He bowed his head and looked at the ground again. “Well, you know, I helped Hans when his ox died suddenly. He needed lumber for the new stall. My good friends Fridel and Herrmann got in touch with me to let me know about Hans’s situation and Irma and Agathe did, too. I suppose we became friendly. And two days later, when I brought new chairs to the potter, I happened to run into Irma again.” He raised his hands defensively. “We only talked, I swear. And I didn’t think anything about it. But she started showing up, wanting to do me a favor here and there. And now she’s preparing supper because you were in court.”
“You need to tell her.” Madlen stroked her brother’s arm.
“But I never once made her a promise. I didn’t even kiss her.” He wrinkled his forehead angrily.
Madlen just smiled, and immediately his gaze softened. “Yes, all right, I’ll tell her,” he sulked.
“Good.” She hooked her arm in his. “But I’ll still eat her supper.” Madlen grinned impishly and together they went into the house. “Is Father still in the woodshop?”
“No.” Kilian closed the door behind him. “He’s sitting in some tavern, drinking whatever money you’ll bring.” He spit the words out bitterly.
“Yes.” She sighed as she sank into a chair. “Tomorrow’s almost here.”
Kilian walked over to the cast-iron pot quickly, trying to conceal how much the thought of her leaving hurt him. “We’ll eat first, and then you tell me what happened in court.” He turned to his sister. “I would have loved to be there with you, but you know how Father is.”
“Don’t worry. I’m just glad that it’s all over.” She stood up and went over to him. “Come on. Let me get my fill of soup.” She picked up the ladle. Suddenly, she became aware that this could be the last time she would be able to share a meal with her brother.
Kilian noticed. “What’s the matter?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” She wiped away her tears quickly. “I’m just relieved that the trial is over.” She scooped up some soup, filled a bowl, and handed it to Kilian, who took it to the table and sat down. Then Madlen joined him.
“Yet another reason that I have to tell Irma the truth,” Kilian said after tasting the soup. “Her cooking isn’t even remotely as good as yours.”
Madlen smiled. “Sweet brother,” she said with a giggle. At that instant, there was a knock on the door. Kilian stood and answered it.
“Is your sister here?”
“Who are you?”
“I’m a servant for Adelhaid Trauenstein. She sent me.”
“What does she want? Hasn’t your mistress done enough to my sister?”
Madlen didn’t move a muscle. Still, the man could see her from the doorway.
“That’s exactly what this is about. My mistress had no idea what her husband had done until he told her she must testify in court.” He looked past Kilian over to Madlen. “She would like to apologize to you.”
“Tell your mistress it makes no difference to us.” Kilian took a step forward to obstruct the man’s view of his sister.
“Please, understand. My mistress has no peace. She’s been crying for hours because of the injustice that was brought upon your sister. She wants to make good.”
“And how does she plan to do that?” Kilian snorted angrily. “My sister could have been sentenced and punished harshly because of these lies. And she only wanted to help.”
“My mistress will do everything in her power to make up for the injustice.”
“How?”
“She begs your sister to come to her so that she can personally apologize and give your sister enough money to henceforth live a carefree life.”
“I don’t want her money,” Madlen shouted, jumping up from her chair. She came to the door and wriggled her way in next to her brother. “If your mistress continues to let herself be beaten, that’s her business. But when she allows others to suffer, there will never be enough money in the world to free her soul. You tell her that.”
The man pressed his lips together. “You’re correct. I think this is one of the reasons she asked you to come; she’s truly sorry. She doesn’t have the strength to leave the house at the moment. Still, she wants to press charges against her husband. I sincerely hope that it will come to that. He beats her, sometimes even breaks her bones. And not just her. He violates the maids and bludgeons almost everyone who gets in his way. Someone must do something.” He breathed in deeply. “But without you, I’m afraid my mistress won’t have the strength to fight. Your spirit is an inspiration to her.” He took a step back. “But I understand your position. Please excuse me if I have bothered you. Even if you cannot forgive, you should know that Adelhaid Trauenstein will not close her eyes at night, without regretting what happened to you. And she will continue to do as long as she lives.” He looked at Kilian. “That won’t be long at any rate. I’m one of the few who are loyal to her, but I cannot protect her from her husband if no one stops him. Forgive me for my intrusion, but I had to try to save the life of this good-hearted woman.” With that, he turned on his heels and walked away.