"Flowers for the lady," called out Ero. No apologies or the like for his unabashed words. He couldn't be seen from here, but he'd have to be blind not to notice this large bouquet.
"Who are they from?" she shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe they're from Delio."
For reasons inexplicable to her, Ero burst into laughter. "Definitely not from him!" he insisted. Only Alina doubted, "Why not? He's always quite charming."
"Believe me," he said, with unusual seriousness. "None of the students would think to surprise you with flowers unless someone nudged them to. Delio is no exception."
That wasn't entirely true. She had received presents from some of her students before. But Alina saw no need to point that out to Ero. "My father often sends you gifts," the boy pondered aloud. "Small things, but also flowers. I remember one time when a few messengers decorated your entire room with them. Perhaps Marno took inspiration from that and this is the thrifty version of it."
Now it was Alina who couldn't help but laugh. "Not him!" she was certain. "When does my father ever think to surprise me with anything? Unless it's new assignments."
"Alina!" her cheerful chatter was interrupted by today's school messenger. "Marno wants you to come to him."
Delio didn't even wait for her reaction. No knocking on the door or anything, he just continued on his way.
"What does he want now?" she shouted at a volume that Delio might even have heard.
She took the cloth from Ero's hands and studied the blood on it for a moment. Despite her pounding headache, she hadn't sustained any serious injury that needed tending to. The bleeding had already stopped, so she could cautiously wash her hair.
Ero stayed with her, at first out of concern, later out of curiosity about when she would kick him out. Alina figured he could stay if he wanted.
First, she went to her wardrobe. She really only had this one dress left for her performances, and it had been ruined today. That meant she had to buy new ones very soon.
For everyday school life, as long as she wasn't training, a normal dress sufficed. What she pulled out now was a dark brown, ankle-length dress.
She wouldn't change as long as the boy was still there.
Her right hand reached for his shirt, the dress hanging over her right arm. Laden like this, she stepped in front of her curtain.
"Go away already!" she called to Ero. At the same time, she threw the shirt to him, which he caught effortlessly.
"I'll wait outside," said Ero. "If Marno doesn't have anything important, just take a few days off. How about that? We'll saddle our horses tomorrow and visit my father. As compensation, I'll buy you some clothes for your dance."
"So you can avoid punishment? Forget it!" she challenged.
"Too bad," the boy laughed. Shortly after, he left her cottage without another word.
Alina slipped into her dress. Her hair was wet, falling on her shoulders and back, soaking the fabric. In the heat, everything would dry quickly and briefly give her a pleasant coolness.
Later, she could style it, but for now, Marno was important. And so early after a task, Alina couldn't imagine anything requiring her presence.