The twin's father abruptly disappeared two years ago along with their valuable belongings, and without saying anything beforehand.
They did not know the reason and their mother would not talk about the matter. However, they remembered the expression she wore that day, a combination of dismay and revulsion. Since then, there were only the two and their mother in the family.
In the beginning, things were depressingly tough as they barely had enough to fill their stomachs. Sometimes, they had to be satisfied by eating only once a day, or nothing at all, consuming only water for that day.
In secret, seeing how unfortunate the twins' condition was, it even occurred to their mother to sell her body to get a bite to eat for her children. Thankfully, around six months ago their financial situation was improving for the better because their mother obtained a permanent job at a general store.
Although the job was not the best and they did not have a sumptuous lifestyle, the three of them had a warm place to stay protecting them from cold, enough food to fill their stomachs, and though old, comfortable clothes to wear. Simple happiness easily forgotten by many people.
But, several days ago the twins noticed that their mother looked pale and frail. Worried about her health, they reminded her to take enough rest and eat properly.
"I'm fine dear, thank you for your concern" was what their mother said to them with a weak voice.
Tonight, however, foams were coming out of their mother's mouth, her body was very hot, and she shuddered frequently as if possessed.
They called her name many times, but she was barely conscious and did not reply. At that moment, Emma remembered the inconvenient feeling when her father left them. Tears were falling from her faultless eyes, she did not want to lose her mother, but, she did not know what to do. She was lost...
"Emma, ask brother Alf for help!" Evan brought a bucket of water and a small towel to help maintain his mother's raging temperature and made her as comfortable as he possibly could.
"Don't worry she'll be okay!" said him while holding his own tears from falling.
Despite being a boy, he was physically smaller than Emma, and never won in a fight against his twin sister. Nevertheless, right at this moment, after witnessing this scene, Emma believed her brother was the stronger one. He seemed bigger than usual.
"I'll be back shortly mother" said Emma while running to get Alfraed. Evan was taking care of their mother. So, she had to do her part appropriately.
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"I-I want to buy a potion!" announced Emma to Alfraed, clenching both her petite fists to emphasize her intention.
"...."
From the story, Alfraed could guess what her mother's illness was. And, he did have something on his shelf that could cure it. Having said that...
"Do you have the money to buy it...?" asked Alfraed. Surely, he already knew the answer.
"Ye...N-no..." Emma was about to say yes. But, realizing it would be a lie, and her mother always taught her the importance of honesty, thus, she changed her answer halfway.
"Then, I can't sell any to you" replied him flatly, giving her a tangible reply without room for misinterpretation.
Alfraed was not running a charity, he was doing business to make a profit and acquire the lifestyle he wanted.
The young man knew Emma and was close to her and her brother. Yet, this and that was two entirely different matter. He was not that good of a person to let a customer walk away with his goods for free.
"I-I can work...!" Emma did not give up and tried to persuade Alfraed to give the potion to her.
"Work...can you read? Or write? Or do any calculation"
"...N-no...barely...No, not at all..."
Alfraed was not surprised by her answer. At this age, reading and writing were skills for the privileged. Not all people could do it or had the chance to learn it, especially someone from the lower district where fulfilling their basic needs every day was already a struggle.
Alfraed was fortunate to receive proper education, despite being an orphan.
"P-Please! I-I'll do anything!" Emma pleaded desperately to him. But, Alfraed indifferently left Emma alone at the door, seemingly displeased with what she just said.
There was no help coming, not even from the person she was closed with.
Emma was crying, despair filled her heart and body, sapping away what little energy she had left and dropped to the floor, imagining that she would lose her mother too. Then, someone patted her head to comfort her miserable self.
"Let's go" that someone was Alfraed who already wearing his usual attire with a sling bag on his shoulder.
"Huh?" Emma could not understand the situation.
"Take me to your house" said Alfraed, wondering if she did not hear what he told her.
"B-but, you said you can't sell it to me??" Emma answered with anger mixed in her voice. She heard him but still could not believe what he asked.
"Of course not, my products are not for free. I'm doing business" replied Alfraed, he still felt that nothing wrong with his reasoning, it was common.
"T-then, why?" the little fox girl was puzzled. She knew nothing anymore, the world around felt upside down.
"I never said I won't help, didn't I?"
Emma could not utter anything in return. However, her eyes widened, and all the negative feelings swelling up within her disappeared.
Alfraed was not selling anything to her, he was just helping. This and that were two different things. He was not that bad of a person to do nothing when there was a person in need. Hopefully.
"Also, better not to say 'I'll do anything' easily, it'll be dangerous if a bad person heard it"
Warned Alfraed to Emma, and she repeatedly nodded to what he said. Then, he followed the little girl through the pitch dark road to her house...