Chapter 79
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
As soon as I opened the palm-sized jar, a nutty and pungent aroma rushed into my nostrils. Inside was a mixture of finely ground ramps and minced garlic in butter. It’s perfect for grilling meats or potatoes or spreading on bread to enhance the flavor. Of course, it leaves a lasting scent in your mouth all day.
Ramps, a delicacy of early spring, grow in the shady areas near lakes and rivers. It seemed that a family, likely short on food, had gathered a large amount of ramps. I was truly grateful for their thoughtfulness in also considering their child’s teacher.
Of course even with the generous nature of these mountain folk, they would not have shared such precious food during these hard times if Johann weren’t such a commendable teacher.
“Mr. Renner!”
“It’s time for school!”
“Wake up! If you sleep in just a bit more, poverty will rush in like a thief!”
“Teacher is not sleeping, everyone.”
The children really looked up to Johann. There was even a group of first and second graders who started waiting in front of our house early in the morning to walk to school with him.
“Isn’t that Mr. Renner?”
The parents seemed to like Johann as much as their children did. Even on weekends, they would stop him at church or in the streets for a greeting that often turned into a consultation. Despite it being his day off, he would listen to their concerns with sincerity and dedication.
Although I wished for more quiet moments with Johann, he was too beloved a teacher for the parents to dislike.
Since becoming a teacher, Johnan, once only cherished in Mullenbach village, had gained respect in all three villages of Eisenthal. I benefited from this reputation as well.
In the past, many believed I was Major Felkner’s mistress, but now that rumor had nearly died down.
“How could a decent and upright man like Mr. Renner sell his wife to a soldier to act as a pimp?”
This was from Mrs. Bauer, who had gone from being Johann’s landlord to a parent at the school. Surely she must be right.
‘Thank you, Mr. Renner… From Klaus….’
Tied to the butter jar was a note written by a child. I was just remembering his name and making sure to keep the butter from melting by placing the jar back on the cool windowsill just as the door burst open.
Johann had finally arrived.
“My love, where have you…?”
As I turned toward the door, I paused, stunned. The child also halted abruptly upon seeing me.
“Ah… Hello?”
The boy didn’t respond to my greeting. I hadn’t expected him to. After all, he was known not to speak.
“That’s Mr. Renner’s seat.”
The child spoke.
“Um… Thomas? Right?”
I thought I had mistaken the child or misheard because he usually didn’t speak.
“Who are you to know my name? Who are you to sit in the teacher’s seat? Get up right now.”
Thomas, who was supposedly shy and didn’t speak outside his house, was now bombarding me with words. To make matters more concerning, the timid child gestured for me to leave, as if I might be mistaken for a thief by my husband’s student.
“Hello, Thomas. I’m Rize Renner. I’m Mr. Renner’s wife.”
“Don’t lie!”
“…”
Maybe I should have knitted our wedding ring and tied them to his finger after all.
“Rize?”
As I pondered how to prove myself, my savior appeared.
“Johann.”
“Mr. Renner!”
The child must have seen his savior in Johann. He ran to him immediately to report.
“Mr. Renner, that person lied. She said she’s your wife.”
Johann entered into the classroom along with the child’s mother, who was baffled by the unexpected scene, and the principal, who was on the verge of bursting into laughter. My face likely looks incredibly wronged.
Johann smiled warmly at me as he always did. The child, looking up at him, widened his eyes.
“Thomas, this lady is indeed my wife.”
Johann explained calmly to the child, who had realized he was mistaken. Although he realized it, the child seemed unable to accept it as he stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
“See, Mr. Renner said so.”
I approached the child, squatted down to his eye level.
“Is it really that shocking to find out Mr. Renner has a wife? Or is it shocking because I am Mr. Renner’s wife?”
When I teased him, the child, suddenly regaining his senses, ran behind his mother and hid. The brave boy who had boldly confronted a stranger had disappeared, replaced by a timid little kid.
“Thomas, you should apologize.”
His mother urged him to say sorry. I quickly assured her it wasn’t necessary. It was a delightful and adorable incident, after all.
“It’s reassuring to know there’s a student who looks after my husband’s seat like that.”
“I appreciate your kindness, but he still needs to apologize.”
Mrs. Hildebrandt insisted, yet the child kept his head down, nervously picking at the skin around his nails while not saying a word.
As the child’s lips glued shut, Mrs. Hildebrandt’s expression turned as sorrowful as before. I felt sorry for her and tried to offer some comfort.
“He must be too shocked to speak right now. He was speaking quite well just a moment ago.”
“He was…speaking well?”
The mother looked between the child and me as if she couldn’t believe it.
“What exactly did Thomas say?”
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