Vol2. chap 23 A freak of nature.
"What is that thing!?" Shouts echoed through the rooms of the orphanage, all attention turned to a child with her back against her caretakers, her long black hair and her hazy white eyes seemed void of all life, yet carried a beauty no one could put their fingers on. Blood ran cold on her small, slender fingers, the crimson tainting her pale skin. sticking to her plush lips as she continued to feast off the orphanage cat.
"Get away from her, kids!"
The children clung to their caretakers their head buried in pristine fabric, their fingers clawed into their gowns as their tears soaked their stitches. Unable to look at the sight or bare it, they left her to her meal, in fear that the hostility she's showing towards her prey shall be turned upon them like a blade wielded by a blind man, but, she can see all too well.
The way she's treated...
Years would pass since then, at the ripe age of sixteen, everyone labeled her as a freak, the orphanage trying to get rid of her as soon as possible. She would always read books in her lonesome, her hazy white eyes scanning the page and it's contents as she's confined in these hallow walls to rot until sought out by her saviors.
She was always fascinated by the books of the royal family, the love stories, the drama, the war and the bitter sweet endings that would pry the tears out of those who read, though she felt nothing but a twinge of sadness, nothing more, unable to cry and dwell on it, unable to experience the emotions that she wants.
She always fantasizes about living in a castle, no matter her status, be it maid or royal, being able to live in those walls would be a dream come true in her eyes, to wake up to a golden ceiling, work right by the king and not be left to die on the streets, oh how she would love it so.
"Nina, you're being called," One of the caretakers hushed, their voices sharp yet under the radar, getting her distaste for the little girl across while keeping the orphanage's 'kind' appearance.
A man would walk by her side, his marine gaze scanned the room until it landed on her, long blonde hair draping down his figure which was adorned with a blue and white uniform laced with gold chains and buttons a red scarf on one side of his shoulder. He seemed like a kind, gentle man, a slender face and a warm and endearing smile as she stretched his hand out to Nina.
"You're Nina, correct?" He asked his voice smooth and deep, the words of a royal, the accent of a british prince, it made her heart flutter. "Lets get you out of here shall we?"
Nina stood her hand firmly gripping her firm tattered dress, stiff with the weight of speaking face to face with a royal. Her lips part, trying to squeeze out the words despite his generous offer.
"With all do respect sire," She started, her voice hesitate and weak, arms trembling in the gaze of the mighty. "I cannot be fit to live in the same walls as you,"
The man raised his brow, a gaze shifting towards her in one of curiosity a gaze that seemed to demand answers rather than demanding her to comply. She swallowed, her trying to push down the weighing feeling on her shoulders before she spoke again.
"You do know about my problem, don't you, why I'm here for so long?" Nina continued, her next sentenced stopped by the caretaker who quickly stepped towards her and covered her mouth.
"You're being sent to a royal family to serve as a maid, don't be ungrateful you brat you're lucky to even be adopted at all-" She hushed, clearly wanting to get rid of Nina as soon as possible.
"Let the child speak," The prince demanded, his voice was calm yet carried the weight of elephants causing the caretaker to quickly comply with his demand, moving out of the way.
"I.." She shook her head harshly wishing he would forget what she had just brought up. "it's nothing,"
"Hm, ok then," The prince hummed in a confused tone before looking at the caretaker once more. "Where do I sign?"
"R-right! Over here your highness,"
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"This will be your new home," The prince announced, his hands stretched wide as he showed off the glamor of his abode, golden chandeliers adorned with silver lining, white pristine wallpaper that stretched across the room the images of flowers drawn on their intricate design all tied together by golden vines.
Nina walked, looking all over the place in awe, the sense of amazement bubbled up inside as she tried to keep composed, brushing the black strands of hair from her face, her hands grasping at each other resting on her legs as she walked.
"Is everything alright? You seem a bit quiet," The prince muttered, looking behind him to make sure she was still there, soon causing her to snap out of her daze and look at the man her eyes still laced with a submissive look.
"Y-yes your highness," She muttered, her voice still shaky, this was all moving so fast for her, unable to take in the feeling fast enough, one of her dreams, one of her biggest hopes, here.
The prince smiled, kneeling down to her level, his marine blue gaze in hers as he spoke.
"You don't have to be scared, you're safe here," He muttered, his eyes softening with understanding and kindness in contrast the Nina who's eyes widened with surprise and uncertain anxiousness. "It may have came across as I knew nothing, but I do know about your secret, and I plan to take it with me to my grave, welcome to the Aldrics' palace."
Tears formed in her eyes, wiping them off quickly as they fall to hide them from the prince, to cry in front of a noble in such a manner, as a commoner to boot, how unsightly, how disgusting, not even a decent human being, lower that that of a commoner, lower than that of a child, she felt out classed, out of place in the massive halls. She couldn't stop crying, tears of joy, tears of pain, relief and confusion, confusion as to why? Why was she picked out of all else.
why her?