I'm the Hero's Daughter Adopted by the Villainous Duke

Mabel walked down the brightly-lit hallway of the orphanage, her small frame burdened with a pile of big white blankets covering her face.

Her long platinum hair was tied into a neat ponytail, swishing back and forth with each step. Her bright purple eyes shone in the sun streaming through the windows.

Today was a sunny day, and she felt a burst of excitement as she thought about hanging the blankets out to dry in the warm sunshine.

She imagined the feeling of the soft fabric warming up against her skin and the fresh, clean smell of the sun-dried blankets. As she finished hanging the blankets, she began mopping the floors.

However, her mood become gloomy when she looked out the window, watching as the other children played together, laughing and shouting.

'I wanted to play too...' she thought as tears welled up in her eyes as she wished she could join them.

'Oh no, I couldn't cry, Mrs. Jenkins will scold me' She quickly wiped away her tears with a hand covered in bruises and scars.

Suddenly, peals of laughter from the group of girls resonated from the floor below, descending the staircase like an unsettling melody.

They kicked the bucket full of water near Mabel, causing the floor to become dirty again, and drenching her in the process. The girls laughed cruelly as she tried to clean up the mess.

One of the girls sneered, "Look at her, she's just a dirty little girl. No one wants her." The insult stung Mabel deeply.

Mabel wiped her tears and tried to defend herself. "I-I'm not dirty!" she stuttered, trying to sound confident. "I was cleaning the floor and my hands got wet. That's why there's water on my clothes."

The girls just laughed at her. "Crying like a baby, huh!" one of them mocked. "You're always dirty and smelly, Mabel. That's why no one wants to play with you!"

Down went Mabel's heart, a sinking feeling she couldn't escape. She understood it well – nobody wanted to be friends because she was dirty and smelly. All by herself, with no one to turn to, she felt lost and small.

But before she could lamenting more about her sorrow, the echoes of heavy footsteps could be hear reverberated down the hallway, announcing an impending presence. A tall woman, her hair elegantly pulled into a bun, emerged from the shadows.

"Mabel! What have you done? Look at this mess, you naughty girl," she chided Mabel, her voice brimming with stern reproach.

The other girls quickly dispersed, knowing well the storm that accompanied Miss Jenkins' sour mood. Her punishments were legendary for their severity, prompting the girls to scatter like leaves in the wind, unwilling to incur her wrath.

Mabel flinched as Miss Jenkins seized her ear, fear racing through her veins. While she knew she'd made a mistake and anticipated punishment, the pain was a jarring surprise.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Jenkins," Mabel whimpered, tears tracing rivers down her cheeks as she struggled to release herself from Mrs. Jenkins' grip.

With a stern look, Mrs. Jenkins released Mabel's ear, redirecting her attention to her hands. "Give me your hands!" she commanded.

Mabel's hands - that full of scars and bruises from the last punishment - trembled as she extended them, subjected to the sting of a small black whip's bite.

The pain welled, and with her voice quivering in the face of her tears, she implored, "Please stop, it hurts."

A wave of sadness and frustration enveloped her; she knew she was innocent, yet defending herself seemed futile against a world that rarely listened.

Tears streamed harder, a desperate response to her helplessness. In her mind's eye, she longed for the solace of her room and Mrs. Bunnies' - her stuffed doll - comforting presence a beacon of solace.

"Don't ever do it again, you hear me!" Mrs. Jenkins bellowed, her frustration palpable. "Why are you always giving me a headache, Mabel? You can't eat dinner as a punishment!"

Despite her hands throbbing and new bruises forming, Mabel mustered courage. "I'm sorry, Miss Jenkins. I won't do it again," she murmured softly, her voice a fragile whisper.

Sniffling and brushing away her tears, Mabel's thoughts turned to Mrs. Bunnies, her cherished stuffed companion waiting in her room.

Seeking solace, she went to her room, determined to endure the pain as she envisioned her tearful heart finding refuge beside her beloved toy.

As she moved, the symphony of laughter from the other girls danced in the background, but Mabel paid it no heed. Her sole focus was on reaching her haven, where she could unleash her heartache alongside the warmth of Mrs. Bunnies' embrace.

...

After Mabel changed her drenched dress, she settled onto her small bed, the sun casting a warm glow that illuminated the vibrant garden below. Blossoms danced in the gentle breeze, their colors a cheerful contrast against the backdrop of the clear sky.

Cradled in her arms, she held her dearest companion, Mrs. Bunnies, seeking solace in its comforting presence.

"Mrs. Bunnies, I feel so sad," Mabel whispered to the plush toy, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "The other girls keep being mean, and Miss Jenkins punishes me even when I'm not wrong."

Mrs. Bunnies responded with silence, but Mabel found solace in its unwavering embrace. She poured out her heart, sharing her fears and worries, the toy serving as a patient confidant that offered no judgment.

Mabel showed her toy her bruised hands, a testament to her struggles. "Ouchie, it hurts so much. Can you make it better, Mrs. Bunnies?"

With a hopeful breath, she whispered, "Pain, pain go away," repeating the mantra until the discomfort subsided.

"Wow, your magic really works! You're the best, Mrs. Bunnies!" Mabel's face lit up with genuine delight as she hugged her stuffed friend close, gratitude and joy mingling in her gaze.

Gazing outside, Mabel's eyes fixed on the iris flowers that adorned the garden. Bathed in the warmth of the sun, she felt a sense of contentment, allowing herself to drift into daydreams.

Her eyes closed, and she painted a picture of an ideal life – a family to love her, a cozy bed to sleep in, and arms to embrace her when sorrow struck. A fleeting smile tugged at her lips, relishing the fleeting happiness of her imagination.

But reality intruded as her eyes fluttered open, her surroundings unchanged. The orphanage's walls remained, a familiar sight that offered little comfort beyond Mrs. Bunnies' presence. Loneliness gripped her heart, and she wondered when her fortunes might change.

"I wish things were different," Mabel sighed, her voice a wistful murmur. "I wish I could be happy like the other kids, instead of feeling alone."

As her words hung in the air, a gentle breeze whispered through the window, carrying the fragrant essence of flowers. Mabel closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, a moment of serenity amid her challenges.

Suddenly, a clamor outside captured Mabel's attention, the thunderous galloping of a horse and the bustle of activity. She leaned out the window, eyes wide with anticipation. A procession of knights and a magnificent carriage came into view.

"It must be someone important who wants to adopt!" Mabel exclaimed, her heart racing with hope.

"Today could be our lucky day, Mrs. Bunnies!" Excitement surged within her, her eagerness to greet the visitors evident.

Yet, her enthusiasm faltered when she found the door to her room locked.

Desperation took hold, and with all her might, she pounded on the door, her plea echoing through the corridor.

"Somebody, please open the door!"