The Curtain Is About to Fall

Chirping Sparrows landed on the windowsill, their round little eyes reflecting a figure entering the room.

"Abby, it's morning..."

The Head Maid woke Girl from a sweet dream.

Her lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes. When Girl sat up, a pair of scissors fell onto the soft bed.

"Head Maid... I'm sorry, I..."

"It's all right. Master Annan told me." The Head Maid hadn't seen the scissors. "He really does look after you both."

"Both of us? Where's Master Annan?"

"He's catching bugs with Younger Brother in the Manor."

Abby hid the scissors and went to the window. Younger Brother was laughing as he ran around Annan.

"Big brother! Come chase me!"

Younger Brother waved to Annan, who was crouching in the grass.

Children forgot their worries easily, swept up in innocent fun.

But Annan wasn't that childish. He had grown-up things to do—until the boy ran over and threw a handful of grass stems at him.

Annan set down the Spider Bottle and chased Little Boy across the lawn.

A fiery streak across the sky brought him to a stop. The Fire Crow landed, and Annan hesitated before taking the letter.

[Dear Younger Brother:

Why did you take so long to write back?! A Fire Crow can fly from Breeze City to Ossulund Territory and back in half a day, but you took a day and a half! Do you still care about this family? Or do you think your revenge makes you the hero of some novel? Don't forget your name is Weiss! Ours is Reeves too! This isn't just your problem! Stop rushing into things like you did when you were little... This is the adult world, not your childhood Castle! If I don't hear from you again, I'm coming to Breeze City!

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