Chapter 2 - The hidden heir

👑 *THE HIDDEN HEIR*👑

*TWO*

*ALORA*

The rain poured on me heavily as I ran down the path that led back to the village. It was hard to see in the rain and everywhere was dark, but I needed to be back before the curfew. 

No one was outside, so I was able to slip through the roads and quickly pass through the back door into the building. I ran up the back stairs to the fifth floor. The hallway was free so I stopped running and quickly walked to my room. I opened it and entered. 

Grace and Laila turned to see me. Grace eyes widened while Laila looked at me with a raised brow. I laughed nervously, "You guys are awake." 

"You're lucky Madame Eloise has gone out of the village," Laila said to me. I sighed as I removed my raincoat and walked over to the table. I dropped a bag of crumpets. "Grandma Candice made them for us," I told them. 

Grace grinned, "Next time you see her, tell her I love her?" I smiled but Laila still looked at me with a scolding look. "I didn't expect to be this late," I pouted as I stripped out of my wet dress. Her expression still remained the same. 

"what if someone saw you?" she asked. I couldn't care less if I was reported to Madame Eloise. She'd just whip me and punish me. It won't stop me from going to my grandma. The more reason I needed to get a job. But Grandma Candice told me I didn't need one, at least not yet. 

I couldn't wait till I got married, I was just twenty. Unlike Laila who has a fiancé already. She was getting married in a month's time and she was going to leave the orphanage. 

I was happy for her but I was still sad that she was leaving. She was like an elder sister to me and wouldn't let me breathe if I got into trouble. I was really going to miss her. 

"Stop standing there and getting changed into dry clothes!" Laila snapped. I grinned and did as she said. "Come here, let me braid your hair," Grace said to me when I got into my night dress. I walked over to her bedside and sat on the floor. 

Laila chewed on the crumpets as Grace braided my hair while I was slowly falling asleep. "You must not fall sick," Grace said when she was done with my hair. I yawned and nodded as I made my way to the bed. 

Starting from tomorrow, I was going to look for a job at a bakery or pottery shop.

°

"Today was really hectic. Oh my back!" Grace moaned as she got into bed. I moaned too as I stretched out on my bed. Today was a bit busier than usual because it was a trading day. Which meant we older ones at the orphanage had to help the traders from our village carry goods to another village and sell. Trading day only happened once in two months. It was always a nice experience to leave the village. 

"Where's Laila?" Grace asked me. "She's with Adam," I told her. She pouted and laid back on her bed, "Every time I think about her leaving, it makes me feel sad." I sat up and looked at her. 

"Me too. But she can't stay with us forever," I shrugged. She hummed, "I wish she could."

"This is your sign to get married," I teased making her throw her pillow at me. I laughed as I dodged it. "You're annoying!" she huffed and I laughed more. She was older than me and had a few suitors but she never gave them the time of the day. It was frustrating how a beautiful lady like her wasn't interested in getting married. 

The bell rang and I looked at the clock on the wall. It was time for dinner. "Let's get going," I got out of bed. She nodded and did the same. We slipped on our shoes and quickly stepped into the hallway to make our way downstairs. "Your hair has gotten longer. Don't you want to cut it?" she asked as we walked into the dining hall. 

I shook my head, "Nope. I like its length." "it makes you look like a princess," Grace teased with a giggle and I rolled my eyes. I had really long and thick hair, it was something I was really proud of because it always drew attention. It was pretty, especially in a braid. 

Laila joined us for dinner and we took our precious time teasing her about her fiancé. "I hate both of you," she groaned as she rubbed her temples. Grace and I snickered. 

I was about to say something when everywhere went silent. My ears perked up when Gwen, Madame Eloise's assistant walked in with her awfully loud heels clicking the floor. The only difference between her and Madame Eloise were their features. Other than that, they were practically the same person.

"Alora, you are to meet Madame Eloise immediately after dinner," she said and walked out. I eye twitched at her words and I quickly thought what I could I have done to require my presence. I've always tried my best to stay out of trouble. 

"What did you do?" Laila looked at me, bringing me at our of my thoughts. I blinked, "I don't know. I've not done anything." I lost my appetite. Everyone went back to their murmuring but I couldn't. Grace and Laila looked at me with a bit of fear. I was a bit scared too. 

The last time this happened, I came back with lashes on my back and I had to clean the whole house the next day. I cried so hard because I had blisters all over my palms. I internally winced.

"You'll be fine," Grace offered a smile. I drank my water, "Hopefully." I waited a few minutes before getting up and walking out of the dining room. I walked down the hallway and found the office door. Inhaling deeply, I knocked on it. 

"Come in," Madame Eloise's snobbish voice could be heard. I sighed and opened it before walking in. "Good evening, ma'am," I greeted. She nodded and pointed at the chair in front of her, "Sit."

I pursed my lips and did as she asked. 

"You've been in this orphanage since you were a baby. It's a wonderful how no one has adopted you yet," she said with a displeased tone. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. It's not like I wanted to be here anyways. Grandma Candice made me promise to not get adopted no matter what. 

"Did I do anything wrong, ma'am?" I found myself asking on the most polite way possible. She shook her head as she wrote in a paper. "By tomorrow afternoon, you will leave for the castle to work as a maid henceforth," she said and it felt like a bucket of icy water was poured on me.

"What?"

"Don't make me repeat myself, girl. Get your things ready. A carriage will take you there tomorrow. You can leave my office now, I have other things to do," she said as she opened a book. 

"There must be some kind of mistake, ma'am," I quickly said to her. She looked at me with irritation, "Alora, I do not have the time to converse with you. Leave my office."

Anger filled me as I stood to my feet, causing the chair to scrap the floor. She glared at me and I mirrored it. Not saying a word, I walked out of the office and made a my way to my room. 

Grace and Laila were already there, seated on their beds and talking. I didn't say anything as I went to grab my coat and put it on. 

"What happened, Alora?" 

"Where are you going?" 

They ran to me as I reached for the door. "I'm going to the castle to work as a maid tomorrow," I said to them, my voice felt different. I was angry and hurt but I didn't want them to see it, so I kept my head low. 

Laila grabbed my shoulder, "What? That's insane!" I offered a smile and opened the door.

"I'll be back by morning. Please cover for me."