Under a Dimmed Sun [UNCENSORED]

SI: Chapter II: Whispers in the Secret Garden

Morning light bathed the merchant house in a warm glow, its structure reflecting the Medieval Mediterranean era with sturdy wooden beams and a tiled roof. As Alice stood on the second floor with a basket of laundry, managing tasks due to the shortage of staff, the courtyard below became the stage for an unexpected encounter.

A small group of horses approached, bearing personnel from Wode Castle, including the young lord, Peter. They delved into discussions of trade contracts with John the merchant and his son, the air filled with the scent of possibilities and negotiations.

Alice couldn't resist the temptation to peek from above, her gaze inadvertently landing on Peter. Their eyes locked for a moment, and Alice, caught red-handed, quickly withdrew.

To avoid the unfolding discussions, Alice rushed to the backyard, clutching her basket of laundry. An unexpected encounter with Peter was not something she was prepared for. As she hung the clothes, she decided to retreat to the safety of the backyard forest to collect herbs, hoping to evade the noble's scrutiny.

However, as Alice gathered herbs in the dappled sunlight, she heard whistles from above the trees. Startled, she looked up to find Peter perched on a low branch, a mischievous smile on his face.

"¡Hola, señorita! ¿Cómo te llamas?" Peter called out, expecting a response in his language.

Alice, not fully versed in his language, hesitated. "Uh... Alice. My name Alice," she managed, a hint of uncertainty in her tone.

Peter, surprised by her limited grasp of his language, switched to a more common tongue. "Ah, Alice! Nice to meet you. Why were you hiding up there?"

Feeling a bit relieved at the switch, Alice replied, "I... I didn't want to disturb the important talk."

Peter chuckled, "No need to worry. I find these discussions dreadfully boring sometimes. What are you doing down here?"

Alice stutter, "Collecting herbs.. for- for kitchen!"

Perched on the low branch, Peter's gaze lingered on Alice, and a shy smile tugged at his lips. "Collecting herbs, huh? That's quite... um, interesting."

Alice, feeling a bit awkward under his gaze, nervously twirled a strand of her hair. "Yeah, well, herbs have a way of growing on you, I guess."

Peter, attempting to sound nonchalant, shifted on the branch. "So, Alice, do you... uh, enjoy living here? In this place?"

She nodded, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "It's home. Not as grand as your castle, my lord. But it has its own charm."

Peter, still trying to navigate the unfamiliar territory of a casual conversation, blurted out, "I like it here too. I mean, the castle gets stuffy sometimes, and... well, your garden is nice."

Alice's eyes sparkled with a mixture of surprise and delight. "You think so?"

Peter, suddenly aware of the gravity of his words, stammered, "Y-yeah, I mean, it's... different. Nice different."

As they continued their awkward exchange, a shared silence filled with stolen glances spoke volumes. Peter, usually confident in courtly matters, found himself stumbling over his words in the presence of this merchant's daughter. Meanwhile, Alice, unaccustomed to such attention, reveled in the novelty of their interaction.

Peter, attempting a casual tone, said, "You know, Alice, I don't often get to escape the castle walls. Your garden feels like a secret world."

Alice, still a bit shy, responded, "It's not much, but I like it here. Helps me forget about the noise of the world."

Peter, intrigued, confessed, "I envy that. Court life can be a maze, and sometimes, I wish for simplicity."

Alice smiled, "Well, here's as simple as it gets. Just herbs, trees, and the occasional bird."

Peter, finding comfort in her company, said, "I like that. Can I... visit sometimes? If that's allowed."

Alice, a hint of surprise in her eyes, replied, "Really? You want to visit my little garden?"

Peter, suddenly feeling a bit bashful, nodded. "Yeah, it's nice, and... well, you're nice."

Alice, feigning casualness, looked down, "Well, not many visit. It's my little world."

Peter, leaning closer, admitted with a half-smile, "A little world I'd like to visit more often."

Alice, a shy glint in her eyes, replied, "I suppose it's okay, but we can't let others know."

Peter said, "Yeah, I agree. Let's keep this secret."

Alice replied, "Just don't expect anything grand."

Peter chuckled, "I wouldn't want it any other way."

As the sun glimmering above them, their words wove a subtle tapestry of friendship. The awkwardness faded, replaced by a shared understanding and the promise of more visits. In the simplicity of Alice's garden, amidst the medieval backdrop, a shy, innocent friendship bloomed—