Chapter 59: chapter 59

The evening air carried the scent of pine and earth as Amelia stood before her small wooden mirror, fastening the last ribbon of her gown. The dress was simple, made of soft linen in muted shades of blue, but on her, it looked effortless—beauty woven into simplicity. A few loose strands of her hair framed her face, catching the glow of the single candle flickering on her wooden dresser.Outside, the village was alive with preparations. Laughter and the sound of crackling wood echoed across the valley as people gathered in the meadow, piling logs high to build the bonfire. It was a tradition as old as the village itself—a night to ward off evil spirits before the Midsummer festival, to dance and sing under the open sky, and to burn herbs that carried whispered prayers into the wind.Amelia was fastening a bracelet around her wrist when she heard the familiar voice of Lucy at the door."Mrs. Risberg, is Amelia inside?" Lucy asked, her tone light and cheerful.Alexis, carrying a wooden bucket, paused before heading toward the nearby stream. "Yes, she’s getting ready," she replied, adjusting the scarf around her shoulders. "Stick together, Lucy, and don’t get into trouble, alright? And come home early."Lucy grinned. "Don’t worry, Mrs. Risberg, I’ll keep us out of trouble. Maybe."Alexis chuckled, shaking her head as she walked away.Lucy pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately spotting Amelia by the mirror. Her eyes widened as she took in her friend’s appearance. "Wow, Amelia," she breathed, stepping closer. "You look beautiful."Amelia turned, her lips curving into a teasing smirk. "And you, dear Lucy, look absolutely ugly indeed."Lucy gasped in mock horror, placing a hand over her chest. "I know! It’s tragic, really. I don’t think there’s anyone in this entire village uglier than me."Amelia laughed, shaking her head as she grabbed her friend's hand. "Come on, before we miss the fire."Hand in hand, they stepped out into the cool evening.The large bonfire burned brightly in the middle of the gathering, its golden flames dancing against the dark outline of the mountain valley.By the time Amelia and Lucy arrived at the meadow, the sun had already set. Above them, countless stars twinkled like tiny lanterns. The bonfire lit up the area, casting a warm glow on the villagers who had gathered around it. The air smelled of burning wood and fresh herbs, and the sound of laughter and singing filled the night.Amelia looked around and saw many familiar faces. Young girls were holding hands, spinning in circles as they sang cheerful songs. Their skirts flowed as they moved, and the firelight made their faces glow with joy.Lucy grabbed Amelia’s hand excitedly. "Come on, let’s join them before we miss all the fun!"Amelia laughed as Lucy pulled her into the dance. The rhythm was easy to follow, and soon she was twirling with the others, feeling light and carefree. The warmth of the fire brushed against her skin, and for a moment, she let herself enjoy the simple happiness of the night.Then, as she spun around, her eyes wandered to the crowd.She saw a familiar face.Her heart skipped a beat. At first, she thought she was imagining things. She quickly looked again.No, she wasn’t mistaken.It was Ivar.He stood still in the middle of the crowd, watching her with a small smile. His pale blue eyes held something that made her stomach flutter.A strange joy spread through her, surprising her.As the dance ended, Amelia turned to Lucy and whispered, "I’ll be back in a minute."Lucy frowned. "Wait, what? Where are you—"But Amelia was already moving through the crowd, heading toward where she had seen him.When she reached the spot, he was gone.Her heart sank a little, but she wasn’t ready to give up. She took a few steps away from the fire, where the light didn’t reach as well. The meadow was darker there, quieter.Just as she was about to turn back, a voice spoke from the shadows."Looking for me?"She gasped and turned quickly.And there he was.Ivar stood a few feet away, his dark cloak blending into the night. His eyes shone under the stars, and his expression was calm, almost amused.Amelia took a slow breath, trying to steady herself. "You… are you here to see the bonfire?"He tilted his head slightly. "No. I’m here to see you."A strange flutter stirred in Amelia’s chest. She didn’t know how to respond, so she simply said, “It’s been a long time since we saw each other. I thought you had forgotten me.”Ivar smirked. “Does it matter to you?”She hesitated. Then, with quiet honesty, she admitted, “I don’t want to say it, but… it does.”Ivar let out a soft chuckle. “Well, that’s some progress, I think.”Amelia rolled her eyes. “You can think whatever you like. It’s your thoughts, after all.”Silence settled between them, thick with something unspoken. The distant crackling of the fire and the occasional burst of laughter from the villagers felt worlds away.Amelia shifted her weight, trying to ease the tension. “So, how have you been? Were you too busy to visit?”But instead of answering, Ivar hit her with another question. “Did you miss me, Amelia?”Her breath caught in her throat. His voice was calm, but there was something serious behind his words.She met his gaze for a moment, then lowered her eyes and thought carefully before speaking. "I can’t say I didn’t miss you… It’s annoying to admit, but I even went into the forest, hoping to see you."Ivar chuckled softly, then leaned in a little closer."And do you know why, Amelia?"She looked up at him, her wide, innocent eyes meeting his. “…Why?”He bent down just enough to whisper in her ear, "Because you have feelings for me, you silly girl."Before Amelia could react, a voice called out."Amelia! There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!"Lucy came running toward them, her expression shifting the moment she saw Ivar. Her excitement turned into suspicion, her brows furrowing.“What is he doing here?” she demanded, stepping protectively beside Amelia.Ivar’s smirk didn’t fade, but his gaze sharpened slightly.Lucy turned to him, arms crossed. “Why are you here? Leave my friend alone.”Then she grabbed Amelia’s wrist. “Come on, Amelia. We’ve seen enough of the bonfire. Let’s go home.”Amelia hesitated, glancing back at Ivar. But before she could say anything, Lucy tugged her away, dragging her back toward the fire—away from the dark shadows, away from the quiet intensity of Ivar’s gaze.And as she walked, she could still feel his lingering presence, as if his words had left a mark she couldn’t quite erase.