Who am I?

Everybody's world is a little bit different. It is, after all, what you make of it.

The words have been written a long time ago. Where was it written exactly at first no one knew but it was pretty obvious, it has been on everyone's mind. After all, it was the words that kept the commoners going on with their work. When things were getting hard, they would repeat it in their mind and keep going. 'After all, the world is what you make of it.'

"Where is that girl? Is she never here on time?" A voice was laced with a mild fit. The woman was old and had her head filled with white and blond hair. 

"She will be here soon. Don't worry. The lad is in debt. Where can she go if not work here?" A little smile left another lady's face. The voice was soft but the tone made it sound a little distant. Anyone who heard it could hear a slight sarcasm.

"That is true. How long does it take to bring vegetables from the market? It's such a simple job." The old woman shook her head as she thought about the money given to the young lady. 

"Mama…" An excited voice came from the door that had suddenly opened and started both the ladies. Both the women looked at each other and shook their heads. It had been so many years and so many times that they had told the lady to keep her voice and over-excitement down.

"What took you so long? We need to start preparing the food. The restaurant should have been open by now. Come on and start washing the vegetables." The woman with white-blond hair said in a hurry.

"But Mama look what I found." The young lady smiled excitedly as if no matter what she was hearing, it was something that she had already heard a lot before.

The lady was a little sad and angry. She did not want to have anything to do with the young child but she did not have any other choice. How could she not care for the young girl when she bought her for a high price? A noble blood surely gives a lot of profit in the long run.

'Imagine selling the young lady for a lot of money once she grows up. Of course, noble blood is different. Her eyes and mannerisms are different.' With such thought, the old lady shook her head. 

"Go inside Evara, We need to open the restaurant soon. We cannot delay it anymore." The lady said as she tried to cover her mouth a little bit. She knew that today was a busy day, after all, it was the day that the new Crown Prince was going to be announced. 

It has been so long that they have moved to the Orion Empire. The one that had captured many other Empire's included the one they came from. "It will soon be happening". The Old woman said. She looked at Evara who called her Mama and smiled.

Evara was unaware of her mother's gaze as she rushed inside to keep the fresh vegetables in. 

The old woman said in a small voice but it was loud enough that the other lady heard it. "Evara will be turning 20 soon"

She looked at her other woman who was her sister. Once she came to stay along with her daughter Evara when she left her original Empire. 

"Let's just hope that she does not show any signs. If she does then it will be very difficult to sell her off. After all, we have been raising her for that purpose alone. If she does not provide the value then what was the use of adopting an orphan? Let her beauty be of our use."

"But what if she is a noble? After all, we found her in Cele.."

"Shh…" The old lady looked around. "You need to be careful of what you say here. Although we are alone, we cannot risk people hearing us. Especially Evara." The old lady took a deep breath. "Now let's get back to work. We need to make preparations. Whoever becomes the next Crown Prince, the people will either celebrate or drink in their sorrow. In any case, we will be in profit."

The other lady nodded, as she followed the old lady inside the door unaware that their little chat was just heard by an innocent soul who was the centre of their discussion.

Evara just wanted to ask her mother what special she should make today. Everyone seemed to be excited and she wanted to make some dessert.

Evara was aware, it was a long custom that people usually awaken their powers as soon as they turn 20. It didn't matter if they were royalty or nobles. Even commoners could awaken their powers but that was a very rare case. But not all members of the family have the powers. Only one except the royalties.

Thus for the royal family, it was an important decision. Although the royals may have more children who have the powers, only a few could manifest them to the highest. Only the one that has the most powerful force will be able to take over the throne.

Today was the 20th birthday of one of the youngest Princes. If he has greater power then he would be the crown Prince and if not then the one who had the most power from the previous prince will be one. In any case, the Orion Empire will have its Crown Prince today.

Evara wanted to celebrate such a moment with some sweets, but she was not allowed to make her own decisions. She had to get permission from her mother first. But who would have thought that getting such a small permission would expose her to such a secret?

Evara did not know when but tears started falling from her eyes. She did not know what to make of this. After all, she always thought that it was her and her mother. They supported each other and did their best to survive. Yes, her mother was a little strict and would usually beat her but she was never cruel to her. She would always come back to put lotion on her wounds.

Evara always thought that her mother coming back and whispering sweet words to her was because she loved her. After all, her mother never really hated her, right? But now Evara could not help but laugh at her messary. Maybe the love she felt was always in her own mind. Or maybe, just maybe what she heard just now was an illusion in her creative mind.

Evara swallowed hard. She was struggling to keep the cry low. But the tears did not stop. The wetness and the emptiness in her heart made her realise that it was not an illusion. How could it be one when she was struggling so hard?

'Did she come back because she did not want to sell me off?'

Evara was silent but her mind was filled with a thousand thoughts. She wanted to go running to her mother and ask her what she did wrong. Was she not a good daughter? Why did she want to sell her off?

Even if her mother did not love her, wasn't it too cruel to want to sell her? But before her mind could wander around, she remembered a word. 'Orphan'

Evara placed her hands over her mouth as she wanted to scream. She did not want to remember the conversation, but the words still came into her ears again and again like a knife ready to kill her any moment.

'Am I really an orphan?'

'Is it true?'

'Did my mother never truly love me because I was an orphan'

'An orphan meant to be sold?'

'An orphan'

The word refused to leave her mind. She felt as if her body was engulfed by a snake and she could not move around. 

"Evara… Why haven't you washed the vegetables yet? The customers will be arriving any moment" Her mother's words were full of fury. It was natural as she took her little restaurant very seriously. It was their source of income and she never tolerated any mishaps when it came to it.

Evara wanted to shout 'I am coming' Or something as simple as 'Yes' but she could not utter a single word out of her mouth. How could she when that was the last word that could be said?

All Evara wanted to do was run and ask her mother 'Why?'

'Why did she not love her'

'Why was their years of love destroyed with such words'

'Why did she want to sell her off'

'Why did she even adopt her if she did not want to take responsibility?'

But Evara could not say so. After all, even though cruel, her mother took care of her. She provided her with food and a house. She gave her clothes and even allowed her to study. Maybe that was the reason she found it so difficult to accept reality. 

Maybe that was the reason she had so many 'Why' and yet she could not go and ask her mother that. Because she knew that if she even dared to utter a single word, she would be locked in the room. She would not be able to eat anything for days. Maybe she will be sold off tomorrow.

Evara shook her head as she gathered her courage. She wanted to run away. Run away from her unpredictable mother. Run away so that she would be able to find who she was. 

After all, apart from all the worries surrounding her, she had a constant question coming into her head. 

'Who am I?' and Evara wanted to find answers to them.