Miracles | 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱 ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔶

part twenty three

As their carriage moved through the serene, rolling hills and thick woodlands of Hungary, Mila sat with her sketchbook balanced on her knee, fully absorbed in her work. Every scene, from the small stone cottages scattered along the countryside to the sprawling fields of wildflowers dancing in the breeze, became a memory etched onto her paper. She worked meticulously, capturing every detail with precision, her pencil moving swiftly yet purposefully.

Irina, sitting beside her, leaned over to observe her sketches, flipping back through the pages they'd accumulated during the journey. "You've been quite productive, Mila," she remarked with a grin. "You've already got—what is it? Seven sketches from Ukraine, nine from Poland and Lithuania, and twelve here in Hungary!"

Mila glanced at her friend, smiling with satisfaction as she surveyed her growing collection. "It's strange," she mused, "I never realized how much beauty there was outside my own village until we set out on this journey. Each place has its own character, its own colors."

Irina laughed, eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement. "You know, Mila, perhaps someday you could compile these into a book! Imagine it—a beautiful collection of sketches from a journey across half of Europe."

Leo, who had been listening quietly, chimed in with a thoughtful expression. "Actually, Irina might be onto something. In the Ottoman Empire, I've heard there are talented book publishers who specialize in unique works, even ones that feature art. They're very skilled in binding books with intricate designs, too."

Mila's eyes lit up at the idea, her heart stirring with excitement at the prospect. "That would be a dream," she murmured, almost to herself. The thought of her sketches becoming part of something lasting—a book that others could hold and see through her eyes—filled her with a deep sense of purpose.

Irina placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then let's make that dream come true. Who knows? Maybe in Istanbul, or even here on the way, we'll find someone who believes in the beauty you create."

Mila smiled, the gentle hum of the carriage and the rhythmic clopping of the horses soothing her as she returned to her work. With each sketch, she could feel herself becoming part of the landscapes she drew—memories of a journey she knew would shape her forever.