Chapter 6

Alexa

Yesterday, I got to meet Prince Stephen, and up until now, I couldn't stop thinking of his invitation to live in the palace. It was too good to be true, it had to be. But this longing for my family pushed me to actually consider it. His kindness was intimidating, and I couldn't decide whether I should accept his invitation or turn it down. But then, I had to look for my family. This is my opportunity, and I can't bear to lose it just because a prince offered to help and I led myself to hesitation.

Today is a day off, and I decided to spend some time with the kids by telling them stories. I borrowed a few books for them to read, and some of them would ask me to read for them, which I absolutely love doing, especially for Delilah and Zia. A few times, all of them would sit with me on the floor and listen to my stories, either made up or from books. Celeste would watch us from a distance while reading a newspaper or drinking coffee or folding up clothes.

I was the only grown-up in the orphanage, with the rest of the orphans being children. I would assist Celeste with taking care of the children, together with other people in the orphanage. When they took me in, they had no idea who my parents were. They couldn't find someone in the village who resembled me, and it bothered them. Left with no choice, they decided to take me in and wait for a family to look for me. But years passed by, and no one adopted me. Because of this, people would take a look at me and think to themselves how miserable I must be. I would hear conversations from villagers, hearing the words 'outcast' and 'odd' and 'she doesn't belong here.'

I grew to get used to it. I try not to think of anything else but the fact that maybe my family is still alive somewhere.

I sat cross-legged on the floor with the kids, finishing up with the book that they chose to be read. I would steal glances at them, and some were a little sleepy, while some were wide-eyed and paying close attention.

"Finally, their wishes came true. And they all lived happily ever after." I ended the story, closing the book.

"Alexa?" Renee called me.

"Yes, Renee?"

"Could you tell us a made-up story?"

I laughed nervously. "I'm afraid I have no stories in my mind yet."

"Maybe from a book you've read!"

"Or from a story you've heard before!"

"Maybe you could read us this book again!"

The kids were getting noisier, and I couldn't handle the chaos.

"Okay, okay! I got something."

Upon hearing me, those who were falling asleep suddenly jolted and sat upright. I laughed and began with my story.

"You don't mind a short one, do you?"

The kids replied with a no, so I cleared my throat and began.

"It was a usual day in the library, and a girl was just cleaning the dirty shelves. No one was coming in to borrow a book or two for a few hours. Until a prince came in."

Hearing the word 'prince', their eyes widened in shock. I took this as a good sign for a really interesting story.

"The prince came in to borrow a book, and he wanted to talk to the girl. So after he borrowed a book, he took her outside for a walk and they talked for hours. The prince was staring at the girl, and he noticed how beautiful she looked. His gaze wouldn't leave the girl, and this made her blush in embarrassment."

The girls giggled, while the boys scrunched their noses in disgust. I chuckled at their faces as I continued with the story.

"They went for a walk around the West Village, admiring the streets and the houses. They even saw the old orphanage on their way. After talking, he walked her back to the library, thanked her for the book, and promised he would see her again when destiny allows them. The end."

The girls made 'aww's, while the boys still kept their scrunched faces and pretended to gag.

"You know what made this a good story?"

They looked up and shook their heads. I smiled to myself before I spoke again.

"It was a real story, and I was the girl."

Everyone was shocked, and tons of questions were raised. Was the prince handsome? Was he romantic? Did we kiss? Did he hold my hand? Most of the questions were from the girls, and I couldn't handle the many questions.

"Alexa will answer your questions when we're done with supper, alright?" Celeste spoke while casually winking at me.

"But we wanna know moreee." Zia whined.

"After supper. Then later you could continue with the story. Landon, could you please take the kids to the table?"

I mouthed a thank you to her as the kids stood up and went their way to the dining area with Landon. She walked up to me as I stood up and picked up the books from the floor.

"Did you really?" Celeste asked, her eyes set on me.

"Really what?" I asked in confusion.

"Really meet the prince?"

I nodded. "It was unexpected. Prince Stephen just came in the library, and he did borrow a book."

I took in a breath before releasing it, setting the books down on the table as she followed me. "He also told me he wanted to help find my family."

"Really? He said that?"

"Yeah," I replied with my eyes wandering. "He said that I looked like the queen, and he thought they might have a relative who has a missing daughter."

"Then that's great!" Celeste's smile was wide, and mine were, too. But my smile slowly turned into a straight line. Celeste saw my change of mood, and her joyful face was replaced with worry. "Are you alright?"

I shook my head. "I don't understand what I'm feeling. I mean, yeah, finally someone wants to help me look for them, and I should be happy. But I'm scared."

The thought of having someone to help look for my family is ecstatic for me, but the thought of leaving the orphanage, this place that made me feel like I'm home and where I belong, made me have second thoughts. Do I really want to find my family when I do have one here? Celeste, Zia, Delilah, Eric, the rest of the kids and the orphanage. This was my safe haven, and the thought of leaving it to go on a venture makes me scared.

"I thought you wanted to find your family. You finally will," Celeste held my hands and caressed her thumb on the back of my hands. "With Prince Stephen helping you, he and the royal family will look for them and bring you back to them."

I sighed. "I guess I just need a little more time to think."

"You'll know if it's the right decision. Trust me," she smiles and leaves me in the room with my unorganized thoughts.