The seven suns adorned the clear sky like jewels set in the cerulean expanse: pure white, calm orange, blazing red, serene black, lush green, curious gold, and vibrant blue. The white clouds lingered at the edges, as if mesmerized by their splendor yet wary of being scorched if they ventured too close.
Below this celestial display lay a bustling village, a brown dot amidst the surrounding verdant landscape. The thatched roofs emitted tendrils of smoke, while the wet earth was trampled by the feet of its inhabitants.
Children played in the rain-soaked mud, their laughter blending with the distant chirping of birds. Adults busied themselves tending to their farmlands and animals. Women cooked on clay stoves within their huts, the aroma of spices mingling with the smoky air, soot darkening their faces as they inhaled the fumes. A cool breeze carried the scent of wet earth and blooming flowers, weaving through the village’s symphony of murmurs and the clinking of pots and pans as a group of women washed them in a nearby stream.
By the window of a modest cottage, a young man with brown eyes and hair gazed skyward. His brow furrowed as he watched the sky, fingers drumming anxiously on the windowsill. The warmth of the suns on his skin contrasted sharply with the chill of his unease.
"What are you looking at?” a female voice called from behind him.
“The sky, can’t you see?” The young man turned around, a smirk curling his lips.
A young woman came into view. Wearing a white nightgown adorned with dark pink embroidery of tiny flowers, she was seated on a wooden bed with a brown sheet over it, cradling a baby nursing in her arms.
“I can see that. I’m asking because that serious look doesn’t suit your joker face,” she replied, her voice tinged with irritation, though her eyes held a hint of concern.
“Heh, what would you know about judging the style of a handsome man?” he retorted, his smirk faltering slightly but holding its mocking edge.
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“Whatever you want to think, ‘Mr. Handsome’. Now tell me, what are you so worried about? Is it…” The woman glanced around the room before continuing. “Is it about my father?” Her tone turning serious.
The young man’s smile faded a little. Sighing, he looked back at the sky with a somber expression. “Yes, it’s Lord Eamon. He must have already gotten news of the situation and would have sent a search party for you. It was thanks to this weather that we were still safe, but now that the skies have cleared…” His voice trailed off, anxiety evident in his tone.
“Mmmm, it’s been a blessing of the Great Mother, really, having bad weather for a whole week. I don’t think I would have been able to cross the border in that state…” The young woman spoke softly as she gently caressed the head of her child, her voice a mix of relief and lingering fear.
“Don’t worry, Marie. Now that the baby’s here and safe, crossing the border won’t be as tough. You just need to rest and get your strength back, then we can go,” Jack consoled, offering a reassuring smile.
“Thanks, Jack. Really, thank you. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Her voice wavered, and she held her baby closer, drawing strength from the tiny life in her arms.
"Don’t mention it. It’s what friends do, right?” Jack replied with a cheerful smile, though his eyes betrayed a deeper, unspoken emotion.
“Friends, huh?” Marie glanced at him. “Yeah, it’s what… friends do,” she replied softly, a complicated emotion flickering in her eyes, a hint of self-deprecation in her tone.
“Thank you, Lady Marie. Yesterday, if you hadn’t taken the blame for me…” the boy’s voice cut off.
“Don’t mention it. It’s what friends do, right? And I told you to call me Marie when we’re alone. Seriously, why are you boys all so dumb?” The little girl’s voice was filled with a mix of exasperation and hidden delight. She made a little pout and ran her fingers through her long, glossy black hair, a satisfied glint sparkling in her eyes.
"Sorry, Lady—I mean… Marie,” the boy corrected himself, looking up briefly before casting his gaze downward. A shy smile spread across his face, his cheeks flushing deep crimson with a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment.
The room fell silent, with only the occasional sound of children playing outside and the crackling of wood burning in the fireplace. Jack’s mind wandered back to the sky, while Marie’s gaze returned to her child, her emotions a turbulent mix of relief, anxiety, and something deeper she couldn’t yet name.