In the morning, around 09:00 AM,
At the Ztatzav Orphanage, in the principal’s room, a stern-faced woman was sitting in a chair, staring at a roll of parchment in her right hand. She was silent for a long time, then shook her head several times. “I did not expect that after twelve years, the emperor would find out about the existence of the daughter mentioned in the ancient prophecy. She has already sent messengers to all the orphanages and will be coming here soon. What should I do?”
The memory of Alexa’s arrival at the orphanage, when Aufrodine and Loiston found her at the entrance, was still seared into her mind. “When that damn kid was here, I almost died. Every day, my colleague and I were in a constant state of anxiety in case anyone else, let alone the emperor, found out about the Chosen One’s existence. Now, my fears have come true.”
Suddenly, there was a knocking sound, so the moment turned attention to the door. “Who is that?” asked Aufrodine, alarmed.
“This is me, Loiston,” replied the guest, who was standing behind the door.
When she heard the name, the thirty-eight-year-old woman breathed a sigh of relief. She placed the roll of parchment she had been holding on the table. “Come in!”
A few moments later, the door was opened from outside. A red-haired woman entered the room and closed the door. Aufrodine only looked at the other person with a flat expression, but inside she was deeply troubled by the news of the emperor’s messenger’s arrival. Loiston walked over to his friend and sat on the chair in front of The Principle.
“What was wrong with you? Has something happened?” asked Loiston, matter-of-factly.
“Read this,” Aufrodine replied briefly. She picked up the parchment scroll she had been reading and handed it to her interlocutor. Loiston took it, then began to read.
The atmosphere in the room became quiet again. The tall, slender woman could only silently watch her colleague’s movements.
I do not know what Apple will say, but she must know about the news that has been circulating outside. I hope she can give me suggestions, especially on how to hide Alexa, if the emperor’s envoys ever come to this place, Aufrodine thought as she massaged her forehead area with her left hand.
“Who sent you this news, Lenny?” The sharp-nosed woman finished reading what was written on the parchment, and then she looked at her friend’s face, who could not hide his frustration.
“Adetzha Tatrietgha. She is also the Principal of the orphanage in Atared .” Aufrodine was grateful to her professional colleague who was in another village so that she could obtain such unexpected information. Loiston could not comment yet, as what he had read was so shocking that he could not make a decision carelessly.
“Ah, Madama Tetrha. I know her. It is good that she always helps us when there is an important announcement.” The woman with freckles on her face, although not too many, became relieved. However, Loiston still felt uneasy, especially about the news that unwanted people were coming to their orphanage, which would make things difficult for all of them.
“So what do you think, Apple? Should we hide Alexa or banish her to the forest? I am afraid that if they really come here and check on the children in the orphanage one by one, then Alexa’s identity could be discovered.” Aufrodine could not conceal the unrest in her heart, and Loiston recognized this.
A woman who could hear supernatural voices was silent for a long time, and then an idea flashed through her mind. Meanwhile, Aufrodine waited anxiously for a response from the other person. “If I am not mistaken, the Healers have magic power, though what they have is still below that of real witches. How about we discuss with them and ask for help?”
The thin-browed woman frowned. She could not believe the idea put forward by her colleague. Loiston seemed to understand what was going through Aufrodine’s mind, so the green-eyed woman nodded, which meant she meant what she said. “Apple, you are not kidding, aren’t you?”
“No, I am not kidding. The Healers are just like the Seers. The difference is that Healers only heal the sick, while Seers can indeed see into the future or the past. Who knows, Ethnia could help us by making Alexa invisible, or maybe she has a better way that we never thought of before?” Loiston tried to reassure his friend, though Aufrodine seemed strange about the idea.
“If they can only heal the sick, I am sure that they can’t have any other powers.” The woman whom the children at the orphanage feared still could not believe Loiston’s crazy suggestion.
“Lenny. Did you forget that they are under Goddess Erie? Where did they get their healing powers, if not from an immortal goddess? I am sure the Healers have other hidden powers but do not want to admit it for fear of being mistaken for witches.” Loiston did not give up, as it was her only solution, and they had no other way at the moment.
A woman, who had a height of one hundred and seventy-two centimeters tall, did not want to agree to her friend’s idea. She seemed to be rethinking what steps to take, especially to prevent the emperor’s envoys from coming to their orphanage. Loiston decided to reread what was inside the parchment scroll as if she was looking for additional clues there.
Dear Madame Aufrodine,
Good day! This is me, Adetzha Tatrietgha. I would like to share some news that you may not know: a Seer reported to the emperor that the Chosen One was still alive in the Zlatav area and living in an orphanage. Because of the fool’s baseless report, Emperor Aufdzek became frightened and sent twenty men scattered to all cities, including villages, to find out the truth of the news.
I know that the Chosen One is in your place, so you must find a way for her not to be discovered by the people from the palace. Fortunately, your place and mine are very far from the capital, so it should be safe, but that does not mean it will last forever.
Good luck! May the God of Brazakh bless and be with you always.
Best regards,
Adetzha Tatrietgha
“Apple.” The voice startled the name’s owner, as she had just finished rereading the parchment in her hand. Loistoon turned her head and saw the serious, distressed face of Orphanage Head Ztatzav.
“Yes, Lenny?” Loiston was still wondering what the other person would say and waited patiently for Aufrodine’s response.
“I agree with your suggestion. You can call Ethnia here.” Aufrodine was forced to give up, as she had run out of things to do and needed to save herself, Loiston, the people who worked at the orphanage, and all the children who had been living there for a long time.
That thick-browed woman smiled, for that was exactly what she wanted. Loiston quickly rose to her feet, then handed the parchment scroll back to Aufrodine. The principal accepted it and did not smile at all. “Great! I am glad you finally agree with me, Lenny. I will bring her here. I will be back as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, Apple. I trust you.” Aufrodine tried to smile but was unable to do so.
A woman, who had a height of one hundred and seventy-one centimeters tall, nodded. Without further ado, she turned around and walked towards the exit. Aufrodine watched Loiston’s departure with uneasiness. Now that her best friend was no longer in the same room, the blue-eyed woman was already imagining the worst-case scenario about Alexa, and she shook her head, not feeling up to it.
“I have no choice for now. If Alexa has to leave here, then the ancient prophecy will soon come true. If a great war breaks out, where will we go? Hopefully, Goddess Magia will be kind enough to help us, or she will gives us some time so that it will not happen too soon.” Aufrodine said to herself, looking at the door.
Madame Aufrodine massaged her head with both hands. The unmarried woman was silent and unable to concentrate on her work. For some reason, she thought about the infant Alexa, who had been placed on the orphanage’s doorstep and put inside a basket.
“Why was Alexa dumped here at that time? Her parents are very rich, but that does not mean they can just dump responsibility on me and Loiston. I wish that girl was an ordinary baby girl, and our life would not be as difficult as it is today.” Aufrodine complained and was on the verge of tears, already feeling helpless to protect the place she and her friend had managed for so long.
“Hopefully, after Loiston and I have a discussion with Ethnia. We can come up with something good, and it would be-”
***