After writing the letter at the bookstore, and sending it a week ago, Delrick still has to wait.
Mistvale County is very far from his home. So, at least, it will need two week for a reply to come.
And since Delrick got nothing to do, he mostly do the chores with his sister. Their father hasn't comeback ever since he stole his savings. Probably gambling again somewhere.
"It will be nice if the reply come before father lose all the money." He mumbled to himself while he hang the laundy.
"A letter to mr. Delrick Hugg."
A letter to whom?
Delrick was puzzled for a moment then walked toward the postman to accept the letter from his hand.
"Thank you."
"No biggie."
Delrick watched as the postman left then look down at the letter on his hand. There is a strange pattern that looked like flowers on the seal.
"That was fast..."
Maybe they took the fastest service to send the reply. They seemed to be really short of hands.
He open the envelope carefully, and took the letter out.
[Dear mr. Delrick Hugg.
We have received your letter, and your letter of recommendation from Earl Welington. We at Helga would like to welcome you to join the employment.
We have included the cheque with this letter to cover all your expenses. 10 gold coins in total. You may change it in the nearest bank in your area, and proced with your aboard.
However, please take a note that entry at Mistvale County is not possible after six in the evening, so we advice you to spend the night in the small town near the County, and visit the manor in the following day.
Please do inform us later if the expenses are lacking. We will make sure to cover it as well.
We are delighted to welcome you, and eagerly await the day we shall meet.
Signed,
Sebastian Seringe
Butler of the Helga Mansion.]
Delrick fold the letter, and look inside the envelope. There is indeed a cheque inside.
He held his breath.
'Finally...'
He can leave the house with Anna, and send her to school.
Delrick put the letter and cheque inside his pocket, then goes inside his home.
"Anna!"
Anna, who was sewing a cloth looked at her brother.
"Yes, brother?"
Delrick took a deep breath.
"I will send you to school."
"What?"
Anna's eyes widened, looking at her brother, and scanning for lie on his face but, there is none.
"You mean..."
Delrick nodded.
"Go and pack your things. I will get you to Fyrnn at the Eastern county."
Anna lingered for a moment, staring at her brother with teary eyes. Then nodded.
"Hum."
Delrick watched Anna goes to her room while rubbing her eyes. Finally, he made his sister dream came true.
Frynn School is a public school in Eastern County. It has dorm for students who live far away. So, he won't be worried about her while he is working at the Helga Mansion.
Delrick also walked toward his room to pack his things. He doesn't have much but that's all he need.
After he put his things inside his bag, he stepped out from his room, and saw Anna already stood in front of his room.
She wear the only best dress she had. A simple yet shabby one, her brown long hair braided with a hat on top of her head. Her lids a bit redden which made him sighed yet smiling.
"Are you ready to go?"
Anna nodded. "But, will it be alright? What if father find out?"
Delrick patted Anna's shoulder.
"Don't worry about him. Just think about what will you do at school later."
Anna smiled. "Alright."
Delrick and Anna stepped out from their house. They walked a bit further before Anna was the first turned back, only to have a last look of their home.
Although the situation is not a good one, it's actually a good home. Delrick still remembered when their mother was still around, and how they spended their childhood there, until their mother can't take their father's beating anymore and left them.
Delrick put his hand on Anna's shoulder, giving her a small smile.
Anna sighed, and closed her eyes.
"Let's go brother..."
Delrick nodded.
They both walked again. This time, they didn't turn back anymore but keep walking ahead, leaving the home that never felt like one behind.
...
Anna was waiting outside when Delrick goes to change the cheque in the bank.
After doing some procedures, the man across him finally handed him the gold coins.
Delrick swallowed hard when he accepted it. It was 10 months worth of salary when he worked for the Earl after all.
He stepped out from the bank and met his sister. Anna was curious when she asked about where he got the money. So, he had to lied a little. Saying it was his another saving the Earl personally made for him.
For his luck, Anna believed it. After all, Earl Welington is famous for his kindness.
Delrick and Anna walked on the roadside, toward the train station. He could see the face of his sister brightened, and looked really happy that she is about to enroll to school.
He feel so proud of himself that he is able to made his sister this happy and will do everything on his power to make sure it will stayed that way. Until the day she would left his side for another man.
A quiet sigh escaped his lips. He hope that day would still far away. Though he feel delighted if Anna find a good man to be her husband, he also feel a bit relucant. Is this how parents feel when their children about to be married?
Delrick bought the train tickets. A second class one. It would be their first time riding it since they're always the third class passanger.
"Here, hold onto it, alright?" He said as he handed the ticket to Anna.
Anna accepted it then look onto it.
"A second class ticket?"
Delrick nodded. "Don't worry about the cost and just enjoy it."
Anna's face brightened. Her eyes glinting with excitement as she held onto the ticket tightly, close to her chest.
"I won't lose it!"
Delrick chuckled.
"Let's go. We don't want to miss the train, right?"
"Right!"
The steam whistle of the train echoed. Some people got out from the railcar, and some are getting into it. Delrick and Anna got inside just fine. Since its not the third class railcar, they don't need to shove their way in.
Anna sat near the window, looking outside with her mouth parted a bit. Delrick shook his head while a warm, and gentle smile displayed on his face as he sat besides her.
The steam engine whistle some more before it slowly move. Finally, they leave this town, and their father behind. No more beating his sister has to endure, and she would live a good life starting now.
'Thank God...'
Delrick clenched his hand on his knee.
"Anna."
Anna hummed, moving her gaze from the window to look at him.
Delrick smiled and took 2 gold coins from his pocket.
"Here take this."
Anna watched as the coins landed on her hands then look up at her brother.
"This is too much brother."
Delrick shook his head.
"I don't know what will you need once you enrolled. I never been in school myself so, hold onto it just in case. Don't worry, I still have a lot of money."
Anna stared at her brother then looked down at the gold coins on her hands. She clenched her hands around it.
"I won't disappoint you, brother. I promise I will study hard."
Delrick's eyes softened.
"Just don't get sick. I won't be able to see you in five years because of work but, I will be sending you letters."
"Promise to keep sending me letters, okay?"
"I promise."
...
By the time they arrived at the Eastern County, lunch time had long passed.
'We should eat something before taking the carriage.'
They would buy something practical to eat like bread, then lend a carriage to the Frynn Public School. It would take 1 hour to get there.
'I still have time to get to the Helga's manor. Since I can't visit the mansion after 6 PM, I would stay a night at the nearest town just as the head butler advice me to.'
Mulling over the contents of the letter, Delrick gave a piece of fresh bread to his sister. The Eastern County just as bustling as the rumor said but, he don't have time to look around.
He has to register Anna before the School forbid any more visitors. So, he move to find a carriage with Anna following him.
"Hello sir, could you take us to the Frynn Public School?"
A middle-age man who sat at the driver seat nodded.
"Of course, gentleman. 10 silvers to the Frynn."
"Alright, sir."
Anna and Delrick got into the carriage, they sat and soon they feel it swaying a little as the horses began to move.
The galloping sound made Delrick sigh quietly. He felt somehow liberated knowing they have escaped hell. He close his eyes, his shoulders slumped in relaxed way while Anna busied herself looking outside.
They're truly on their own now.
Delrick promised to himself. He would work hard at the Helga's manor, save alot of money, to live a good life with his sister.
He clenched his fist with determination.
The ride was pleasant that they don't even realized the carriage has stopped.
As soon as Delrick stepped out from the carriage, his sight was welcomed by the huge building. He paid the coachman 10 silver coins then walk toward Anna, who stood in awe in front of the gate.
"Let's go?"
Delrick said as he offered his hand to his sister. Anna nodded and took his hand, entered the gate.
...
"So, miss. Anna Hugg wanted to be enrolled here?"
A middle-age woman with soft feature said before she took a sip of her tea.
Delrick and Anna sat across the woman. He nodded.
"Yes."
The middle-age woman hummed, and put her cup down on the table.
"But, miss. Hugg cannot be enrolled now. She has to wait for a month when the new period begin. Is that alright?"
Delrick glanced at his sister, and Anna nodded stiffly.
"Yes, it's alright ma'am. But, is it possible for my sister to take accomodation at the dorm before the new period begin?"
"Of course! Students of Frynn can stay at the dorm. Margareth."
A young woman in her twenties come inside the room.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Please take miss. Hugg to look around the school then show her room in the dorm."
The young woman—Margareth, nodded, and look toward Anna.
"Let's go, miss. Hugg. I will show you around."
"Yes!" Anna got up from the counch, and look at Delrick. Her eyes a bit reddened.
Delrick smiled. His heart ache a little because they had to part for quite a long time but, he has to toughen up.
"Go, and take care, okay?"
"Hum." Anna nodded, lingered for another minute before she come to Margareth, and leave the room.
Delrick exhaled a stiffed breath before he look at the woman on front of him again.
"Shall we talk about the expenses, ma'am?"
"Absolutely."