The frozen heart

Chapter 9: A Promise in the Night

Chapter 9: A Promise in the Night

The kitchen was buzzing with a kind of frantic energy Anne had never seen before. Pots clanged loudly, and every surface was covered in ingredients—flour, spices, vegetables, and meats being prepared in large quantities. The scent of roasting meats and freshly baked bread filled the air, making the heat from the stoves and ovens feel even more oppressive. Anne wiped her brow with the back of her hand as she struggled to keep up with the other maids, all of them rushing around in a flurry of motion.

"What's going on?" Anne asked Maris, who was kneading dough with a level of enthusiasm that seemed unusual for such a labor-intensive task.

Maris looked up at her with wide, sparkling eyes. "It's Harvest Festival!" she exclaimed, as if the answer was obvious. "The whole castle celebrates. The nobles, the maids—everyone! It's the most exciting time of the year."

Anne blinked, taken aback. "Harvest Festival?"

"Don't tell me you've never heard of it?" Maris raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "Oh, of course! You're still getting used to things around here."

Anne smiled sheepishly, trying to mask her confusion. In her world, there had been no mention of a Harvest Festival in the book she'd stumbled into, and she had no idea what it entailed. But clearly, it was a big deal.

Maris grinned, the excitement in her eyes contagious. "It's amazing! There's a feast in the castle, and the whole city is alive with music, dancing, and celebrations. The streets are full of people, everyone dressed up, vendors selling food and sweets. And the best part? We don't have to stay cooped up in here. We can go to the city!"

Anne couldn't help but smile at Maris's enthusiasm, even though she still wasn't entirely sure what to expect. "That sounds incredible," she said, her curiosity piqued. "So, we're allowed to leave the castle?"

Maris nodded eagerly, wiping her hands on her apron. "Yes! After the preparations for the feast are done, we're free for the evening. I thought we could go together! There's so much to see, and it's way more fun if you're not alone."

Anne hesitated, unsure. She hadn't ventured much beyond the castle grounds since she'd arrived in this strange world, and the idea of leaving its walls made her nervous. But Maris's excitement was infectious, and she found herself nodding before she could stop herself.

"Okay," Anne said slowly, a small smile forming on her lips. "I guess it could be fun."

"Fun? It's going to be the best night ever!" Maris grinned, grabbing Anne's hands in excitement. "We'll eat sweets, watch the performers, and maybe—if we're lucky—catch the fireworks by the river."

Anne's smile widened as she allowed herself to get caught up in Maris's enthusiasm. For the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of excitement about something. The thought of being outside, away from the heavy weight of the castle's oppressive walls, was tempting. To be honest Anne didn't know that fireworks where a thing in the medieval times.

"But wait," Anne said, her thoughts sobering. "What if we're caught? What if we're needed in the kitchen?"

Maris waved her hand dismissively. "We'll be back before anyone notices. Besides, the head cook will be so busy with the feast, she won't even realize we're gone. We'll slip out when the preparations are done, and no one will be the wiser."

Anne wasn't so sure about that, but Maris's confidence was hard to resist. The idea of spending the evening in the city, surrounded by lights and laughter, was too alluring to pass up.