Chapter 2 The Coming Of Winter

• 499 years later.
• The sun was beginning to set on Sunlake, tinging the sky with warm tones as the small village prepared for the harvest festival. There was a lively buzz in the dirt streets, and the air smelled of fresh bread, ripe fruit, and the subtle scent of the flowers that adorned the houses. Today was a special day: the end of the harvest and the beginning of a harsh winter, but with the promise of prosperity, as the fields had yielded more than expected.
• Eulalia walked slowly down the main street, her black hair half-tied up with a delicate flower ornament. She wore a simple dress that reached down to her feet; the skirt was a shade of gray, and the bodice had some simple embroidery. In her hand, she held a basket full of freshly picked fruit, and her smile was as sincere as the cool breeze that heralded the end of the day.
• “Today will be an unforgettable day,” said Eulalia, her eyes shining with anticipation, as she passed a small group of neighbors who were saying goodbye to their work in the fields.
• Her father, a man with gentle features and an affectionate gaze, soon appeared beside her after saying goodbye to the workers. He wore an air of satisfaction and pride, which made his eyes light up when he saw his daughter.
• “Lalia, come here; let me help you with that basket,” he said, gently pulling her by the arm.
• Eulalia laughed and left the basket in his arms. Together, they walked down the street, the sound of their footsteps marking the rhythm of a conversation full of affection and simplicity.
• “You know, my girl, every day I thank the gods for having you with me. You light up this house like the stars light up the night,” said her father, his voice soft and warm.
• “Oh, Dad, you're making me laugh so hard!” Eulalia retorted with an infectious laugh. But inside, she felt a pang of tenderness at every compliment, even if it was disguised as a joke.
• They walked together to the last houses in the village, which were close to the imposing forest that surrounded Sunlake. The forest, dense and full of stories, seemed to hold ancient secrets that few dared to uncover. As they walked along, the conversation was filled with memories and plans for the future.
• “Do you remember when you were little and loved running through the trees?” asked the father, smiling nostalgically.
• “Of course I remember, Dad. I'd get lost, and you'd find me, always with a tight hug,” replied Eulalia, her eyes sparkling with the memory of simple, happy moments.
• The walk was light, with the two of them immersed in a conversation that mixed laughter and memories. When they reached the door of the house, the simple, welcoming building seemed like a safe haven from the world outside. Her father carefully opened the door, and inside the living room, he lit some candles, giving the room an air of intimacy.
• “Today, my child, we are going to celebrate not only the harvest but also the promise of a future full of blessings,” he said as he placed the basket on a rustic table. His eyes, full of pride, met those of Eulalia, who was sitting on a wooden bench, listening intently.
• “Papa, all passing feasts are special,” said the young woman, in a half-joking tone. “Maybe at this party someone will finally take an interest in me, and you'll be able to calm your heart, eh?”
• Her father smiled and approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder and replying:
• “My dear Lalia, you still have plenty of time for that. But I trust that the gods already have a plan in place; after all, you are as unique as the moon itself that adorns our winter sky.”
• Eulalia smiled shyly, remembering the stories her mother used to tell her about impossible loves and destinies traced by the stars. Her father then paused and looked directly into her eyes.
• “I have a surprise for you,” he said, with a mysterious twinkle in his voice.
• Eulalia's eyes widened in curiosity as her father walked over to a small wooden chest leaning against the wall. Opening it carefully, he took out a necklace with a delicate moon-shaped pendant, glowing softly in the candlelight.
• “This necklace belonged to your mother, Anabel. She always said that, just as the moon illuminates the darkness, true love illuminates the soul. I want you to wear it today as a reminder that beauty comes from small gestures and the ties that bind us together,” he explained, gently handing the necklace to Eulalia.
• Eulalia held the necklace with trembling hands, overcome with emotion.
• “Thank you, Dad. I'll take care of it with all my heart,” she promised, staring at the pendant that shone like a silent hope.
• Her father then looked at her with a serious tone mixed with his usual tenderness.
• “Promise me that tonight you'll at least try to talk to someone. Don't just sit there dreaming about the future, young lady. The world has a lot to offer, and who knows, maybe you'll meet someone special who will make you smile even more.”
• Eulalia laughed and shook her head, but her gaze betrayed a mixture of nervousness and expectation.
• “I promise, Dad. But you know I'm not one to rush into anything, right? I prefer to live each moment as it comes,” she said, with a smile that lit up the room.
• “Ah, Lalia, always so stubborn!” he exclaimed, with a slight joking tone but also a touch of concern. “But it's exactly this way of being that fills me with pride. Today, you are a woman, and the world is waiting for you.”