Adoption

In the orphanage, things were going on as usual. The children were busy doing their own thing and most of the staffs were happy to help. Ever since the princess had established the orphanage, Lady Irene had been put in charge as the Matron. When the princess came to her with the plan of building an orphanage two years ago, she was delighted beyond words. She had always loved children and even had a small place she used to take care of children that were either lost, or orphans. She always had a soft spot for children and always loved seeing them grow the way they were meant to. Seeing her love for children and her experience in taking in children from different background. The Princess decided Lady Irene was the right person to put in charge of the orphanage.

Lady Irene accepted the job with Joy and even chose the staff and made sure everything was done accordingly. Two years in, everything in front of her now was the fruit of her hard work and Labour. There were alot of ups and downs along the short two years but, nothing beats the joy of putting a smile on the face of a little child and removing the fears from their innocent hearts.

Lady Irene was walking along the halls of the orphanage and was observing how each of the kids were busy talking and moving around.

As she was walking, her eyes fell on one of the most adorable children she had been opportuned to see and take care of.

"Careful Missy you'll trip" she said calmly to a little child running across the hall.

"Hello Lady Irene the girl said recognizing her favourite person".

"Hello Missy, how was today's lesson did you have fun?"

"Yes Miss Claire gave us sweets."

"Aww that's nice" Lady Irene said.

"Oh, There you are Missy" a young woman came rushing towards them.

"Lady Irene" she greeted the Matron

"I'm sorry, I took my eyes off her for a second and the next thing I knew she was gone."

"No worries Claire, I know how mischievous children her age can be. I'm sure you're doing a great job." Irene replied.

Claire took Missy and Irene continued down the hall. After walking for a while she finally got to her destination. Some children within the ages of nine and ten were sitted.

Immediately she entered most of the children acknowledged her presence and greeted the beautiful Matron.

Amongst them was a young girl with silver hair sitting on her own. A lot of people wanted to talk to Thena but she shut them all off. Not only was she rude to all everyone around her, her gloomy presence made everyone stay away from her. Although some tried to come close, they had to learn the hard way to stay away. Thena was just not one that does well around people. Lady Irene walked up to Thena and the young girl looked up when she noticed something standing over her. Seeing Matron Thena asked with a grunt. "What?" Everyone around was not shocked a bit as she was just as rude to the adults as to the children.

"Are you Thena?" Lady Irene asked

"Yes, and who are you?" Thena asked as she truthfully didn't know who she was

"I'm Irene Jade The Matron of this orphanage" Irene replied.

"Oh" Thena replied non-chalantly.

"Can you come with me for a bit Thena. I'll love to discuss something with you" Irene said

"Ok" Thena replied and followed along. Thena followed Irene until they finally got to her office where two other people where sitted waiting for them, and Thena was shocked because she recognized one of them.

"Say hello to the guest Thena" Lady Irene said.

"Oh, hello" Thena said.

"I'm sorry for her attitude, she just arrived the orphanage and is getting used to being around people, she's one of the refugees from Wize" Irene Said.

"Isn't everyone form Wize tanned due to the sun" the lady asked.

"Well yes, but she's from Dura. It's own Climate os a bit similar to that of Miaan" Irene replied.

"Oh I see" the woman replied.

"So honey what do you think?" the man asked.

"She fine, but I prefer we find someone younger."

"Uhmm Why I'm I here?" Thena asked as she saw the situation a bit awkward.

"Oh, I'm sorry Irene said. Well This are Diana and Rex a new couple living in the Capital. They are here to get adopt a Help."

"Adopt a help? Not a child"? Thena asked.

"Oh, yes. In place of buying slaves, the royal family adopted this in Omi. Instead of buying slaves and treating them less than humans, we adopt or contract helps instead. In your case you won't be their child but their help. They would be responsible for you and in return you will be their maid and helping hand until you're sixteen when you can either make a contract or decide to leave and fend for yourself."

"Oh...Thena said. What makes you think I want to do that?" she asked. Making Irene quite embarrassed.

"Oh, we won't force you to do it, but they saw you a while ago and asked if they could see you in person" Irene replied.

Thena looked at the man and he gave her a nod before she turned to Irene

"Ok what do you want me to do?" She asked Making Irene sigh in relief.

"How come this girl is like this?" she thought

Few minutes later the couple walked out of Irene's office followed by Thena. Irene followed them and they all walked out discussing how everything went.

"We'll come back for you tomorrow Thena make sure you're ready ok?" the man said and Thena nodded.

"Let's go Rex" the woman urged her husband and they both left with in a fancy carriage.

After they both left, Irene walked back in with Thena but as they were about to step back into the orphanage. A huge flapping of wings was heard as a large Pegasus landed on the ground.

Irene who had seen the elegant stead of Ija before had a smile on her face but Thena was shocked. She had never seen anything like this before.

She looked at the mighty ferocious beast and saw it had a rider.

"Is that not Ija the fi-, the free?" Thena thought having forgotten the epithet used to describe Ija.

As she was thinking about this she saw Ija help a small girl she recognized all too well highlight from the mighty stead.

Thena stared at Thia with jealousy.

"Why does she get to ride on the cool stead and I'm here talking to some weirdos about being adopted as a maid". She thought.

Immediately Thia locked eyes with Thena she gave her a mischievous smile.

"That shrimp" she thought clenching her fist.

Thia sensed Thena's jealousy and could not help but want to rub it in her face.

"That was awesome Lady Ija. Riding on your stead is the coolest thing in the world". Thia said.

"Really, Well taking you for a cool ride is her job. Right Iji?" Ija asked her stead and the beast neighed with joy.

"Well then, see you tomorrow Lady Ija, and you too Iji" Thia said and went on to the orphanage. After she left Ija flew back to the palace on Iji.

"Lady Irene" Thia greeted the Matron with a smile and Irene responded with a greater smile.

She had noticed Thia's discomfort in the orphanage and was happy the child has found a place where she can be herself and smile. Although she had always thought Ija was a bit too wild. It was probably what Thai needed at this point. As long as the child was happy, that was all that mattered. After Irene replied Thia ignored her partner and walked into the orphanage. Thena wanted to ask how it was to ride on such a beast but Thia ignored her like she had never seen her before.

"That damned brat" Thena thought clenching her fist even harder