Chapter 5
The courtyard had two main houses, a side wing, and even a little garden.
It might be plain, but it felt warm and homely.
Lola and I teamed up to clean up the courtyard until it was spotless.
After that, we went to the market to buy some simple furniture and essentials for daily life.
On our first night after settling in, we prepared a table of simple dishes together.
Lola's cooking was really good.
She served up some fresh stir-fried vegetables and a bowl of fragrant fish soup.
It wasn't anything like the lavish meals back at the palace, but I was perfectly content with every bite.
That night, I curled up in my tiny bed.
The bed was hard, and the blanket felt scratchy.
But I slept better than ever, like a log.
Finally, those haunting dreams from my previous life didn't come for me.
The next morning, I changed into a simple homespun dress.
Following the local women's lead, I twisted my hair up into a neat little bun.
After that, I made my way to the town's embroidery workshop.
I was pretty good at embroidery.
My mom taught me everything I know, ever since I was little.
I embroidered a silk handkerchief with a blossom just about to bloom.
The shopkeeper couldn't stop complimenting me when she saw it.
She bought it right away and gave me a pretty good price.
She even set me up with steady work.
With the very first money I earned, I bought Lola a silver hairpin.
Her eyes grew misty with happiness.
"You're so good to me," Lola said.
"No, I should be the one thanking you," I replied. "Thank you for staying by my side and coming here with me."
And just like that, our new life began.
During the day, I spent my time at home, working on embroidery.
Lola took care of everything, making sure our home was always neat and cozy.
Whenever we had some free time, we'd plant flowers and greenery in the courtyard.
Or we'd wander around the town market, soaking up the lively atmosphere.
The people in town were all so friendly.
They had no idea about my past.
To them, I was just an outsider widow with a maid in tow.
They felt sorry for me and were always there to help.
Meadow Mason, our neighbor, would often drop off some fresh veggies she'd grown herself.
Drew Simmons, the cheese seller from the east end, always slipped us an extra block of cheese whenever we stopped by.
Here, I finally felt that warmth between people I hadn't experienced in ages.
Bit by bit, the palace faded from my memory.
Xavier slowly slipped out of my thoughts.
The painful chapters of my past blurred away.
I began, at last, to live for myself.
And then, I met a new man, someone who would change everything.
His name was Nathaniel Madden, the town's only schoolmaster.
He lived right next door to us.
We first met on a rainy day.
I'd forgotten to collect my embroidery thread from the courtyard, so I hurried outside.
My foot slipped on the wet ground and I nearly took a tumble.
But Nathaniel was there, holding an umbrella, and steadied me before I hit the ground.
His hand was warm and strong.
There was a subtle scent of ink lingering around him.
"Careful," he said gently.
I looked up and found myself lost in his eyes—clear, deep and mesmerizing.
My face went bright red in an instant.
It was the first time in this life and the last that I'd ever been this close to any man besides Xavier.
I quickly steadied myself and took a step back.
"Th-thank you, sir," I stammered.
He smiled, his eyes soft and gentle.
"Just lending a hand, you really don't need to thank me," Nathaniel said.
Hugging the drenched embroidery thread to my chest, I hurried back inside, feeling awkward and embarrassed.
My heart raced like a startled fawn, thumping wildly in my chest.
It was something I'd never felt before.
A strange, yet sweet thrill fluttered inside me.
Was this what falling in love felt like?
But I could feel that ever since Nathaniel stepped into my world, everything started to shift.
Life just wasn't the same anymore.
My heart was racing, beating so fast I could barely catch my breath.
I could almost hear it hammering inside my chest, each thump loud and clear.
Nathaniel's gentle smile washed over me like a wave of warmth, melting the cold, hard shell deep inside my soul.
It was a kind of warmth Xavier had never given me.
And it was an emotion I'd never experienced—not in this life, nor the last.
Still flustered, I rushed back inside and dropped the rain-soaked embroidery thread onto the table.
Lola gave me a curious look, her brows furrowed in concern.
"Miss, are you alright? Your face is all red," Lola asked.
I quickly looked away, pretending to fuss with my clothes.
"It's nothing, probably just ran too fast," I replied.
Lola didn't think much of it and just smiled as she helped me gather up the wet embroidery thread.
But my gaze couldn't help but wander out the window, drawn to the courtyard next door.
Nathaniel's home was so quiet.
A few bamboo stalks swayed in the breeze, their gentle rustling filling the air.
A lone lamp shone through his window, illuminating his figure as he read.