"Auntie doesn't understand what you mean," said Aunt Maya, looking sarcastically at her niece.
"I heard that Roran is still alive and sent me a letter, is that true?" said Sophie with a tense face.
She was usually reluctant to talk to her aunt. The interaction is only necessary. But this time she had to ask directly. Sophie might get into trouble or be punished for upsetting her aunt. But those letters are her right.
"Auntie never said that Roran was dead," said Aunt Maya casually.
Sophie felt relief wash over her heart. Compassion overcame her. All this time she had always acted as if she were tough but a short sentence from her aunt had softened her heart. All this time she believed that Roran would never come home.
"T-then where is the letter? Why didn't you give it to me?"
Aunt Maya frowned, as if Sophie had just asked for something she wasn't entitled to.
"For what? Roran isn't coming home,"
"What? How could you say that?!"
"Keep your voice down! don't you know any manners!" Aunt Maya turned angry.
"I'm sorry, but-" Sophie started sobbing, she was almost begging.
"Roran himself said he wouldn't come home,"
"Lie!"
"How dare you-"
Annoyed, Aunt May unlocked her kitchen drawer and took out a piece of paper.
"This is his last letter, just read it yourself!" She said curtly.
Trembling, Sophie read the contents. She immediately recognized the handwriting. That's really Roran. They studied together and Roran liked to read poetry to her. Sophie couldn't be wrong.
Dear Sophie,
I've been through four summers without you. You also never replied to my letters. My military service was almost over and I decided I would not return to Summerville. I don't know if you read this letter or not but I hope you are happy and fine.
PS: Is the wysteria tree on the hill behind uncle's house flowering? You have to see it. give it fertilizer and water to keep it strong until winter is over.
Sophie folded the letter and tucked it into the folds of the fabric on her shirt. There is a feeling of sadness and happiness at the same time. Of course she was happy because Roran was alive, but she was sad because her brother wouldn't come back. Even so, there was still something stuck in her heart. Roran was probably trying to tell her something. Something her aunt didn't understand.
There had never been a wysteria tree on the hill behind their house. But why did Roran ask?
"They said Roran sent the money," Sophie said again quietly. She is not so naive, she should know the truth.
"What money?"
"The money Roran earned while he was a soldier! You keep it!"
SLAP!
It didn't take long, Aunt Maya put her hand firmly on Sophie's cheek.
"That's not your money! Do you think the cost of living here is cheap?! Where can I feed you if not from your brother's money?"
"I'm working hard here!" Sophie almost cried.
"Because I took you in! Your uncle and I provide shelter and food, of course you have to work!"
"But-"
Sophie wasn't crazy about money, but money meant a lot to her. She wants to be free and independent immediately. For all that she needs money.
"Mother is right, Sophie. Why do you need money when you're just a farmer girl with rough hands from grinding wheat every day. You don't need to buy a new dress because there won't be a chance where you can wear it," Abigail, Sophie's fox-eyed cousin came into the kitchen.
Like her mother, Abigail has sophisticated tastes. She almost never wears the same clothes every day. Even so, she could only buy clothes that weren't too luxurious from local tailors.
"Do you know how tormented we are because we have to raise you? You came to our house armed with a letter from your dead mother. On a whim, Rose-my sister-asked to take care of you. That's because she didn't listen to me!" Added Aunt Maya.
Sophie sighed. Once again she would hear the complaints. the same complaint which repeated every time Sophie protested about something.
"Your mother marry an unknown bachelor in another city. She was tricked, taken advantage of, and most likely survived until she gave birth to two children! Your father claimed to have the last name Alderbranch. I thought he has a legacy for you. But after I researched it, it turned out that it was the name of a noble family that had no territory. Nobody knows your father there. So, I had the misfortune of having to take care of you guys!"
"Your mother was smart enough to tell her family, she said that I would take care of you. Do you know what they would talk about if I decided to put you in an orphanage? After all, you are Rose's children! I don't want to be considered a bad person by them. Gosh! and after everything I've done you still dare to ask about money??" Aunt Maya pointed at Sophie's nose, which was now red from holding back tears.
"I'm not asking you to take care of me! Just throw me out! I'm an adult now! You don't have to worry about me not being able to eat!"
"No way! what can you do out there? You can only sell yourself. I can't stand it if my friends find out I have a slut cousin. You must be proud because young men often flirt with you! That's because you have the aura of a prostitute!" Abigail added, this time Sophie felt her blood boil.
Sophie almost jumped and crushed her cousin. She still had respect for her aunt, because she was older after all. But it's different when it comes to Abigail. Sophie grabbed the collar of her dress and shook it.
"Take back your words, evil girl! What have I done? Why do you hate me so much!"
"Sophie!" Aunt Maya snapped. She tried to pull Sophie off of Abigail's body.
"No need to pretend to be such a holy maiden, Sophie! You think I don't know? You even asked your widow friend Rhea in town to find a man for you! It's so embarrassing when she announced it to people in town, saying you're looking for a husband! Even though you always reject the man who seduces you! Including Caleb, the son of the pig farm owner!"
"I know you like him Abigail! That's why I refuse it for you!"
Sophie said honestly, she didn't want to cause trouble with Abigail. Apart from that, she also doesn't like Caleb.
"Caleb likes you because you're a seductive woman! Just look at your body! But you always wear thin dresses every day!"
"Are you blind! My clothes are modest! Or do you think I should wear dresses like you? Then how am I supposed to work looking after the horses and cows in this house! Do you want to replace me? You're just a useless spoiled girl! You even can't find a husband who wants to marry you!"
"Stop it!" Aunt Maya shouted again, this time she used her foot to kick Sophie's waist. The petite girl fell to her knees, grimacing in pain. She realized she had just done something stupid. She has no allies in this house.
"You have been presumptuous, Sophia Alderbranch. Auntie felt I had to make you aware. You think because you're beautiful you can be free from this house? What if you're not beautiful anymore? Is there a young man who wants to marry you?" Aunt Maya said as she took a grill fork from the burning fireplace.
Sophie felt horror cover her body. She trembled. Then with all her remaining strength he knelt down, trying to be as low as possible to the floor. And especially, she also protected her face.
"I-I'm sorry Auntie, I-I won't do it again," Sophie sobbed.
"You attacked Abigail, she was only defending herself then you fell next to the fireplace and accidentally this hot fork scratched your face," said Aunt Maya with a small grin on her face. Even Abigail herself looked horrified to find out about her mother's plans.
"Hold his hand, Abigail!"
Abigail, even though she was hesitant, obeyed her mother.
"Th-this is because you have been rude to me," said Abigail, looking away.
"No! Don't do this!" Sophie cried.
"Shut up!"
"No!" Sophie struggled.
"Good evening!" The three of them suddenly fell silent, someone called from outside the house.
Aunt Maya immediately threw down her fork, she snorted angrily but her emotions started to come under control.
"You're lucky, Sophie. Now, go to the stables. You won't get out of there for another week. Abigail! make sure you lock the cage door," Aunt Maya ordered.
Then Aunt Maya straightened her hair and clothes and opened the door to her house. There, she saw a chubby gentleman in fine clothes smiling.
"I came from the capital, looking for a land owner who wants to work together to supply wheat. Can I meet the owner of this land?"