The cottage looked old-fashioned and charming. It stood at the edge of the village, with a thatched roof, weathered wooden beams, and ivy growing up the stone walls. A cobblestone path led to the front door, with colorful flowers on either side. The small, diamond-shaped windows let in a soft, warm light that made the inside feel inviting.
Lily couldn't help but feel in awe and amazed by Margaret's house.
The living area was cozy and full of character. There were handmade furniture, lace curtains, and lots of interesting knick-knacks. The smell of freshly baked bread and herbs filled the air, making Lily feel right at home.
"This place is... beautiful," Lily said, her eyes wide with wonder.
Margaret smiled warmly. "I am glad you find it so. Now, let us get you out of those wet clothes and into something dry."
She led Lily to a small bedroom and handed her a simple but pretty dress. The fabric was soft and looked well-made.
"Here, put this on. It should fit you," Margaret said, then left Lily to change.
Once she was dressed, Lily went back to the main room where a steaming bowl of stew was waiting for her on the table. She sat down, grateful for the warmth and food.
"Thank you," she said, taking a sip of the stew. "This is really good."
Margaret and Henry sat down at the table with her, looking curious and concerned. "Now, tell us what happened to you, dear," Margaret said gently.
Lily took a deep breath. "It's a long story, but I'll try to explain. My name is Lily Cooper. I had just been rejected from a job I really wanted, and Lianne, my sister, thought a party might cheer me up, so... I went there. And then I bumped into Sarah, an old friend of mine. She's the friend I was with on that boat when a storm hit the yacht and we had to evacuate, but then a huge wave also hit us after. Can you believe that?" Her brows almost met while shaking her head. "I don't remember much after that, except waking up on the shore." Lily took a sip of her stew and slightly burned her tongue. "Ouch! Uh, sorry."
Margaret and Henry exchanged puzzled looks as Lily spoke. Her way of talking and the details of her story were clearly strange to them.
"A yacht party? Evacuate?" Henry repeated, frowning.
Lily noticed it and blushed. Embarrassed, she fixed her posture and smiled at them.
"Yes, i-it's... it's complicated," Lily admitted, realizing how odd her story must sound to them. "But my friend Sarah, I need to find her. She was with me on that boat."
Margaret placed a reassuring hand on Lily's. "We shall do everything in our power to assist you, Miss Lily. You have endured quite an ordeal, but you are safe now."
Henry nodded. "Indeed, you are in good hands. We shall take care of you."
Lily felt a wave of gratitude. "Thank you, both of you."
As they talked, Lily felt more at ease. Despite the strange situation, the warmth and kindness of these villagers made her feel safe.
Apparently, Margaret Wyvern runs a tailor shop in their village, making her famous for crafting beautiful garments for the townsfolk. While her son, Henry, sometimes helps her at their shop, he's also a fisherman like his father.
Lily took a moment to look around the living room, her eyes landing on the framed pictures lining the walls. Margaret was busy cleaning up in the kitchen, giving Lily the chance to talk to Henry, who was sitting nearby. She hesitated a bit before asking, "Is it just the two of you living here?"
Henry looked up from his work and smiled. "Indeed, it is mostly just Mother and me. My father is a fisherman, and he spends much of his time at sea. He usually returns quite late at night."
Lily nodded, intrigued. "Why does he come back so late?"
Henry sighed softly. "After a long day's work, he often finds himself at the tavern with his friends. It is where he spends most of his evenings."
Lily furrowed her brow, confused. "Tavern?" she repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
Henry chuckled softly, realizing her confusion. "Ah, a tavern is what you might call a pub or a bar, a place where people gather to drink and socialize."
Lily nodded slowly, understanding now. "You could've just said a bar."
Henry laughed at Lily's response. "Ah, but where's the fun in that? 'Tavern' has a certain charm to it, don't you think?" His eyes twinkled with amusement as he teased her gently.
Lily shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. "Whatever."
"Say, I've been wondering something," he began, his tone light and inquisitive. "Why do you speak like that?"
With a playful glint in his eyes, Henry leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. Lily blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Like what?"
"That, your words. As if you were in a hurry, making shortcuts." His words laced with genuine curiosity.
Lily's expression softened as she considered his question. "Uh..." She took a small step back, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue, and her eyes averting. "Hmm?"
There was a mixture of amusement and bashfulness in his expression. Lily suddenly went speechless for a moment, still thinking of what to say.
As Margaret called out for Henry's help, Lily felt a wave of relief wash over her, saving her from the tension felt in between.
Henry scratched his head, taking his eyes off Lily. "Sometimes, she catches me off guard," he said.
Lily sighed heavily, What was that? she murmured to herself.
Later, lying in bed, Lily couldn't shake off the strangeness of it all. Their odd way of speaking, their outdated clothes—it didn't fit with her time. A startling thought hit her. "I must've traveled back in time?!" she blurted out, startled by her own realization.
Jumping out of bed, she fumbled for the lamp, searching desperately for answers. Her eyes landed on a parchment stuck to the wall. Her eyes widened in shock. "The 1300s...?" she murmured, hardly able to believe it.
Her mind raced with the implications. How had she ended up here? What did this mean for her and Sarah? Panic began to set in, but she forced herself to take deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.
The gentle creak of the door opening broke her thoughts. Margaret peeked in, concern etched on her face. "Lily, is everything alright?"
Lily hesitated, then nodded slowly.