Alora returned home that evening with a heavy heart. Her mind was restless, filled with one fearful thought—What if Mr. Benjamin sacks me?
Irene noticed the worry written clearly on her daughter's face and gently asked what was wrong. Alora told her everything that had happened at work. As she listened, Irene's eyes filled with sadness.
"This is all my fault," Irene said quietly. "If not for this sickness, why would my children be working so hard?"
"No, Mother," Alora replied softly. "It isn't your fault. Anyone can fall ill."
"Yes, Mum," William added, resting his head on her shoulder. "You should focus on getting better."
Irene forced a small smile. "Alright. Now go and eat your food and get some rest."
"Okay, Mum," they replied together as they headed to the kitchen.
The next morning, Alora left for work earlier than usual. She was nervous but had prepared herself for the worst. When she arrived, the shop was unusually busy. Without wasting time, she got straight to work, carefully avoiding Benjamin throughout the day.
Hours later, when it was finally time to leave, she hurried to finish her remaining tasks. As she turned to go, she nearly ran into Benjamin. Startled, she greeted him immediately.
To her surprise, he responded calmly.
Maybe he has forgiven me, she thought with relief as she made her way home.
When she told her mother the news, Irene was overjoyed. That evening, William returned from work completely exhausted and rested his head on Irene's lap. She noticed his body was unusually warm.
"You're running a fever," she said worriedly.
She asked him to bathe, and after some time, his temperature dropped slightly—but not enough to ease their concern. Alora and Irene exchanged anxious looks.
"I'll take him to the physician tomorrow," Alora said firmly.
The next day, after breakfast, Alora accompanied William to the physician. After examining him, the physician confirmed it was a fever and prescribed some medicine. Relieved, they left shortly afterward.
But just outside, someone suddenly bumped into Alora, causing the medicines to fall from her hands and scatter on the ground.
"Ah!" Alora cried out as she watched them spill.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," the man said quickly. "I didn't mean to—"
"Are you blind?" Alora snapped in frustration. "You've ruined my brother's medicine! What will he take now?"
She turned sharply—and froze.
Her eyes widened as she recognized him.
"Oh… my Lord," she said shakily, bowing her head. "I—I'm terribly sorry. It was my fault. Please forgive me."
"It's alright," the man said gently. "I'm the one who should apologize. I wasn't paying attention."
He bent down to pick up the fallen medicine.
"Thank you, sir," Alora said quietly as she collected it from him.
He looked at her closely. "It's you," he said. "How have you been? I hope your employer hasn't been troubling you."
"No, my Lord," Alora replied carefully. "He's not a bad man. He simply likes things done his way."
She chose her words wisely. Despite Benjamin's temper, he had given her work—and losing that job could ruin everything.
"I see," Duncan said. "Still, no man should speak to a woman that way. If you ever feel unsafe, I can help you find another job."
Alora smiled faintly, but memories of her past flooded her mind. She wanted nothing to do with royalty anymore—too much pain, too much loss. It was safer this way.
"That's very kind of you, my Lord," she said respectfully. "But I am fine for now. If things change, I will leave."
"Very well," Duncan replied. "The bread was excellent, by the way. You and your people bake well. Tell your employer I'll be ordering more in the future."
He waved slightly before walking away.
Alora stood still for a moment.
I can get you another job.
The words echoed in her mind as she headed home.
Since arriving here, no one had noticed them—not the wealthy, not the royals. This kingdom was nothing like the one she grew up in. Though she had been young, she still remembered her father listening to the people, mingling with commoners, solving their problems.
Here, the rich stayed with the rich, and the poor were left to struggle alone.
Life, she thought bitterly, could be cruel.
With a quiet sigh, Alora continued on her way home.