Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 48

"I can't wait for spring and summer to arrive," Vagatha said, gazing out at the frosted window of the mill. "I long to see everything come alive again, to smell the violets, to watch the butterflies dance, and to feel the sun at its brightest."

"Winter isn't so bad," Anthony said with a grin. "Didn't you have fun playing in the snow the other day?"

"Well, yes," she replied, "but I still prefer the longer, warmer days. I miss when all the animals come out instead of hiding away in their trees and burrows."

Sure! Here's a revised version of your writing:

"Oh, they do that all year round in this place. My old man and my brother will pretty much shoot anything that walks on four legs."

"Speaking of which, did they ever find out that you and Molly sneaked out for Christmas?"

"Augusto found out. He discovered our presents and knew that we didn't have the money to buy them. But he promised not to tell."

"Do you think he'll keep that promise?"

"He will. He may be sexist, cruel to animals, and thick-headed, but he's no rat. He'd never want to see me or Molly get hurt."

"When's their next hunting trip? Do you know?"

"They have plenty of meat and fur to sustain them throughout the winter, so it's unlikely they'll venture out until spring—unless, of course, their egos get the better of them."

"Next time they head out, why don't you and Molly make some sweets and sell them? You could save up your own money to help her open that sweet shop she wants."

"That's not a bad idea, but we'll need to find a way to hide the money. I suppose we could bury it in the vegetable garden; they'd never think to look there."

"Do they ever work in the garden?"

"No, it's just me and Molly. But there's another issue: to make sweets for sale, we need a lot of sugar and flour, and that can get pricey."

"Well, I can help with the flour. And while I can't get you cane sugar, I can provide natural sugar."

"Natural sugar?"

"Yes! We can use honey, apples, and strawberries. Once spring and summer roll around, I'll take you to the best spots in the forest to gather fresh nuts and berries for your sweets."

"That sounds like a plan. I'll discuss it with Molly and get her thoughts."

"Perfect! Let me know what she says, and once the seasons change, I'll start forging."

"You know, spring and summer are also the seasons when people talk about courting and weddings," Anthony teased. "As pretty as you are, you might attract quite a few suitors."

"If that should happen, I'll send them all away. As I've mentioned before, I have no interest in marriage."

"Good, because frankly, I think you'd make a terrible wife."

"Excuse me?"

"Well, wives typically spend their days at home, cooking, cleaning, and raising children. I just can't picture you doing something like that. Of course, I would make an awful husband myself. I can't imagine spending all day hunting in the woods or plowing fields."

"If you refuse to work, then of course you'd make a terrible husband."

"Oh, I didn't say I refuse to work. I just don't want to be a hunter or a farmer. I much prefer the housewife's role; after all, I've been doing all the cleaning at my house for years, and I help my sister with the cooking."