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Dressed in Kindness

As I follow Bethany through the village's winding, narrow streets, I feel as if I'm navigating an enchanted labyrinth, where every corner reveals new secrets and mysteries. The ancient architecture of the houses, with their stone walls and thatched roofs, seem to tell stories of bygone eras, while the latticed windows and carved wooden doors hide secrets and enigmas that pique my curiosity.

Every detail captures my attention: the colorful flowers that adorn the windows, the distant tinkling of bells, and the gentle aroma of spices and fresh bread that wafts through the air. The sounds of the village - muffled laughter, the murmur of conversations and the fluttering of birds' wings - blend into an enchanting melody that fills the environment and envelops me in a magical, timeless feeling.

The surrounding atmosphere is palpable, filled with a vibrant and at the same time serene energy, as if time had stopped and the world was suspended in an eternal moment of tranquility and enchantment. With each step, I feel more immersed in this distant universe, more connected with every detail and nuance that makes up this extraordinary place.

Finally, we arrived at a house not far from the center of the village. The path here was marked by our shared silence and the furtive, curious glances of the villagers who crossed our path. Their faces displayed a mix of surprise, suspicion, and fascination, as if I were a walking enigma, an anomaly that challenged the normality of their everyday world.

As I stop in front of Bethany's house, I find myself surrounded by a sense of expectation and uncertainty. The house itself is a masterpiece of traditional architecture, with solid stone walls and a pitched thatched roof. The entrance door, richly carved and adorned with mysterious symbols, seems to invite and at the same time intimidate, promising to reveal secrets and stories that are beyond my current understanding.

With my heart racing and my mind full of questions and expectations, I prepare to enter Bethany's house, not knowing what awaits me, but determined to face the challenges and discover the mysteries that this unknown world has to offer.

Bethany, with her light brown eyes that resembled the color of autumn leaves and hair as black as the deepest night, seemed to hold stories and secrets in her tanned skin. Approximately my age, perhaps 25 or 26, she exuded a strong, enigmatic presence, charged with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

The silence between us remained until we crossed the threshold of her house. Suddenly, his posture completely changed. The look that had previously seemed judgmental and even repulsive now turned into genuine fascination, as if I had awakened a deep curiosity within her.

Before I could express my gratitude for her hospitality, Bethany broke the silence with a question:

— In New York, can we wear clothes like yours?

There was a gleam of curiosity in her eyes as she reached out to touch the fabric of my jeans, examining them with fascination.

Surprised by the sudden proximity, I took a step back and replied:

— Where I come from, almost all women dress like this... It's quite normal, actually!

She looked at me with a perplexed expression before saying:

— So you come from the opposite world, where women wear pants and men wear dresses?

Her unexpected observation made me laugh spontaneously, and I quickly tried to clarify:

— In fact, they both wear what they want, what makes them feel comfortable...

At that moment, I realized the cultural gulf that separated us, the differences between our worlds revealing themselves in every interaction and conversation.

Bethany, with a thoughtful expression and a touch of resignation, looked at me and said:

— Although I find the clothes you are wearing very interesting, I must do as Antony ordered... It would not be wise to let you walk around the village like that.

She walked away, heading to the closet in the corner of the room. As she searched for something among the fabrics and pieces of clothing, I couldn't help but notice the curiosity in her eyes, as if she were weighing the differences between us, trying to understand this distant world where I came from.

As she turned, carrying a dress in a vibrant emerald hue and adorned with delicate details, a mix of appreciation and hesitation crossed my face. It was a simple but elegant piece, with layers of fabric that would certainly make me feel the warmth of this mysterious place.

With a gentle smile, I muttered to myself:

— So his name is Antony...

Accepting the dress gratefully, I held it in my hands, feeling the soft texture of the fabric between my fingers. Even though it wasn't what I was used to wearing, I knew it was important to respect the traditions and customs of this place, especially when under Bethany and Antony's hospitality.

Looking into Bethany's eyes, I thanked her sincerely:

— Thank you, Bethany. I don't want to be inconvenient, and I am grateful for your hospitality and understanding.

And so, even immersed in an unknown world full of mysteries, I felt a little more welcomed, a little more connected, finding small bonds of understanding and friendship that were beginning to form, uniting our worlds in unexpected and meaningful ways.

With a look of curiosity and a hint of surprise, Bethany asked me:

— Where do you come from, were you taught to cook?

Her question took me by surprise, and I stared at her for a moment, trying to process her words. Noticing my perplexed expression, Bethany quickly added:

— Don't get me wrong, I'm just trying to understand your skills. Tomorrow, you will come with me to the castle for your first day in the kingdom's kitchen.

The idea of ​​working in the castle's kitchen, in a kingdom that until then I had only known about in fairy tales and period stories, was exciting and scary at the same time. The responsibility of cooking for royalty and their guests, in such a different and mysterious place, was something I could never have imagined in my previous life.

Taking a deep breath to calm my nervousness, I answered Bethany truthfully:

—Actually, yes, I can cook. I learned from my grandmother and mother since I was little. But I've never cooked for a kingdom or for people as important as royalty... I'm a little nervous, but also excited about the opportunity.

Bethany took a deep breath, as if relieved, and a soft smile formed on her lips. She said:

  • Excellent! I thought where you come from women didn't cook. If that were your case, I don't know what I could do to help you...

We both shared a little laugh

Bethany, with her inquisitive nature and mind eager for knowledge, proved to be intriguing and enthusiastic company. From the moment we met, she was fascinated by my distant world, by every detail of New York that I shared with her.

The night seemed to have no end, as Bethany's questions flowed incessantly. She wanted to know about the skyscrapers that soared into the sky, about the sounds and lights that filled the city that never sleeps, about the hustle and bustle and diversity that made New York such a vibrant and unique place. With each answer I gave, his eyes sparkled with curiosity and admiration.

Despite being exhausted, I struggled to answer her questions with patience and detail, sharing with her the wonders and challenges of life in the big city. With each story I told, I felt like I was building a bridge between our worlds, connecting two very different universes through words and shared experiences.

Eventually, the exhaustion became unbearable, and I decided to pretend that I had fallen asleep, hoping that Bethany would understand that it was time to rest. Silence fell in the room, and for a brief moment, I thought she had sensed my need for rest.

However, dawn had barely broken over the horizon when I was awakened by Bethany, who approached with renewed enthusiasm, saying it was time to leave for the castle. Surprise and tiredness mixed on my face, as I had barely been able to close my eyes during the night.

— What the hell, I barely got any rest... — I muttered, rubbing my eyes and trying to wake up to the new day that was beginning.

Bethany, noticing my exhaustion, offered a gentle smile and said:

— Sorry for not letting you rest properly. Excitement took over me. Let's hurry so we can start our day at the castle.

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