Anne (sighing, counting her coins): "Just enough for bread tomorrow. How long will I have to survive on one meal a day?"
(She glanced around the small room.)
Anne: "I need more… but my whole day goes into grazing animals. And most people don't even lend me theirs—just because I'm a girl. It's hard."
(She closed her eyes to distract herself—and a certain face came to mind.)
Anne (softly, a small smile forming): "Oh right, I'm meeting him tomorrow…"
(She looked down at the coins in her hand.)
Anne: "Should I give him something? For saving me?"
(She opened her palm—only a few pennies.)
Anne: "I can barely afford a loaf of bread… maybe a carrot. Not much of a gift. He seemed like he came from a middle-class family. But I… I'm poor."
(She laid down on her bed, staring at the broken ceiling.)
Anne: "Forget it. Let's just sleep. Maybe tomorrow will be better."
(She drifted off.)
---
Meanwhile, in the marketplace full of people and lights of the lantern of the shops ...
Alex was beaming. He had just received a good wage for the lion's fur.
Alex (riding his horse through the market, glancing at the sky): "I'll sell the leftover meat tomorrow. Should bring in more coin."
(His thoughts wandered, a small smile curling on his lips.)
Alex: "Anne… she was interesting. And cute."
(His gaze landed on a clothing stall. An idea struck.)
Alex (grinning): "Got it. I'll get her something tomorrow."
The next day, Anne managed to gather animals from roughly six houses. Many still refused to give their animals to a girl, but she was used to it. She took them up the mountain using a narrow path hidden between the ramparts of the kingdom—a fault everyone knew about but no one spoke of. It was an open secret; even soldiers used it to meet their relatives without the king's knowledge.
People never moved between the kingdoms, though. If anyone from outside was found within either kingdom's borders, they were executed publicly—right in the middle of the market, without mercy.
Anne looked around the empty hillside, her eyes searching.
Anne (muttering to herself): "Where is he?"
Alex (shouting from a distance): "Anne!"
He rode in on his horse, waving one hand and holding something in the other. He quickly dismounted and walked toward her, smiling shyly.
Anne (tilting her head): "What's that?"
Alex (grinning, holding out a small bundle wrapped in cloth): "It's for you. Open it."
Anne unwrapped the bundle slowly. Inside was a beautiful dress, embroidered delicately with fine thread.
Anne (eyes widening): "It looks… expensive."
Alex (shrugging, smiling): "It's not much."
Anne (stepping back slightly): "I can't take it."
Alex's smile faltered.
Alex: "Why? You don't like the color? I can get another—just tell me—"
Anne (interrupting gently): "No, it's beautiful. It's perfect. But… it's too expensive. I already owe you for saving my life. I can't take this too—I can't repay you."
Alex (quietly): "It's a gift, Anne. You don't repay gifts."
Anne (firmly but softly): "Please, Alex. I can't. I can barely afford one meal a day. If I accept this, it will hurt my self-respect."
Alex stepped back, visibly hurt.
Alex (climbing back on his horse): "Fine… then don't take it. Sell it, if you want. Then repay me however you like."
Anne (surprised): "Why would I sell it?"
Alex: "I bought it for you, Anne. Not because I want you to owe me, but because I wanted to give you something—as a beginning… of our friendship."
Anne stepped closer, her voice softer now.
Anne: "You want to be friends? I do too… but friendship doesn't need gifts to start."
She gently grabbed his hand.
Alex looked into her eyes, smiling again.
Alex: "Alright… when's your birthday?"
Anne (surprised): "January 15th."
Alex (eyes widening): "No way! That's my birthday too!"
Anne (laughs): "Really?"
Alex (grinning): "We're birthday twins!"
He jumped down from his horse and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Alex: "Since you won't accept it now, I'll give it to you again on your birthday. Then, it's a birthday gift—no need to repay anything."