Chapter 2: ONE
VALENCIA
The wind rustles against the leaves on the trees as the birds chirp in their nest, flapping their wet wings to dry off while they sing their song in this morning dew. I sighed contently underneath this tranquillity letting the cold air glide across my face as I listened to the sound of nature doing its work.
The air was so calm and refreshing that it's making me feel drowsy. The desire of finding a perfect shade and sleeping underneath the shadow of a big tree with nature around it is very tempting. Steadily, I moved away from the window. I clap my mouth away as a yawn escapes my mouth, and a tired tear slipped past my eyes. I took a couple of stretches to stay awake. I can't be seen like this by my employer. I need him or her to hire me for this job.
I glanced over to the piano sitting in the middle of this empty room for the longest time. There is an urge in me to go touch the piano. I haven't touched one in a long while, and there isn't any piano where I currently stay, but then again, in this world, only high nobles and royals are able to obtain such classical instruments. If I play it will raise suspicion. Plus, it's been so long I may even have forgotten how to play it.
Still, I found myself walking over to the piano and l pushed the board in revealing the white and black tiles. I placed my fingers onto one of the white keys and pushed it down making a sharp. Ding! It was too sharp for a high C and judging from the look of the piano it has not been touched for a long while. A strange and unpleasant memory sprung inside my head. The feeling of nostalgia hits me hard on the chest.
I pulled the board back into place. My hand trembled at the memories. I should have long forgotten about this. I am no longer her. I held onto that trembling hand. I closed my eyes and breathed the air into my lungs a couple of times to relax. It's one of the techniques that my sister taught me to do when I feel afraid.
I miss her.
A sad smile took form on my face as I sighed in defeat. I guess I am still not ready. Ignoring this emotion, I took a paper out of my pocket given to me by the workshop. It states that my employer wanted to meet me here and the amount of money is too good to be true, but my employer seems to have taken his time. I have been waiting in here for at least thirty minutes.
When I thought my employer is backing out, a man came through the door with a cigar in his mouth. The second his eyes landed on me that cigar fell from his mouth in surprise. He was laid frozen in place like he had seen a ghost. I couldn't blame the man. I am quite bewildered by this coincidence of ever meeting this man again. I smile hiding away the surprised look and pretending that this is the first time that we have ever met each other.
I can't be exposed. At least, not now.
"Your highness? H- how?"
"Sir," I greeted. "The name is Valencia Logan."
"No," he shook his head. "You're Amora Lorn. The way you talk, move or even have a hand over to the side of your hip. You are here! Your highness, I thought you had died. I thought you were executed with the other members of the royal family. If I knew you were alive I-"
"I'm afraid you have confused me with someone else, sir."
"But-"
"Please," I begged. My face had already turned grimed on this subject and seeing him brings up a lot of memories of my past. I no longer can have this job. I can't risk it.
I gave in a troubled sigh. I needed to search for another job but the pay won't be as good as this. Though, it is still better than having nothing. My family has sacrificed too much for me just to be exposed to this man who was once my mentor. "I would like to decline this job opportunity kindly," I announced. "I am sorry for the inconvenience that I have caused, but I do hope someday we can work with each other shortly."
"You're hired," he demanded. "I apologized earlier for having mistaken you as someone else. However, please kindly reconsider this job request. I have a daughter who needs your protection in my absence for me to go out overseas to work. I was told that you were the best knight in the workshop. Please, do reconsider your thoughts on having this job. I'll even double your pay. I ask you on the behalf of my daughter's protection, Valencia Logan."
I was taken aback by his words which almost left me speechless. He is a smart man who hooked me with the amount of gold he has in his pocket. He knows that I am just a regular being right now who is trying to survive in this cruel reality. Even though he knows full well of my identity. I know he is a good man. He had chosen to stay silent in the time of the rebellion because he is not only a man that served The Lorn Family but he is also a father. He needed to protect his daughter.
I took the time to think about his request to protect his daughter, and the amount of gold is too enticing. With this amount of money, I can help move my family graveyard to a much better one than being fed by many predators in the wild. I have to give my thanks to a kind citizen who sacrificed their lives to move my family to a much better resting place.
Since The Aeyesian Empire usurped Novaria and had expanded their territory a decree was made for all the royals of Novaria to be exterminated and to be thrown into the wild for our people to fear them and live to abide by their rules. Thankfully, there was a kind family who sacrificed their lives to help move my siblings and my parents to a better resting place. Utterly, I felt completely useless at that time. I couldn't save them. I had to pray and rely on the kindness of the citizens to move all my family members. I am grateful for their courage in doing so.
Now, I am just a normal citizen who lives in an apartment working hard to place food on my table. I looked at the man who was once my mentor and is now my employer. "When should I start?" I asked.
"Today," he said, holding out his hand to greet mine. "My name is Alan Del Rose. Just call me Alan."
A smile was brought to my lips. He had changed his name. 'Alan' was a name he always loved and wanted. He never likes his real name, making him sound like a girl when everyone already defines him as a pretty boy.
Alan is a name I found for him. This memory makes me feel like I can rekindle the bond I have with him not as an old identity but as Valencia Logan, a knight.
~ * ~
When we reached his house I was amazed that his house was so big. He must be working for a very good organization. Before setting my sights on anything else in the house a mysterious blonde girl appeared out of the blue as her soft hair danced in the wind catching my attention. She is a beautiful woman and her eyes were so bright and blue.
"Valencia," Mr. Alan introduced, breaking the trance she had over me. "This is my daughter Lana Del Rose."
Lana smiles looking into my eyes like she was lost in it like I was in hers. We stood there in silence looking at one another like time had frozen itself. In a moment, I broke our eye contact and held out my hand to greet her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Rose. My name is Valencia, your knight."
She smiles showing the dimples she has on her right cheek as she extends her hand to greet mine. "Please, just call me Lana."
"Lana," I said with a smile plastered across my face.
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