Fake Princess
CHAPTER 16
Just like Aunt Vania, the residents of Treb seemed to have woken up since a few hours ago. I could hear the metal clanking coming from the blacksmith's house, and most of the gardens were filled with women bending over, pulling grass or tending to plants.
Several children walked in front of us as Aunt Vania and I exited the garden surrounding the front and side of her house. Three of them ran without looking at us in the slightest, but there was a little girl with blond hair and a dirty face, slowing down the steps to wave at Aunt Vania. However, upon seeing me, the girl suddenly stopped until one of her friends hit her.
The girl looked at us, then suddenly turned around and ran into the street with her friends trailing. “ Mama!” the girl screamed.
“ Mom! There's a girl in Aunt Vania Muller's house!”
Aunt Vania frowned. “ Well, that's enough,” he said “ Later all villagers will know you are here.” He sighed heavily.
“What is something bad?” I asked doubtfully. Aunt Vania looked at me from above her long nose. “ That was the talk,” then continued saying. “I don't like being in talks. It's enough when your father left.” Aunt Vania fell silent, then shook her head slightly, as if she was scolding herself.
I can't help myself. “After my father what?”
I felt a longing passion inside, a passion to know something, anything, about the man who gave me up. However, I also did not want to know anything about that man, as if by rejecting such lore I could remain myself, my former self, a little longer.
“ Forget it,” said Aunt Vania, her voice sounding taut. She locked her lips & walked down the street so fast that I had to rush to catch up with her as we walked, I could feel a lot of gazes fixed on me as people stopped to pay attention.
Various whispers followed as we passed by, making my cheeks feel hot, but Aunt Vania just lifted her chin and ignored them. At least I recognize that attitude.
“ Morning, Alvi,” Exclamation Aunt Vania.
The woman stopped her work and rested on the hoe.
“ Morning, Vania. What brings you....?” Her words stopped when she saw me, her eyes widened as she stared at my dress.
“ Who is he?” tanyakanya.
“ my nephew.”
Alvi licks lips. “ Andre said last night there was a luxury train, looking for your house. I think maybe he's drinking too much alcohol. But this girl is here, & we never even knew you had a bang.”
Aunt Vania looked at me with an even scarier expression than usual as she said,
“ The story is long, & gossip spreads quickly. I'm sure you'll hear it soon. But for now, this girl came. We're looking for an extra bed, & some other stuff. She is not used to rural life, & her clothes..” His words stopped, then. “ Did your daughter leave something behind when she got married? I think they're one size.”
Alvi's gaze was fixed on me again, but this time with a judging expression. “It seems so. & Sarah's husband's family, well, they're owners of a clothing store in town. They gave her four pieces of a dress as a wedding present, so she left behind some of her old items while leaving. I intend to cut it for Nida's daughter, but if you need it..”.