"How can anyone accept this kind of life?"
I asked myself, my eyes fixed on another child being whipped for daring to ease his hunger a minute early.
I rolled my eyes in disinterest; I had seen scenes like this since I learned to walk.
"One day, I'll see the world for myself," I whispered, my gaze drifting toward the open window.
"See the world for yourself?" a voice behind me repeated. I glanced back in brief panic before recognizing the tone.
"It's nothing. Don't mind it," I said quickly, unwilling to draw attention to myself.
"Come on! I'm your best friend. What are you hiding?" Cuid insisted.
I felt my eyebrows furrow. "If Madame hears this, I'm screwed," I gritted out, warning him of my growing temper.
Cuid giggled at the sight of me, finding amusement in how easily I was rattled.
I was about to snap back until another voice caught my attention—a voice I didn't recognize.
"A new orphan?" I wondered, standing up to find the source of the voice.
My eyes widened in awe at the sight of her silk garments, dripping with elegance and wealth. I quickly straightened my shirt and fixed my hair before approaching, forcing a gentle smile in hopes of making an impression.
A look of rage twisted across my face as the other children lined up behind me, also hoping to be chosen—their faces filled with the same hope and fear. I buried my empathy deep down when her eyes loomed over our small bodies.
When her gaze met mine, fear crawled down my spine. The world seemed to stop. Is this it? Will I finally see the world?
She approached me, my heart racing as her hand brushed against my cheek.
"I saw your annoyance," she whispered mockingly.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," I said softly, trying to win her over.
My hope of leaving this place crumbled under my own impatience, and I hid my sadness behind a frown. Desperate, I clung to her wrist, mining for pity.
Cuid suddenly ran to my side, wrapping his arms around my shoulder.
"Please, beautiful lady, don't take away my friend," he begged, eyes shining with defiance.
I glared down at him, anger and shame knotting in my chest.
"What are you saying…" I muttered, pushing him away. He stumbled and fell to the floor.
The crowd gasped and retreated into the corners. Cuid looked up at me, tears pooling in his eyes. I looked away, disgusted by the guilt creeping up my throat.
The lady stood stunned for a moment before shaking her head in disappointment. She knelt to help the fallen boy, a gentle smile painting her face before she spoke.
"I choose you," she said—to him. To Cuid.
A knot tightened in my chest. I turned and ran, unable to bear watching him walk away. His voice called after me, but I couldn't look back.
A tear slipped down my cheek before I quickly wiped it away. "I'll find a way," I whispered, gazing at the open window just inches away.
For a moment, courage stirred within me—but then my stomach growled, and uncertainty crept back in.
"What do you think you're doing, Waji?"
A harsh voice rang out behind me, followed by a hand yanking my hair without mercy. I screamed in pain, kicking back in desperate defense.
"Get off me!"
"Embarrassing us in front of the wealthy noble—you made us look like we don't teach manners!" she spat, dragging me across the hallway. Terrified eyes followed me as the other children watched in silence.
"You'll be an example," she warned coldly, grabbing the whip.
I looked up at her in disbelief, panic flooding my chest. Desperate, I sank my teeth into her hand, hoping she'd let go—but her grip only tightened. Tears welled in my eyes.
The whip rose behind me. I bit my lip, refusing to cry out. When it struck my back, pain tore through me, but I stayed silent. I would not let her break me.
The whip fell again. I scanned the room, searching for escape—and then I saw it: a child trembling in the corner, a glass cup glinting faintly in her hands.
Opportunity.
I bit down on the matron's hand again and kicked the whip from her grasp.
"You really won't behave?" she hissed, her voice thick with fury. She lunged, but I swung wildly, striking her ribs and forcing her to release me.
I dashed toward the child, seized her by the neck, and snatched the glass from her hands. Pointing it at the matron, I growled, "If you touch me again, I won't hesitate to kill this child."
My voice burned with fury—but when I saw the little girl's pleading eyes, my heart faltered.
"You think you're scaring me?" the matron sneered, advancing with cruel calm. She shoved the child aside and cornered me.
"I hate disobedient brats like you. I fed you bread, gave you shelter—and this is how you repay me?" she shouted, yanking my hair. Helplessness flooded me.
Desperate, I hurled the cup into her face. It shattered, and she staggered back, blood running down her cheek.
For a moment, I stood frozen—shocked, terrified—but when I saw the open window behind her, instinct took over. I ran for it.
Chasing the open window, I felt as though I was leaving my entire life behind—but the taste of freedom had become an itch I couldn't ignore. I leapt through it, crashing onto the rough grass below. The first thing my eyes met was the brilliance of the sun, and the wind against my face felt like a long-forgotten embrace.
Footsteps thundered inside the orphanage. I scrambled to my feet and ran—driven by nothing but instinct, by the sheer will to choose my own life.
My body was covered in aching bruises and cuts, but I barely noticed them, I was too lost wandering across the field, the scent of wild wheat and flowers filling the air.
Then, one particular bloom caught my eye.
"This looks beautiful," I murmured, plucking it by the stem without a second thought.
A faint buzzing filled my ears.
"I was planning to pollinate that. If you're going to steal, at least do it right," said a small, unimpressed voice.
Startled, I whipped my head toward the sound—and froze. Hovering before me was a tiny creature with shimmering, colorful wings, staring with the most unamused expression imaginable.
"Are you my new pet?" I asked, excitement breaking through my exhaustion.
"What?! No! Keep the flower—I'm leaving!" the creature squeaked, flustered. It tried to dart away, but
I quickly cupped my hands around it.
"I need you to guide me," I said, my voice filled with persistence.
"Guide me? What are you, an earthworm?"
The creature snapped sarcastically, squirming to break free from my hands.
"If you won't guide me, I'll eat you," I threatened, widening my eyes and opening my mouth to emphasize the threat.
"Okay! I'll happily guide you, my new friend," it said with a forced smile.
"That's what I thought. What's your name, then? I'm Waji."
I released the little creature from my hands, grinning in triumph.
"I'm Xarion. Come with me," it replied, its voice suddenly cheerful. Darting toward the open field, it gestured for me to follow.
I did, my heart racing with excitement as I wondered what kind of world was waiting for me
The little fae guided me to a crowded street packed with vendors and stalls, each one overflowing with strange goods and unfamiliar scents.
"Here," Xarion announced proudly, fluttering up to a nearby merchant. "I have my offering — a servant, fresh from Inor."
"A servant? I'm not a servant!" I snapped, swatting at the annoying little creature hovering over my head.
The vendor blinked, clearly unsure what to make of the situation. After a brief pause, he handed Xarion a single ear of corn.
"Thank you. Please, have your rest," the man said, nodding politely — before suddenly grabbing me by the arm and dragging me into his shop.
"No! I'm not a servant!" I shouted again, my voice echoing through the busy street. Heads turned. Every curious eye seemed to land on me as I glared back at the smug little fae.
He just stuck out his tongue and zipped off, wings glittering like he'd just pulled the best prank of his life.
The merchant set me on top of his cart and slapped a price tag on me like I was some kind of decorative vase.
"I told you, I'm not a servant," I said again, disbelief dripping from my voice. He barely glanced my way, his face the picture of boredom. I had the sudden urge to grab one of his overpriced ornaments and throw it at his head.
"If I see that Xarion again, I'm burying him under the soil," I muttered under my breath.
My eyes wandered toward the bustling street. For the first time, I really noticed the people — most dressed in fine, formal clothing — and above them, enormous winged creatures perched on rooftops like lazy gargoyles. I couldn't stop staring, half in awe, half in confusion.
"Oi, boy! Where's the water I delivered?" someone shouted from across the street. A jumble of muffled replies followed, and I was so busy trying to piece together what was happening that I didn't notice one of the giant winged beasts losing balance.
It came crashing down right onto the cart I was sitting on. The impact sent crates flying and the crowd scattering in panic. I was launched off my perch, colliding straight into a kid nearby.
"THERE'S A BUG ON MY WINGS!" the man shrieked in a piercing tone that made my ears ring.
I groaned, rubbing my head. "What is going on?" I muttered, half to myself, half to whatever cruel gods were watching.
The kid glared at me with pure irritation, brushing off his absurdly fancy clothes like I was some kind of grime
"Insolent fool! Watch where you're going — you've stained my clothing!" he whined, flailing his hands around so dramatically.
"Who wears a gown in the middle of a busy street?" I snapped back, my patience already hanging by a thread. I stood, trying to salvage a shred of dignity. He glanced toward his guards, then turned back to me with a smug little smirk.
"I want him. I want this servant," he said, pointing directly at me.
"What?!" I shouted, disbelief cutting through my anger