Amara and Mary lay side by side on the bed inside the tent, enveloped in a comfortable silence. They were tired from laughing, especially Mary.
"I should leave; it's getting darker, I need to talk to him. " Amara said.
"It seemed like it got dark early tonight," Mary replied. They stepped out of the tent to observe the weather.
"Winter is getting closer," Amara remarked. The two women fell into silence. Despite their brief moments of joy, the future felt unpredictable.
"He might love you," Mary said suddenly, her tone shifting as she recognized the underlying tension in Amara.
Amara tried to brush it off, acting as if the comment didn't affect her. "Rumors are just that-rumors," she replied but Mary could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.
"Come on, Amara. I can tell it's bothering you," Mary pressed gently. "You don't have to pretend."
Amara sighed, her facade slipping. "It's just... it's complicated.
Amara looked at her, a flicker of hope mixed with apprehension in her eyes. "I don't want to dream. I know my reality,"
"Look at the people. Everyone is jealous of you right now. You're the one married to him. Soon, everyone will want to be friends with you, I'm sure of it. Even if it's fake, they will respect you. You're the soldier who gained the crown prince's knowledge without the captain's help," Mary encouraged.
Amara glanced at the crowd, a painful smile crossing her face. "Do you see them, Mary? They're looking at me, but they won't talk to me."
"They might be afraid," Mary suggested.
"No one speaks to me or wants to befriend me, yet they watch my every move while ignoring my gaze. Their eyes disturb me,.... I should leave." Amara said and left , turning back toward her tent .
The weather shifted. "Snow? It's early," she murmured.