Left Alone

Chapter 9

We stayed in that position for a minute. Then Mother pulled back. I thought she would be angry, knowing I was that dirty and all. Then she kissed me on the cheek.

We smiled. She laughed. In a nice way. I was surprised. We went over and sat in the arm chairs. We were silent. But we were both happy.

Then, she finally spoke.

"It is morning, Alexia," Mother said. "Get washed over there." She pointed her finger to a door on the wall.

I nodded.

"Also dear," Mother said. "Come down into the Tea Time room."

"Mother..." I said. "I don't know where that is."

"Oh, right. I will wait for you. I will give you a tour of the whole place. Now, scoot!"

I took off my watch and placed it on the small desk. After that, I washed. I felt so clean. Wow!

Mother was waiting on the arm chairs.

I put the watch back on.

"Let's go," She said.

She gave me a tour. I now pretty much new the upstairs, where the rooms were. I was room 247. Mother was 233, which was all the way across my room. I new all the important rooms that I would be using upstairs, like Mother's room, my room, and the bathrooms.

Then, we went downstairs. It was definitely larger than upstairs. I learned where the Breakfast Room was, where the Lunch Room was, and finally the Dinner room.

Mother also showed me the sitting rooms, where everyday at 3:00 in the afternoon we would gather and drink Unsweetened Jasmine Tea.

"Alexia," Mother said. "It is 2:47. Prepare for Tea Time. It will be the time to announce my long-lost daughter. Go to your room. Your servant will bring you your new dresses."

"Yes, Queen Aletha." I said.

"No,... Call me Mother."

I nodded and ran up the Left Stairs, for there was a left and right one, which both led to the center. Then, I ran to my room.

When I reached my room, my servant was already shoving new dresses into my closet. Then after all of them were inside neatly, she bowed unwillingly, scowling all the way.

I closed the door and peeked into my closet. There were so many beautiful gowns! How could I ever choose?! I found a sparkly yellow dress that caught my eye.

I changed into it and some yellow shoes that matched.

Yes. Yes. This was it. I was ready for Tea Time.