Hello guys! Another week, another chapter. I hope that I will manage to keep weekly updates. So far, so good. Anyway, in this chapter, we will see a different point of view. I will not keep you long today, but I want to thank you all for all support I am getting. Enjoy the new chapter! See you!
Astrid wakes up with a sour smile. This was the day. The day when her freedom will be taken away from her. From this day, she needs to be a pretty little Princess. She groans into the pillows when a sudden knock surprises her. Not waiting for an answer, her maid enters.
"Good morning, Your Highness." She says with a smile as she walks to open the curtains.
"Good morning, Alison," Astrid grumbles as she slowly gets up from her comfy bed. She takes the clothes Alison got ready for her and starts to dress. Alison didn't make a move to help her as she knew that Astrid hated it.
Astrid sat on the chair in front of the mirror when she was dressed in a beautiful light blue dress. Alison quickly took the brush and started to brush her hair. It was the only task that Astrid didn't mind letting on Alison.
Astrid was looking at her reflection. Yes, a reflection that shows her the hard truth. She was just a doll in political machinations. She knew that her parents wanted only the best for her, even in this whole affair. They gave her a choice to pick a husband, for Thor's sake. Not many noble girls had this kind of opportunity. But to choose her husband from her friends? She had known them for most of her life. Yes, they were a few who were not her friends, but it was for a good reason. They were either idiotic or rude, or they just saw her as a doll. No, she will have to choose from her friends, but could she do that?
After half the hour, Astrid's hair was put into one braid, and another knock sounded not long after that.
"Enter!" Astrid shouts, and when the door opens, her mother walks inside. Her mother has long blond hair braided into three braids, blue eyes, a slender build and quite an extravagant dress.
"You look beautiful, my daughter." Her mother compliments her, and Astrid smiles. At first, she was pretty angry at her parents, but she understood them. If she would not compile, she could throw whole nations into a war that would destroy thousands of innocent lives. Her mother walks to her and caresses Astrid's cheek. "I am so sorry, my dear,"
Astrid reaches out to take her mother's hand. "It is alright, mama. I don't blame you for anything. You at least gave me a chance to choose someone rather than forcing me to marry a specific man."
Her mother's smile widens. "Thank you, my dear. You have no idea how much my heart feels lighter."
"And all finished." Astrid's maid says, and Astrid turns her head to see her hair in polished metal. Alison made the thick braid that ended below her waist, decorated with several small red flowers.
"Good job, Alison," Astrid says with a smile.
"Do you require anything else from me, milady?" Alison asks as she tries to excuse herself. She knew that when the Queen visited her daughter this early in the morning, she wanted to be with her daughter alone.
"No, Alison," The Queen says, confirming the maid's suspicion. "I will take it from here." Alison bows and makes her way out of the room.
Astrid, meanwhile, looks at her mother. She knew, too, that her mother needed something.
"Can I do anything for you, mama?" Astrid asks as she stands up when Alison leaves her room. Looking into her mother's eyes, she sees sadness, regret, and even pain. In a moment, those emotions vanish. Astrid knows her mother hates being weak, even in front of her family.
"Yes, dearest daughter." Her mother says with a smile. "I was thinking, would you give me the pleasure of spending your last free day with me? I know that it's a lot to ask, but..."
"Of course, mama. I would be delighted." Astrid interrupts her with a smile. Her mother's smiles widen, and together they make their way for breakfast.
When the maids open the door leading to the dining hall, Astrid sees her father eating while speaking to his advisors. Her father was a lean man with blue eyes and dark hair in a small ponytail. His choice of clothes was not as extravagant as her mother's, but it was ridiculous nonetheless. Oh, how Astrid hates it. Some people barely had something to eat, while nobles wore clothes without practical use. Just as her stupid dress in which she could scarcely move.
"Crops this year were below average, but it's nothing we couldn't handle." Astrid heard, father's most trusted advisor. His name was Erik.
Erik was a man in his forties, slightly younger than her father. Despite his social standing, he had long dark hair shaved face, and was dressed quite commonly. He faithfully served her father since he became the King.
When their father notices them, he quickly smiles. "Most beautiful ladies in the realm just arrived." He says, and Astrid laughs along with her mother.
"Don't make me blush, papa," Astrid says as she comes closer to her father. She kisses him on the cheek and then sits by her father's right side while her mother kisses him and sits on his left side. Erik bows to two women, and they both nod with a smile.
"Erik," Her father says as soon as the servants bring food to her and her mother. Erik's attention was immediately on her father's. "I want to let know every man, woman, and child, on this land that I will not let my people hungry. If any city or village is having problems with food, royal grain granaries are open for them. I will not let my people go hungry when I am making feasts for nobles."
"It will be done, my king," Erik says, and her father nods. Astrid slowly ate several types of vegetables and some eggs while she listened to her father.
"Where is my son?" Her father asks, his smile disappearing. "He won't even join us for breakfast?"
"Our son is running errands for me, husband dearest." Her mother says, drawing a look at her father.
"Why didn't you mention that in the morning?" He asks, and her mother smiles at him. "I caught him before I went to get our daughter. I needed a specific item from a specific merchant, and he was so dear to get it for me."
"Oh," Her father blushes. She understands her father's irritation with her brother. He was a wild egg, and no amount of training or reasoning could make him focus on his father's objectives. But who would have thought that fifteen years old boy would instead run through fields than listen to his father about responsibilities and country affairs?
Astrid was suddenly aware that Erik was still standing before her father. There was something more he wanted to report.
"Is there anything else, my friend?" Her father asks as if he is reading her thoughts.
"Yes, my king," He says, slowly as if he is afraid. "I got a few reports from our scouts indicating that your special guests could have some problems."
Special guests? Astrid thought. Suddenly, Astrid sees that both her parents have frozen.
"Tell me about these reports." Astrid's father tentatively asks.
"Yesterday evening, several patrols on watch towers facing the Northern sea saw a huge column of smoke rising in the distance." Her mother gasped at the news, and Astrid started to wonder what has she missed.
"I dispatched rescue ships as soon as I heard this information," Erik nervously scratches his head. "But you know as good as I that smoke could mean only one thing, fire, and it does not bode well with ships."
"Mama, Papa? Who are these special guests?" Astrid couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. However, she doesn't get any answer. Instead, her mother motions towards the door with her head, and Astrid understands the message. Both ladies stand up and walk towards the door. Astrid spares her father one last glance, and she sees how furious he is. Her father was rarely angry.
Astrid and her mother walk silently through the castle. Astrid did not try to press her mother on the subject, as she knew she would get her answer when her mother calmed down.
"Astrid," Her mother starts with quite a commanding voice as they enter the royal garden. "Tell me the history of our great kingdom."
Astrid does not understand why her mother brought up this topic, but she knows that her mother will not be satisfied until she gives her the answer she wants.
"Twenty years back, was mainland divided," Astrid starts, and her mother nods.
"Since the death of the previous King, the Mainland was in turmoil. Every house wanted to have its own on the throne. Eventually, a war broke out, engulfing the whole Mainland. Internal war and endless attacks of Northern tribes and Free roaming tribes drove our kingdom to the verge of collapse. My father, Asmund Hofferson, managed to calm the kingdom down while successfully repealing the attacks of two hostile tribes. Northern tribes later capitulated, and roaming tribes pulled out of our land."
Astrid finished, but she did not like her mother's darkened expression.
"That is not quite true, but that is my fault. I should have never allowed my daughter to be taught by a governess. It was my responsibility." Her mother says with a sigh. Astrid didn't even notice that they had already arrived at the rose garden. Her mother sits down on a bench surrounded by red petals. Astrid sits beside her, and her mother looks at her.
"Northern tribes never capitulated." Her mother says, and Astrid is taken aback. "What?! How?! But..."
"I know you have questions, and I should be ashamed that I am only telling you this now." Her mother was quite nervous now.
"Northern tribes were on the verge of launching a massive offensive against recently united nations of the Mainland. If they attacked, the Mainland would not survive. However, it would be a bloody victory for the Northern Tribes, losing a lot of men and women in the process. So your father sent a messenger asking for a peace talk with the northern tribes. Northern tribes agreed. Their social structure is similar to ours, but instead of houses, they have chiefdoms. Since they are in the archipelago, each tribe has its Island. But the main word has central Island, Berk, and the High Chief. But you already know all of that." Her mother says and nervously smiles at her daughter. Astrid didn't say anything. She was too curious to find out what made her mother so nervous.
"So anyway, Northern Tribes agreed. There would be peace talks. Both parties decided to meet on neutral ground and sent their emissaries. Your father decided that he would take a personal role in the negotiations, while Northern Tribes sent three women. One was the High Chief's wife, one from the tribe's elders and the last one was a young woman who was trained in the politics of the Mainland. During negotiations, your father discovered that Northern tribes didn't attack the Mainland on a whim. Someone from the Mainland launched a false flag attack on the Northern tribes, and they only retaliated. Your father promised to investigate this information, and northern tribes agreed to halt all hostilities unless provoked. Your father later figured out that house Bludvist under the leadership of Drago Bludvist attacked the tribes hoping that they would weaken his foes. When the northern tribes demanded retribution, house Bludvist refused. Your father had no other choice than convince other houses to join forces with the northern tribes and destroy house Bludvist. They succeeded despite house Bludvist's strong armada, and house Bludvist was later disbanded. Half of its territory gained house Jorgenson and second half, house Ingerman."
Astrid was shocked, to say at least. "How is it possible that I, and probably the rest of the kingdom, are being taught a total blatant lie? How can Northern Tribes approve this?"
"Northern tribes are quite isolationistic, and they don't care what kind of propaganda is happening on the Mainland."
"How could father allow this kind of propaganda?" Astrid asks in bewilderment. As a woman of honour, she was disgusted by this.
"Please understand, daughter," Her mother suddenly says with a serious tone. "Your father managed to unite the houses only through compromises, and he cannot dictate a lot of things if he wants to have the support of the houses."
Astrid understood that, even when she was disgusted by it. Only then did she put two and two together.
"Wait a minute," Astrid says, looking at her mother in shock. "That means you were not a peace offering. You were the tribe's safety net. You were married to my father for the political union while keeping an eye on the Mainland."
"That is the truth," Her mother says, her eyes now distant. "I was one of the three women in the first negotiations. And I was the one who proposed that solution. High Chief was against it, but later, he understood my reasoning. When you were born, my priorities shifted to your well-being, which meant helping the Mainland. My connection to my people waned with each passing year. Northern tribes grew even more isolated, and their troubles with dragon attacks kept them preoccupied. We had a few spies on their Islands, but for the past year, every spy we had on those islands returned. All of them were exiled from those islands. We don't know how they found all our spies, and houses on the Mainland became troubled since those Islands covered an aura of mystery. But a few months back, we got a message from the High Chief. "
"What was in the message?" Astrid asks when her mother pauses. Her mother extended her hand, and Astrid noticed her mother holding a letter. Astrid takes it, and the first thing she sees is a faint mark of a curled dragon at the end of the letter. She then opens it and begins to read.
Your royal Majesty,
you don't know me, but you know my father. My name is Hiccup, The Cunning of house Haddock, son of our great High Chief Stoick, The Vast of house Haddock and his great wife, Valka, The Brave of house Haddock. Maybe you are surprised to see my letter, maybe not. That is not important. You were and still are, I hope, a great friend to my father. From my father's stories, I know you are a brilliant man, so I will be blunt. I saw reports from your country, and I was deeply disturbed. When I saw those reports, I saw signs of impending war. I know that you have seen it too. I don't share the viewpoint of my people that we could be well off without the Mainland. And I know that Mainland would not be well off without us. I read about times when we ignored each other, and both nations suffered because of it. I don't want to see history repeating itself, and most of all, I don't want to see my people die in pointless wars. As of this moment, I want you to be reassured that I will do whatever is in my power to improve relations between Archipelago and Mainland. The war is coming, and only together will we prevail.
Yours truly,
Hiccup The Cunning of House Haddock.
P.S: I hope that your spies arrived home safe and sound. I did not see a point in killing them, unlike a few spies from other houses on the Mainland.
"And he did what he said." Her mother says when she notices that, she stops reading. "For the past few months, we received more emissaries from the Northern tribe than we did for the past twenty years. As he wrote, we need their help. Free Roaming tribes are getting bolder, attacking our villages and killing our people."
"So these special guests..."
"Is high chief himself along with his family."
"You think that someone attacked them?" Astrid asks her mother, finally realising the magnitude of their situation.
"A lot of people don't want the Mainland getting stronger. Even some of our nobles want our great country to fall, hoping they would come out on top." Her mother shakes her head. "Our world is so twisted, my dear daughter.
"What would be the consequences if something happened to them?" Astrid asks, and she sees fear in her mother's eyes.
"Gods help us then. High Chief and now even his son are the only reason the northern tribes are noticing us. Without them, our great land will fall into war."
"Why did I never hear about Chief's son?" Astrid asks.
"Well, our spies were few, and their messages were hard to come by, so they only sent the most important things. We knew about Chief's children but didn't know anything about them. The only and last thing we received was that Chief's son passed the rite of passage."
"Rite of Passage?"
"It's a tribes thing. Every child who reaches eighteen years is sent alone into the dragon-habituated wilderness, and they must survive for a month alone. But the Chief's son or daughter has it even harder. He is sent there with two teens, which he must keep safe."
"That is quite barbaric, mom."
"Yes, it is, but it is much more regulated now than it was hundreds of years back. Skilled hunters are always watching them from out of sight without their knowledge, and teens with chiefs son can return any time if they feel threatened."
"How did your trial go?"
"I was wed to your father before I could pass the rite, but I trained hard. It is something you can't fail if you want the respect of your people."
"Mom, I have it! I have it!" Two women were interrupted from their talks by a boy running toward them.
Astrid recognised her brother's lean build and mop of dark hair as his father. He was so innocent, not ready to face this dark world. Astrid doubted that her brother would ever be able to rule a country. It was not because she doubted him. But because he couldn't make hard decisions without remorse. Hell, when they were younger, he stole some sweets from her, and he was a nervous wreck until he blurted out the truth to her. He stops in front of them and hands something to mother, and Astrid only sees it is wrapped in cloth.
"The merchant you sent me to did not have it, but there is a new merchant there, a cute blond girl," Astrid sees a blush coming to his cheeks, and she smirks. "She was ecstatic to sell it to me and even gave us a huge discount. A lot of coins are remaining."
"Can I know what it is?" Astrid asks, her curiosity piquing.
"Thank you, dear son, keep the coins," Mother says as she side looks at her daughter. "Your father is expecting you now."
"Yes, mother, I am going, mother. Goodbye, sister." Her brother says with a big smile. He was like a big child, and the healer doubted that he would ever be different.
"Go..." Mother softly says, and he again nods with a smile.
Mother sighs. "That boy will never survive the political intrigue of this land, and many people already see him as a weak link to get to our family."
"Is there something we can do?" Astrid ask. She was pretty worried, and her mother never voiced her fears like now.
"No, he is too kindhearted for this world. Some are even saying that he is not quite alright in the head. I must agree, but it doesn't mean I love him less. The only thing we can do is try to protect him."
"But what will happen when he inherits the throne? Who will protect him then?" Astrid asked. She didn't need to say she was afraid for him; her mother knew that.
"If everything goes along with my plan, he will never know the troubles and dangers of being a king." Her mother says, and Astrid's curiosity is piqued.
"What kind of plan?" She asks in a hushed tone, but her mother just smiles, to her surprise.
"Anyway, this is for you." Her mother says, handing her the bundle her brother brought.
Astrid figured out that she would get nothing more out of her mother on that subject, so she took the bundle into her hands. She slowly unwrapped the cloth, and inside was a wooden medallion. Inside the medallion were carved two crossing axes.
"What's this?" Astrid asks as she curiously examines the medallion.
"It is a thing in tribes," Her mother says as she takes it from her and puts it around Astrid's neck. "It should protect you from bad suitors and highlight the good suitor."
Astrid laughs. "I doubt someone will notice this plain medallion on my chest."
"You will never know." That was all her mother said to her.
They sat there almost till noon when both women went to get something to eat. Since they knew that the High King had enough worries without them present, they went to get their launch straight to the kitchen. They did it numerous times. Every new servant was always shocked to see Queen and Princess come to eat in the kitchen as if they were one of them. Astrid's mother taught her children that people should be equal to each other, no matter their social standing. It was a hated notion in aristocratic circles but loved by ordinary folks. But as her mother always said. You should be more afraid of your people than you are of other nobles. Because your people are growing foods, you eat and fight in your name.
Of course, for Astrid's curious nature, eating in the kitchen had another upside. She could hear all rumours floating around, and she sometimes learned more from rumours than her parents from their spies.
Servants were at first hesitant to rumour in the presence of their Queen and princess, but soon they were part of their rumour group. Sometimes Queen even released some rumours on purpose.
The chef welcomes them with a big smile and ushers them to sit down. Soon both women were eating chicken broth while servants chatted while working.
"Did you hear about the new merchant in a merchant district, milady?" One of the maids asks Astrid while she is cutting vegetables. Astrid looks away from her broth at the maid she recognised as Adeline.
"I can't say I have. Why?" Astrid answers. Her mother looks up, too.
"Well, she is making a killing out there," Adeline says with a smile. "She came three weeks back, and other merchants have been cursing under their breaths since then."
"Why is that?" Her mother asks, and Adeline looks at the Queen. "Because she is attracting all customers, common and nobles alike. Her shop is full all the time, and I have no idea how she manages it."
"And she is pleasant to look at too!" One of the other servants says, and all of them laugh.
Astrid loves these moments of being down here. People were honest here, not minding etiquette or any other stupidities.
"Do we know anything about her?" Her mother asks when the laugh dies down. Astrid sees in the corner of her eye that her mother is unusually focused on Adeline, and she understands that her mother is quite interested in this new merchant.
"Well, she is quite young, around the twenties, maybe even younger," Adeline says, and another maid joins. "Yes, she is quite young, which is one reason for other merchants' ire."
"Nah, they are not bothered by her age," the older woman adds. "They are bothered that she sells armours and weapons of Berkian Royal Forge below the price of other merchants."
Astrid sees that her mother raises an eyebrow. "You don't say?" Her mother discovered something that deeply interested her, but Astrid had no idea what it was.
"Yeah, she sells it beneath the price of others but still above anything I could afford." The chef laughs. Suddenly her mother stands up. "Thank you all for the food and company. Could you please point me to the place of the new merchant?"
Servants look at her, and Adeline quickly answers. "Her shop is in the centre of the merchant district, and it is called Bits and Pieces."
"Come, daughter, I want to see a fellow kinsman in this city." Mother says, and Astrid stands up, thanks for the food and bids farewell to the servants.
Together they make their way to the nearest carriage. "To the new shop Bits and Pieces in the merchant district," She says to the charioteer, and together with her daughter, they climb to the carriage.
Soon they are on their way, and Astrid breaks the silence. "A penny for your thoughts?"
Her mother smiles. "Oh, I am just interested in this new merchant."
"You know that I know you are lying, right?" Astrid says as she crosses her hands on her chest.
"Of course, I know that, my dear. But I am giving you no other explanation." Her mother gives her an even sweeter smile, and Astrid would love to groan in a very unladylike fashion.
They travel in silence, and Astrid takes that moment to look out of the carriage. People were buzzing up and down, everyone trying to do their job. Astrid was again reminded that this was her last day as a free woman. Beginning tomorrow, she will need to play pretty little princess, ready for marriage.
Soon they left the palace ground, arriving in the merchant district. Astrid sees people talking and laughing, seemingly without a care in the world. She knows, however, that every one of them has their problems, troubles, and things they wish never happened. And if she refused to marry, every single person in this land would be affected by her selfish choice. This was a hard truth of being royalty, of being a leader. Many people wish to be royalty, but no one would love to have the responsibilities of said royalty. But she had to admit that most nobles misused their stature for their gain, whereas they should use their position to help the common populace. She hates being royalty but is also grateful because she knows she can make a difference.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and Astrid was again aware of the world around her. Her mother steps out, and Astrid follows her. They stand in front of a large building with a lot of folks in front of it. Astrid recognised the building immediately. It was a building of a greedy merchant caught during one of the numerous thefts. Later he was hanged, and her father confiscated this building. She knew that Erik put a hefty price on rent, and nobody was willing to rent this place because of that. She was surprised that someone from Northern Tribes had enough money to rent it.
"So the building finally found its use." Her mother says, and Astrid adds. "I hope that the new shop owner is better than the last one."
Together they walk towards the crowd. A loud crowd fell silent and made way for them as soon as they saw them. Astrid then notices that in front of the door stands a girl no older than her, holding a spear and looking menacingly at the crowd. When she notices them, Astrid sees that she frowns.
"We would like to enter the shop." Her mother says, and the girl huffs. "You and everyone else. However, Lady Cami has another customer inside, and she allows me to let in one at a time." It was Astrid's time to frown, but her mother just smiled.
"Of course, we will comply with your lady's wishes." Astrid's mother says with a slight bow of her head. The girl in front of them sighs, and all hostility leaves her posture.
"Thank you, my lady. You are the first one of these nut-heads who understands simple order."
Astrid was sure that this girl had no idea who they were, but on the other hand, it was pretty refreshing to see someone who was not afraid of them.
"First time on the mainland?" Mother asks, and the girl nods.
"Ya, I wasn't too happy with the assignment. I and many others would gladly stay in our territory."
"Then why are you here?" Astrid speaks up for the first time. The girl looks at her, and when she does not see any hostile intention on Astrid's face, she answers.
"Because of a future high chief, of course. It is his idea, establishing closer ties to the Mainland and all that."
"You don't agree with him?" Mother asks, and the girl puffs out her chest.
"Hiccup the Cunning managed to fix many problems the archipelago had in a short amount of time. He is a great warrior and thinker. He thinks before he acts, a trait that is not quite to come by in his fellow men. He is nice, treats everyone with respect, and is always polite. In good consciousness, I could not doubt his good intentions for our people nor second-guess his future actions."
Astrid was surprised at the sudden defence of the future High Chief.
"You have a great respect for the boy." Mother says, and the girl nods. "Yes, I have, and I hate our people for throwing logs under his feet. He proved himself in his rite, he proved himself in the training ring, and he proved himself on the political battlefield. Our people should be thankful for him. So to answer your first question, yes, I can't entirely agree with him on maintaining relationships with the Mainland, but I support him wholeheartedly."
"That kind of view is rare to come by, but I applaud you for your loyalty." Mother says with a smile.
"Thank you for kind words, my lady," The girl says, bowing her head in respect. "I thought that you did not forget your roots."
So she knew who they were. That's surprising for Astrid.
"How could I? I just broadened my horizons by being in this country. And I keep Hiccup the Cunning in high regard for his intentions of improving relations. I believe in the same ideal as he is. We would be stronger together and have a lot to learn from each other. If you do not mind me asking, which tribe are you from?"
"Wingmaidens tribe, my lady." Now Astrid saw her mother truly surprised.
"Really? That is truly surprising. Last time I heard, your tribe was not on good terms with the other tribes."
"And we are still not with some of them, but Hiccup was kind and respectful enough to improve relations between our tribes."
"It's even more surprising to hear one of your tribe praising a man."
"Well, Hiccup attracts quite a fan club of girls in every tribe," Astrid smirks at the blushing girl. She was probably one of those girls. "But he does not react to any of that attention besides normal niceties. His sister always says that he is aware of his position and does not wish to burden his future wife with his past flings."
"That's some honourable thing to do," Astrid says, and the more she heard about this Hiccup, the more she was intrigued by him. He was like neither of the heirs from his letter nor this girl's words.
"Yes, it is. That and many other qualities are the reason why he is so welcomed in our matriarchy tribe. Leaders of my tribe see him as a great future for the whole archipelago." The girl says, and Astrid sees as if she is measuring them with her eyes. She then nods to herself.
"You have brightened my day, my ladies." The girl says with a respectful bow of her head. "It is good to see people like you on the Mainland, and it brings me faith in Hiccup's action. The tribes are happy to have you, Queen Ansfrida and Princess Astrid of house Hofferson."
Astrid's mother laughs. "I had an inkling intuition that you know us."
The girl in front of them smirks. "Of course, I know you and your daughter, my lady. We heard a lot about you."
"Oh? What kind of rumours are floating about us in the archipelago?" Astrid asks. Not a lot of people say nice things about her family.
"Don't worry, only good things. Especially about you having your mother's balls." The girl says, and Astrid sputters while her mother laughs.
"I take it as a compliment," Astrid says, and the girl nods with a smile.
"It is the biggest I can give you as a woman in this land." The girl scowls as she looks around. "As I noticed, women of this land are lacking them."
Suddenly, the door behind the girl opens, and she steps to the side. An elderly man steps out of the building, bidding his farewell to the person inside. His face goes white when he looks at the woman before him.
"I-I am so sorry, my Queen. I-I did not mean to delay you." He stutters, but Astrid's mother just smiles.
"Don't worry, good man. It was no trouble at all."
The man, visibly relieved, thanks them and bids them farewell.
"You can go inside. Lady Camicazi is expecting another customer." The girl says, and Astrid, with her mother, nods to her with a smile. Astrid walks behind her mother, and before she enters, she turns to the girl.
"May I get your name?"
"Erin," The girl answers with a smile, and Astrid smiles back before following her mother.
