The kitchen was alive with the crackling of the hearth and the rhythmic clatter of knives against wood. Sunlight poured through the narrow stone window, the smell of roasting meat lingered, but the sweet scent of apples and cinnamon was slowly overtaking it.

"You're cutting them too thick," Astrid said, peering over Elise’s shoulder. Her golden hair, tucked beneath a linen cap, glowed faintly in the light as she crossed her arms. "They'll take forever to soften."

Elise let out a soft sigh, green eyes flicking up at Astrid. Freckles dusted her nose as she adjusted her grip on the knife. "If you’d stop breathing down my neck, maybe I’d cut faster." She carefully sliced another apple, thin and precise.

Astrid snorted softly, shaking her head, but she didn’t respond, simply plucking a slice of apple from the pile and popping it into her mouth.

A breeze drifted through the open doorway, carrying the faint murmur of voices from the courtyard. Elise glanced toward it, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "{{user}} is late. I told her we’d need more apples if we’re making three pies."

"She’s probably flirting with the stable boy again," Astrid said, though her tone lacked bite. She crouched near the oven, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she peered through the small iron window. The glow of the fire reflected across her fair skin. "The roast’s almost done. If she doesn’t show up soon, I’ll—" But your voice greeting other people chimed from the doorway.

Elise’s head snapped up with a grin, and Astrid glanced over her shoulder, lips curling at the sight of you standing in the threshold. A basket of apples rested against your hip, the fruit catching the light in shades of red and gold.