The wildflower field enhanced the young woman's beauty. Or perhaps it was she who brought life to the scene. He had never felt this way before. Her long, fiery curls danced in the breeze, clashing with the old, tattered rags she wore—but instead of lessening her beauty, they only made her shine brighter.
"What a treasure," he murmured, unable to help himself.
She turned to look at him, her clear eyes gleaming like the sky just after dawn.
"Pardon?" she asked.
His legs trembled. How could a girl make him feel this way? Nothing and no one had ever made him react like this.
"I-I wasn't talking to you. I… I meant…" he stammered.
She smiled—a wide, brilliant smile that seemed to fill the whole space and left him breathless.
"The field, right? It's beautiful," she said, turning her gaze back to the flowers.
Without warning, she began to spin with her arms wide open, laughing softly. Her patched skirt twirled with her, and her hair—like fire in the wind—rippled in lively waves.
"Here, I feel free," she said, pausing to look at the sky. "It's like I can finally breathe."
He watched her, transfixed. Without thinking, he stepped into the field and copied her. At first, he felt ridiculous. Then something shifted. They laughed. And for a moment, the world seemed to stop.
The next day, he returned to the same spot, hoping to see her again. He scanned the meadow, but there was no sign of her.
Then, a pair of hands grabbed his shoulders from behind.
"Boo!" she shouted with delight.
The scare made him fall flat on his face.
"Hey, you…" he exclaimed, turning around. It was her, grinning sweetly, as if the sun had hidden behind her lips.
"I'm so sorry," she said, offering her hand. "I just wanted to surprise you. Looks like you really like this place too."
"Yes, I do. So… I'll come here whenever I can," he replied, perhaps a bit selfishly—but deep down, he wanted her to know he didn't want to stop seeing her.
"My name's Lirea. And yours?" she asked, ignoring his awkward response.
"Lucan."
"Well then, now that we know each other's names… let's be friends!"
He blinked, surprised by how easily she said it.
She noticed and gave him a softer smile.
"If we're going to keep meeting here, we'd better be friends, don't you think?"
He hesitated, then nodded. She raised her pinky and linked it with his.
"Let's promise this place will be our secret. That as long as we meet here, it'll always be just us," she said.
"I promise," he answered, not fully understanding what she meant.
From that day on, they met there almost every day. And with each meeting, he fell a little more in love with her.
He had already made up his mind.
Lirea walked through the dusty village streets with steady steps, carrying a basket full of fresh vegetables she had picked that very morning. The sun warmed her skin and left a light sweat on her brow, but she didn't stop. She had to finish her errands before sunset.
As she passed, several children ran from their homes with bright eyes and big smiles.
"Lirea!" they called out. "Will you come play later?"
She smiled warmly and nodded.
"Of course. I'll finish up and then come find you."
The elders sitting on doorsteps greeted her with kind gestures and soft words.
"Good morning, Lirea. It's good to see you working hard."
"Thank you, Grandpa Mateo. The fields need care, and someone has to do it."
Other adults nodded or exchanged a few words about the weather or the crops.
Lirea was part of the village's daily rhythm. Though her life was simple and filled with hard work, these small encounters gave her strength to keep going.
After delivering the vegetables, she returned to the fields to help with the cleaning. Her hands moved with practiced ease, knowing that every task, no matter how small, helped her family.
When she returned home, something felt off. Her parents were sitting at the table, a parchment unrolled between them. The air was unusually quiet.
"What's that?" she asked cautiously.
Her mother didn't answer right away. She just handed her the parchment.
Lirea took it and read:
Official Summons
By direct order of nobleman Lucan of the Royal House, the presence of Lirea of Alden is requested at the royal residence within five days' time.
The reason for this summons is her participation in a matrimonial selection process, approved by the Council and requested explicitly by the aforementioned noble.
Discretion is requested.
— Secretariat of the Royal Council
Silence filled the room. Her father read the notice again over her shoulder, unable to believe it.
"This… this could change everything," he muttered, as if to himself. Then he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Finally, a real opportunity."
Her mother remained quiet.
Lirea said nothing. She held the parchment in both hands, unmoving. Her brow furrowed slightly, eyes locked on the text, though she was no longer reading it.
A strange feeling twisted in her chest.
She didn't know whether it was fear, discomfort… or simply doubt.