Chapter 16 : Maggie and Matthew
My first impression of Matthew was terrible. I mean, it felt like he was going to steal my very first friend away from me.
Selina keeps giving me the suspicious eye because I won’t go to Lang Village even though spring’s here.
Truth is, I really want to go! I just hate the idea of not having Maggie all to myself.
So childishly possessive, I know! But I’m still only seven years old, so I got rights for that!
Besides, taking care of the goats is hard work! At least, that’s what I tell myself. Though it’s true that caring for the goats is different from last year.
Up until now, after milking them in the morning, I’d just tie them to stakes inside the barrier or let them roam free, unless it was pouring rain or a heavy snowstorm.
When I was hanging laundry or drying monster meat, I’d keep them tied up, but otherwise I just had to clean their pen and change their water.
“Merry, Ben! Can you eat these herbs?”
Even though spring’s arrived and the grass inside the barrier is lush and green, the goats aren’t eating as much as they used to.
Merry isn’t producing as much milk either. Selina scolds me for naming them, saying they should really be butchered by now.
But I don’t think I could have grown up properly in the Great Forest with just Selina. I mean, once she starts reading a book, she ignores everything I say.
Merry and Ben don’t answer me either, but when I hug them they’re warm and...
Still, maybe they are just too old now.
The herbs would bring money if I took them to Lang Village, but once spring arrives the villagers gather herbs around the edge of the Great Forest themselves, so the prices drop.
Besides, I made quite a bit selling these plants from autumn through winter, and I’ve already bought plenty of sewing supplies and fabric.
Now I have not just mended boys’ hand-me-downs, but girls’ clothes too.
Sure, I’d like to have not just a harp but a flute and other instruments, but they don’t have any in Lang Village.
In other words, if I can’t talk to Maggie, there’s no point in going to Lang Village.
It’s all so frustrating, but seeing Merry and Ben munch happily on the herbs makes me feel a little better.
After experiencing village life, I just can’t stand being alone with Selina anymore.
“If Maggie isn’t at Hannah's place, I can just come right back.”
I use the Waymark to reach the forest’s edge, but... huh?
There’s already a new tree growing next to the stump, and I feel like the forest edge was much farther out.
“Is it just my imagination? I mean, it was my first time in autumn, and winter was covered in snow... More importantly, I gotta see if Maggie’s at Hannah’s shop!”
If she’s out gathering herbs in the forest with Matthew, I’m going home!
With that thought, I run toward Lang Village.
The village gate guards are used to me by now. Selina gave them copper coins the first time, but not always—just monthly or seasonally as tips.
I’m a kid, so I’m exempt!
“Good afternoon!” I make sure to greet them properly.
I wonder what Maggie’s up to? I peek into Hannah's shop, but she doesn’t seem to be there.
Maybe she’s helping at the general store? If so, I could tell them I’ll wait at Hannah's shop, and maybe she’ll come by later?
I open the door to the general store, but Maggie isn’t there either.
“Ma’am, where’s Maggie?”
“Oh, she’s planting seeds in the back field.”
Ugh, farm work! I’m actually kind of interested in that! It’s just that I’d hate it if he was there.
“Um, do you sell seeds?”
The shopkeeper laughs. “Of course we do!” Well, it is a general store after all.
“Could you sell me some seeds that would be easy for me to grow?”
The shopkeeper knows I’ve been earning pocket money selling herbs over the winter, since she’s the one who bought them from me.
“Seeds alone won’t make you a garden.”
Oh, right! Neither I nor the idol-wannabe girl from my past life ever had anything to do with farming. I don’t think Selina knows anything about it either.
“What kind of tools do I need?”
The shopkeeper lets out a big sigh.
“You’ll need at least a hoe.”
Oof, that’s probably expensive, right?
My thoughts must have shown on my face.
“Selina hasn’t taught you anything, has she?”
After buying a used hoe—pretty beat up—along with seeds for easy-to-grow leafy vegetables and seed potatoes, nearly all my savings were gone.
“Go to the back field and have Maggie teach you how to make furrows and plant seeds!”
Furrows? That might as well be a magic word. I got absolutely no idea what that means.
I trudge toward the field behind the village. This is on the opposite side from the Great Forest—the village’s back end.
There are adults there, but lots of children too.
Ugh, including that annoying guy! Matthew is right next to Maggie. If he’s the village chief’s son, why doesn’t he go chop down some forest trees instead of always hanging around Maggie!
I hesitate to call out, but Maggie seems to notice me. “Zoe! Oh, you bought a hoe?”
Since Maggie helps at the general store, she knows the merchandise well.
“Yup, the shopkeeper told me to have you teach me how to use the hoe and plant seeds.”
Ugh, Maggie looks exasperated. That’s fine—I really don’t know anything, and I’m asking her to teach me.
But I hate being looked down on by Matthew too.
“If you’re busy, tomorrow would be okay.”
In other words, I was hoping to get taught when Matthew wasn’t around.
Strategic retreat is the name!
In romance novels, when the heroine tries to approach a handsome noble—only to find a formidable rival clinging to his arm—she thinks to herself, “Time for a strategic retreat. I’ll regroup and try again!”
But the people of Lang Village don’t care about such sophisticated tactics.
“Oh, we’re about to make furrows and plant seeds too! If you join us, we can teach you!”
Maggie! I know you mean no harm, but I don’t like Matthew! So I’d rather skip today…
And what’s with the “we”?! What’s Maggie’s relationship with Matthew anyway? Are they... romantically involved? They’re still only eight years old!
I don’t know anything about village romance customs! I’ve only been sneaking peeks at Selina’s romance novels.