It is watching
The little child with a teary eye stared intently at her grandmother, expecting her to consent to her words.
"Tell me, dear". Emmeline requested
" Would you promise not to ever hate me because I am ugly?". The girl requested, her voice breaking at the end.
Emmeline felt her heart shatter into millions of pieces. The child was feeling traumatised and insecure and she felt more bitter because she couldn't help the helpless child. Trying not to break down in front of the little girl, she drew her closer, embracing her and kissing the crown of her head.
"Silly girl. You are never ugly and I would never hate you, my child. I am also promising to be by your side and fight every challenge u may encounter, do you understand? You are my daylight and I would never despise you, ever". Emmeline said, her eyes watering as she kissed her again, continuously caressing her back.
" Time for breakfast dear, let's go take a bath, okay?". Emmeline said as she gently pulled the girl from her embrace.
Seeing the girl nod, she helped the girl up before she carried her up.
Walking through the kitchen door, she felt the tears she had been trying to restrain, continuously roll her cheeks.
Little Aurora walked to the backyard after she was done with her breakfast. Today's meal had tasted bland, it seems the money her grandmother had gotten for a meal was not enough for the preparation of the porridge. She was strangely exhausted as she felt her head continuously spinning. Sitting down on the bare ground as she folded her legs, starting at the sky.
The little girl curled up as she warmed herself by rubbing her body. The only blanket she had was burnt by her grandfather when she ventured into the dark forest.
After some minutes in such a position, she heard her grandmother continuously calling her.
"Aurora?". Emmeline called as she stared at the little girl who curled herself.
" Mama". The little girl responded weakly
Emmeline gasped in surprise when she had gotten close to the girl, feeling her forehead. "You have a fever, why didn't you say? Emmeline asked, frowning.
" It started this morning mama". The little girl complained
"Come, dear, let me help you to the bed". Emmeline said as she held steady, the unsteady girl, taking the little girl to her room as she expected her husband to arrive delayed.
" Papa would be annoyed if he finds me on his bed". Little Aurora weakly said
"Sleep dear, your window is broken and you would catch more cold if I let you sleep there. I'll go get some herbs from Mrs Clinton but then I am going to cool you, okay? Emmeline said as the little girl gave her consent by nodding.
Emmeline gave a little smile to the child, covering her with the blanket before bending to kiss her on the forehead. Hurrying to the kitchen, she took some water, a towel and a bowl. When she had come into the room, she met the girl half asleep, shivering. It seems her fever was worsening, placing the towel which was absorbed by water and some herbs which she had dropped in, she gently swabbed it on the girl's forehead. She watched as the girl slept she felt compassion for the little child. She stroked the scarred part of her face before lowering herself to kiss it as she stood up. " I'll be back soon enough". Emmeline whispered to the sleeping girl. She walked to the door as she kept glancing at the sleeping girl, closing it after her.
.
"Are you sure with this information?" A man with a hat, sitting in the carriage inquired. It was apparent from the man's attire that he was a nobleman, from his expensive boots to the fitted tunic and the fur placed on his shoulder and the gold rings on his ten fingers.
"Yes my lord, I wouldn't say if I wasn't sure". Cyrus replied as he placed the sheepskin cloak on his head properly. It was raining heavily and yet the man on the carriage had not uttered a word of permission to let him inside the carriage.
"Then you get your reward for this". The man said as he threw out a pouch which jingled as it landed on the old man's hand.
" Thank you, my lord". Cyrus said as he gave a continuous bow to the man.
"Remember to keep me updated". The man on the carriage instructed before instructing the coachman to move.
Cyrus watched the carriage move before he cheerfully threw up the pouch of coins before he grabbed hold of it, shoving it into his pocket as he surveyed his surroundings. He sneezed out loud as he was catching a cold. It was getting late and he hurriedly walked through the streets, where people with no umbrellas and cloaks ran to take cover from the heavy downpour under stalls and buildings and those who couldn't wait continued to run in the rain.
It was already dark when he had got home, there were no candles lit and he could barely see in such dark.
" Emmeline?". Cyrus called, closing the old creaking door which could fall at any time.
"Emmeline?". He called again. He was freezing and needed a hot bath and food. Receiving no response, he pulled off his wet boots and his coat as he strode to their bedroom with the help of the moon's light. Entering the bedroom, he found a figure on the bed and because it was dark, he couldn't see who lay there.
He walked to the cupboard in search of candlesticks, to lit from the fireplace. Returning to the bed, to tap her awake, he froze at his footsteps as he saw the girl comfortably laying on their bed with their only mattress, snoring softly.