[Helga]
Ever since that day, I've been hooked on going out every single day. Even though my parents had their worries from time to time, particularly my mother, they were generally fine with me tagging along with my father to his blacksmith shop.
I decided to seize the chance to step out each day. While my father was utterly absorbed in his work, I quietly made my escape from that place.
Honestly, I disliked every minute I spent there. That place just wasn't appropriate for children at all. If I had stayed any longer, I probably would have ended up with some kind of respiratory issue.
At first, I was intrigued by what they were doing. I even made it a point to watch the whole process from beginning to end. But I get bored pretty quickly. They definitely weren't the blacksmiths I had pictured in my mind.
I can't even begin to express how disappointed I felt when I discovered that the iron they forged ended up being turned into pots, pans, and even kitchen knives. It was such a bummer.
Still, I feel like I've picked up a thing or two from them over this past year. Just so you know, I took every opportunity that came my way to explore the village, but in the end, there were still plenty of places I hadn't visited yet.
"I'm already three years old, but they still treat me the same... I let out a sigh, watching the steam rise as it escaped my lips."
I can't really complain. Being a kid comes with its own set of perks, so I'm just going to enjoy it while I can. One of them is related to what I'm currently working on.
"Hey there, are you off on another adventure by yourself, little Viktor?" asked a middle-aged woman, a playful smile dancing on her lips as she observed my antics.
"Umm. This time, I'm all set to check out my aunt's house," I replied with a sense of assurance.
Just to clear things up, I'm diving into every nook and cranny of this village, and that includes stepping inside each and every house I come across. By diving into this exploration, I can pick up a ton of insights about the language as well.
This year, I've had just a handful of chances to get out there, and you might not realize it, but for a kid like me, walking on snowy streets is no easy feat. Plus, I have to make sure to check every house carefully.
I'm determined not to let myself miss out on anything.
All of this is due to my limited stamina. I also have to maintain my act, so it's only been a few hours, and already my energy is completely drained. Even if I try to push through, I know I'll just end up falling asleep, and I can't take that risk.
Fortunately, my father gave me a cozy ride home, and as soon as we arrived, I practically melted into my mother's welcoming embrace. She was all set to help me recharge my energy.
"What's the matter, little Viktor? Aren't you interested in coming inside?"
I snapped back to reality, jolted from my daydream by the familiar call of my mother. As I glanced up, I noticed the middle-aged woman who had spoken to me earlier. Her expression was a mix of confusion and curiosity.
" Auntie..."
"What's on your mind? It would be such a pleasure if little explorer Viktor decided to come and explore my house."
When I heard the absurd title she came up with, I just couldn't hold back my laughter. It was clear she felt the same way. I could listen to her soft laugh escaping from behind the hand that she held over her mouth.
Once we stepped inside, we could feel a noticeable shift in the temperature right away. The biting cold wind that used to sting my face was gone, replaced by the comforting warmth I always associated with home.
It's interesting how the houses in this village all share such a similar design. Every time I walk into one, I feel like I'm stepping right into my own home.
The woman quickly started explaining everything about her house. Even though I had heard it all before, I found myself listening intently. My eyes would wander to where she pointed, and whenever a question popped into my mind, I didn't hesitate to ask it right away.
"Is Auntie Thor's wife?" It looks like my question caught her off guard this time, as she took quite a while to get back to me.
You know, I actually figured it out right from the beginning—she's Helga, Thor's wife. Even so, I tend to pick the houses I explore pretty much at random, starting with the ones closest to my place. It's all just a coincidence, but it still brings me a lot of joy.
I hope this doesn't come off as rude, but she is one of the most stunning women I've encountered in this village. I even feel like my mother doesn't quite compare. I cherish every moment I get to spend with her.
"Yep, that's right, auntie is Thor's wife... did he do something to upset you?"
"No," I said, shaking my head quickly. I didn't want to create any misunderstanding here.
Helga kept giving me the grand tour of her house, and before I knew it, I had already spent over three hours there. During all that time, she would make me warm milk while sharing stories about her family.
I was taken aback when I discovered that this house was filled with so many items I had never encountered before, especially when I compared it to the other houses I had visited in the past. For some reason, I suddenly thought of Thors. At first glance, he seemed like just another ordinary villager, but there was something about him that made me feel he was keeping a secret.
From Helga's attitude and her gentle way of speaking, I got the sense that she didn't come from an ordinary family. There was something about her that hinted at a different upbringing. I realized it was best not to bring up what I discovered, at least not now.
"Thorfinn is the same age as you, so I hope you two can become good friends as you grow up."
I just gave a confused look, kind of like how a kid my age would react. Helga finally took me to the last room she hadn't revealed yet.
As she gently pushed aside the cloth that served as a makeshift door, a warm smile spread across her face, directed at the boy peacefully sleeping on the bed. Right away, I recognized him as Thorfinn, the one she had talked about earlier.
If you want my honest opinion, I don't have much of a stake in it right now. But who knows? Maybe down the line, when I find a way to incorporate her into my plans, my perspective might shift.
It's funny how you often don't realize just how significant someone is in your life until that moment comes when you genuinely need them. It's in those times of need that their value shines through. The longer I stay here, the more my worries seem to grow.
"I'm feeling pretty worn out, so I'm heading home now, Auntie."
As I stood there, ready to say goodbye, a weight settled in my chest, making it hard to take that final step out the door. Perhaps it was the way she had captured my heart with her enchanting words, the undeniable beauty that seemed to linger in the air around her, or even something as simple as her smile, which radiated warmth just like my mother's did.
"Just be careful out there, and make sure to send my regards to Eva and Smiour."
As she stood in front of the door, she waved her hand at me, her smile unwavering until the very end. Surrounded by the endless expanse of snow, her pale skin appeared to merge seamlessly with the wintry landscape.
As I turned around and took a few steps, I unexpectedly bumped into someone. In this surprising turn of events, my petite frame was no match for what was happening, and I ended up landing right on my butt.
When I saw that person and thought it was Thors, just back from my father's blacksmith, a cold sweat hit me. The thought of my father searching for me sent my heart racing, and I quickly tried to get up.
"Hey, are you alright?" The person's voice had a distinctly feminine quality, setting it apart from Thor's in a noticeable way. Even though she wasn't quite as soft as Helga, I had no doubt that she was definitely a woman.
As I reached out to grasp the hand she extended, the figure of the person before me came into sharper focus, revealing more of who she was. Even though her jacket concealed much of her figure, I could tell she had a slender build underneath.
At three years old, I had to tilt my head back just to catch a glimpse of the person in front of me, and to be honest, it could be pretty frustrating. But this time around, I wasn't let down at all.
She stood there with her hands on her hips, a puzzled expression on her face as she asked, "I didn't hit you that hard, did I?"
She attempted to mask her concern by casually asking, "So, what's a little kid like you doing here all by yourself? I also saw you just come out of my house."
"I just wrapped up my exploration."
"Exploring? Oh, so you're the boy everyone's been chatting about recently! I've got it now."
Ever since earlier, I just couldn't look away from her. If I had already met the most beautiful woman in this village, Helga, now here was another woman who could easily share that title.
Even though I had a bit of difficulty getting a clear look at her whole face, my view was partially obstructed by something rather unexpected—a chest. And I have to say, for a woman, she certainly had a notable figure up top.
"What do you think about checking out my family's sheep pen tomorrow?"
Her unexpected invitation took me by surprise. I stepped back a bit, feeling a wave of suspicion wash over me. But she quickly jumped in to clarify what was going on.
"I know it might be a bit confusing, but you're Viktor, the son of Smiour, aren't you? ... your father has been there for my family, so I don't see any issue with lending a hand with your little adventure."
"By the way, my name is Ylva. Tomorrow, I'll be waiting for you," she said with a wide smile. With that, Ylva took a big step towards her house.
I stood there for a moment, trying to wrap my head around our encounter. Every word she spoke and the way she carried herself kept circling back to her stunning face. Then it hit me—Helga had just mentioned her two kids not long ago.
"So, she's their daughter, huh? That's interesting," I mumbled. As I felt the joy bubbling inside me, the corners of my mouth gradually turned up, and I found myself unable to resist breaking into a smile.