“No. My mother worked there, but I was lucky to be kept away from the training grounds.” Denis patted his horse and looked back at me.
“Why?”
“Because it was not a good place to be,” the man said and I caught myself thinking about what I’ve heard from Frid and Sol.
He continued to talk about the celebration and the news of the village. But my mind wandered around, unable to concentrate on anything.
When I returned home, it was already getting dark. I tried not to make a sound when I took off my dirty boots and placed them on the mat by the door. Avoiding going back to my room, I took off my shawl as I headed for the wash room and splashed my face with cold water. Then I stood for a moment in front of the bedroom door. When I opened it at last, my jaw almost hit the floor.
In the middle of the room, I found Frid standing by the window with a dress in her hands. Her eyes focused on the fabric.
“I’m going to cry,” she murmured and threw the dress onto the bed.
“Have you changed your mind?” I asked.
“I can’t.” She turned away.
“Alright. I understand.” I sighed and moved to my side of the bed before getting under the covers.
“Aren’t you going to convince me to put it on?”
“No.” I sighed again and closed my eyes.
“Why not?”
“You said so yourself, you are very stubborn,” I whispered.
“Are you going to sleep?” Frid asked.
“That’s the plan.” I turned to my side.
“I may need help,” Frid added.
I stayed silent.
“I can’t stay in this stupid house any longer,” the girl continued.
I opened my eyes, rolling over to meet Frid’s gaze.
“Do you want me to help you?”
“Yes, damn it!”
“Alright, alright.” I sat up and took the blankets off.
We looked through the remaining clothes, until we found a simple, sky blue, cotton dress with a long skirt and a contrasting dark brown suede corset. I was unsure about the combination, but the colors looked beautiful. Together, we managed to put it on Frid, but the sleeves were too long for her and there was some extra fabric at the waist.
I brought more candles from the kitchen and fetched the sewing kit I already used to alter some of the dresses.
“I don’t know why girls like wearing these. What’s the purpose?” Frid observed, watching me splay the hem of the dress on the floor.
“That’s an interesting question. I believe it’s just to make us look nice.” I secured the excess with pins.
“We could all wear the same clothes. That would be much easier,” Frid muttered.
“I take it that you want to go to the Winter solstice.”
“I can’t stay in this damn house any longer; I will go insane. And Victor is not easy to deal with, he never leaves. He’s playing on my nerves, actually.” Frid picked up some threads and examined the ribbons.
