THE next day, the three of them managed to escape the house before their fathers had even gotten out of bed. For this, they'd had to get out of bed even earlier than usual, but Asmeen found that, in the long run, it was worth it.

She knew she wouldn't be able to look her father in the eye that morning—it would probably be a long, long time until things were alright. At least, if she made it through training and got chosen, he couldn't possibly be angry at her any longer. But for that to happen...

As if on cue, just as she was thinking that, Aven walked into the field. He made eye contact and smiled, walked towards her, and Asmeen's stomach twisted. This wouldn't end well either way.

Dara and Osoric soon arrived, and announced the next grueling task, a hellish nightmare of potions and runes combined, so Asmeen's head was hurting horribly when she walked out of the field with Aven and the twins. Aven, it seemed, was visiting Nyma for a get-together, so he was headed in the same direction as them. It was some sort of celebration in their friend group.

When she'd barely left, she was stopped by a woman, looking vaguely familiar. She only blinked at them, exchanging a confused glance with Aven.

Wylla, obviously, stepped forward and put on a charming smile despite her clear exhaustion. "Hello, Aira. Can we help you?" Then she turned to rest of them. "She's a Flower Child. We saw her at the ball."

The woman, Aira, nodded and turned her eyes to Asmeen. "Yes. You are Asmeen Dasterian, yes?" Once Asmeen nodded, she continued. "You were the one that made Nara Silven's gown?"

"I am," Asmeen said simply, not particularly wanting to think about it.

"It was beautiful," Aira said. "We are all highly impressed."

Asmeen pressed her lips together. Where was this going?

"We wanted to ask you to make new gowns and suits for the Flower Children, for upcoming events, as our current ones are getting quite old."

"What?" Asmeen asked, completely confused.

"It's for the Spring Solstice," Elyn said suddenly. "All the Flower Children wear matching clothes. You need new ones," she said, looking at Aira.

Asmeen knew, of course, that during the Spring Solstice all the Flower Children wore gowns of pastels, mostly yellow and pink. She'd long been a fan of those outfits. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she'd even tried to copy them once, years ago. It hadn't ended well.

"But Spring Solstice is months away," Asmeen said finally, looking up the Flower Child.

Aira nodded. "Exactly. Obviously, we would not make you do such a task while training. After your training is over, whether or not you are selected, we would be very pleased to have you make the gowns for us, if you are able and willing."

"I—" Asmeen swallowed, glancing at the twins. After what had just happened, how could she even think about accepting this offer?

Elyn stepped in. "Please forgive us, we're a bit busy right now, and none of us are thinking clearly. Will it be alright if she answers you later?"

"Of course!" Aira answered. "In fact, you can answer me after your training. Once it's over, all you have to do is decide whether you'll be able to do such a large task and let me know."

"I will," Asmeen said, nodding. She could do that much, at least. Refusing at once would seem a bit rude, wouldn't it?

Aira smiled at them. "Thank you. I'll be on my way now. Good luck!" She headed in a different direction.

After a moment, the three of them began walking. Aven, who's been respectfully silent up till then, finally opened his mouth. "This is amazing, Asmeen! You've not even had your twentieth yet, and to make clothes for the Spring Solstice—" He shook his head, grinning at her.

Asmeen sighed, turning her gaze away. "I might not accept it, you know."

"Why not?" Aven asked, sounding genuinely confused.

Asmeen debated over telling him the truth, or making up some story about how she'd be busy that he'd inevitably try to argue. She was too tired for an argument, she decided, so she just said, "Father doesn't approve of my sewing."

"Oh," Aven said, his voice quieter. "I see. But—once he sees this, I'm sure he won't be able to refuse. It's a great honor. Your name will spread even more than it already has."

Asmeen only shrugged. "We'll see."

Aven glanced at her, but thankfully, he let the subject drop.

"So, Aven, are you really going to a get-together this late?" Wylla said, clearly trying to change the subject—she was rather good at that, and Asmeen would be eternally grateful.

Aven grinned. "It's not really a fancy get-together. Because a lot of us are busy, we try to all meet to just talk about once a month, at a date that's convenient, so none of us will miss it. This month it's at Nyma's place."

"But isn't today inconvenient for you?" Asmeen asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

Aven tilted his head to the side, giving her an amused look. "This entire month is inconvenient. I just went along with what the others decided."

Asmeen nodded, putting her hands in her pockets to protect them from the cold. They soon reached their house, and Aven took the path to Nyma's, waving at the three of them.

"So," Wylla began.

"Whatever it is, let's talk inside," Elyn said, not sharply, but sternly. She was probably right. It was late, but there were still a few walkers hovering outside. She unlocked the door.

"You brought the key?" Wylla whispered as they walked inside.

Asmeen shut the door—not too loud, but just loud enough that it could be heard from anywhere in the house, so that their parents would know they'd arrived, but hopefully wouldn't approach them.

Elyn shrugged. "Yes. I believe I was right to do so."

Asmeen silently agreed as they walked up the stairs and into their room without seeing either of their fathers. It had been clever to take the key, in fact.

After changing, they went back downstairs, ate rapidly and escaped up to their room as fast as possible.

"What did you want to talk about?" Asmeen asked Wylla, sitting down heavily on the bed.

Wylla collapsed beside her, her red hair sprawling all over the bedsheet. "Just...the offer. What are you going to do?"

Asmeen closed her eyes, dropping to lie down as well. "I don't know," she groaned. "What do you think I should do?"

"I think you should do it," Elyn said unexpectedly.

Asmeen's eyes flew open, and she glanced at Wylla, who looked equally startled, before both of them turned to Elyn. "What?"

Elyn nodded, leaning on the desk. "Well, if you do become a Flower Child, he won't really be forbid you from doing anything. You'll probably be living with the rest of the Flower Children in any case. He'll have no real authority over you."

"And if I don't make it in?" Asmeen asked, turning onto her side to face her oldest sister.

"Isn't it best for you to start earning, then?" Elyn said matter-of-factly. "He probably won't talk to you for a while anyways, so make the gowns, get the money and you'll be able to get your own place soon, especially if you take the other offers you've been getting." She bit her lip, sounding uncharacteristically hesitant despite her strong words.

"Are you hiding something from us?" Wylla asked, from behind Asmeen. Asmeen couldn't see her face, but she knew Wylla was suspicious. Elyn had been acting rather strangely lately.

Elyn's ears began turning red, a sure sign that something was up. She didn't say anything, though.

Wylla sighed. "Whatever it is, tell us soon." She pulled the blanket over herself.

"It's not exactly a secret, I just have some things to sort out. But I will tell you. Once training is over," Elyn said, so Asmeen let it go as well. It wasn't like they'd never kept secrets from each other. If it was important, Elyn would tell them.

Elyn snuffed out the candle and crawled into bed as well, and they soon fell asleep.

I wonder who's your favorite sister now that we're almost at the end. 

See you next chapter!