Asteria was to engrossed with knitting one of her worn-out clothes. This is one of her favorite dresses and she could not just let go of it, even if it already had a few holes. Still, she can find a way to make it looked new or even more beautiful.
She hummed in delight as she patches the last hole. In her peripheral view, she could see her aunt preparing for her departure this evening. Fixated in their own doings, Asteria had never asked with regard to her aunt's personal matters.
It wasn't new to her that her aunt would leave the house this evening even though she is a bit worried about her every time she goes out in the dark without knowing where she always went.
She did ask her one time, but her aunt just gave her an apprehensive and told her, "If you are worried about me, you should be worried about yourself more." Even until now, Asteria had no idea what those words meant.
Afraid of making her aunt being upset of her being too privy, she just let things be. Asteria knew that her aunt is more than capable of handling herself more than she could and didn't even bother herself to think about it anymore.
Sometimes worrying too much for someone you care would put a choke hold to them, you didn't even meant to do in the first place. What you just wanted is to make sure they are safe, but too much of an assurance of oneself in how you wanted things to be is a curse itself.
So, she just prayed to the heavens, that her aunt would return to her in whole piece without any harm. Asteria does it everyday.
A click sound pops in to the air as her aunt put the cloak around her neck. Her aunt ruffles around her vials and potions and put it inside her satchel. Asteria heard her aunt's mutter some enchantment spells that she didn't bother learning for she was banned to do it.
However, one thing she learned from it by mere inspecting is that her belongings look like a mage's instead of a witch.
When her aunt was about to step out from the threshod, Asteria heard her sighed. Asteria's eyes still fixated on her patched-up garments, ignored her aunt's usual behavior.
"Asteria, I know I always say this to you but I want you not to forget that you should not wander outside during this hour."
Asteria plucked the needle and hurt herself in the process. A red dot formed on her pointing finger. Asteria hissed and licked it, trying to ease the pain.
"I just wanted to protect you. So, no skinny dipping in the lake this time.", her aunt grumbled.
Asteria's eyes widened. Her aunt knew that she had been disobeying her all this time. Asteria met her aunt's eyes as she loosened her hold to the garment. It slipped through her hands until it sprawled into the floor. But, she couldn't care less.
Rather, she wanted to give an excuse, a reason to her actions, but her mind focused on one question.
How did her aunt knew?
Her aunt sighed again, as if reading her mind she says, " I know, Asteria. I have always known."
"No, it is not what Iā", Asteria reasoned out but her aunt simply looked at her like her aunt understood her very well. Asteria fell silent.
"You just wanted to wander outside finding solace in the darkness. Everyone of us wanted a kind of life where our existence isn't a threat enough to instigate the king's desire of murdering each one of us. I understand and I felt sorry that I could not accompany you here for a longer time. I couldn't also dare to bring you with me."
Her aunt looked through her eyes and Asteria knew that her aunt was never wrong in the first place. Asteria just wanted to make a change, just even a little. But, hearing it from her aunt again. This ordeal that she had. That every witches had, made her guilty a thousand fold.
Her aunt bended her knees aliging their eyes in the same level as Asteria sat in a cot.
"This is the only way I could protect you. So could you promise me one thing?"
Her aunt looked at her earnestly, her eyes pleading, which Asteria couldn't help but turn her whole attention to her.
Asteria knew her aunt doesn't show affection that much to her, not to this extent. But whatever it is, she ca't help but feel grateful that at least in this life, she knows how a motherly figure like her aunt treat Asteria as her own child.
With that, Asteria will be forever in debt to her aunt.
Her aunt, still waiting for her to be all ears, ready of what her aunt would ask of her.
"I would do anything you want me to. So, tell me what is it?", Asteria bravely asked. Asteria encouraged her aunt, as she saw her face contoured with anxiousness. Asteria felt her gut wrenched and feigned courage despite her heart thumping loudly.
" You stay in this house. No skinny dipping in the lake. Just stay here until dawn. Just please!", her aunt's voice rose. Her aunt abruptly closes her eyes and losen up her tightened chest. " Just this one day, Asteria. Please obey me this time. Could you do that for me?", her aunt said silently.
Asteria felt her aunt's pen-up anger with her, but she didn't mind it rather she find it odd.
Contrary to what Asteria thought, her aunt's request was no different from what she usually say to her from day to day. Asteria knew she could promise her that and when her aunt comes home at dawn, Asteria will be right in their house where she left her.
But why, out of nowhere, would her aunt request this with emphasis and even anxious about saying it.
Her aunt's eyes never left hers, waiting for her assurance. Asteria didn't want her to wait for too long.
"Yes, I will. I promise. You will see me here at dawn and I won't recklessly do anything that displeases you.", Asteria said in confidence.
Instead of her aunt giving Asteria the benefit of the doubt, her aunt gave her a scrutinizing gaze. Of course, how could Asteria even blame her aunt to doubt her, when every time she swore to do the exact same thing, she gladly do the opposite.
Asteria sighed, ceded defeat.
"Believe me, I won't dsobey you this time."
Her aunt's rigid face softened and asked Asteria once more, "You promise?"
"I promise.", Asteria declared, assuring her aunt for the last time.
Her aunt turned her back on her and skidded to the wooden floor, reaching to the rusty knob. Asteria noticed her hand stayed right there as she heard her say, " Asteria. I know I have never been a perfect aunt for you, but do know that I truly care for you just like how I loved your mother."
Even if her aunt doesn't say it, they were never a perfect family. But, just merely by her company, she felt less lonely and that's more than what she could have asked of her.
As the door's hinges creaked, the howling sound of the wind filled the corners of their small house. The wooden floor streaked with droplets of rain. The fire dances fiercely. Asteria run across it to hold its place against the violent wind, her hair harshly being blown by it.
Asteria looked at her aunt being covered up trying to get through past the awning. The breezing wind billowed her aunt's cloak as she stepped out and closed the door.
Asteria looked at the fire. It went back to its normal state, peacefully giving her warmth she needed. The house went silent again. Asteria sat on the hearth and gathered her knees and held it by her arms.
Asteria should have been contended with this peace. Should have been thankful for the warm bed, warm clothes, and warm house. But even all of it, she felt empty.
Asteria looked at the splayed garment on the floor she haven't picked up. It was meant to be used after she planned to wander outside again.
Asteria thought, would it be better to face the harsh weather outside indulging herself with anything. Just anything that makes her feel like she was living.