𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝐹𝑂𝑈𝑅𝑇𝐸𝐸𝑁

Alana

                  It has been a week since Adrian came and we had a welcome party for him. Raeliana, Cordelia, Diana and I have bonded more, we have gotten closer as great friends and we sometimes meet up with Maxine. We all enjoy our time that we spend with each other. I treasure them with my heart as I never had this many friends before. I am at the garden, doing gardening tasks that I was given to do by Cordelia. The weather is fantastic and I love it as I allow myself to smell the beautiful rose in front of me. I close my eyes as a smile appears on my face.
              A sudden change came. A memory of my past is in my head and I cannot stop thinking about it.
             My own mother disowned me. I remember when she did it. She publicly disowned me in front of my younger siblings. I am the oldest child. Now, I am no longer her heir. No longer her daughter. My mother. Rosalia Alvarez. The woman who used to love me. Well, that's what I used to think. She disowned me because I have no powers. She called me a disgrace to our family. A disappointment. A failure. Worthless and so much worse. Even though she is no longer in my life anymore. I still want her comfort. I remember the day when Prince Lorenzo found me and he asked me where I was from. I told him I am a commoner and a traveler. I lied to him because I don't want anyone to find out about my family and who my mother is. Lorenzo offered me a job and I accepted it immediately. I work as a servant while I am keeping a secret hidden from everyone. 

               Nobody has discovered it yet and probably will never if I keep having this poker face. But, Raeliana is catching up. She knows that I hide something. Deep down, I know I am a broken girl. That I have demons too. That I am scared by my past that I cannot escape. Her kindness is something I admire. She may look intimidating and unapproachable at first but deep down, she is someone who wants to be loved and cared for. That's what we all want and need.
I have grown into liking Raeliana, we become inseparable and got closer with each other. We tell each other about everything we do. Raeliana had told me the whole story when she was speaking with Prince Lorenzo a week ago. That she got titles now and that she asked me if I want to become her official servant and told me that she is very fond of me.
                 I accepted it immediately, of course. How could I not? I would be foolish not to.
Raeliana will be working for one more week and then she stops working. She only has told me about it so far and promised that she will tell Diana and Cordelia about it too.
They would be happy for her, I'll bet. I am also happy for her. In just one week, she has already bloomed and her aura has gotten better. Raeliana looks a bit more softer and her smile is precious. I adore it.
                I open my eyes as I hear two people calling my name out loud and I know who it is immediately by their voice. It is Ryu and Tristan. They were calling my name and I turned around to meet them as they took their steps towards me faster. When they are finally here, I approach them with a smile. 

               'Hello guys.' I greet them, bow down to them, and they do the same thing. They are both trained knights. Tristan is the confident one while Ryu is the timid one. 

                'Alana, we have a question for you.' My eyebrow twitches and looks up at them. 

                'Okay, what's up?' I stand straight, my eyes are focused on them and they both are watching me.
                'Is Darren actually dating you?' Tristan asks me and I gape at him. Me and Darren haven't told anyone yet about our relationship unless Kazuyuki and Maxine told anyone else.

                'Who told you this?'

                'We guessed. You and Darren seem awfully close and the tension between you guys is insane. I have never seen Darren being in love so hard with anyone in this world.' Ryu says, that brings me a smile. 

                 'You guys cannot tell anyone else about this, okay?' I tell them both, they promised and I give them a short hug. They hugged me back. 'If I ever found out that promise was a lie, I will kill you both.' 

             They winced by that and I see their facial expression change into scared but they know i won't actually kill or harm them.

                  'We promise.' 

                  'No wonder he likes you.' Tristan says, me and Ryu gasps towards him as he said that bluntly like it was nothing. 

                  'Tristan!' 

                 'I am just being honest, that is all,' he says. 'Do you want me to lie instead?' 

           A laugh slips out from me and I couldn't help but to laugh. Ryu and Tristan both look at me as if I've gone a little bit mad but shortly after, they laugh with me. Our laughter goes softer and stops shortly after as we still smile towards each other. I realized these two need to go back to their duties. 

                 'You guys should go back to your duties and not get in trouble like last time. It's like you two are the ones that get in trouble.' I say. 

                  'That's because we are the best.' Tristan says and I softly grin towards him. Of course he would say something like that. 

                  'I really hate getting into trouble.' Ryu whispers quietly and I hear him. Tristan does too.

                   'You are adorable,' he looks towards Ryu at first, there is a hint of redness on Ryu's cheeks and then, he looks back at me. 'but Alana, we don't have work. We are going to train with the prince. He asked us and he wants us there in a few hours. So we have some hours for us to do whatever we want. I am going to be in the library to do some research about fire manipulation while Ryu is going to draw in his chamber.' 

                    'That's great! Have fun. Also, Ryu, I did not know that you could draw. Can I see your drawings or paintings one day?' I ask him as I am surprised. 

                     'Of course,' he says. 'Painting and drawing is the only way that makes me feel calm and relaxed.' He adds shortly after. Our moment has come to an end as I must go back to my duties and finish my work that I was tasked to do.