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“As you know, this winter wasn’t as cold as usual. That’s because the berries were originally produced in small batches.”
“Still, something like this...”
"Then I'll give you two pennies off the price of the grapes per kilogram. How about that?"
"It's not something I can decide. The owner is out of the office for a moment. Would you like to discuss it when he comes back?"
“Hey, I’m giving it to you cheap because you’re pretty. Where else can you get something this cheap?”
"Haha..."
“But haven’t we seen each other before? Your face seems strangely familiar.”
“No, I.”
Suddenly, a baby's cry was heard from inside. Annette cut off the conversation and turned around.
"Wait a minute."
Click. She opened the door and turned on a small light, a yellow glow coming on. The baby, awake, was whimpering and crying.
Annette picked up the baby. The tiny body, just awake, felt soft and warm like a melting marshmallow. She patted the baby's back, soothing him.
Eventually, the crying slowly subsided. Annette leaned against the doorway, still holding the sobbing baby.
“Would you please sit there and wait a moment? The owner will be here shortly.”
“Right. You’re the one who came in a few months ago, right? Are you her friend?”
“...Yes, well.”
“Where did you meet?”
“In the capital.”
“Capital? Are you from the capital?”
"Yes."
“I’ve been to the capital too. Which side did you live on?”
“Just... near the Place des Brittanies.”
"Place des Britannies? Isn't the area around there amazing? Are you, Miss, the daughter of a rich family?"
The man chuckled, as if he'd just made a really funny joke. Annette didn't respond, just staring at the baby's face.
"But you really haven't seen us before? I'm not just saying this; I'm actually familiar with it."
"No."
“No way... Ah, there’s no way I could forget someone as pretty as you. Where have I seen you before? Miss, by any chance...”
“Han─ s─!”
Suddenly, Hans's shoulders shook violently at the sound of a loud voice echoing through the store. He turned around with an awkward smile.
A brunette woman glared at him from the store entrance. She strode in and spoke fiercely.
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about in my store?”
“Hey, you’re talking nonsense, I just think her face is too familiar...”
Bang! The woman slammed the basket down on the table as if about to break it. Hans immediately shut his mouth.
"You kept doing that to our employee last time, and the kid was so uncomfortable! Do you know you're the main culprit in chasing away female customers, or not?"
“No, how often do I come...”
Hans, who had a history of dealing with people, trailed off. The woman, determined not to entertain any further objections, quickly concluded the price negotiation.
“Thirty-two pennies per kilogram. No more than that.”
In the end, Hans was able to leave the store only after writing a receipt with a slightly lower price than the original. He didn't forget to keep stealing glances at Annette until the very end.
After Hans left, the woman shook her head and put her hand on her head.
“I’m sorry. He’s my husband’s younger brother, and as he grew up, he learned strange things...”
"No."
“Was the store nice to look at? Can I leave it to you now?”
“Then I might run out of money at settlement time.”
“Then you have to fill it out yourself, right?”
Annette smiled faintly. As soon as the hand patting her back stopped, the baby in her arms began to whimper again.
“Oh, now give it to me.”
The woman stretched out both arms. Annette handed the baby over to her as if she had committed a crime.
The woman held the baby in her arms and cradled it.
“Did you sleep well, my daughter? Did you miss Mom?”
The baby quickly stopped whining and calmed down in her mother's arms. Her face, half asleep, occasionally moved to a squat.
“Annette, look at this.”
"Oh..."
“I told you, she was talking in her sleep yesterday.”
“Do babies dream too?”
“I wonder if it’s a dream? What kind of dream is it?”
The woman murmured, looking at the baby with eyes dripping with love. It was a sight of utter peace and happiness. Annette quietly observed the scene from a foot away.
The woman who had been patting the baby for a long time spoke in a small voice.
"Oh, Annette. My husband's going to the furniture store tomorrow... Do you need anything? Do you want to go look together?"
“I’m fine.”
“Still, the room feels so empty. Would it be better if I put some books in it?”
“Then... would it be possible to bring in a small bookshelf?”
“Of course. How big is it?”
“Um, something like this...? I’ll measure the exact dimensions later and let you know.”
“Yes. Just let me know if you need anything.”
The woman spoke casually. Annette stared at her feet, clasping her hands together, then whispered.
“...Thank you, Catherine.”
After divorcing Heiner, it was Katrine Groth who came to visit Annette, who was sitting on a nearby park bench contemplating death.
“What are you doing here?”
“...”
“Do you have anywhere to go?”
"... Yes."
“Where are you going?”
“....”
“...Follow me.”
“No, I...”
“Come on in.”
And then, after hesitating for a while, Annette followed Katrine almost half-forcibly.
They walked in silence. Katrine headed to the train station. She bought two tickets for the train to Sinseora.
Annette had no idea what Katrine was thinking. Her address, as far as Annette knew, was on Western Road, a forty-minute carriage ride away.
But Annette didn't ask first. In fact, she didn't care where she was going, or even if Katrine harbored ill feelings toward her. If it would at least ease her mind, she thought it was enough.
Katrine only opened her mouth after the train had departed.
“I moved to Sinseora a while ago. The capital is so crowded.”
Katrine didn't give any specific reason for the move, but Annette guessed it was probably because of her.
Her younger brother had tried to kill someone. Whatever the circumstances, rumors would have spread throughout the neighborhood.
Even if they didn't care, they couldn't help but worry about the child who would soon be born...
Of course, it might have been an over-hyped guess. There could have been many other reasons. But for Annette, that was the only way her thinking process worked.
They got off the train and headed to an old town street. Katrine said she was reopening her fruit shop there.
Supporting Katrine's claim that the capital was chaotic, Sinseora had a slightly more organized atmosphere than Western Road. The buildings also appeared to be more recently constructed than those in the capital.
Katrine lived in a small mansion near the store. She took Annette to her home and showed her a room upstairs.
“The room is a bit small, but the house itself isn’t that big, so there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Until then, Annette did not quite understand what Katrine was saying.
“Why here...”
“What is it?”
“Here, why me?”
“Because this is where Madam will be staying.”
“I... don’t intend to stay here.”
“Then where are you going?”
“...I, just...”
“Are you going to die again?”
Annette was speechless. Katrine stared at her expressionlessly for a moment, then stepped into the room and continued her explanation.
"I've finished cleaning. Your luggage should be inside first... Hmm, it doesn't look like you have any more luggage. For now, please wear my clothes. With my belly sticking out like this, I can't wear my regular clothes anyway. Meals will be on the first floor..."
Annette was still confused and reluctant, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse anymore. She simply looked down with a tired face.
From that day on, Annette began staying at the Grotts' house.
Katrine, who was heavily pregnant, ran a small fruit shop, and her husband, Brunner, drove a carriage. The Grotts family, though not wealthy, had no major financial worries.
Katrine didn't ask her for anything like rent or living expenses. She did occasionally ask if she could help with chores, which Annette, already feeling uneasy, found rather welcome.
Annette helped Katrine with fruit cutting and the store's ledger. She also tried her hand at housework, but she proved to be quite unskilled.
In her quiet and peaceful life, Annette still occasionally thought about death. But for some reason, like at the official residence, she couldn't bring herself to act on it.
"Are you going to die again?" Annette thought Katrine would ask about it. But Katrine never brought it up again.
That wasn't all. Katrine didn't ask.
Whether she really had nowhere to turn, whether she had received any property in the divorce, what her plans were for the future... she didn’t ask any of those questions.
She just casually chatted with Annette.
Perhaps because of the impression she had made in the drawing room when she spoke of her dead brother, Annette had thought Katrine to be a rather cold and quiet person.
Contrary to expectations, Katrine had a chatty and lively personality. This was a stark contrast to Annette, who had become increasingly reserved over the years.
But Annette and Katrine didn't have deep conversations. Even though they lived together, an invisible wall still existed between them.
They never brought up the fundamentals of their relationship—the David Buckel story, Annette's miscarriage, the suicide attempt that followed Katrine's visit...
Even if we live together for 10 or 20 years, we won't be able to break down this wall.
Annette thought so.
“Still, something like this...”
"Then I'll give you two pennies off the price of the grapes per kilogram. How about that?"
"It's not something I can decide. The owner is out of the office for a moment. Would you like to discuss it when he comes back?"
“Hey, I’m giving it to you cheap because you’re pretty. Where else can you get something this cheap?”
"Haha..."
“But haven’t we seen each other before? Your face seems strangely familiar.”
“No, I.”
Suddenly, a baby's cry was heard from inside. Annette cut off the conversation and turned around.
"Wait a minute."
Click. She opened the door and turned on a small light, a yellow glow coming on. The baby, awake, was whimpering and crying.
Annette picked up the baby. The tiny body, just awake, felt soft and warm like a melting marshmallow. She patted the baby's back, soothing him.
Eventually, the crying slowly subsided. Annette leaned against the doorway, still holding the sobbing baby.
“Would you please sit there and wait a moment? The owner will be here shortly.”
“Right. You’re the one who came in a few months ago, right? Are you her friend?”
“...Yes, well.”
“Where did you meet?”
“In the capital.”
“Capital? Are you from the capital?”
"Yes."
“I’ve been to the capital too. Which side did you live on?”
“Just... near the Place des Brittanies.”
"Place des Britannies? Isn't the area around there amazing? Are you, Miss, the daughter of a rich family?"
The man chuckled, as if he'd just made a really funny joke. Annette didn't respond, just staring at the baby's face.
"But you really haven't seen us before? I'm not just saying this; I'm actually familiar with it."
"No."
“No way... Ah, there’s no way I could forget someone as pretty as you. Where have I seen you before? Miss, by any chance...”
“Han─ s─!”
Suddenly, Hans's shoulders shook violently at the sound of a loud voice echoing through the store. He turned around with an awkward smile.
A brunette woman glared at him from the store entrance. She strode in and spoke fiercely.
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about in my store?”
“Hey, you’re talking nonsense, I just think her face is too familiar...”
Bang! The woman slammed the basket down on the table as if about to break it. Hans immediately shut his mouth.
"You kept doing that to our employee last time, and the kid was so uncomfortable! Do you know you're the main culprit in chasing away female customers, or not?"
“No, how often do I come...”
Hans, who had a history of dealing with people, trailed off. The woman, determined not to entertain any further objections, quickly concluded the price negotiation.
“Thirty-two pennies per kilogram. No more than that.”
In the end, Hans was able to leave the store only after writing a receipt with a slightly lower price than the original. He didn't forget to keep stealing glances at Annette until the very end.
After Hans left, the woman shook her head and put her hand on her head.
“I’m sorry. He’s my husband’s younger brother, and as he grew up, he learned strange things...”
"No."
“Was the store nice to look at? Can I leave it to you now?”
“Then I might run out of money at settlement time.”
“Then you have to fill it out yourself, right?”
Annette smiled faintly. As soon as the hand patting her back stopped, the baby in her arms began to whimper again.
“Oh, now give it to me.”
The woman stretched out both arms. Annette handed the baby over to her as if she had committed a crime.
The woman held the baby in her arms and cradled it.
“Did you sleep well, my daughter? Did you miss Mom?”
The baby quickly stopped whining and calmed down in her mother's arms. Her face, half asleep, occasionally moved to a squat.
“Annette, look at this.”
"Oh..."
“I told you, she was talking in her sleep yesterday.”
“Do babies dream too?”
“I wonder if it’s a dream? What kind of dream is it?”
The woman murmured, looking at the baby with eyes dripping with love. It was a sight of utter peace and happiness. Annette quietly observed the scene from a foot away.
The woman who had been patting the baby for a long time spoke in a small voice.
"Oh, Annette. My husband's going to the furniture store tomorrow... Do you need anything? Do you want to go look together?"
“I’m fine.”
“Still, the room feels so empty. Would it be better if I put some books in it?”
“Then... would it be possible to bring in a small bookshelf?”
“Of course. How big is it?”
“Um, something like this...? I’ll measure the exact dimensions later and let you know.”
“Yes. Just let me know if you need anything.”
The woman spoke casually. Annette stared at her feet, clasping her hands together, then whispered.
“...Thank you, Catherine.”
***
After divorcing Heiner, it was Katrine Groth who came to visit Annette, who was sitting on a nearby park bench contemplating death.
“What are you doing here?”
“...”
“Do you have anywhere to go?”
"... Yes."
“Where are you going?”
“....”
“...Follow me.”
“No, I...”
“Come on in.”
And then, after hesitating for a while, Annette followed Katrine almost half-forcibly.
They walked in silence. Katrine headed to the train station. She bought two tickets for the train to Sinseora.
Annette had no idea what Katrine was thinking. Her address, as far as Annette knew, was on Western Road, a forty-minute carriage ride away.
But Annette didn't ask first. In fact, she didn't care where she was going, or even if Katrine harbored ill feelings toward her. If it would at least ease her mind, she thought it was enough.
Katrine only opened her mouth after the train had departed.
“I moved to Sinseora a while ago. The capital is so crowded.”
Katrine didn't give any specific reason for the move, but Annette guessed it was probably because of her.
Her younger brother had tried to kill someone. Whatever the circumstances, rumors would have spread throughout the neighborhood.
Even if they didn't care, they couldn't help but worry about the child who would soon be born...
Of course, it might have been an over-hyped guess. There could have been many other reasons. But for Annette, that was the only way her thinking process worked.
They got off the train and headed to an old town street. Katrine said she was reopening her fruit shop there.
Supporting Katrine's claim that the capital was chaotic, Sinseora had a slightly more organized atmosphere than Western Road. The buildings also appeared to be more recently constructed than those in the capital.
Katrine lived in a small mansion near the store. She took Annette to her home and showed her a room upstairs.
“The room is a bit small, but the house itself isn’t that big, so there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Until then, Annette did not quite understand what Katrine was saying.
“Why here...”
“What is it?”
“Here, why me?”
“Because this is where Madam will be staying.”
“I... don’t intend to stay here.”
“Then where are you going?”
“...I, just...”
“Are you going to die again?”
Annette was speechless. Katrine stared at her expressionlessly for a moment, then stepped into the room and continued her explanation.
"I've finished cleaning. Your luggage should be inside first... Hmm, it doesn't look like you have any more luggage. For now, please wear my clothes. With my belly sticking out like this, I can't wear my regular clothes anyway. Meals will be on the first floor..."
Annette was still confused and reluctant, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse anymore. She simply looked down with a tired face.
From that day on, Annette began staying at the Grotts' house.
Katrine, who was heavily pregnant, ran a small fruit shop, and her husband, Brunner, drove a carriage. The Grotts family, though not wealthy, had no major financial worries.
Katrine didn't ask her for anything like rent or living expenses. She did occasionally ask if she could help with chores, which Annette, already feeling uneasy, found rather welcome.
Annette helped Katrine with fruit cutting and the store's ledger. She also tried her hand at housework, but she proved to be quite unskilled.
In her quiet and peaceful life, Annette still occasionally thought about death. But for some reason, like at the official residence, she couldn't bring herself to act on it.
"Are you going to die again?" Annette thought Katrine would ask about it. But Katrine never brought it up again.
That wasn't all. Katrine didn't ask.
Whether she really had nowhere to turn, whether she had received any property in the divorce, what her plans were for the future... she didn’t ask any of those questions.
She just casually chatted with Annette.
Perhaps because of the impression she had made in the drawing room when she spoke of her dead brother, Annette had thought Katrine to be a rather cold and quiet person.
Contrary to expectations, Katrine had a chatty and lively personality. This was a stark contrast to Annette, who had become increasingly reserved over the years.
But Annette and Katrine didn't have deep conversations. Even though they lived together, an invisible wall still existed between them.
They never brought up the fundamentals of their relationship—the David Buckel story, Annette's miscarriage, the suicide attempt that followed Katrine's visit...
Even if we live together for 10 or 20 years, we won't be able to break down this wall.
Annette thought so.
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