Abandoned talented woman decides to live a leisurely life with her family

“Oh, hurry up and read to us!”

“Read to us!”

They tugged at the hem of my clothes, pulling me down to sit with them on the soft carpet. I found myself seated right in the middle between Elmer and Alma. It might not be the best manners, but young children are allowed to sit on the carpet.

“Alright, let’s start with a story for Elmer.”

I began the tale of a child born from a peach who grows up to defeat a demon, adapted to fit our world. It became a story about a young prince whose homeland is taken away, who is saved by a kind-hearted old couple, and who eventually grows up to reclaim his country.

“Wow, that’s so cool! Amazing!” they exclaimed.

When we reached the scene where the characters fought with swords, they both got really excited and clung to my arms.

“Yeah, it is amazing,” I said, trying to match their enthusiasm while guiding them through the story.

When I finished reading, I noticed that my mother had taken an interest and came over to join us.

“And that’s the end,” I said, closing the picture book with a snap. My younger siblings clapped their little hands in delight.

—Oh, how cute.

To be honest, this was the first time I’d been able to spend so much time with the twins. They were born when I was ten, just after I was betrothed to the Crown Prince, so I never really had the chance to be with them.

—They’re so cute. Like little angels!

It was heartwarming to see them clap their small, chubby hands in unison on either side of me.

If my engagement hadn’t been called off, I never would have experienced this joy. So, in a way, it was a blessing in disguise. But such a painful past has no place in these happy moments.

I pulled myself together and began reading the second book.

Suddenly, Mother, who had come closer, bent down with a curious look on her face.

“Would you like to join us, Mother?”

When I invited her, she smiled warmly, like a blooming rose.

“Oh, I’m so glad. The three of you look like you’re having so much fun. I couldn’t help but be curious.”

With that, Mother sat down on the carpet next to Elmer.

“Alright, this next story is about a young lady who wears a mask.”

I read out the title. I wasn’t sure if anyone would mind, but I hesitated to use the exact title, “Ash Covered,” so I made it a bit more vague.

As I began to read, Alma’s eyes welled up with tears, perhaps empathizing with the heroine, who was mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. Then, at the part where the prince finds the heroine by her left-behind shoe, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Mother also seemed anxious to see how the story would end, but she smiled with relief when it did.

“Can I borrow it for a bit?”

“Yes, of course.”

I handed the two picture books to Mother, who seemed quite impressed.

“I see. It looks like you wrote the stories and drew the pictures yourself, then bound them with thread.”

Mother quickly understood how they were made.

“Yes, that’s right. Since there aren’t many children’s books available, I decided to make some myself.”

“Elmer and Alma seem to be very interested. Hey, Anne, do you have more stories like this?”

“Yes, Mother. I’m still in the middle of writing them, but I’ve completed one for Elmer and one for Alma.”

I had started working on the next stories: for Elmer, a tale about a young man who finds a magic lamp, and for Alma, a story about a princess who falls asleep in a castle surrounded by thorns.

“If you don’t mind, I’d love for you to create more when you have time. The children seem to be really interested…”

Even as she asked, small hands reached out.

“Read it to us again!”

“Mommy, give us back the prince and princess story.”

The twins pleaded with outstretched hands.

“Please give it to them, Mother.”

Mother nodded and handed the picture book back to my younger siblings.

“Your sister made this just for you two. Take good care of it, alright?”

She emphasized this as she passed the book to them.

“Yes!”

Their voices echoed happily in response.

They seemed to like it very much. Alma held her book tightly while Elmer opened his and began trying to read.

“Huh? I don’t understand this part…”

“Me neither…”

In the end, it turned out to be a bit too difficult for the two of them, who were still learning to read and write. So, I ended up spending the whole day with them.