Age- Eleven

#6 – Parents

She wouldn't tell anyone – she couldn't.

It wouldn't be fair to her dad if she told him. It would make him upset and she hated seeing her dad upset. But the thoughts wouldn't go away.

Who were her real parents? Why hadn't they wanted her - had they died but wanted her?

She hadn't been told anything about them except that she had been living in the Orphanage before she was adopted. There was a longing ache inside her chest that called out to her parents; the people that gave her life.

As much as she loved her father, he only filled a tiny portion of that gap.

She did not know it, but the gap was loneliness, longing and hunger for answers. Growing up in the castle without friends didn't bother her, so she told herself, but she needed her parents. That's what she couldn't tell him.

She groaned into her pillow, cried quietly and privately when the darkness surrounded her, but all the sobbing in the world wouldn't bring her parents back.

She wouldn't give up though.

One day she would find them.

If its the last thing she ever did.

~~~~

Age- 1 Month and a Day

#7 – Adoption

"Hello, little baby!" The Captain said, looking down at the little bundle in his arms. The said bundle cooed gently, holding on to his fingers.

"What's her name?"

The orphanage caretaker smiled sadly. "Cassandra. Her parents were from Old Corona but they didn't have the money to keep her. Her mother died not long after giving her up."

"Well..." The Captain's Adam's apple bobbed. "I only came here for a visit but Cassandra has stolen my heart. I should like to adopt her."

"Of course! It could take up to a year of paperwork..." Her voice trailed off, convinced that she had put him off adopting her.

"I don't care how long it takes, I love her and want to bring her up."

The Captain placed her back down in her crib, giving the sleeping girl a kiss before whispering; "I'll be back tomorrow, honey."

True to his word, he did come back the next day, and all the days after that for the next year. He got to witness her first words and steps and both were made directly at him. Whenever he entered the Orphanage, Cassandra would come running and give him the biggest hugs. Before she could walk and talk, she would lie on her back, and reach up her arms to him.

He couldn't wait for her to be living in the castle with him.

~~~~

#8 – Conversation

"Your Majesty, you are sure you don't mind me having a daughter living here?"

"Captain, let me tell you something, friend-to-friend. Since my daughter went missing, I've longed to hear the sounds of tiny feet. The sounds of children's laughter. When I became king, I promised myself that this would a safe home for my children and for any staff who have children."

The king sighed.

"All I ask is that you take care of her but do not neglect your duties as Captain of the Guards."

~~~

Age – Three Days

#9 – Eugene, Lance and the Biting Baby.

The Orphanage caretaker – Miss Smith as the children called her - jiggled Cassandra up and down, desperately trying to calm the screaming baby. She had been brought in only a few hours prior, and it was clear that she missed her parents.

"Calm, little madam!" Miss Smith said gently, rubbing her finger over the baby's tufts of hair. Hearing a creek, she looked up to see one eye looking through the door frame. "Come in boys." She whispered.

Lance and Eugene entered. Both were only eight, but already helped out with the younger children. Eugene picked up Cassandra. She closed her mouth around his finger sharply, as though she was trying to bite him.

"Oldie?" Lance asked.

Miss Smith made Eugene pass him the distressed Cassandra (which didn't take much convincing).

Sure enough, she seemed to calm slightly, having been moved into more tender and loving arms. She still cried, though not as pitifully and loudly as before.

"Let us hope that she gets adopted soon and that she has a good life."