WHISPER- shadow and bone

Chapter 5

Dear Ezra,

I don't know where this letter will find you, but you mustn't worry about me. The Little Palace isn't much of a home but we're safe here. The world is changing faster than I ever thought it would. But the upside, I share a room with Alina and it's incredibly grand!

"Saints! Have you ever bathed?", cried the Grisha attendants pouncing on Ada and Alina.

"And what happened to your faces? This is going to take more work than I expected."

"Fetch my kit", spoke the cool tone of Genya Safin.

All these attendants seem to worship Alina, it's scary really. I seem to be pretty invisible to them which actually is pretty good for exploring the Little Palace when there aren't guards outside the door. They do judge us though, the orphans from Keramzin and all that.

"Ow!", cried Ada after her sister was done with bathing.

We'd have a good laugh about it...

...if you were here.

"In an hour, you'll both be presented to King Pyotr, and General Kirigan has asked that I make you too look presentable. Though you are not as of much use as the other girl, your presence is requested. From afar", spoke an attendant.

"I'm not meeting the King right?", Ada begged.

"Of course not", frowned one attendant.

"Thank goodness, that old-", Ada broke off realising what she was saying.

"But you will still be in the room with him, so let's get on with it", an attendant spoke clearing her throat and widening her eyes at the girls words.

"You know, this is all a bit much. I really don't need any of this. We both don't", spoke Alina as the two stood shivering in their room.

"Oh, Saints! Is this velvet?", she cried.

"I'd say it's a little better than the old tarpaulin at the camp but that's pushing it a bit", Ada shrugged.

"I'd start by making her eyes less Shu, Miss Safin", an attendant spoke harshly glaring at Alina.

"How dare you?", whispered Ada.

While the two were twins, Ada had gained more of their Fathers Ravkan genes and Alina more of the Shu. They were practically the same person, born from the same parents and lived their whole lives together, yet Alina always managed to gather more dirty looks when the two were together. At the first army camp Alina went hungry many times and it wasn't until people realised Ada was Alina's twin that they showed anger anger or prejudice towards the girl. It wasn't fair.

"Everybody out", Genya clapped twice.

The women scoffed and glared at Alina before shuffling out.

"Thank you", croaked Alina.

"Happy to get rid of the miserable shrews. I don't pick my staff. The Queen assigns them. Mostly so she can spy on me", Genya sighed at her misfortunes.

"Don't change my eyes", Alina begged. Ada grabbed her hand.

"I don't care that you're part Shu. I care that you look terrible! Especially you and that gash Adeline!", Genya said.