Time twisted

10

5 years later, September 1822.

Iduna POV

I held the blanket to the candle as I stitched the pattern of crocus. The cold season finally came and it meant more business for us, that is good news so that we can pay off the rents.

"Good Morning milady." I sighed as the bell rang at our entrance, Marlin kicked my shin as I reluctantly welcomed him.

"Edwin, you came." I faked a laugh as I gave a desperate tap on Marlin, who seemed to be very amused at his advances.

"A fine specimen for a gentleman like me. Would you do me the honor to have luncheon?" I rolled my eyes, did he just referred me as an object? I am totally not offended.

"We have a lot of orders coming in, there isn't time-" I didn't want to sound rude but I really didn't want to head out with Edwin. I wasn't lying about the orders so hopefully I sounded more kind.

"Maybe you could join us for dinner? You can come by around nine, We would be glad to accommodate you." I shot my eyes at Marlin, What was that for?! I would have to act seemingly nice to not seem rude but yet aloof to him later to not give him any wrong signs.

Edwin then did a small dance before heading out, which I found quite ridiculous, "See you beauty." He winked at me as I held my gag.

I made sure he went a distance away before slapping Marlin shoulders, "What do you mean about that dinner today, We don't have enough peas for three of us to share!"

"Go and get some later on! You are making a big fuss on this. And he called you a beauty, I must pray for his eyes."

"Aren't we saving?" I ignored that comment.

"Well I am planning for your future dear, Edwin does have feeling for you and that is a rarity in a situation for you. You have to-"

"Aren't we over with this topic already?" I groaned, we were fine days ago, until he suddenly came without notices which spark this conversation.

"Apparently you ended it by making an excuse to deliver order."

I don't remember that. There were a lot of deliveries these days.

"Why should you control- I don't even have a uncle." I smirked as I have a good point in hand.

"Now. Now. Just because I don't have a romantic attachment doesn't mean you shouldn't have one. You need someone to nurse your ego which I gave up eons ago." I frowned, my ego is perfectly alright and how would Edwin help? Instead I should be helping him instead.

"Give the poor boy a chance, he has been chasing you for a month or so now, who knows he might be the one for you." I shook my head and went back to sewing the patterns. Never would I imagine Marlin pushing me to a boy I once despised, it actually seemed like what actually she would do to spite me.

Ouch.

I suck my finger to clotted the area as Marlin shook her head, I could hear her eyes saying this is what you get when you are distracted.

"Get peas, I will handle this batch." She took hold of the blanket I was stitching up, I dropped my shoulders feeling guilty, She has been doing most of the work since we set up her old shop again.

We hadn't been managing well these few years after we resign from the castle works. New decade, new fashion. Somehow everything changed since we returned to our old home, even Edwin, he doesn't look that scrawny as before and had his own blacksmith.

Thankfully blankets are not out of trend, they are good gifts for the upcoming Yule holidays. I got some notes and shove them in my pockets, looping a basket on my arm before heading out.