The Royal Maid and the Lost kingdom

PTE

one to tell me that I was not i

ed in society and wanted to fi

for the sarcastic way in which I said it in my mind. I saw a few people turn their head toward me and after confirming tha

two princes, yet I could not help but wonder if he knew that there are slums in whic

ge before she could even reach her first summer in the world. and si

nteresting occupations and skills along the way. It felt like forever since I left the

the alley I saw Erin smiling smugly at me. I resisted the urge to chase him and spank his cute little lovable

coming to the nearest alley to sleep for the night or the lowest

innocence should she give the chance for them to, having learned the hard way that nothing comes

ran down the alley, I shook

f the word beloved and did her part. But apart from the fact that she thinks that I would be good to be the second wife of a regular man or the first

rried. She died a summer after my 16th birthday and we all mourned her death, she tested us right and I could not have been happier to have grown under her. The

re the evening runs to an end to my choice out of all the options presented to me then I would have to leave the orphanage. I knew I was stupid but I w

lt after all and I should be able to make do with what I had and could control. I walked into m

at the doorstep of the orphanage was held in my hands. I stuffed it into a box given to me by on

angers after leaving this sanctuary. I packed the 3 clothes that I had tha

ked me, I turned to her and gave her a half smile. she, after all, is younger than me to

nly as emotions tightened around my

s the remaining girls all looked at me. I shared a room with four othe

air and big blue eyes. She was a quiet and shy child, and she always seemed lost in her own thoughts. She

stay in her space. She had brown hair and brown eyes, and she was always the first to start a conversation.

air and green eyes, and she was always the first to finish her chores. She would spend her fre

take turns keeping it clean and organized. We would also take turns sleeping by the w

the hardships of growing up in an orphanage. After all, I became their eldest sister the moment I reached marriageable age. It also made me look after th

I was abandoned and so were the majority of them. I became their family as they b

ms. I could still remember the details: the structure was two stories tall, with a thatched roof that provided she

al large rooms, each serving a specific purpose. The main living quarters for us and the Nuns were on the upper floors, where we all slept in simple woode

der ones who came here before me after some time. Some got married with the choices of either the Head Nun or the caretakers. I even heard a

my childhood, I was told by the Nun that I had a fever so terribl

Rooms were well-lit by small windows that were covered with oiled paper to let in natural light. The walls were beautified with religious paint

nd utensils. Every one of us was taught how to use all those utensils and how to act like a proper lady in society. The food always was b

d seat all the children at once. The children would sit on wooden b

our nurse, which was annoying because we can't even fake sickness to get out of work scheduled for us for

ful, we will be punished by having double our workload assigned. The caretakers of the orphanage were trained to provide basi

where we were taught reading, writing,

usual. The school room was equipped with wooden desks, chairs, and a blackboard. The caretakers also had the task of providing us with basic e

ay. The garden was a peaceful and secluded area, with a variety of flowers, herbs, and vegetables that provided me with a quiet place to jus

in, I still feel like I am missing something, maybe I just want t

ater for the cooking and cleaning for all of us, and it was also the source of water for the bathrooms. I've read stories of orphanages that hav

ith a hole in the ground for a toilet, and a large wooden tub for washing. The water for the bathrooms was taken from the w

and the caretakers would check at different times

il incarnate sent to tournament humans. There once was one of the caretakers called Madam Evil by the children, yes I gave her the name when I sa

n to the street to survive. Even though after 16 summers have passed, it's either you get married or back to the street which you should have been thrown to when you

us do some form of entertainment and activities. They mostly go with storyte

for us to attend mass with the rest of the community, those were the rare few

nage was self-sufficient to some extent, we learned basic farming and gardening skills, to be able to maintain the garden and courtyard. The Nuns were strict about

o the present to notice that Erin is ba

my face into a thinking mode, tilting my head to look at th

quest for the day's bread". He responded, instantly

ded, and even though I was delighted I was also a bi

omma told me to pass the message across that you should come to visit her". He told me with his cu

h I should not consider him as a child, he just clocked 15 summers, and la

ur that falls just above his shoulders. As a peasant, Erin's family is struggling to make ends meet, and this is reflected in his

reeches that are made of a thick, durable woollen fabric. The breeches are held up by a simple leather belt, and they have patches on the knee and seat

a dark brown colour and it has a few holes in it. He protects himself from the sun with

ard working. Erin carries a small knife on his belt, which he us

h that contains a few tools, such as a flint and steel for making fire, a needle, and thread for mending

o with what they have. Despite this, Erin takes pride in his appearance. He always kept saying he was a grown man now after he got to 13 summers. I misse

ard work. I still am marvelled as to why he and his parents have not isolated me after all these while even when almost all the people in the lower part of t

y abilities, apart from been so lucky that I am living in a very interesting neighbourhood I also have one of the most unusual look for

ch frankly do not help in these streets. I learnt my lesson in a very broad manner when I took to the streets after been chased out o

best dressed would still show and make me differ from them, those who grew up in

at will make others to take notice of you, and being me I have a unique feature that makes it noticeable to get exactly what it was that I am.

coins are no longer seen, extremely proud of how I am able to always

has seen better days and yet as I do not have any clothing that is new nor do I have th

I had received from Erin's mother. Despite being almost 22 summers, I still looked like a young girl with my gentle and meek appeara

using it to lose its colour and texture. I knew that I looked different from the other people on the streets, who were

the dull colours of my dress and the grime on my skin. But, it was also a reminder of who I was and tha

ruel, and that they would jud

ked through the streets, I couldn't help but think about my past. Growing up in the orphanage, I had always dreamed of leaving and finding a family that would

am of finding a kind-hearted person who would take me in and give me a chance at a bette

had to keep going and never lose faith in myself. I may have lost my family and my home, but I still had my strength