2 Chapter 2

The village was set up. The pathways were decorated and the flower shops were full of a variety of flowers. Everyone was happy and delighted. It was the time of the festival. Everyone eagerly waited for a letter from the palace. Who would be the 6 lucky girls who would be going to live in the palace…?

-------------------

CHAPTER 2: ANNA WHITE

I did not want to go to the palace. I hope I was not invited. My life was already spoilt and ruined. I did not want to explain my story again and again to people.

My name is Anna White. I have amnesia. I do not remember my life before the age of 13. I experience constant headaches, migraines, and loss of memory. I usually cannot concentrate on a specific task without dreaming, which makes all my work much harder than usual.

"Stop dreaming you, silly girl! We have a job to complete" shouted a voice.

Snapping away from my fantasies, I turned around and frowned.

It was from James Lardwin. James was a wealthy tradesman's son and was the owner of the factory I worked in. (he was rich and wealthy, which meant only one thing to poor people like me- overbearing bitches who flaunt their money for fun and to prove their wealth.

"Shut your face, James!" I mumbled…

He rolled his eye, then turned back to do his own work. I sighed and walked off. Life was harder than usual as the celebrations were coming up.

My house was not very far away from here. It was about a 10 minutes' walk from the factory.

I drew in the scent around me. I had been walking these paths for 5 years now; green grass, wild forests, broken footsteps and of course, home

"Fresh green grass, mud, and hmm…. haa! Wild blueberries!" I laughed and said.

There it was. A small white cottage with creepers along the wall, the chimney exhaling black smoky fog with dust particulates.

To some rich person, it would have been a slum dwelling but to me, it was home.

Approaching home, I smelled fresh bread, garlic oil, and beans. A smile formed on my lips.

"I am home maa!" I shouted while slamming the door shut.

"Oh, love here you are, I have made lunch for you," said maa

I looked up at her. She had a wrinkled face. Her eyes were dark blue. She had a big smile on her face made my heart warm. I know that she was not my real mother but she took care of me as her own… I smiled back at her.

"Anna, you got dirt and soot on your body!" exclaimed maa

"Yes maa, James and I got into a fight before work (and almost in the middle of work to), he came and pushed me down in the market," I said with a sigh.

"Ah, that child?! He is bossing you around. Looks like I need to have a chat with his dad." Maa said, with her husky old voice

She walked towards me. She picked the napkin on the floor and wiped my hands and face. I looked at her while she was doing this. She made me feel warm like I am home but coming was wrong….

"Come have the food, Oh wait, you got yourself a letter. I did not open it. I wanted you to see it first" said she

I closed my eyes. Told myself to calm down. I just hopped it was what I expected it to be.

I took the letter from her and opened it.

Salutations Miss Anna White

Hope you are doing well. The royal family sends their heart full condolences for the loss of your family.

As the years pass on, so does our annual tradition.

You have been invited to stay and experience the life of the royal family for the tenure of 3 weeks. All the arrangements will be done by our side. We just want your esteem presence there with us.

Hope to see you there.

Regards,

The Royal Family.

The only thing I never wanted in my life.

My heart stopped. My breathing halted as I completed reading the letter. My eyes were heavy and my legs were stiff. I was not ready to leave the only family I had. My maa. My nightmare had just turned into actuality, a nightmare that keeps on coming but never tends to go.