Miracles | 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱 ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔶

part thirteen

The following day, Mila awoke to the sound of soft knocking at her door. She stretched and got out of bed, still in awe of the luxurious room she had slept in. The Antonovas family's generosity was beyond anything she had ever known. As she opened the door, Irina stood there with a bright smile on her face.

"Good morning, Mila!" Irina said cheerfully. "I was thinking we could spend the day in town. There are so many shops you simply must see."

Mila hesitated, feeling her purse through her skirts, the weight of the few gold coins she had saved from home reminding her of her limited means. "I appreciate the offer, Irina, but I don't have much money to spare."

Irina waved her hand dismissively, a mischievous grin forming on her lips. "Don't worry about that. Consider it a gift from me. You're not in debt to me, Mila. I just want us to enjoy the day, and I can afford it, so why not?"

Mila blinked in surprise, not expecting such kindness. She could feel the sincerity in Irina's words and decided not to protest further. "Thank you. That's very generous of you."

Irina laughed softly. "Let's not waste time then! I'll show you some of the best places to shop."

The two girls left the Antonovas estate and ventured into the bustling streets of the nearby town. It was much livelier than Mila's village back in Ukraine, with street vendors hawking their wares, and shoppers milling about. As they passed through the market, Irina led Mila to one of the finer shops, where rows of vibrant fabrics and dresses hung in the windows.

"This is my favorite store," Irina said, pushing open the door. "They have everything a girl could want, from gowns to accessories."

Inside, the shop was a riot of color. Silks, cottons, and linens were stacked high, and the scent of freshly woven fabric filled the air. Mila's eyes widened as she took in the sight, her fingers trailing over the delicate materials.

"You should pick something you like," Irina encouraged. "Something that speaks to you."

Mila looked over at her and smiled. "This is so much more than I'm used to. Thank you, really."

"Stop thanking me and just enjoy!" Irina laughed.

After selecting a couple of simple but beautiful dresses, they made their way to another store that specialized in art supplies. Mila was almost breathless with excitement when she saw the rows of paints, brushes, and canvases. She picked out a few new brushes and several shades of paint, her mind already buzzing with ideas for new pieces.

As they walked back to the estate, Mila glanced at Irina. "What's life like here in Poland? Close to Lithuania, I mean."

Irina smiled thoughtfully. "I loved my home in the Lithuanian-Polish Commonwealth, but we moved to actual Poland to be closer to trade routes, especially near Crimea. My father's business thrives because of it. Life here is busy, but it's comfortable. We have everything we need, but I do miss the quiet of my old home sometimes."

Mila nodded, understanding the feeling of longing for a place even when life had moved on. "It sounds wonderful."

"It has its moments," Irina said, flashing a smile. "But I think you'll find this place full of opportunities if you keep your eyes open."

When they returned to the Antonovas mansion, they were greeted by the sight of Leo standing in front of a freshly painted wall in the grand dining hall. Mila's jaw dropped when she saw the intricate mural he had created—a breathtaking depiction of a Polish forest, with trees swaying in the wind, sunlight filtering through the leaves, and a distant horizon bathed in golden light.

"It's beautiful," Mila whispered, walking closer to examine the details.

Leo turned and smiled proudly. "Thank you. Mr. Antonovas requested a mural, and I wanted it to reflect the nature surrounding his home. It was hard work, but I'm happy with how it turned out."

Irina nodded in approval. "You're both so talented. Father will be thrilled when he sees this."

Mila exchanged a proud glance with Leo, feeling that, even though they were far from home, they were starting to find their way in this new world.