Chapter 13: The carriage trip (1):

The next day:

I woke up at exactly 8 in the morning to see a lovely light blue dress on my bedside table. There was also a letter. It was from the director, he had asked me to wear this for today. I thought that he didn't have enough money to buy us new clothes, yet here I was having a new frock. The story has changed so much that I'm unsure if the ending would stay the same. Originally Damian was the only one who was adopted. Camilla had fallen sick back then so she never met the grand duke until later. I think in the novel when Camillia's brother comes to the orphanage he does a whole background search on them, to find out that they were caught in embezzlement. Since I'm not there I wonder if my brother will still check them. I met Damian at the front gate after breakfast. Tiffany, Cara and melody were there with me. They were staring at my dress with envy. I looked at them, laughed and promised that one day I would buy them one of these dresses. So they nodded in reply. "Pinky promise Anna," called Cara. And I pinky promise them all. The most fun I had the time I arrived here was with these three. They reminded me of the time I use to have with my best friends before the accident...

At that moment the grand duke's carriage arrived in front of the orphanage. The driver halted the horse as the director walked forward to greet the Grand Duke. The door opened and out stepped the Grand Duke. He was wearing a dark blue jacket with a white blouse and black trousers. It matched his jet-black hair. He nodded at the director and proceeded to ask us if we'd prepared everything. We nodded at him as he led us into the carriage. The grand duke held his hand out and lifted me onto the carriage. He offered to help Damian onto the carriage however he declined it and struggled to climb onto the carriage. I laughed at him and he glared at me furiously. I stuck out my hand and offered to help him up. However, he slapped it away. I look at him and shouted, "Stop being so stubborn! We're all being held up because of you!". Once again I stuck my hand out and glared at him to grab it. He glared back at me but also grabbed my hand. I lifted him onto the carriage as I watched the Grand Duke amused face. I blushed but smiled in return. Soon after the Grand Duke also got into the carriage and the door closed. I looked at my friends and waved. "See you guys soon," I shouted. They waved after me and I sat back in my chair and felt my eyes burning.

"Are you ok?" the Grand Duke asked. I nodded and poked at Damian. He was still ignoring me it seems he was still sour on what I said before. I signed and thought that he was such a kid. "Oh come on," I muttered "We're gonna live in the same house stop ignoring me,". I gently pinched his arm yet he only chook me off and ignored me. I glared at him and whispered, "two can play this game,". I turned away from him and closed my eyes. Soon I drifted off to dreamland.

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