.
“What’s with that silence of doubt?”
“It’s not doubt, it just seems a bit… radical…”
“The early bird catches the worm! The one who strikes first wins.”
Seeing that doubt still lingered in Anje’s eyes, Mary passionately explained.
“Alright, first, suggest having a drink. Once you think he’s a little tipsy, suggest playing a game. Then let your hair down to one side like
this―.”
Though skeptical, Anje still listened to Mary’s explanation.
‘Hmm, I won’t actually put it into practice, but it won’t hurt to know.’
She almost wanted to take notes, just like when she was learning about farming methods.
“And then, the gaze! The gaze is very important. Pinch your thigh until tears well up slightly and think to yourself, ‘I’m the deadliest person in the world’—”
Knock knock—
“Excuse me.”
Aiden, who had knocked politely, entered the kitchen. He tilted his head as he looked at Anje and Mary, both engrossed in their tasks, facing completely opposite directions.
“Did you two have a fight? Why does the atmosphere seem so awkward?”
“Fought with Miss Mary? No way.”
“Exactly. I was having a delightful time with the madam.”
Aiden asked, smiling awkwardly.
“I was hearing laughter all the way outside, so I was wondering what you were talking about so happily. You weren’t gossiping about me, were you?”
Anje hastily made up an excuse.
“O-Of course not! I was just hearing from Mary about how the sermon went last Sunday.”
Mary eagerly joined in on the lifeboat.
“The pastor told such a wonderful story. It was a great anecdote, even for non-religious people, so I was sharing it with your wife.”
Aiden asked with completely innocent eyes.
“Really? I’d like to hear it as well. What was it about?”
“Well, it’s, um…”
Miss Mary, sorry for making up such a strange excuse. Anje silently apologized in her mind as she saw the beads of sweat on Mary’s temples.
TL/N: LMAO.
* * * *
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