đź‘‘ *THE HIDDEN HEIR* đź‘‘
*ONE*
*ALORA*
I hated this. Washing was the least of my favorite things to do. I'd rather change the babies' diapers than wash loads of dirty laundry. I huffed when water splashed on my face.
"The clothes won't wash itself if you keep glaring at it like that," Grace said to me with a giggle. I huffed and continued what I was washing. "This sucks," I grumbled.
"Is that complaining I hear?"
My eyes widened when I heard Madame Eloise's voice. Grace had the same expression as we quickly stood to our feet and bowed. "No, Madame," we chorused and raised our heads. She looked at us with disbelief but didn't say anything. I eyed the cane in her hand warily. I hated that cane so much.
"Carry on and you should be done before twelve," she said to us, looking at me with the expression I was used to. That of dislike and irritation. We nodded and watched her leave. I rolled my eyes as we got back to washing.
"That was a close one," Grace sighed in relief and I nodded with her. Even if we were to get punished, I'd get a bigger punishment. I had no idea why Madame Eloise didn't like me. I didn't like her either anyways but it still baffled me. I wasn't problematic….most of the time.
But I guess it was because Grandma Candice brought me to her. They don't get along.
After washing for what felt like eternity, Grace and I were done. It was time for us to run errands in the village. This was my favorite thing to do because it meant being away from the orphanage home.
"Good morning, Mr. Patrick," I greeted as I approached the aged man that was feeding the hens. He turned to face me and a saw a look of relief on his face.
"Alora, good morning, child. You look lovely today," he said with a smile. I smiled back, appreciating his compliment. "Thank you, sir. Let me continue feeding them," I held out my hands and he handed me the bowl.
"Thank you, dear. I will attend to the fish and pigs," he said and I nodded before watching him leave. Among all the elderly in the village, he was part of the people I liked. He was nice and often gave me snacks when I was younger.
"Okay, eat up!" I said to the noisy chickens as I fed them. When I was done, I knew my other tasks. Fetch water, water the plants, clean up the barn and feed the horses. I liked the horses.
My favorite was the white one, Nina. She was the most beautiful animal I had ever seen and Mr. Patrick taught me how to ride her as a reward for harvesting his crops a few years ago.
"Here you go girl," I cooed as I fed her vegetables. There were only seven horses in the whole village and she was the only white one. The more reason I liked her. I went ahead to feed the others and clean the stable before finishing for the day.
It was already evening and I was starving. I still needed to pay a visit to Grandma Candice. "Goodbye, Mr. Patrick," I called out as I walked out of the barn. He was seated under the tree roasting corn as he watched the river. I guess he was planning on selling them on the street tonight.
He turned to see me and quickly got up. "Thank you so much for today, dear," he said as he approached me, holding a wrapped cloth in his hands. He wanted to give me something. "You can eat this when you get home," he said to me as he handed it over.
My heart swelled up and my stomach growled happily, "Thank you, Mr. Patrick. I really appreciate it." He laughed and patted my shoulder, "Anything for my wonderful girl. Now, run along."
I grinned and walked out of his farm. I should have gone back to the orphanage but I really wanted to check on Grandma, so I made my way to the forest. I followed the bare path that led through the forest to a small cottage in the middle.
"Grandma, it's me!" I knocked on the door before opening it and walking in. The warm air greeted me and the smell of chocolate wafted through my nose. Was she baking?
"I'm in the kitchen!" I heard her say and I went to the kitchen. The old woman was seated on a stool as she cut a cake into pieces.
"Good evening, grandma," I greeted as I approached her. She looked up at me and smiled before getting up and going to place the tray on the table.
"You're sweating," she pointed out with a grin look when I got closer. I rolled my eyes and placed the corn on the table. "I brought corn. They are five," I said as I counted the corns.
"Thank you, love. I made cake," she told me. I stretched my hand to take a piece but she smacked it making me cry out. "What was that for?" I pouted. She narrowed her eyes at me, "I never said it was for you."
"That's cruel," I huffed. She pointed at the sink, "Wash your dirty hands, young lady!"
Sulking, I went to wash my hands and she handed me a piece of cake. I thanked her and stuffed it in my mouth at once. I was really hungry. And that earned me a smack behind my head.
"You never learn, do you?" she shook her head at me. "I was hungry," I defended with my mouth full. She shook her head at me and sat by the table. I sat with her.
"How is your health, grandma?" I asked as I swallowed my food. I studied her face. Her white hair was pulled in a low bun with a few loose tendrils. Even with her wrinkles, she looked beautiful and lovely.
"I'm more agile than you'll ever be," she commented making me snort. But she wasn't wrong. "Grandma," I cleared my throat and sat up straight. I wanted to tell her what was on my mind.
"I'm all ears, sweetie"
"I want to get a job," I told her. She looked at me with a raised brow, "Why all of a sudden?" I shook my head, "It isn't all of a sudden. I've been thinking about it for some time. I'd like to have a job so I can buy myself out of the orphanage."
"Is that the only reason?" she looked at me intensely. "I want to get a place for both of us to live. Even if it means travelling to another village," I told her. "Or another province," I added.
She chuckled, "Do you really want to live among people with magic?" I shrugged, "If it means I'll be independent, I don't really mind." I just wanted to be away from Madam Eloise.
"It seems you have forgotten I was exiled," she said with a shake of her head. Shoot! My shoulders sagged, "You still haven't told me why." All my excitement left me. Even if I wanted to leave the village, I couldn't go without her. I wouldn't survive at all.
She chuckled and took a bite of her cake, "When the time is right, I will let you know." Just as expected, that was always her response. I wondered why a sweet woman would be exiled. We're the king and queen that cruel?
"Never mind then. When I buy myself out, I'll come and live with you," I grinned making her laugh wholeheartedly. Her eyes crinkled with amusement and I smiled, knowing I brought her joy.
"Instead of wanting to be with me, just get married. I'd like to see you bring home a fine young man," she teased making me cringe as I glared at her. "Don't bring this up, grandma!"
She laughed and my eyes fell on the carving on the wall. It was intriguing and I couldn't tell if it was a symbol or just a random design. She was always drawing them on papers or objects. But I never knew if I should ask about them or not.