Orenda

Smarter Than

Hey everybody! Another chapter! I hope you enjoy this, and everybody have a super great day!

-- Ivy

"DAD!" I lunge at the king as he strides in the room, but not before I see the hopeful but worried look on his face.

"Aylana, I was so worried! Are you hurt, did they touch you?" he replies, catching and wrapping his arms around me so tightly that I can barely breathe.

I don't care though, "I'm okay, Dad," I answer.

He hugs me tighter, "We were worried sick, honey."

"I know, I wish I could've gotten back sooner," I respond, beginning to feel worried about my dad's mental health.

I pull away and hug Wilbur. To my surprise, he picks me up and swings me in a circle. "Glad you're back, Alaina," he murmurs, hugging me.

I hug him back, "So am I."

When I pull away, I notice the third of my brothers standing silently in the corner. He's looking down, clearly thinking that I'm still mad at him. Tommy's lucky, though. I never hold grudges. He glances up in surprise when I hug him tightly, "It's okay, Tommy," I whisper into his ear. "I'm not mad, and you're still my brother."

He relaxes at those words, "I'm sorry," he chokes out quietly, hugging me back.

"Shhh..." I comfort him like I always used to, "It's okay, Tommy. I forgive you, it's okay."

The boy dries his tears when I pull away, and I turn to look at my family. Philza smiles warmly at me, "It's getting late, we should go to bed."

Techno nods, his expression unreadable. Wilbur just yawns, which is typical of him. Tommy doesn't say anything, but he's probably tired too. I know I could sleep for a year right now, too.

"Miss, are you awake?" a soft voice cuts through my dreamless sleep, and I open my eyes.

"Yes," I reply, my voice slightly raspy. I turn my head to see the girl that had woken me on the first day of the trial.

"Do you want breakfast in bed?" she asks nervously.

I shake my head, a kind smile appearing on my features. "No thank you, honey. I'll eat with the others."

"Okay," she stands there for a moment, unsure of what to do next.

"You can go now," I tell her, and she nods.

After the little girl scurries out of the room, I slide out of bed and walk to my closet. My usual, elegant dresses line the majority of the wall. But instead of taking one of them, I walk deeper inside and pick out a jean skirt and brown blouse. The jean skirt is long and flowy, and the blouse is fancy. But I'm planning to go out to the village today, and I don't want to walk around in a fancy dress like the ones I wear for work.

I slide on a pair of boots and walk downstairs, grabbing a piece of toast at the kitchen and poking my head into the dining hall. Techno and Philza are there, but Wilbur and Tommy are nowhere in sight.

"I'm going to the village, to see if I can help at all at the orphanage," I announce.

"Is that such a good idea?" Phil asks.

"I did it all the time," I reply.

"Yes, but we know that leaving the castle can be dangerous, and-"

I cut my father off, which would normally be a dangerous thing to do. But lately, I don't even think he cares. "I'll be fine, Dad."

"Have fun," Techno calls right before I leave.

"I will," I respond, turning and sweeping down the corridor towards the entrance to the castle.

 I know, I know! Another short chapter, and no cliff hangar! I promise the next chapter will be longer. I shortened this one because I don't have a charger with me and my chromebook is about to die. Hope you guys have a great day!

-- Ivy