Miracles | 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱 ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔶

part twenty one

The countryside whizzed past in a blur as their carriage sped along the well-worn road, the Antonovas horses carrying them swiftly toward Hungary. The air was crisp, and Mila found herself savoring the open landscape, the rich, rolling fields dotted with scattered trees as far as the eye could see.

In the seat across from her, Irina rummaged through a small travel bag, finally pulling out a worn, leather-bound book. She looked at Mila, a mischievous grin crossing her face.

"Have you heard of Shakespeare?" Irina asked, holding up the book proudly.

"Shakespeare?" Mila tilted her head, examining the book. "The name sounds familiar, but I don't think I've read anything by him."

"Oh, you must!" Irina's eyes sparkled with excitement. "He's an English writer, and his stories... they're so full of life, love, betrayal, heartbreak—all the most intense emotions." She held the book close to her heart, closing her eyes in a little display of passion. "It's what I love about drama. The thrill, the suspense! It's like... living a hundred lives in one."

Mila couldn't help but smile at her friend's enthusiasm. "So that's why you're so dramatic, Irina! I should have guessed you had a secret passion for tales of heartbreak and betrayal."

Irina laughed, waving a hand in a grand, theatrical gesture. "Oh, please, Mila. It's not my fault the world is so full of intrigue! But really, the way Shakespeare writes about human nature... it's almost as if he sees right into people's souls."

Mila raised an eyebrow, amused. "And here I thought you just liked to keep everyone entertained."

Irina shrugged, her expression softening. "Well, maybe a bit of that too. But there's more. Shakespeare makes you feel things—intensely. Take Romeo and Juliet." She flipped open the book, running her fingers over the pages. "Two young lovers from feuding families, drawn together despite all odds."

"Sounds... intense," Mila murmured, genuinely intrigued. "It must take quite a gift to write like that."

"Exactly!" Irina's eyes sparkled. "Maybe you'll be inspired by his stories. Or maybe they'll remind you of things closer to your own life..." She winked.

Mila glanced out at the passing fields, smiling to herself. Though her life was far from the dramatic tales Irina loved so much, she appreciated Irina's enthusiasm. Drama, in its own way, had begun to find its place in her life, she mused. She looked back at Irina, who was now enthusiastically reciting a passage, her face animated with each word.

For the rest of their journey, Irina continued reading aloud, sharing bits of her favorite passages, while Mila listened, laughing and occasionally teasing her friend's theatrical antics. They both knew that their lives were a world away from the English tales of love and tragedy, yet, somewhere in Irina's reading, Mila found herself dreaming of the adventures that still lay ahead.