TRAILS OF THE HEART
After the long and exhausting night, Luna finally returned home.
As soon as she walked through the door, she was greeted by the worried stares of her parents. They had been waiting for her all night and had never seen their daughter stay out until morning before.
"Luna," her mother asked softly, "where have you been?"
Luna sat quietly on the couch and let out a deep sigh.
For a moment the room was silent.
Then she finally spoke.
"I was stuck in a pit… with Ethan."
She was still wearing his jacket.
Her parents looked at each other in surprise, but their concern quickly turned to sympathy. Her mother brought her a cup of hot coffee while her father wrapped a warm cloth around her shoulders.
They comforted her and told her to rest.
Meanwhile, Ethan returned to the mayor's residence.
To his surprise, the construction workers were already there speaking with the mayor.
Ethan simply nodded at them and walked past without saying much. He felt too exhausted to explain anything.
He walked straight to the couch and collapsed onto it.
Not long after, the mayor entered the room.
Ethan already knew what the conversation would be about.
Three months had passed.
Just as he had promised, he was supposed to choose a bride.
And tonight was the night of the party.
Ethan rubbed his face tiredly.
"Maybe… we should cancel it," he muttered.
The mayor shook his head firmly.
"It's too late for that, chap," he replied. "The preparations are already done. The entire town is waiting. You can't disappoint them now. They have waited long enough… and you are not getting any younger either."
Ethan sighed deeply and sat upright.
"But what if one of them finds out the truth?" he asked quietly.
The mayor remained silent for a moment.
Then he said calmly,
"Then they won't."
He paused before adding,
"But you must choose."
Night finally arrived.
The town square beneath the old oak tree glowed with lantern lights and music.
Every young woman in Walsvile had dressed as beautifully as she possibly could. Some wore pearls, others wore sparkling jewels. They shone like rubies and diamonds beneath the soft lights of the celebration.
Meanwhile, Ethan stood alone in his room, staring out from the balcony.
He felt uneasy.
Something about the night didn't feel right.
Below him, the mayor welcomed the guests warmly as laughter and music filled the air.
Ethan scanned the crowd carefully.
But Luna was nowhere to be seen.
Eventually, Ethan walked downstairs.
He wore elegant leather clothing, polished shoes, and a shining gold watch. The outfit was far more expensive than anything the people of Walsvile had ever seen.
Some guests whispered quietly.
They knew the mayor was wealthy…
But not wealthy enough to afford clothes like those.
Ethan moved slowly through the crowd, searching.
Many young women approached him, smiling and hoping for his attention.
But Ethan barely noticed them.
His eyes were still searching for only one person.
Luna.