Chapter 27

"that's because you were reading it during your job."

"I have to! Romantic novels are banned, I might never get to read it, ever!"

"you are lucky to only have it confiscated without any other punishment. It could have gotten worse. "

Andrew picked a rock and threw it in the opposite direction, and used the opportunity when the maids were distracted to flee.

"ah!" they yelped in shock.

"... did you hear that?"

"... Is it a ghost?" one asked a pale face.

"don't be silly...it must've been the wind."

The fault in Andrew's plan was that when the soldiers heard the maids' scream they rushed to them and raised their vigilance.

"what happened?" a soldier asked.

"nothing, um, it was ah..." one of the maids stuttered nervously.

"it was a ghost! I'm sure!" the other blurted, only to get pinched by her friend.

"what's happening here!" a thunderous voice echoed. "I give you a break and you're already flirting with the maids?!"

"commander, it's not, we weren't—"

"sir, we heard them scream and came to see if there's an intruder in the palace."

"enough. You will jog fifty rounds around the imperial palace."

"but, sir..." they gulped in terror.

"go!" the commander ordered and they scrambled to the field. "and you, why are you screaming like that?"

"it was a ghost!" the same maid insisted. "we heard it!"

Fortunately for her, the other two were smart enough to apologize and bow, ducking her head and dragging her away before they get punished.

"ow...but It's true..." she whispered.

"shut up!" the other maids hissed. "you almost got us into trouble!"

The commander squinted his eyes at their hiding place, and for a second, she thought they got caught for sure, but he turned his head and walked away. The uncle-niece duo sighed relieved and giggled.

"that was a close call! " she whispered in relief. Even though she felt a little bad for the people who got punished because of them. But if you think about it, it's good for their bodies to exercise more! Ha ha!

They crept from behind the wall into a small hidden hole. Andrew worried that Amourora would refuse to crawl into it as it was a dog hole and it would get her clothes dirty, but surprisingly, she followed his instructions without a complaint.

Relieved, he led her out of the imperial palace into a tiny tunnel covered with bushes, they walked for a long time until they came out in a small but clean house in the commoners' district.

"Rosabella, the capital is different from the palace." her uncle explained rummaging through the drawers. " you must be very careful and never leave my side, okay?"

She nodded.

"and you have to listen to what I have to say. First, call me brother Anton, and your name will be... Marinette! If you like anything, tell me and I'll buy it for you. "

She nodded again to her uncle's astonishment. She was never this docile and well behaved.

The spoiled girl he knew was always wrapped in the finest fabric and most expensive jewelry like a precious porcelain doll, but the obedient girl in front of him now wore a simple dress. Perhaps it's the outfit that influenced her behavior?

But he was confused as she didn't object to whatever he said. Maybe the new environment scared her?

He changed into commoners' clothes and took Amourora's hand before heading out. "ready?"

As soon as they walked out in the sunshine, she broke into a joyous grin. "ready!"

She never visited the capital before, sure she glimpsed parts of it through the carriage windows when she passed through, but she didn't know it could be so lively.

"mommy, look!" a little girl yelled in surprise. "I want that doll! Please, mommy, pleeease!"

"sir, can I interest you in any of our products?" a vendor owner showcased his stall. "we have fine craftsmanship, the best you can find for reasonable prices!"

"please have a look, you will not be disappointed!" another vied for attention from passersby.

"are you serious!? How di—" a lady chatted with her friends.

"shhhh!" her friend closed her mouth and looked around. "not so loud, she might hear you!"

"hahaha" cheerful laughter rung out from a group of children running away from a man with a hilarious mask.

The man would playfully run around pretending to be too slow to catch up to them and the group of kids would throw small pebbles at him or tap his back and run away. They would gloat that he didn't catch them, and if he did, he would tickle them and make them laugh heartily.

"you can't catch me!" a boy stuck out his tongue and turned around to run away, only to collide with another boy and trip falling face first into the dirt.

"hahaha! "

the other kids erupted in laughter at the two, which made Amourora's smile widen. She was tempted to play with them but she had other business to attend to.

It reminded her of the children in the care homes that she took care of. She used to be the 'supervisor' or 'care giver' of the 'Daisy hill'. The Daisy hill is for the children, built like a giant barn, instead of hay and the stench of manure, she, along with other Care Givers turned it into a cozy place filled with colorful pillows and the sweet aroma of flowers. It was divided into two sides separated by boards. Each side had mattresses for sleeping and cupboards to keep their clothes or toys.

She spent her days playing with them, teaching them, singing songs, telling stories, gardening, and cooking with each other. Every time she left to town, she hugged each one and promised her safe return.

If she didn't do anything to change the future, then these poor kids would starve to death in the upcoming famine. She strengthened her resolve and marched forward to save her people.