May I Call You Sister?
"It's delicious. You did a great job."
Marie couldn't close her mouth at my casual praise.
I nonchalantly picked up my fork again to scoop some scrambled eggs.
From that moment, something strange flickered in Marie's eyes.
"Th-then, Miss! Would you like to try this too?"
Marie shoved the salad plate toward me.
"These are fresh vegetables I picked from the garden this morning! I made the dressing myself by squeezing lemons!"
Her eyes sparkled with an intensity that felt overwhelming.
"Uh... sure?"
I took a bite of the salad. The crisp texture and tangy freshness filled my mouth.
"Mm, it's fresh. The dressing's clean and balanced too."
"H-how about the bread this time?"
Marie pushed the bread basket my way next.
"It's even better with some butter!"
"Hey, Marie. I'm starting to get full..."
"Ah! I prepared milk too! I added a touch of honey—would you like to try..."
Marie's eyes shone like a puppy's, wide and expectant, almost as if I could see her tail wagging.
What's gotten into her?
I tilted my head inwardly.
Just moments ago, she was trembling like she might faint at the sight of me. Why the sudden enthusiasm?
I had no idea what was going on, but with those eyes full of hope, I couldn't bring myself to say I was full and refuse. It looked like she'd burst into tears if I did.
"Sure. Thanks."
I slathered butter thickly on a piece of bread and took a big bite.
"This is good. Nice and nutty."
"Really? Thank you! Then how about the sausage..."
It never ended.
Every time I ate something and praised it, the next dish appeared.
I stuffed myself with whatever Marie offered, not even knowing why.
My stomach felt like it might burst, but every time a plate emptied, Marie's face lit up like she'd conquered the world. I couldn't stop.
"That was great."
I washed down the last bit of bread with milk and set my fork aside. No more. One more bite and I'd hurl.
"Do you need anything else? There's still some in the kitchen..."
"No, I'm good. I ate really well. I'm stuffed now."
I waved her off in a panic.
Any more and it'd be torture.
"Ah... Understood..."
Marie accepted surprisingly quickly.
"I'll prepare something even tastier for lunch!"
Oh no.
"C-can lunch be something light?"
"I'll do my best!"
With that, Marie gathered the empty plates like treasures, humming a little tune as she left the annex.
Click.
The door shut, and the annex fell silent once more.
"Ugh... so full."
I leaned back onto the sofa like I was collapsing. Even the slightest movement made the food in my throat threaten to rise.
Did I overdo it? Breathing's a chore.
I wanted to lie down flat, but that wouldn't help digestion. I had to work off this breakfast somehow before lunch.
Might as well wander the annex to aid digestion.
I shuffled along slowly.
The place definitely showed signs of long disuse. Dust coated the hallways in a thin veil, and the old floorboards creaked underfoot.
"Creepy."
I'd peeked into empty rooms and reached the end of the first-floor hall when I noticed faint sunlight leaking through a crack in the weathered door at the end.
Curiosity piqued, I pushed it open gently.
Creeeak.
The rusty hinges screamed as the door swung inward.
It looked like an old parlor. A dusty piano and worn bookshelves filled the space.
Morning sunlight poured through the large windows.
And in that sunlight...
In the pillar of light where dust motes danced, a small shadow huddled.
"..."
Black hair.
The girl from yesterday.
Charlotte.
She sat against the window, knees drawn to her chest, staring blankly at the floor.
Her fingers idly traced shapes in the dust: circles, triangles, crooked little figures.
She startled at the sound of the door, whipping her head up.
Our eyes met, and her face drained of color.
"Eek! L-Lady Elise!"
She tried to scramble to her feet but lost her balance and stumbled.
"Ow!"
With a short cry, she collapsed back to the floor.
I frowned and approached.
"What are you doing here?"
"S-sorry! I wasn't hiding... it was just warm here..."
Charlotte tried to scoot away, but there was a wall behind her.
She trembled, watching me warily.
"I'm not mad. Why run?"
I sighed and crouched in front of her.
Tripping while standing, wincing like that...
"Where does it hurt?"
"N-no! It's nothing..."
Charlotte hurriedly tugged her skirt down to hide her legs.
But I was faster.
I gently grasped her wrist and lifted the hem just a bit.
"This is 'nothing'?"
Her pale knee was scraped raw, blood seeping out. A fresh wound, dirt clinging to it—must sting like hell.
"Th-that... I tripped on a stone earlier..."
Charlotte mumbled excuses in a tiny voice.
She'd said she fell a lot yesterday. Guess it was true.
"The ointment?"
"Huh?"
"That salve you had yesterday. Got it with you?"
"Oh... y-yes..."
Charlotte fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a glass vial.
I took it, uncapped it. A strong herbal scent wafted out, heavily mashed leaves.
"Stretch out your leg."
"I-I can do it!"
"Stay still."
At my low tone, Charlotte clamped her mouth shut and obediently extended her leg.
I scooped a generous dollop onto my finger and applied it to the wound.
Twitch.
Her leg quivered faintly at the cold touch.
"Hurts?"
"N-no... just chilly..."
I rubbed as gently as possible, brushing off the dirt and circling softly to work it in.
Swish, swish.
In the silence, only the sound of my finger moving.
Her skin was incredibly soft. Warm and doughy, like fresh-baked bread.
Each touch made her thigh muscles tense rigidly then relax in waves.
I glanced up without thinking.
Charlotte stared down at me, face flushed crimson, lips pressed tight. Her amethyst eyes glistened with tears.
Probably fear. Given her reactions, she had trauma from the original Elise. Better not hold on too long.
"Nngh..."
I pressed lightly on the wound, and a stifled whimper escaped her.
"Stings a lot?"
"Y-yes... a little..."
Her voice quavered softly.
"All done."
I wiped off the excess.
"Whew."
I blew gently on the wound to finish.
"Hic!"
Charlotte's shoulders jerked sharply. The warm breath must've irritated the sensitive spot.
"There. Be careful walking for a while."
I stood.
Charlotte stared dazedly at her knee. The ointment glistened, marking where my hands had been.
She covered it gingerly with her own hand.
"Th-thank you... Lady Elise."
Hmm.
Still scared.
The ointment was on, but leaving it like this would just attract dust or stain her clothes.
"Hold on."
I rummaged in my pockets—no bandages, obviously.
Scanning around: dusty furniture, no clean cloth in sight.
Nothing for it.
I grabbed the hem of my dress.
Rip.
"L-Lady Elise?"
Charlotte's eyes went wide in shock.
"Wh-why the dress..."
"No bandage."
I replied casually, holding the torn strip of white fabric.
"Dirt'll stick otherwise. Infection's a pain."
I crouched again and began wrapping it around her knee.
Charlotte watched, barely breathing.
"Stay still. It'll loosen if you move."
I pulled it taut but not too tight, securing firmly without slipping.
Finally, I tied it into a neat ribbon.
"Done."
A white ribbon bloomed on Charlotte's knee.
"Pretty."
I smiled, satisfied. Charlotte gazed at it, entranced.
She reached out tentatively and touched it.
"Ah..."
A single tear dropped from her eye, soaking the ribbon.
What? Why cry?
"Hey? Did I tie it too tight?"
I asked, flustered. She shook her head vigorously.
"No... it's not..."
She wiped at her eyes with her sleeve, but the tears kept flowing.
I had no knack for soothing crying kids, so I just waited silently until they stopped.
///
Charlotte sniffled for a good while, then rubbed her eyes raw with her sleeve.
Her eyes were puffy and red.
She worked her lips a few times, then asked ever so carefully.
"Um... Lady Elise."
"Yeah."
"I... um..."
Charlotte swallowed hard. Her small hand clutched the torn edge of my dress.
"Can I...
call you...
sister?"