The fire that swept through Stone Valley had changed everything. Businesses slowed, wages were reduced, and many families were left with nothing. Bills continued piling up, Irene's treatment needed money, and William was still too young to shoulder such responsibilities. Whether she wanted it or not, Alora had become the breadwinner of the family.
To earn more, she took extra shifts after finishing work at Benjamin's bakery. Public cleaning paid little, but every silver coin mattered.
Sometimes, she wondered if anyone would ever come to their rescue. Lord Duncan had stopped visiting entirely. She told herself it shouldn't bother her, yet she couldn't deny that she missed his unexpected appearances. Truth be told, she had grown to enjoy the attention. At times, she wondered what he truly wanted from her, but no matter how much she thought about it, she could never find an answer.
When the bakery closed for the day, she met Roxana outside.
"You look exhausted," Roxana said as they began walking together.
Alora smiled weakly. "I'm still alive."
"That's not the same thing."
Alora laughed quietly.
Roxana's situation wasn't much different from hers. She still lived with her parents, but life at home wasn't peaceful. Her father spent most of his earnings on alcohol while her mother struggled to keep the family afloat by selling vegetables in the market. Rather than watch her mother suffer alone, Roxana had decided to work for herself.
Despite all the rumours spreading around Stone Valley, Roxana had always remained kind to Alora. Sometimes, she kept her distance whenever other people were around, and Alora understood why. Nobody wanted to become the next target of gossip. Still, once they were alone, Roxana always treated her like a true friend.
Soon, they arrived at the gathering point where dozens of workers waited quietly. A supervisor stepped forward, carrying a register.
"Line up!"
Everyone obeyed.
Brooms, sacks, and dustpans were handed out before different groups were assigned to separate parts of the district.
Fortunately, Alora and Roxana ended up together.
"I guess we're partners again," Roxana smiled.
They both laughed before beginning their work.
Cleaning the streets proved harder than expected. Just after they swept one section clean, children came running through, throwing fruit peels and scraps back onto the road.
Roxana rested both hands on her broom.
"We just cleaned this place."
Alora sighed before bending down once more.
"It won't clean itself."
Hours passed beneath the afternoon sun.
By the time they finished, sweat clung to their faces, and their backs ached from bending over all day.
The supervisor counted each worker's wages before placing a few silver coins into their hands.
"See you tomorrow."
Alora thanked him before saying goodbye to Roxana, soon they parted ways.
By the time Alora reached home, William had already prepared dinner while Irene slept quietly inside.
She sat on the small stone outside their house and began eating.
The meal was plain-only thin vegetable soup and leftover porridge-but hunger left little room for complaints. She finished every bite before carrying two buckets to the public well. After fetching water, she joined the long queue outside the public bathhouse.
Nearly an hour later, it was finally her turn.
She bathed, changed into one of her old worn dresses, and returned home.
Completely exhausted, she lay on the mat beside William.
Yet... Sleep refused to come.
With a quiet sigh, she stood and walked outside.
The cool night breeze brushed gently against her face as she lay on the flat stone outside their house, staring into the endless sky.
"So beautiful..." she whispered.
For a brief moment...
She allowed herself to dream, she imagined her father still alive. A large house, servants are moving around happily, her mother smiled without pain, William laughs freely.
Perhaps...
Another little brother or sister chasing them around the courtyard. A family untouched by hardship, her smile slowly disappeared, although she had been young when tragedy struck, she still remembered those happier days.
Everything had changed.
The sound of the wooden door interrupted her thoughts.
"Why aren't you asleep, my child?" Irene asked gently as she stepped outside.
Alora sat up, "I wasn't feeling sleepy, Mother."
Irene slowly lowered herself beside her daughter and studied the tired look on her face.
"You've been working too hard."
Alora forced another smile, "If I don't... who will take care of us?"
Irene reached over and stroked her hair, "You've already done enough."
"Not yet."
"I'll get better."
"I know you will."
They both fell silent.
After a while, Irene stretched out her hand, "Come inside."
Alora gently shook her head. "I'm too tired to sleep. Maybe the night breeze will help."
Irene sighed, "Very well. Just don't stay out too long. The mosquitoes will feast on you before morning, and we certainly can't afford another sick person."
That made Alora laugh softly, "Yes, Mother."
Irene smiled before returning inside, the smile disappeared from Alora's face almost immediately, she looked back at the stars. Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.
"When will this suffering end?"
She quickly wiped them away. Then, almost like she was speaking to the night itself...
*********
SUFFERING AND SMILING
Sounds strange, but it's true, Suffering leaves you empty, Smiling leaves you full.
Smiling through pain, Suffering in the rain, Just doing everything to stay in my lane.
Then when I finally make a gain, I buy what I need... But what remains?
Sometimes it feels like I'm working in vain, Like all my efforts go down the drain, Still, I have to use my brain, If I want to remain the same again.
No... I have to break this chain, If I want to reign, I can't remain the same.
Well... that's just life, We keep going, Just trying to sustain.
*************
After pouring out everything weighing on her heart, Alora drew a long breath. Somehow, the burden on her chest felt a little lighter.
She stood, wiped away the last traces of tears, quietly entered the house and lay beside William.
This time... sleep finally came.
Ashbourne Mansion
Maya returned home expecting another quiet evening, but the moment she stepped through the entrance, she stopped. The parlour had been decorated with fresh flowers, expensive tea sets had been arranged neatly on the table, and servants hurried from one corner of the mansion to another.
Before she could ask what was happening, one of the maids approached with a bright smile.
"Miss Maya, your father has brought a guest for you. He's waiting in the parlour."
"My father brought... who?" Maya frowned.
"A nobleman, Miss."
Maya's heart skipped a beat.
Slowly, she walked toward the parlour. Before entering, she peeked through the doorway. Sitting beside an elegant middle-aged woman was a young nobleman dressed in a dark navy coat embroidered with silver thread. He looked calm, composed and carried himself with quiet confidence.
Just as Maya tried to step back unnoticed, her elbow struck a decorative vase.
Crash!
The sound echoed through the room, every head turned toward the entrance. Maya closed her eyes briefly.
Wonderful...
Taking a deep breath, she straightened herself and walked in with as much dignity as she could gather.
"Good afternoon, everyone," she greeted with a respectful bow.
"Good afternoon, Miss Maya," the visitors replied warmly.
Damon smiled proudly, "Come in, Maya. Don't stand there."
Feeling every pair of eyes on her, Maya took a seat beside her mother.
The elegant woman smiled kindly.
"My dear, I'm Olivia Clifford, Duchess of Aerathia."
She gestured toward the young nobleman beside her, "And this is my son, Nathaniel Clifford, Duke of Aerathia."
Nathaniel stood immediately and bowed politely, "It is an honour to finally meet you, Miss Maya."
"The honour is mine, Your Grace," Maya replied, bowing once again.
Unlike many young nobles she had met before, Nathaniel wasn't arrogant. He spoke calmly, listened more than he talked, and smiled often without forcing conversations.
Olivia and Evelyn soon found themselves discussing trade between Valtheris and Aerathia, while Damon occasionally joined in with stories about noble families. Maya barely contributed, answering only when spoken to.
After nearly half an hour, Damon clapped his hands together. "I think we've talked enough."
Olivia smiled knowingly. "I agree. Why don't the two of you spend some time together? You'll never know each other sitting in front of your parents."
Nathaniel stood, "If you don't mind."
Maya hesitated for only a moment before nodding, "As you wish."
The two of them walked into the garden.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Birds chirped softly among the trees while a cool breeze swept through the flowers.
Nathaniel finally broke the silence, "So..."
Maya looked at him.
"I heard you have quite the temper."
She raised an eyebrow, "Only people who don't know me usually say that."
Nathaniel chuckled, "Then perhaps I'd like the opportunity to know you properly."
Maya folded her arms, "And why is that?"
He smiled, "Because if fate is kind to us... you may become my wife one day."
Maya stopped walking altogether, "My... wife?"
Nathaniel laughed softly, "I suppose I should have worded that better."
She stared at him,"You came here to marry me?"
"In truth," Nathaniel replied, "His Majesty personally invited me to Valtheris because of the disturbances between our kingdoms. Since I was already coming, our families thought it would be a good opportunity for us to meet."
Maya lowered her eyes, "I see..."
Nathaniel noticed the hesitation in her expression, "You don't seem happy."
Maya remained silent.
"I've heard about Lord Duncan."
She blinked then looked away, embarrassed, "I don't know what you've heard."
"Only rumours," Nathaniel replied honestly. "People talk more than they know."
Maya sighed, she looked at him again, "You aren't angry?"
"Should I be?"
Nathaniel laughed quietly, "My Lady, affection isn't something that appears overnight. If your heart belongs elsewhere today, forcing you would only make both of us miserable."
His answer caught Maya completely off guard, he continued walking slowly, "I'm not here to compete with Lord Duncan."
Maya remained silent.
"I'm here to know the real Maya Ashbourne. If, after that, you still cannot see a future with me, then I'll accept your decision."
For the first time since meeting him... Maya smiled sincerely, "Thank you."
Nathaniel returned the smile, "One step at a time."
"I'd like that."
Seeing that she still looked mentally exhausted, Nathaniel decided not to prolong their conversation.
"We should return before our parents assume we've run away."
Maya laughed, "They probably already have."
The two returned to the parlour together. Not long afterwards, the Cliffords took their leave. Once they had gone, Maya quietly returned to her room. She had barely sat down with a book before a knock sounded on the door.
"Come in."
Damon entered with his hands clasped behind his back, "So?"
Maya kept her eyes on the book.
"He's a good man."
"But?" She sighed, "He's not Duncan."
Damon walked closer, "Maya... do you know how difficult it is to find a man like Nathaniel?"
She remained silent.
"He's honourable, patient, respected, and despite being a Duke, he carries no arrogance."
Still no response.
Maya slowly closed the book, "I know."
"Then why can't you give him a chance?"
She lowered her head, "Because my heart won't let me."
Damon's expression softened, "I understand."
Maya looked up, surprised.
"But sometimes," he continued, "the heart chooses comfort over wisdom."
She said nothing.
He turned toward the door before stopping, "Remember this, Maya."
She looked at him.
"You may never meet another man like Nathaniel Clifford."
With those final words, Damon quietly left the room. Maya stared at the closed door for a long time, then she looked toward the window.
"...Why did it have to be Duncan?"
Mysterious House
A cloaked man sat alone, quietly smoking while staring into the fireplace.
Footsteps approached.
"My Lord," one of his men said, bowing. "One of our guards is dead. Lord Skender killed him."
The cloaked man didn't react.
"If he died..." he said calmly, "...then he wasn't worthy."
"My Lord, should we change our plans?"
A faint smile appeared beneath the hood, "No." He slowly stood and walked toward the window, "Everything is moving exactly as it should."
The servant lowered his head, "What are your orders?"
"Watch them."
"And if they get too close?"
The man chuckled, "They're still chasing shadows."He looked out into the darkness.
"The game has only just begun."