~Chapter 114~
Though the women had been whispering among themselves, their voices were naturally loud, so every word came through clearly.
Ancia’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
“Can we come inside?”
“Ah, yes. Please, come in. Ah-choo!”
She had opened the door in a hurry without putting on her shawl lined with a heating stone, and so a sneeze escaped.
The sight of a frail young woman, smaller than them by a whole head, curling up and sneezing over and over easily stirred pity.
The women confidently stepped inside but hesitated when they saw the scattered clothes and the cramped space. They were all large-built Northerners, and this house was only a temporary lodging, so it felt even narrower.
Ancia quickly pushed the clothes aside and pulled out the three chairs they had.
“Please, sit.”
But there were five women standing, so it was awkward to decide who should sit.
And in truth, the one who looked like she needed the chair the most was Ancia herself.
The woman who had introduced herself as the landlord took the lead. When Ancia smiled brightly and met her eyes, her harmless, gentle look reminded them of a small, cute animal. The women’s stern faces softened slightly.
“Hmm, young lady. We only came to ask a few questions, so please answer honestly.”
“Yes, please ask.”
“Are you really married to the man you came here with?”
“Pardon?”
Their tone made it clear they were checking up on what Bianca had been spreading around the village. Ancia tilted her head slightly, as though wondering why they’d ask such an obvious thing.
The landlord, flustered by her reaction, spoke more gently than before.
“It’s just that your husband is always with Bianca, and you never show your face. People started to wonder.”
“Some even think Bianca is his lover, and you’re single. The men especially are so noisy every day, talking about you.”
Ancia answered just as she had prepared.
“Yes, we are husband and wife.”
“Then why do you always stay at home? Are you sick?”
The landlord, who had started out pressing sharply, now lowered her voice as she looked at Ancia’s delicate appearance.
“Yes, as you can see, I’m a bit weak. To be honest…”
She carefully placed her hand over her still-flat stomach and gave an awkward smile.
“I’m pregnant, so I have to be careful.”
News traveled quickly in the small village, so none of them looked surprised. The landlord simply nodded.
“I’ve always been frail. I never thought I could have a child. To learn I was pregnant after coming to this village… I was overjoyed. Truly, coming here was a blessing.”
Her words both showed her weakness and praised the village. The landlord’s eyes flickered, and the other women, too, seemed pleased. Seizing the moment, Ancia let her eyes glisten with tears.
“Actually… my mother-in-law said if I didn’t have a child by next year, she’d bring in a concubine.”
“Good heavens, that’s insane!”
“What about your husband? He didn’t side with her, did he?”
“Mother-in-laws… always the problem, aren’t they?”
Nothing brought women closer together than criticizing in-laws.
All hostility toward Ancia vanished in an instant. Now they no longer saw her as some outsider trying to tempt village men, but as another woman who had finally managed to conceive despite her cruel mother-in-law’s pressure.
While the landlord vented her anger at in-laws and useless husbands, Ancia nodded and agreed.
By the time their anger was spent, the women were embarrassed and began to comfort her instead.
“You must have suffered a lot.”
“You look so soft-hearted, but you endured well.”
“Thank you. But I’m fine now. I have a baby, and thanks to the village selling us enough food, we won’t starve. I’m really grateful.”
Ancia bent as if to bow, but the landlord quickly grabbed her shoulders.
“Now, now, you said you’re still in the early months and frail. I shouldn’t have bothered you. We’ll leave now, so please rest.”
“No, it’s fine. I still have to make stew before my husband and sister come home…”
“Stew? That’s just throwing ingredients in a pot. Sit down.”
“What? Oh, I feel so bad.”
“In this village, spending the winter here makes you one of us. It’s only natural to help.”
“Still…”
Despite Ancia’s protests, the landlord rolled up her sleeves, checked the kitchen, and began seasoning the stew.
“All your ingredients are dried food. Should I bring some vegetables tonight?”
That, Ancia couldn’t refuse. Her eyes widened, and she clasped her hands with sincere gratitude.
“Oh my, that would be wonderful. I’ll pay you the market price.”
“No need. You already paid plenty for renting the house. Consider it a service.”
The heating stones embedded in Nathan’s robe were valuable in the village, so thanks to them, life wasn’t uncomfortable.
The landlord, who had first come suspicious of this outsider woman, now seemed touched by Ancia’s honesty.
“Sometimes, it’s good to just accept kindness. My older brother is the richest man in the village — he even owns the only winter garden. And really, this house has no spices at all. I’ll bring you some garlic.”
“And do you only have one pot? I’ll bring an extra pan and bowls.”
“A-ah, that’s not necessary…”
But now the women were enthusiastic. They bustled out, each determined to bring something back for her.
Left alone, the landlord finished tasting the stew.
“You’ll get tired of eating the same thing every day. Do you eat spicy food?”
“Yes! I love it, but I haven’t had any.”
“You’re a good daughter-in-law. I’ll bring you some chili powder next time.”
“Thank you. Once I get better, I’ll repay you — maybe with a snow rabbit if I can catch one.”
The landlord chuckled warmly.
“Just take care of yourself. And go out for walks with your husband sometimes, so people see you together.”
Her voice was much softer now.
Ancia smiled. “Yes, I will. Oh, my name is An.”
“I’m Haera. Welcome to our village, even if it’s late.”
At Haera’s kind response, Ancia finally smiled with relief.
Haera had only intended to check the rumors about the outsider beauty, but instead found herself charmed. She had to restrain the urge to keep giving Ancia more things.
It wasn’t rare for outsiders to enter the village. But rarely were there two such striking women at once. Bianca, from a nearby village, always fended off men with sharp words and even broomsticks. But Ancia, said to be married, only drew more whispers as time passed.
The more she hid, the more curious the men became. Now that the village women had heard her story themselves, they could spread the truth and settle things down.
Haera headed home, but in the distance, Bianca came running.
“Haera Auntie!”
“My ears are going to burst.”
“Why are you coming out of our house?”
Her voice was loud, and her manner so forceful that even men hesitated around her, despite her beauty.
“It’s my house. Why shouldn’t I visit?”
“While it’s rented, it’s our house. If you have something to say, tell me, not my sister.”
“Oh my, listen to this brat. Used to beg me to tell you all the secret gossip about men and women, and now you dare talk back?”
“I never begged! You shouted it all so the whole neighborhood could hear.”
Their history went back to the same village, even into the neighboring one.
In truth, Haera already knew Bianca’s lie, but she had played along to ease the village women’s doubts. Bianca, clueless, thought Haera was bullying Ancia.
“You didn’t say anything weird to my sister, right?”
“You sure call her ‘sister’ easily.”
“My sister is cute, lovely, and too weak to be troubled. Don’t bother her.”
“What does being weak have to do with being cute and lovely?”
“I’m bragging. My sister’s the prettiest. Beauty is everything.”
Haera shook her head at Bianca’s boldness. Clearly, their relationship was close.
“Bianca, stop by my house.”
“Why? I have to eat with my sister.”
“To take chili powder.”
“Ugh, that spicy stuff? Why?”
“Your sister said she misses spicy food. Some sister you are, not even knowing that?”
Bianca pouted but reluctantly followed.
At that moment, Nathan was entering the general store. The skies had cleared, and since Bianca had said they could finally send a carrier pigeon, he moved quickly.
