An esteemed visitor

It was one of the cold evenings in the kingdom of

Arthena. While at most time the kingdom was filled with warmth, that day was different and Larissa who held a heavy basket filled with groceries lifted her face to look at the sky which was dull and sunless.

Quickening her footsteps, she started to leave the town behind and when the sky gave out a scary growl, she started to run so that the rain would not catch her while she was outside.

Even with all her efforts to run back home without getting wet, the superior thick, smoky clouds did not give her time and instead, she heard them rolling like boulders ready to crush anything in their way. The darkness was engulfing and seemed to fully consume any spec of light.

Any last hope was gone and without a warning, the water came gushing down, throwing itself on the Guage knife_ like rocks.

"Oh no! Why couldn't it just wait?!" Larissa whose clothes were starting to get wet muttered under her breath.

Not finding a place where she could shield herself from the rain, she continued with her pace. Her once clean shoes had begun to become muddy and the ground bacame slippery but even with all that, she did not stop.

Larissa finally reached the small wooden house at the end of the alley. Her clothes soaked through, hair clinging on to her face. She took a deep breath before opening the creaky door already bracing herself for what awaited inside.

Her aunt, Miriam, stood in the dimly lit living room, arms crossed, face set in a deep frown. The moment Larissa stepped in, dripping water on to the wooden floor, the woman's voice cut through the air like a blade.

" Why are you this late?" The woman's tone was sharp, laced with irritation. " Do you think we have time for foolish wanderings? I thought you would be different from your mother because if I'm not wrong, you were out there flirting with men."

The words struck like a slap. Larissa stiffened, her fingers tightening around the basket handle.

It wasn't the first time her aunt said such things but it still stung. The mention of her mother always did.

"I had gone to the market. You..._"

"And you couldn't be home before the rain." Her aunt's voice interrupted her.

Larissa said nothing. Arguing was useless.

Instead, she turned and walked towards the small kitchen. Her shoes squashing against the floor.

Her cousin, Marielle was already there. Leaning against the counter with a smirk.

" You look like a drowned rat." She said. Arms folded. "What? Did you decide to bathe in the streets?"

Larissa ignored her, stepping past her to place the basket on the counter. Marielle's mocking laughter followed her but she didn't react. She had learned long ago that silence was her best defence.

Without another word, she walked out of the kitchen. Her steps heavy with exhaustion. She made her way to a small plain room she called her own. The walls were plain except for a single cracked mirror in the corner. The bed,little more than a thin mattress on a wooden frame, sat against the far wall. It wasn't much , but at least here, she could be alone.

She closed the door behind her, pressing her forehead against the wood, breathing deeply. The rain continued to pour outside, it's rhythmic drumming against the roof the only sound in the silence of her room.

She wished, just for a moment, her mother was still alive. Maybe then, the place would feel like home.

Going to the main bath, she turned the key in the lock with a sof click. Stealing herself away from the rest of the house. She let out a slow breath, her shoulders sagging as she peeled off her soaked dress.

Heading back to her room, she slipped into one of her clothes, the fabric thin and faded from years of use. Her bare feet felt cold against the cold floor as she moved towards the window, dragging her feet as though the weight of the evening had settled on her bones.

With trembling fingers, she pulled back the faded curtains revealing the sky beyond. The night was thick with darkness, the clouds swallowing any trace of stars. No moonlight to soften the adges of the world, no silver glow to bring comfort. Just endless black stretching across the heavens.

Larissa pressed her fingers against the cool glass, staring in the void beyond. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, it's soft patter against the roof a melancholic rythm.

She swallowed hard, then parted her lips. Her voice barely above a whisper.

"If only you were here..."

The words trembled in the air, fragile and uncertain. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as if she could draw the memory of the woman she had lost.

"Why did you allow death to take you away from me... ?"

But there was no answer. No gentle touch on her shoulder, no whispered reassurance carried by the wind. Only silence.

A lump formed in her throat but she refused to cry. Instead, she stayed by the window, staring into the darkness, waiting for a sign that never came.

The silence in Larissa's small room was soon interrupted by a firm knock at the door. She stiffened, her fingers still resting against the windowpane.

"Larissa." Came her aunt's voice. Sharp and unwavering. "Come out, dinner is ready."

Larissa blinked in surprise. Her aunt never invited her to dine with them. Most nights, she was left to fend for herself, picking at whatever scrapes were set aside.

"I'm not hungry." Truly, she was in no mood to eat.. let alone stay in the same room as her cousin and aunt.

There was a pause, then Miriam's voice came again, this time laced with warning. " You will come to dinner, and you will behave. The duke's son has graced us with his visit and I won't have you embarrassing this household with your sulking."

Rather than arguing knowing well that the woman would drag her out with threats, she agreed.

'What was the duke's son doing in their house?'