Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 13
“Eat up.”
“…Yes.”
Roel picked the fork cautiously. Was it really alright to eat it? She had been waiting for the meat she was going to eat for the first time in a long while.
Carefully, she moved a small piece of meat to her plate. With the first bite, the rich juices filled her mouth. It was delicious enough to send shivers down her spine due to the perfect masking of any gamey taste.
Her hunger made short work of the piece of meat. After glancing at the man for approval, she then opted for a small piece of potato.
Though her stomach was far from full, she felt it might be improper to eat more and set down her fork. The man shook his head.
“That’s why you have no energy.”
He scolded Roel for her modest appetite. Confused and unsure, Roel only rolled her eyes around, wondering if she was allowed to eat more.
He then served her a larger piece of meat on Roel’s plate.
“Eat more. You need it to get through the winter.”
Knowing the energy required to endure the cold season, Roel was in no shape to refuse. She continued her meal under his watchful eye, receiving more meat each time her plate neared emptiness.
“I’m fine now.”
Roel managed to say, feeling her stomach stretched to its limits. Yet he seemed unsatisfied.
She had been criticized a lot for eating too much. This was her first time being reprimanded for eating too little, but she didn’t mind. Feeling full warmed her up and reduced the shivers that had plagued her all day.
She wasn’t that cold, even if she was away from the fireplace’s heat.
* * *
As evening approached and darkness fell, the wind outside the cabin picked up. Even the heavy door rattled and shook. The man opened it to check.
There was a heavy snowfall. The snowflakes were so dense that everything turned white in no time. The trees, the path were all pure white.
“It’s a blizzard.”
He noted nonchalantly. He recognized that this snow wouldn’t stop anytime soon.
A heavy snowfall meant getting stranded in the cabin. It was a common occurrence in winter woods, so he seemed unperturbed.
Roel sighed in relief at the sight of the snow falling. She was grateful for her shameless decision to stay in the cabin. Venturing out this morning would have surely ended in her freezing to death in the forest.
He then went out to retrieve the food stored from a hole in the ground. The hole was filled with jerky, vegetables, and frozen meat. The unexpected snowfalls would leave him stranded so it was a common practice for winter survival to stock up on a lot of food ingredients.
‘Looks like we have quite a lot of vegetables.’
Roel attempted to help, only to be scolded to stay inside after nearly toppling over while carrying a box of potatoes.
He also moved firewood from the shed to prepare for the blizzard. Seeing the piling up food and logs inside the cabin. Roel couldn’t help but recall winters spent with her father. Her heart was pounding for no reason.
“We don’t know how long it’ll snow, so it’s best to conserve firewood.”
“So, we can’t leave until the snow stops?”
“Right.”
A snowfall’s duration was uncertain—it could last a day or two, or if unlucky, a week. After heavy snow, there was also the risk of avalanches, so they would have to stay put for a while longer.
Conserving food and firewood was essential as they did not know when they would be isolated. Fortunately, the deer caught today was large, ensuring enough food supply.
As the man lit the fireplace, he scratched his cheek. He pondered whether the food would be enough. Unlike usual, he had an extra mouth to feed. He was concerned for a moment. Then figured they’d manage, considering Roel’s small appetite.
The presence of someone else during this winter seemed better than enduring it in solitude like the past seasons.
The winter forest, engulfed in a whirlwind of snow, brought tranquility and silence. Yet it was overwhelming, as if all life had succumbed to sleep beneath the white snow.
As darkness fell, the cold intensified. With the fire dimmed, the chill of winter crept into the cabin. Roel was forced to curl up tightly against the cold.
There was a heavy snowfall and she was trapped in the cabin.
Roel wished the snow would continue until winter’s end. She believed it would prevent her from being cast out. The man, who was seemingly indifferent, never asked why Roel ventured into the forest.
He showed no interest in her in the first place. He didn’t even ask her name.
Although it was a relief that he was apathetic, yet it was oddly disheartening for Roel. Making her feel diminished and gloomy.
But that may be because he didn’t know that she ran away from the village, running from a crime. She feared his attitude might change if he discovered she was a murderer.
In a way, the blizzard was a stroke of luck for Roel, isolating them both from the village and any rumors about her.
She wanted to be forever engulfed in the white snowflakes. Forgetting all her mistakes and pain, becoming invisible to the world while warming herself by the fire.
As Roel began to nod off, the man caught her shoulder that was beginning to lean forward.
“Sleep in the bed.”
“Ah.”
Startled awake, Roel looked up with wide eyes. She then shook her head. She didn’t have the audacity to occupy the bed that belonged to him.
