Prologue
Effa listened to Karla the entire time she was washing dishes. From both her chattiness and her returning plumpness, she could tell that Karla was relieved at Lutz finally coming back home. She had fallen disconcertingly quiet while Lutz had been gone.
“Not to mention, I’ve never seen my husband talk that much before. It’s still hard for me to believe!”
Karla, while hiding that they had been summoned to the temple, talked at length about how much her normally quiet husband Deid cared about their son. It seemed they finally understood all too well how hard Lutz was working after they went to the Merchant’s Guild and saw him do his job.
“Sure, he said he was learning his letters with Myne, but I never thought he’d know how to read paperwork that confusing and wordy.” Karla gave an exaggerated laugh, but it was clear that she was happy to see her child’s growth. She had basically started to brag non-stop.
Effa had paled with terror when Myne told her that the Lutz family had been summoned by the High Priest for a discussion, remembering her own experience at the temple, but it seemed everything had gone perfectly well for them. That was a relief.
“By the way, how’re you doing, Effa? You seem kinda sick a lotta the time, but I’m guessing it’s calming down by now?”
“I think it’s about time to tell the kids about it,” said Effa with a smile as she rubbed her stomach. Her once-awful morning sickness had begun to calm down, which meant she had most likely survived the most dangerous time for miscarriages. Effa began tidying up the cleaned dishes, feeling happy.
“Right, Effa. Myne was a big help to us this time. Tell her thanks for me, would you?”
Effa nodded to Karla and went back home. Myne was waiting right at the door, having probably heard her footsteps. She said she would help put away the dishes, then stood on a chair in order to reach the shelves and lined up the cleaned dishes, one by one. Myne couldn’t draw water from the well, nor could she wash dishes. Effa knew that she was just trying to help where she could, but when Myne tried too hard, she ended up collapsing. Being a bit more restrained would be ideal.
“Mom, are you feeling better yet? Are you sure you’re okay?” asked Myne after putting away all the dishes.
“Myne. You see, I have a baby in my belly. You’re going to be a big sister.”
“Bwuh?! Bwuuuh?!” Myne got so surprised she nearly fell off the chair. Effa smiled as she held her steady. Waiting until she finished with the dishes had been the right call.
Myne climbed off the chair and looked at Effa’s belly curiously. It wasn’t large enough to be visible yet. For a second she thought that Myne didn’t believe her, but then she grabbed her head and started saying unfathomable things again.
“NOOOOOO! I barely remember anything from the pregnancy books I read since I didn’t think any of it would matter to meeeee! Gaaah! Um, what was that breathing technique again?! I guess we should be quiet when the (morning sickness) hits, make sure you get enough to eat, and encourage consistent exercise?! I think?!”
...What has gotten into her? Myne was cradling her head as if she was extremely anxious about it. Maybe she was nervous about having a new sibling. Effa began to wonder if she should console Myne, when Tuuli (who had been preparing for work) came rushing into the kitchen with an excited cry.
“Really?! Wooow! I’ll sew some clothes and diapers for the baby!”
Effa smiled at Tuuli, who immediately thought of things she could do to help the baby. Myne began almost competitively murmuring about what she could do for the baby too. Effa didn’t expect Myne to be able to do anything, so just celebrating the baby would be enough for her. But that wouldn’t be enough for Myne, so after some thought, her head shot up with a beaming smile.
“I’ll make a (picture book) for the baby!”
“...A what? I’m not sure what that is.” Effa and Tuuli looked at each other, heads tilted in confusion.
“It’s a book with pictures! I’ll make a book to help kids read!”
“Ahahaha, that’s just like you, Myne.” Tuuli’s eyes widened at Myne’s explanation, then she burst into laughter. Myne always did think about books, but in the end Effa was just glad she wasn’t opposed to getting a new sibling.
“Working hard for the baby means you’ll be a good elder sister too, Myne.”
“I’m gonna shower that baby with tons of love. Tuuli’s going to use her sewing skills to make clothes and stuff, so I’m gonna put everything I have into making educational toys. I’ll work hard for the baby. I’m definitely, definitely gonna be a good older sister!”
...Oh no. She’s getting too excited. In no time at all, Myne’s excitement turned from cute to terrifying. This was no doubt the start of an unfathomable rampage. Effa knew this deep inside from all her past experience with Myne’s frenzies. Tuuli probably felt the same.
“You’ll get a fever with all that excitement, Myne. Try to calm down a little.”
“Uh huh. It’s going to be real hard for Mom, Myne, so you need to take better care of yourself.”
“I know that. I will.” So Myne said, but her expression made it clear that she wouldn’t. Her head was no doubt already filled with those (picture books).
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