Chapter 5

After a month of treatment, I can finally move my body. I can finally speak straight. I can't believe I've been stuck in the same room for a month without leaving. I'm still not sure if we're in a safe place, but based on how they treated me and my friends, I'd say we're finally in good hands.

"Urgh... he's still glaring at me whenever we meet. He's face is so irritating." Ara complained as she fed me the soup they had made for me. She continued telling me about this guy around our age who irritated her. I had no idea who she's talking about, but I continued to listen to her rants.

Noah approached Ara and flicked her forehead, "Stop telling Avi about someone she doesn't know. Look at her looking all confused whenever you tell her your complaints. Go help Mia, I'll feed Avi."

Even though I can feed myself, they always insist on feeding me. When I tried to grab the spoon myself, they would stare at me with that 'it's our fault, so let us do it' face that I couldn't resist.

They tend to blame themselves for what happened to me, which I find strange given that I was the one who encouraged them to flee that hellish place.

After I finished eating, a loud knock on the door was heard, and Duke Reed entered. He was the one who got us out of the orphanage.

"I presume you're still sick, seeing your friends feeding you now and then." As soon as he approached me, he said. He examines my head to determine if the stitch in my head has healed completely.

"No! I'm fine now!" I exclaimed. I've been getting bored from staying in the same room doing nothing, and I feel indebted to the Duke.

"She's not yet healed," Kye said as he entered the room. "I saw her holding her head like she's in pain at times."

"That's because I tried to check if my head is healed or not. I'm well now so I could work!" I said as I stood up from my bed and walked around the room, "See? I'm fine."

"You limped,"

I turned around and looked at the guy who spoke. I'd never heard of him before. He stood next to the Duke, staring at me from head to toe.

"How come you brought another kid with you?" He asked the Duke.

I lock my gaze on him and the Duke. They don't look same, but their demeanor appears to be the same. He's dressed like an aristocratic kid and appears to be around Kye's age.

"I took you with me, too, in case you forgot." The Duke said to the child beside him, "Greet her,"

"I'm Ravin,"

"Avrielle, you can call me Avi." I said and walked towards Kye.

"I saw you limping," Ravin stated as he examined my knees.

"I didn't," I said. I did limp as I stepped down on my bed, but I made sure not to limp while I moved around the room..

"She did, I saw it," He said to the Duke.

"Sit down," The duke said, pointing at the bed in front of him. I did as I was told and sat down on the bed. He kneeled in front of me and knocked on my right knee, forcing me to let out an unconscious groan, "Call for the doctor."

"No! It doesn't hurt that much!"

My head injuries have been well-treated, and I don't want to go through another treatment since I don't know how to thank them. They took us in, and I would feel much more burdened if they started taking care of my knees.

"Just how broken your body is!" Kye yelled, which shocked me. He had never yelled at me that loud before.

"It's not broken! Maybe... dislocate?" I grinned awkwardly and he flicked my forehead.

"The doctor has arrived." I heard Ravin's voice and looked around to see the doctor approaching me.

Oh no!

And at the time, I was undergoing additional treatment for my knees. I stayed in the same room for another month.

"I feel like dying..." I whispered.

"Huh?! You're dying?!" Caz immediately popped out beside me.

"Who's dying?!" Mia exclaimed.

"Ha?!"

Right... We were all sleeping in the same room at the time. They were concerned that I had left the room late at night. Our beds were aligned next to each other, and Caz is currently sleeping next to my bed.

They all ran towards my bed and I sighed, "You guys are overreacting."

"But you said you were dying!" Caz said.

"It was just an expression! Stupid! Go to sleep!" I pull up my blanket to hide my face. I can feel their presence leaving me.

...

Finally! The time has come where I can finally leave the room.

I'm fixing the dress Ara gave me earlier. It's a noble's dress.

I'm curious why the Duke provided us such clothing despite the fact that we're just impoverished orphans found at the orphanage.

"Avi? Are you done?" Ara came to my door and knocked. We now have our own rooms, but we girls spend the entire night sleeping in my bed because it is large enough for all three of us to sleep peacefully.

"I am!" I responded.

The door swings wide, revealing Ara and Mia.

"Wow! That suits you!" Mia exclaimed as she examined me.

"Did you forget that she was once a noble?" Ara said.

"Oh right! She was wearing such fancy clothing the first time we met at the ship!" We three laughed together as if that time was a happy memory for us.

"We've been through a lot..." Mia said.

Ara hugged her and patted her back, "Pine and Belle must be watching over us."

I nodded, "They're both our guardian angels."

A knock on the door was heard once again and we heard Caz's voice from outside, "Are you still dressing up? It's been an hour!"

The three of us laughed together and stepped out of the room. The three boys were waiting outside for us.

"Wow! The princess is finally back!" Caz exclaimed looking at me.

I chuckled, "Stop that! I'm not a princess anymore."

"Let us go now, the duke must be waiting for us." Kye said.

The Duke has invited us to join him for lunch in the dining room. He defined it as a small feast for me, which perplexed me. What is there to celebrate about? Me being alive? Is it something to be celebrated?

"You've finally arrived." The duke said as soon as he saw us, "Come and sit wherever you want."

The table was full of delicious delicacies. Some of which we've never seen before, and some of which we've never tasted. There's even a cake in the middle, as though we're celebrating a birthday.

"How are you feeling, Avriella?"

I shifted my gaze away from the food and onto the duke, a bright smile on my face.

"I'm feeling completely well now, thanks to your grace. I'll never forget the help you bestowed upon me." I bowed in respect in front of him. Without him, I would've died and my friend will still be living in a horrible life.

"I hope you don't feel indebted,"

"I can't help, but feel indebted, your grace," I said, looking down my fidgeting fingers, "So please don't hesitate on giving me a job to do. I don't know how to pay for my treatment, so I'll just do whatever I can to repay you for your kindness."

"I heard you have a family..."