Floriana Conley I

It has been a while since that dream appeared in my sleep. When was the last time I had that dream? Two months ago? But sometimes, I wonder why that dream felt so real. I wiped my tears away before starting the day.

My name is Floriana Conley, but people call me Flora in short. For some reason, my parents gave me the same name as the angel Princess. Yes, that story is said to be a legend from one hundred years ago. She was said to have orange-brown hair and brown eyes just like me.

There weren't any paintings of her, but the people living in this small village say that I might look the same as her. Well, appearance-wise, I guess.

"Flora! Where are you? Start preparing breakfast," My aunt called as I rushed to wear the white cleaned apron.

"Coming!" I answered back and left my room.

My parents died when I was five years old, and since then, I have been living with my mom's younger sister. What's sad is that I didn't have many memories of them and the cause of their death was unknown. Though living with my aunt wouldn't be that bad, maybe…

"I'm starving, and you're late. Useless brat," My cousin Andrew yelled at me. Here we go again, him and his episodes of scolding me.

"I'm sorry for being late. I didn't notice the time," I apologize as I lowered my head.

Even if we are cousins, my aunt and her family didn't like me since they said my mother was different. I don't know what made my mother different, but I wish to know one day. My aunt is married to a Baron, but they are not wealthy. To cut their expenses, they forced me to become their maid or what I call their personal slave. Trust me, it's not fun living with them.

I walked into the kitchen and heated the leftover soup from yesterday's supper. Now that you think about it, when is the due date of the book? I should check it later once this is finished. Once the soup was warm enough, I went to serve the soup to them, then went back to my room.

Today is a Monday, and there aren't any cleaning duties today. I might as well go to the library and return this book. I opened the cabinet and took out a small pouch. This small pouch I'm holding is my mother's, and I've been saving up money to buy new clothing as some of my dress was starting to get small for me to wear.

I placed the small pouch back into the cabinet and made sure it was hidden since I didn't want any of them to steal my money. From time to time, I work in the bakery store, but their pay isn't that high. But I didn't care much about it. I just wanted to earn money for myself in the future. 

I made my way back into the mansion, which is where my aunt lives, but I live outside in a smaller shack that is terribly cold, especially during winter. Trust me, you wouldn't want to live there since it's like dipping yourself in an ice bath.

"Aunt, may I go out?" I asked as nicely as possible, but my aunt gave me a look. "Go out to where?" She asked in an irritated tone. "Uhm, to the library. I need to return the book I borrowed." My aunt sighed out loud as if she didn't want to deal with me any longer. "Go ahead and pay your debts."

They're not even debts, are they? Plus I've never had been late in returning the book. Say it for yourself, not paying the taxes on time. Despite the mean treatment I receive, I continued to put on a smile then excused myself out.

In this world, angels and demons exist. They are more of the higher status of people in this world, and they are people who possess magic. It's not that unfair because they have been far superior back in history. The humans stayed neutral, but there were some who possessed magic, and they are called magicians.

"Flora, you're back here again?" Asked Mr. Terry as he removes his spectacles to take a closer look at me. Mr. Terry is the librarian of this library. He was a close friend of my father and used to take care of me whenever my parents were busy with their work. Since I don't know who my grandparents are, I treat Mr. Terry like my grandfather. "Do you want me to call Sven?" He asked, but I shook my head.

"No, I won't stay here for long. My aunt might need me later."

"Only if I could do something about them," Mr. Terry frowned as he knows how they treat me.

To be honest, when I first came to their mansion, I didn't feel at home at all. Not only that, but it didn't take days for them to make me into their servant. When I first set foot into their mansion, I was treated like a servant.

I gave the book to Mr. Terry and made my way to the other books. There weren't any new books placed, which is quite saddening, but it's not like Mr. Terry could do anything since they lived quite far from the city. The city, huh? I would like to go there someday.

I continued to look at bookshelves to see other more interesting books, and finally, one caught my eyes. It was a book mostly read for children, but this book reminds me of my parents.

"Hmm? That book…" Mr. Terry asked, squinting his eyes as he takes a better look at the book I held.

"It's the book my parents used to read to me. Am I right?" I gave Mr. Terry a smile. While he nods his head, trying to hide his saddened expression. 

"Floriana, that's your name and the angel Lord's daughter. It's a beautiful name."

"Thank you, Mr. Terry."

"Now go back home. I wouldn't that annoying aunt of yours to scold you or do something bad to you."

"Don't worry too much. They might be like that, but they still have their good side."

"You're too kind, Flora," Mr. Terry said before I left the library.

Another thing I learned from my parents. Even if there are some, who would dislike me. Continue to see them on the good side.