ALFA'S WİTCH (Midnight Oath)

Welcome Flowers;

When Eva opened her eyes, her body was ice cold. The chill had seeped into her bones. The fireplace had gone out, and the last remnants of warmth in the room had completely disappeared.

She slowly rose from the armchair. Her ash-blonde hair was scattered across her face, her pale skin looked even more washed out. Her small pink lips were parched. As she pulled the shawl over her shoulders, she grumbled.

"Ugh... Is this cursed mountaintop always going to be this cold?"

One of the most comfortable aspects of city living was definitely the heating systems. In these mountain conditions, however, she had to quickly light the fireplace to keep from freezing. She immediately got up from the armchair to fetch more wood from the shed. Her bare feet pressed against the carpet. The sensation of cold rose from her heels all the way to her head. She headed toward the door, pulled on her boots, and opened it.

The moment she opened the door, a rustling sound from where she stepped made her look down. What she saw left her frozen in astonishment.

On the porch, left right there, was an enormous bouquet of flowers.

She bent down and picked up the flowers, looking around. But there was no one. Snow drifts, trees, and silence... Nothing else.

"You've got to be kidding me..." she muttered. "We're on a mountaintop. Who could have put this here?"

Honestly, she didn't give it much thought. She had always been a results-oriented woman, and right now her priority was not freezing to death. She left the flowers on the table inside and headed straight for the woodshed. She loaded her arms with wood and returned to the house. She quickly went to the fireplace and lit the fire.

When the flames crackled to life, Eva breathed a sigh of relief. Warmth began to slowly spread through the room. She crouched in front of the fireplace, extending her hands toward the fire. "Oh God, there's nothing more soothing than fire. I guess I really am a cursed witch," she muttered with a laugh.

A few minutes later, her eyes drifted to the bouquet on the table. Curious, she went over and began examining the flowers.

There was no note. But it didn't look like a random bouquet either. Though it hadn't been prepared with great care—there was no ribbon. It was as if someone had simply gathered them and brought them to her. This wasn't the work of a professional florist. But she had to admit, these small-leafed, colorful flowers really did look lovely.

Eva brought the flowers to her nose and took a deep breath. The refreshing scent that filled her nostrils made her feel happy. Strangely, a warmth spread through her.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. She wondered for a few seconds who it could be, but then remembered her conversation with Elly the night before.

Eva went to the door and smiled when she saw Elly standing there.

"Hi, good morning!" Elly said cheerfully. "I brought you fresh pastries!"

She was holding a basket, from which the aroma of fresh dough wafted.

Catching the scent, Eva stamped her feet excitedly. "Come in!"

Elly entered and quickly headed to the kitchen counter to set down the food she'd brought. As Eva followed, she asked:

"Should we make tea, or would you prefer coffee?"

"You know I'm always a coffee person," Eva said.

"Okay, agreed then. Let's make coffee."

When Elly turned her head, she saw the bouquet on the table. Her eyes grew wide.

"Oh! Gerberas! It's not even their season. They only grow at the mountain peak. How did you gather these? They're beautiful!"

Eva casually pulled her shawl tighter. "I don't even know where they came from," she said.

Elly's eyes grew even wider. "What do you mean? Really?"

"Yes. I woke up this morning and they were at the door."

Elly picked up the bouquet and examined it. She could see neither a ribbon nor a note on it. Curious, she came closer to Eva.

"Eva," Elly said seriously. "These flowers mean 'welcome.' And they only grow at the mountain peak. They couldn't have come down here on their own, how could you have found them at your door? Didn't you wonder at all how they got here?"

Eva shrugged playfully. "I guess I have a handsome admirer. He might have brought and left them for me."

"Please don't joke around, Eva. Really... this is a messaging technique used many years ago. Noble men would greet their returning lovers this way without letting their families know."

Eva asked curiously: "Excuse me, after everything you've told me, I can't remember what century we're in... exactly when was this flower tradition from?"

"About fifty years ago. But it's well known in the town records."

Eva turned to Elly with a playful expression. "Great! So I have an elderly stalker. Bringing me flowers on this mountaintop. What more could there be? Perfect."

Elly started laughing, but none of this really made sense to her.

Eva got up and sat at the table with appetite. "Come on, I'm starving, let's eat!"

Elly smiled and brewed the tea. As they began breakfast, Eva asked curiously, "So, is your offer to shop at the town center for me still valid? I don't like drinking tea without sugar and I forgot to buy some yesterday. Plus, I want to get some Christmas decorations."

Elly said, "Of course my offer still stands. Let's go out after breakfast. And I'm taking you to my favorite café! We'll investigate your elderly platonic lover. Maybe he's in the town history," she said with a laugh.

Eva let out a deep laugh. "Oh monsieur, whisk me away! Take me far from here."

Now the laughter of these two young women filled the mountain house.

A few hours later, Eva and Elly decided to head down to town.

The snowfall had lightened. Eva was at the wheel while Elly sat in the passenger seat watching the scenery outside. The road was icy; Eva was driving quite carefully.

"This town is really strange," Eva said. "People act like they're living centuries ago. Witch hunts, wolf tales... Don't they have more sensible things to do?"

Elly glanced at her sideways. "You won't believe it until you see it yourself, will you?"

"See what exactly? A giant wolf? A witch casting spells?"

"Maybe both," Elly whispered.

"You're talking about many years ago, Elly. Have you seen them yourself?" Eva asked.

Elly answered with great devotion in her eyes, "I believe, Eva! Sometimes you need to hope and believe."

When they arrived at the town center, Eva parked the car in front of the market. They both got out. Eva took a deep breath. If that old fool said one more word, she could seriously tear him apart. She breathed and steadied her pulse.

"Ready?" Elly asked.

"Ready for an old fool to kick me out as cursed? Yes, I think I'm ready, let's go get my daily dose of bullying."

When they entered the market, all eyes turned to Eva again. Whispers began. Old David was at the register as usual, arms crossed over his chest, glaring hostilely at Eva.

Eva ignored him. She began putting the things she needed into a basket. Canned goods, flour, sugar, eggs... basic items. She also added some Christmas decorations. Then she handed the basket to Elly.

Elly, tossing her braids with a smiling face, came to the register. "Hello, dear David! I'm buying these," she said.

David's face soured even more. His gaze didn't even turn to Elly; he was completely focused on Eva, staring with furrowed brows.

"I won't sell to her," he said in a harsh voice.

Blood rushed to Eva's veins. She couldn't contain herself. "Excuse me? I'm a customer and I'm paying!" she growled.

"I won't sell anything to Rose's daughter," David said. "Get out of here!"

The people around watched silently. No one intervened. Elly grabbed Eva's arm, trying to calm her down.

Just then, the market door opened.

Joe walked in...