Today was sunny, like a moment of clarity after a long, lingering darkness. The snow falling onto Elvira's shoulders seemed like a cracked porcelain dream of a prince from the most secret fairy tales.

Every step taken by the Frisian horse carrying the girls was like the crunch of Elvira's toe phalanges — they had crunched just the same when Rebekka cut them off for the sake of her daughter's unattainable happiness

Now Elvira was laughing, her arms wrapped around her younger sister Alma's back, while Alma, with a serious face, held the reins of her beloved horse and gazed into the distance — toward the place where they both might find their happiness.

"The snowflakes make me want to sneeze," Elvira said cheerfully.

Alma merely nodded in reply. They needed to wait out the moment until her sister calmed down and her mind cleared: after all, it was hard to start living anew.

"I think we'll soon reach our old house, and there, maybe, we can stay for a while with our friends," Elvira exhaled and suddenly tensed up.

Alma was bracing herself for a harsh life: now everything rested on her shoulders. Now Alma had to find a way to earn money, find time to care for her ailing sister, and no one would help her anymore.

After all, why would Agnes help those who had tormented her?

Could their mother protect Elvira and Alma when all she did was amuse herself with young noblemen, knowing that was her only way to earn a living?

Alma felt Elvira press her nose against her back and, humming, begin to sing. In that humming, Alma immediately recognised a childhood lullaby.

In an instant, the girl's shoulders relaxed: after all, Alma still had a sister — even if with a broken heart, shattered dreams, and a disfigured appearance.

"Do you want to eat?" Alma said, smiling slightly.

Elvira said nothing, but Alma felt her nod behind her back.

Alma immediately felt a flicker of irritation and, with a heavy sigh, stopped the horse to take a piece of stale bread from her bag. She handed it to her sister, who smiled with delight at the sight of food.

Alma turned around and set the horse into motion once more.

It would be very hard for her, but she would manage — at least, Alma believed so.