A few days later. . .
I made a few business deals with the partners around the village.
A few men worked in reconstruction and carpintery and would help me get the sugar mill in better shape. Two other husbands will help me by trading me their products so I would be able to use them for baking and I would give them a portion of my goods in exchange.
Mrs. Johnson got her husband and two lady goats to start the male goat didn't waste any time with the ladies.
I wanted to stop the twins from wanting to watch, but then realized. . .
If I don't have any choice, then I would most likely have to explain things before it was too late. I sighed. The puberty will star any time soon and the hormones will probably get them wild. I cannot stop them from primitive hormonal acts, but I can teach them how to be safe. I convinced myself to do it.
After Mr. & Mrs. Johnson left with their impregnated ladie goats and payed me 40 copper in total, I braced myself to getting the twins and prepared for the most uncomfortable lesson of their lives.
'Now, what I'm about to teach you two is about the anatomy, the reproduction system and how we human beings reproduce with each other.' I declared. 'Just to let you know, it's going to be very uncomfortable and you will probably won't be able to look at anybody in the eye for a while, but, after this I expect you to take this seriously and make sure you both take measures to avoid getting someone pregnant,' I looked at Charlie briefly, 'or getting yourself pregnant.' I briefly looked at Lottie. 'Do we have an understanding?' I asked.
They nodded.
'Good. And just to let you know, yes I know all this from experience.' I opened a book with my own diagrams and knowledge. 'I also hope you don't share this with anybody. A lot of this knowledge in unknown and most people will probably won't believe you or wom't take you seriously, therefore, I ask you to use this knowledge for yourselves wisely. Do you understand?' I asked once again.
They nodded while gulping down nervously.
'Good.' I took them closer to me. 'Kids, I'm sorry, but your innocence ends now.' I smiled but sadly and a bit amused.
. . . .
(Warning:Sexualeducation)
2 hours later. . .
I didn't just taught them separately or one on one session, I taught them both female and male reproductory systems and, of course, about sexual intercourse.
I went first with the male reproduction y system and how we will know when Charlie will start going through puberty. Charlie was half smiling and half horrified, Lottie on the other hand, was blushing and sweating.
'D-Does the penes can grow up to t-that much?' Lottie asked fearfully.
'Well, it depends on the genetics of the person.' I answered honestly. 'Each person has their own size and width, so you'll have to calculate on your own, but on average, a penus can grow between 15 to 17 inches when is in resting stage from puberty to 19 or 21 years old. When it becomes aroused then it may grow more, but only temporarily.' I explained in detailed.
Now Charlie was both smiling and blushing. Whether it was funny or embarrassing he didn't let show to that detail.
'Oh, and one more detail.' I added on. 'A average healthy human male can produce the seed from puberty to the rest of their lifetime.' I declared.
The kids blushed even redder. 'Can we have a break?' They asked.
'Sure.' I agreed. They needed to rest because there was still A LOT to learn.
. . .
15 minutes later. . .
After the break, I went through the female reproductive system.
Charlie and Lottie went pale. Or actually, at first they did blush when I went through things like the names of the body parts and which part does the male penus would enter.
But then I went through the puberty stuff. In other words: Human period.
'W-Wait, so, the moment I start bleeding is the moment I become a lady?!' Lottie asked horrified.
'I'm afraid so, yes.' I nodded. 'In a lot of places, in this kingdom including, as soon as you have your first "moon cycle" you are marriage eligible.' I let her know.
'WHAT?!' The twins were horrified.
'Of course, I'm not about to do that to you.' I added quickly. 'In fact I would prefer that neither of you even think about lovers, much less even marriage until you have made your own carrier and income.'
The twins relaxed.
'There's also the issue of the dowry.' I said out loud.
'What's a dowry?' The twins asked.
'Well, to explain it most simply, if a woman wants to marry a person, she or her family needs to give the future husband a certain amount of monetary economy in exchange for taking the wife in.' I explained.
The twins blank stared at me. 'That's dumb.' The remarked.
'I agree, but it's both social, cultural and political laws. Which is why I ask BOTH of you to be respectful for your partners whether they are men or women. Especially since a lot of people with our status tend to be more poorer than us which would make difficult to find a suitable partner.' I looked at Lottie. 'Especially one that won't actually want to marry you because they love you, but because they just want a comfortable life.' I added.
They nodded understanding.
I sighed knowing things were confusing and a bit hard to understand for them. But I'm doing my best and I could only that it is enough. 'Also, there's those people who just can't accept a no for an answer.' I said.
The twins looked at me.
I thought about it for a second, and decided to tell them now than later. 'There are people, who will try and force themselves on you, both emotionally, economically, physically, psicologically and even sexually.' I told them. 'They don't want to know why you want to reject them nor do they care, they just want to have you and will try to force you if necessary.' I was serious the entire time. 'One thing is for someone to ask you, "hey can you help me with these books?" While being polite and reasonable; another thing is, "hey, have sex with me!" And try to force to go with them.' I explained myself. 'Do you understand?' I asked them.
The twins nodded.
'If you feel like you can't do anything then go to your sibling. One day, I might not be there, but your sibling will.' I added on. 'You had each other long before I rescued you, and you will still have each other after my life ends. No one should come before or after that unless the twin is absolutely wrong in a situation or problem. Am I clear?'
The twins smiled and nodded.
'Good.' I sighed of relief. 'I think that's all for now.' I rubbed my eyes and smiled. 'Do you guys want a hug?' I opened my arms to them.
The twins hugged me from each side and I hugged them back and kissed their heads.
Time seemed to stop right then and there, like no one could stop this wholesome moment,
*Toc toc toc*
Until now, that is.
I sighed heavily. 'Stay here for a moment.' I sat up and checked my pocket to see if there was the kitchen knife in there. 'Yup, there it is.' I sighed of relief and when to answer but I stood before it and crossed my arms putting a frown. 'Yes?' I called out.
'Hello My lady! We come from The Bismuth Academy and the Teacher from the local school of this village told us that you had two potential prodigies with you!' A young cheery voice called out to me.
I sighed annoyed. I should have just stood my ground. I complained to myself. 'One moment!' I opened the door and took a look who it was outside. 'And you, both are?' I asked.
There two people at the door. One senior man around his forties with a big and thick ducktail beard and tycoon mustache, dress elegantly with a top hat and a very noticeable brooch made of silver and a very colorful gemstone shaped in a bougainvillea and a giant "B" in cursive behind that flower. The other man was far younger, around my age, no beard and no mustache, dress just as elegantly with a top and the same brooch but about half the size of the brooch that the senior's brooch had.
'My fair lady, Baker was it?' The young man took my hand and kissed it. 'It's a pleasure to meet you.'
I quickly took my hand away and frown. 'I do not mean to be rude but please be brief. I do not feel comfortable being around strange men alone.' I clarified with a serious tone.
The young man kept smiling although the space between his eyebrows became a bit smaller. 'I, understand. My apologies. This, is the director of the Bistmuth Acadamy himself, Eric Silverforge.' He presented the senior male as he did and then he pointed to himself. 'I, on the other hand, am the vice director of the Bismuth Academy, Nereous Linwood.' He presented himself.
'Gentlemen.' I nodded to them still uncomfortable. 'I am Amelia Cora Baker. A commoner.' I presented myself.
They nodded to me. The silence was uncomfortable. I didn't want them inside my house. I didn't want them here. I wanted to lash out but if I did I would be the bad gay here.
'Ehem, my fair lady.' The director came forward. 'For what I can see, it's clear that you don't really trust us.' He noticed.
I sighed. 'You are right, I don't.' I admitted. I would like to lie, but I didn't have the energy to fake a smile at the moment.
'From what I can see in your eyes, it might be due to more than just the girl's rigid desire for routine. Is that correct?' The director asked.
I made my frowned more visible. 'Unfortunately, yeah. I can bring inside, but, due to my bad experience with men in general, I can't bring myself to trust them in my home. Especially when I lack protection.' I explained briefly.
The director nodded understanding. 'Don't worry, I understand. You are not alone, there are many women that I've met who have gone through similar experiences as you.' He told me softly. 'If you don't want us to come in, then we won't for respect. But, we would like you to accompany us to check the opportunities for the boy and possibly for the girl.' He offered.
The young man looked from the director to me to back the director simultaneously.
I wanted so hard to say no, I felt like a vein would pop out of my forehead, but I knew that wasn't the right call. 'It's, a nice offer, but, I would have to clarify with the children. If you could give a few minutes. . .'
The director nodded understanding. 'Take all the time you need.' He let me go.
I nodded thanking him softly and closed the door on them.
I sighed out of frustration. If I decide to let the kids go, the teacher would probably bluff about how right she was, and if I don't let the kids go, the kids will loose great opportunities. I went to the kitchen and banged my head on the wall a few times. What to do? What to do? What should I decide to win and what should I decide to loose? I wondered for a few moments alone.
After a few minutes of thinking, I started to bang my head softly on the wall far away from the door.
The twins came walking to check out the banging sounds that I was making and stared at me.
'Em, mom? Are you okay?' Charlie asked coming forward.
'Yes, just trying not explode out of anger.' I told him while banging my forehead some more.
'Oh.' Charlie took a step back.
'Who was outside?' Lottie asked.
'The director and vice director of the Bismuth Academy. It's as prestigios for rich kids. The teacher snitched on us because she felt like she nor I couldn't provide you a good education.' I stopped banging my head on the wall finally feeling calmness.
'The Bismuth Academy?' Lottie asked. 'What's so especial about it?' She asked.
'Well, for starters, it's a boarding school.' I told them while looking at the wall. 'And before you ask, a boarding school, is a special school where students reside or live during the school term of year.' I explained.
'Wow!' The twins were amazed.
Great, now they will probably want to come. I'm cursing at the skies by now. 'The downside is, if you decide to go to a boarding school, you are not allowed to leave the school unless there are especial circumstances or conditions besides weekends and holidays.' I kneeled to be at their height level. 'That means you will have to wear uniforms, adapt to their rules and last but not least, you will not see me unless it's an emergency, weekends, and holidays.' I added.
The twins stopped smiling.
'There's also the fact that most of the children, if not all of them, are either rich, socialities, and even nobles.' I added further. 'That means higher probabilities of bullying and harassment. Especially for Lottie who does not adapt that great to social or unspoken rules.'
Lottie started to tremble. She didn't like the idea of going and not having me by her side. Charlie hugged her sister.
'I told the teacher these problems, but the teacher didn't want to listen and. . . To make the story shorter, she somehow pulled some strings here and there, and got those two men in the doorstep.' I pointed to the front door. 'Now, since you now know both sides of the situation, I have to ask, do you want to at least check the school out?' I asked them.
The twins looked at each other and then to me. 'Can we speak to them?' Charlie asked.
I nodded and went with them to the door again and opened it. 'Before you both get an idea or two, the twins want to ask some questions.' I talked first.
Both men looked perplexed, but nodded. 'What are your questions?' The vice director asked looking at Charlie.
'That would be from me.' Lottie clarified with her "unamused" stare. 'First, I want to ask what programs are there for girls.' She asked.
Director step forward making the vice director loose some balance in the process. Did the director sued his cane to "scold" the vice director for favoritism or is it just me? I wondered.
'Our school has a lot of programs and most of them are mixed gender.' The director said.
'Mixed gender?' The girl asked.
'It means both girls and boys can be in the same room together.' The director clarified.
'Oh.' Lottie nodded while hugging her teddy bear. 'I'm into math, science and geography.' She said with honesty. 'What programs would I fit?' She asked.
'Well, to be able to get into the program, the school will make everyone have both a written and oral exam.' The director told us. 'Then both exams will be assessed in what program will you fit better.'
I frowned. 'How do I know the assessors won't just ignore my daughter's potential and put her in a program that does not fit her?' I asked.
The twins looked alert when I asked that.
'I admit, it has happened once or twice.' The director admitted. 'But overtime we have taken measures to make sure that it does not happen as often as other professors would want to.' He declared with pride. 'One of the measures that we take is the oral exam, in which is basically an interview with me and the rest of the class staff. That way, the professor who might want to make a little "joke" won't have the guts to do so after seeing the other professors notice the kid's potential.'
Social pressure as a measure eh? Nice. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I didn't want them in my house, but the topic became intriguing. 'Before we continue, shall we move this conversation inside?' I asked with a small smile.
The men smiled brightly at that and nodded with the twins at the same time.
. . .
I gave them some tea and put cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven.
'My dear lords.' The director frown while smiling bitterly.
'Is something wrong?' I asked worried.
'Not much, it's just, it's too sweet for my old taste.' The director smiled sadly staring at the cinnamon roll.
'In that case, I have apple cinnamon oatmeal muffins, the cinnamon is not that strong and has no sugar in it.' I offered.
'Would you? Thank you.' The director accepted.
I went to the kitchen and got him three muffins for himself.
The vice director took disimulating the bitten cinnamon roll for himself while he thought no one was looking.
'Shall we continue where we left off?' I asked nibbling into a cinnamon roll.
'Oh yes. Where was I?' The director wondered.
'You said "One of the measures that we take is the oral exam, in which is basically an interview with me and the rest of the class staff. That way, the professor who might want to make a little "joke" won't have the guts to do so after seeing the other professors notice the kid's potential." And then mom invited you guys in.' Lottie said and put a cinnamon roll in her mouth.
Both directors dumbfounded. Charlie chuckling at their faces and I was just amused by Lottie's quirks once again.
'Yeah, Lottie has the strange ability of remembering things she likes or finds interesting.' I told them.
'Weirdly enough she can't remeber lady Johnson who just came with her husband and goats a few days ago.' Charlie added.
Lottie frowned. 'Who?' She asked.
'See?' Charlie pointed at her with his hands.
'Hahaha. Yeah, don't worry. Her brain is just, constructed differently.' I said out loud.
The director looked at me with intrigue. 'I would like to know what you mean by "constructed" differently, my lady.' The directly inquired.
Oops! I said a modern thing again!! I bitted my lip. 'Well, let's take an example as for. . . A puzzle board game.' I said hoping that does do exist here.
'Aha?' The director pressed further on.
Phew! They do exist!! I exhaled more softly. 'Well, now imagine that most people have a complete puzzle in their heard and of their favorite color or colours.' I told them and they nodded. 'Well, Lottie's brain puzzle would look "disorganized" or "weirdly" arranged among the other puzzles which would make the other puzzles avoid her. But her puzzle is not wrong organized nor it had the wrong colors. She's just different.' I shrugged. 'Just like everybody else, but her specific puzzle arrangement makes others look at her weirdly since it's not "socially" acceptable and sometimes she might bring the wrong attention or day something "odd" without meaning to.' I explained further.
'Ooooh!!' The directors looked amazed by my reasoning.
'Which is why I'm afraid of letting her go to a school far from me. Especially a boarding school.' I admitted. 'Lottie's puzzle brings out colorful arrangements and doesn't understand unspoken social rules like you and me do, which can get her in trouble with, not just other students, but other professors as well.' I remarked.
The director nodded to my fears and doubts and thought about it carefully. 'Do you anyone else with this condition?' He asked with curiosity.
'I know a man who is just as a sweetheart as Lottie, and that man is Mr. Silverwood from Silverwood village.' I stated. 'While he doesn't speak, he shows the same type of "weird" puzzle but with different arrangements.'
The vice director noted that into a small notebook he had in his pocket.
'Anyone else?' The director asked.
'Well, I believe Charlie might be a "weird" puzzle as well.' I admitted.
Everyone looked at me when I stated that.
'Really?' Charlie asked bewildered.
'It might not be as noticeable as Lottie, Charlie, but you also tend to fidget you fingers in a non-normal way, you can't stand still and listen at the same time, and your aggressiveness can become just as dangerous as Lottie's.' I explained. 'Do I have to remind you the "stand incident" a few days ago?' I reminded them.
They both shrinked in their seats and looked away.
'Also, beside's your lack of staying still, you can become hiperfixed with things you like and suddenly have no energy nor brain for things that don't have your interest, just like Lottie's lack of interest in people, but your lack of interest is academically, especially math and science.' I added on.
Charlie blushed and looked away.
The vice director noted the things I said in his notebook.
'Do you believe other students might have the same or similar symptoms?' The director asked worried.
'Yes, and no.' I said. 'I'm not a doctor nor an expert in children sir. But, I truly suggest you start with a ratio guess of one in every one hundred "problem kids," that one child might have the same "weird" puzzle since birth.' I gave my declaration.
The director and vice director nodded.
'But again, I don't have that much knowledge for it. I just made the guess based on the number that live in this village.' I said. 'These village has approximately ninety-nine kids, A hundred and one with my children, and for the past two weeks that I checked every kid out. No child has shown any similar symptoms as my twins.' I explained my reasoning.
'Interesting.' The director looked serious about it. 'Thank you for sharing this information.'
'Not a problem.' I nodded to him. 'So, shall we go back to the princely subject?' I asked a bit embarrassed.
Both men raised their eyebrows in surprise and blush embarrassed as well.
Charlie laughed while Lottie was focused on her cinnamon roll.
'Ehem, if your kids pass the entrance exam, and achieve a high score on certain amount of tops, we will provide a scholarship per child.' The director told me. 'The top 15 will receive a the "Pearl scholarship," which includes half of the school fees payed. In the top 10, there's the "Sapphire scholarship," which the 80% of the fees, school tools, and uniforms payed and covered. And the top 5, students will receive the "Diamond scholaship," which includes all the fees, housing, school tools, uniforms, and food payed.' He explained.
'Ohhhh.' I was amazed. 'Beside's the science, math, and history program, what other programs there are? I'm asking because Charlie has not said any of his interests.' I gave Charlie the side eye.
'Eh? Oh, well, I once thought of something related to knighthood, but after a bad experience with them, I decided against it.' Charlie admitted out loud.
'What happened?' The vice director asked.
'The so called "general" decided to get drunk when he knew that mom, sister and I were about to get trafficked to slavery and mom almost died fighting the bad guy.' Charlie summarized everything as it was a matter of fact.
Both adult males had their mouths on the floor.
'With knights of examples like that, you want me to get into knighthood? No thank you.' Charlie smiled sarcastically.
The director sighed and composed himself. 'Any, other interests?' He asked further.
'Well, I'm not interested in math or science, as mom said, I have trouble understanding those so I probably wouldn't be even able to make to top 50 even if my life depended on it.' Charlie explained scratched his head. 'Therefore, I like recommendations for programs that do not involve any of that.' He requested. 'Or if they do, that they don't pass on more multiplying because I have just barely able to understand such concept while my sister is capable of calculating the width and size of a tree with just looking at it.'
'I see.' The director look troubled.
I decided to help a little. 'What about your hobbies Charlie?'
'My hobbies?' Charlie asked. 'Well, I like to draw and mom says I have a very good cursive letter. I've been becoming a fan of baking with mom, so maybe, a cooking program too?' He asked shrugging.
The director smiled. 'Well, we have program such as for art, literature and gastronomy, would you like to try in getting in either of them?' He proposed.
'Sure.' Charlie nodded smiling.
'Very well!' The director smiled and looked at the window. 'Of my, it seems it's getting late.' The director noticed. 'I don't we will be able to show you the school now.' He scratched his chin thoughtful.
'In that case how about you come for us next week?' I asked. 'Even if we have wanted to go with you today, I wouldn't be able to accept because I have animals to take care of.' I gave a brief explanation.
'Oh, that's true. Next week then.' The director nodded as he sat up. 'What day do you suggest perhaps?' He asked.
'Well, I would prefer a weekend day. Saturday or Sunday?' I suggested.
'Saturday.' The director agreed. 'Any hour?' He asked.
'If everything goes well, I would like you to pick us up at ten in the morning.' I requested.
'Very well!' Director smiled and looked at the vice director. 'Did you noted everything?' He asked.
'Even what I don't remember right now.' The vice director declared with a smile.
'Haha, let me show you the door.' I guided them to the door. 'Say goodbye kids.'
'Goodbye! Bye bye!' Lottie and Charlie waved at them.
'By young ones, see you next week!' The director exclaimed saying goodbye to us as he left through the door with vice director on his tail waving goodbye at us.
I closed the door and we all sighed. Lottie rubbed her face onto my skirt. She's emotionally and socially tired. I patted her head. 'Want to take repairing nap?'
'Yes.' Lottie nodded.
'Me too.' Charlie admitted as he rubbed his cheeks. 'Smiling has become really hard to do.'
I sighed and took us to bed where the cat was and we all slept for a while.
At the same time, I didn't realize what my knowledge would uncover and what would happen inside the city while the week passed by.