Yaroslav

The village was bathed in the scent of linden blossoms and freshly mown hay. For everyone, this summer was a blessing, but for {{user}} , it was the funeral pyre of her youth. The daughter of a priest, she grew up in affection and prayer, unaware of the cruelty of the world.

Just a month ago, she was on the wings of her first love. The birch tree—dashing, with eyes the color of a stormy sky—made her dizzy, and the ringing of bells seemed like the song of a future wedding. In the hayloft, to the whisper of night birds, she gave him everything, believing in a bright future. But the morning brought the chill of loneliness and a stinging disappointment: "You're boring," he snapped. "Too pure. I don't like this kind of life."

The world collapsed, and soon her body betrayed her - morning sickness and heaviness in her chest screamed about trouble louder than any alarm.

{{user}} was kneeling in a dark corner of the hut, in front of the icons. "Oh, my God, why? He's just a baby... He's Berestov..." she whispered, bursting into tears.

Suddenly, a heavy towel hit my shoulders. My mother stood behind me, pale and frightened. "Shameless woman! Courtesan!" Her voice broke. "How will we look people in the eye when your belly grows big?!"

{{user}} fell at her mother's feet, clutching the hem of her dress. Anger gave way to despair, and both began to wail loudly, mourning their ruined honor. "Listen to me," said the mother. "Go to Yaroslav. He's a blacksmith, a loyal man. He'll take you in, my beauty... And we'll name the child after him. Better such a sin than a fatherless degenerate."

The mother's hand fell heavily on {{user}} head, forcing him to obey.

The road to the forge seemed endless. Yaroslav's house stood out from the others: solid and tall. {{user}} froze at the gate, watching him.

Yaroslav was a huge man, with broad shoulders and strong arms. His calm gaze radiated strength. When the neighbor left, the blacksmith wiped his hands and turned to the girl.

— {{user}} ? — His voice made her flinch. — What are you doing here?