Moonlit Bonds: A Love Beyond Shadows

2

It was hard work for Iris at the mill, especially when the other workers weren't worth a damn. Always gossiping like little girls about different people in the village or things their spouses had them do the night before.

A long day, and several festering blisters bit by the cold and the work was finally done. Iris washed her hands with the water pump, hissing softy at the sting of the frozen water hitting the wounds covering her small hands. The two other workers had hardly lifted a finger, only working for ten minutes and then sitting on old stumps to chatter away about God knows what.

The bright blue in the sky was turning orange and slight yellow hues by the time Iris returned home, cheeks red from the shivering cold. A snowstorm was underway, no doubt by the looks of the wind and snowflakes flittering around. There was no way she would be able to work in such a condition, which meant precious coin was lost.

Her brothers hardly turned an eye when she stumbled in, pulling off her boots that were clunky with snow. Her father, however, gave her a subtle nod as he sat by the fire, drinking alcohol which she didn't have the nerve to ask where he got it. Dinner as it normally was, happened to be left for her to prepare. As she opened the food storage, she chews the inside of her cheek. Roasted potatoes and what little left of rabbit would have to do. She would need to hunt again soon, when she found a day she could manage.

After she prepared the meal for the four of them, there wasn't enough for them each to have a serving of the cooked rabbit meat, but that was hardly anything new. Preparing the plates, each dish has a helping of the rabbit, except for one. She would make due with just having the potatoes. Maybe she could hold out until time to get fresh meat.

They all gathered around the small dining table, their knees pushed painfully against each other. Her brothers engaged in conversation, never knowing how to be quiet.

"Amelia couldn't keep her eyes off of me today. I think she wants me to ask her for marriage." Ivan was always the one with overconfidence, but also naive. Amelia was secretly the town harlot, not that it was so secretive if you just paid attention.

Igor couldn't help but scoff at his twin's words, amusement in his eyes.

"She looks at me the same, as if she'd be able to tell us apart anyhow."

It was like this most nights. The two boys would go back and forth with each other while my father gave input sporadically, but I remained silent. I was never thanked for dinner, none of them offered to do the night's dishes, and they never cleaned up. I was more of a housemaid and cash cow, and them the homemakers.

After the remnants of dinner were tidied away and everyone else was in bed, Iris settled on the worn sofa. She wasn't lucky enough for her own room or bed. Staring at the fireplace, watching the flames lick at the logs did nothing but deepen the loneliness she felt.

She sometimes wished she had someone to talk to, or just someone to notice her presence.