His Petite Luna

Chapter 13 Brewing plan

Ana's POV

"Do you want to ask the people in the village if they need anything brought back?" I remarked, taking the clothes from Leon, who assisted me in removing the garments that were hung too high for my reach, and then placed the clothing in the basket.

"Well, I'll ask later and see if anyone needs anything. I'll also take the herbs from home to sell," Leon said, his low and magnetic voice making my ears itch even though he was not that close to me.

"What's wrong?" Leon turned his head when he noticed me constantly rubbing my ears. I had rubbed them so much they were red.

He furrowed his brows slightly. "Did a mosquito bite you?"

Embarrassed, I nodded my head. "The weather is getting warmer and the mosquitoes are coming out. I'll go and get some herbs to make mosquito repellent sachets for everyone to carry. That way, mosquitoes won't bother us."

"Do you want me to help?" Leon asked.

"Do you know how to sew a pouch?" I asked, tilting my head and chuckling.

Leon pinched my nose. "You rascal, I can't even hold a needle and thread steady, how could I sew a pouch? Are you trying to make things difficult for me?"

I blushed, but luckily the midday sun was hot enough that my already sunburned face didn't reveal it. "Then we'll have to ask Sister Carla for help."

"For the sachets, I have some already made. I found some leftover fabric scraps at home a few days ago and made some. They will come in handy. I'll go get them for you," Carla said, putting down the basin and going inside.

LEON'S POV

When Carla was back, she held a handful of sachets and gave them to Ana.

"These are such delicate sachets. And the embroidery...this looks like a real flower!"

Carla chuckled. "I made those to kill time. The other seamstress in the place I previously lived could do better."

But Ana was already too focused on the embroidery. "I think people would like these. We could put the mosquito repellants here and sell them! And we could also sell herb sachets!"

"Herb sachets?" Me and sis Carla said in unison.

Ana stood and went to get some of the sorted dried herbs on the table and then Ishe placed them inside the sachet and showed it to. "Together with this dried herb is the mosquito repellant. We could sell this like herbal incense."

My brows raised at what she made. It was innovative and creative at the same time. It's nice to look at too.

"We can buy some good fabric tomorrow to sew the sachets. We can then make the contents and sell them."

"I am getting excited about this, Ana!" Carla said and they both giggled.

Unbelievable. I couldn't believe how creative this girl is. All that idea comes from being bitten by a mosquito.

"But I don't know many patterns," Carla said. "Embroidering the same design doesn't look creative enough."

"I will draw the designs and you embroider them and then once we're done with the finished product, we're going to the county to sell them."

And they proceeded to plan everything. Occasionally, they would ask for my opinion and I gave it to them for as much as I could. But it was all Ana. I wonder what kind of education she had with her father before. If this girl goes to a good school, she will be unstoppable.

*

ANA'S POV

I was elated. I may be injured right now but I'm happy I could still find ways to earn something. I could tell Carla was elated too. And when I looked at Leon earlier, he may look like he was not paying attention but I could tell he was listening. He even offered to help me with it, which was new.

But then again the joy I felt earlier was gone in an instant when I realized that I had to leave soon. I shook my head. I looked up and saw Leon looking at me questioningly. He's always so observant. Around him, I have to be careful. I slight change in my behavior could make him think. The last thing I would want him to do is to start getting suspicious again.

I stood and went to the room. I told them I was starting to grind the dried herbs. Using the sachets that Carla had already sewn, I placed the powdered herb in the pouch. Before dinner, I was able to make a mosquito repellant for every member of the family. I also added a string to it so they could wrap it around their wrist, their waist, or even as a necklace.

"This is impressive!" Ismael exclaimed as he came into the door. "I stayed out and usually around this time, mosquitos start to buzz but there wasn't a single mosquito that came close to me."

His smile was bright and I couldn't help but smile too. If it is effective, then we really have to sell it.

Clarisse followed after. Both of them decided to go out to test the sachet right away.

"It's true! Mosquitos didn't bite me outside! This is amazing, Ana!"

I couldn't help but giggle at that.

"Ismael, can I ask for a single piece of parchment?"

"For what?" he asked, already walking towards the living room where I was sitting.

"Well, I am going to draw some embroidery patterns for Carla to follow."

Both his and Clari's eyes lit with delight when they heard I was going to draw. So I drew that night and they started telling me which designs I should do next.

When I started to draw a unicorn, both of them were too focused to say anything. When I was done, Ismael and Clarisse were looking at the drawings I made, particularly at the unicorn.

"What is that? Why does a horse have a horn?" he asked.

I smiled. "That's a unicorn," I said. "It's a symbol of purity and strength. Unicorns are mentioned in Greek Ctesias' Travel Note "Indica." Have you ever heard or read it before?"

Both of them shook their heads. Of course.

I sighed. "I will go to the bookstore tomorrow and see if I could find the book. I'll read it for the two of you," I said and they both smiled.

"Thank you!"

I finished around 20 patterns in a single parchment that Ismael gave me. Carla immediately took a look at it and I could tell she was excited to do the designs.

"You draw well too, Ana," she complimented and I smiled.

"We're going to buy the fabric tomorrow so you can start as soon as possible," I said and she was nodding, still looking at the pattern. When everything was settled, we all stayed in the living room. It was like a normal routine for us and I somehow have become part of this family.

Melissa was in her usual spot by the window. The sachet I made for her was on her wrist and it dangled as she was sewing and mending clothes. Clarisse was practicing her writing skills and Ismael was trying to teach the former. When they were done they went to me to ask me to tell the story of unicorns.

I couldn't remember the whole story as I only skimmed it.

"How about Aesop's fables?" I said and they looked at me questioningly.

"What's that?"

"Well, it's just a compilation of stories with lessons. Would you like to listen to one?"

They both nodded and then listened to the story I was telling. It was titled the Father and His Two Daughters. Back in my world, I have always loved reading. Reading and telling the story to other people felt like I was reading the book again.

Leon entered the living room and Ismael was already on him, asking him to buy the book I was talking about.

Leon just shrugged and waved him off as a sign of agreement and Ismael beamed at him.

Melissa told him what he needed to buy too and he was just nodding. Today, I saw a new side of Leon. He may be tough on the outside, but he sure does care for his family on the inside.

*

LEON'S POV

"I'm going to check for schools for Ismael tomorrow," I said and then lowered my voice next. "I'll look for the money so don't worry about it."

Mother gave me a smile and squeezed my hand. "I know you will find a way. I trust you," she said and then her eyes went to Ana.

"You're bringing Ana tomorrow, yes?"

I nodded.

"Take good care of her. She can't lift anything heavy with that wound of hers. And if she wants to buy something, let her. The last time, she bought items for everyone except herself."

"I know, I know. I will not scare her."

Mother smiled at that.

I looked at Ana who was telling a story to both Ismael and Clarisse. She's still a stranger in this house. A person with no clear familial background. But I have decided to stop doubting her when all she's ever done was help my family. She's just a little girl. What can she possibly do?

*

ANA'S POV

I was still planning my escape. I have already made an impression that I am not leaving so they will not suspect me of my plans. All I have to think about now is how to come up with an excuse. A reasonable excuse that could even pass Leon's scrutinized observation. This time, the county is my next escape plan. However, if I don't disguise myself, people would recognize me. I need to be wise about this and plan this carefully.

I feel bad. I feel sad. But this is what I have to do.

Also, I need to goto the church to get something. Something vital and important for my escape.

Meanwhile, I have to be patient and wait for the right time to run.