Darkness after light
Once upon a time, in the year 7106, there lived an innocent eleven-year-old girl named Alice Herbert Bertson. Alice lived in a large and beautiful mansion with her parents, Herbert Bertson and Jules Bertson, who were among the wealthiest people in the region. Despite growing up surrounded by luxury, Alice was not spoiled. She was a kind-hearted and curious girl who loved books, helping others, and especially cooking. Whenever meals were being prepared, she could often be found standing beside the family chef, watching carefully and asking endless questions. Sometimes she was allowed to help decorate cakes or stir soup, and each time she did, she felt incredibly proud of herself.
One evening, while helping prepare dinner, Alice carefully arranged strawberries on top of a large cake. Her mother smiled warmly when she saw it and gently placed a hand on Alice’s shoulder. “It looks wonderful,” she said. Alice’s eyes brightened immediately, and her father chuckled from across the room. “Perhaps one day you’ll become a famous chef,” he joked. Alice laughed and thanked them, feeling happier than ever. At that moment, her life seemed perfect, and she believed it would stay that way forever.
Unfortunately, not everyone shared her happiness. Herbert’s younger brother, Gilbert Bertson, secretly envied everything his brother had. While Herbert had become wealthy and respected, Gilbert struggled financially and constantly compared himself to him. Everywhere he went, people praised Herbert’s success, admired his beautiful home, and spoke about his wonderful family, and even in the past, Herbert was always the favorite child. Gilbert grew tired of hearing those compliments, and although he never admitted it aloud, his jealousy slowly transformed into bitterness. Over time, that bitterness became hatred, and he began wishing he could take everything Herbert possessed for himself.
One day, Herbert and Jules needed to travel far away on important business, and before leaving, Herbert asked Gilbert if he would watch over Alice while they were gone. Gilbert immediately agreed and even acted cheerful about it, but deep down he saw the situation as an opportunity. As soon as Alice’s parents left, his behavior changed completely..
At first, the changes were small. He took away her phone and claimed she did not need it, then he stopped allowing her to contact her friends nor write letters to her parents. When Alice questioned him, he dismissed her concerns and ordered her to obey. Soon afterward, He turned her to a maid instead of treating her like the niece she is. The first night was cold and miserable, and Alice cried quietly while hugging a blanket, wondering why her uncle suddenly hated her..
As the days passed, things only became worse. Gilbert fed her nothing but bread and soup and constantly threatened her whenever she asked questions. He warned her not to tell anyone what was happening, claiming terrible consequences would follow if she did. Alice was frightened and confused, so she remained silent. She kept hoping her parents would return soon and fix everything, but weeks later devastating news arrived…
A tragic accident had occurred during their journey, and neither Herbert nor Jules had survived.
The moment Alice heard the news, it felt as though her entire world had collapsed. She could barely believe it was real. For days she cried herself to sleep, and whenever she looked around the mansion, she was reminded of the family she had lost…
While Alice mourned her parents, Gilbert felt no sadness whatsoever. Instead, he quickly claimed their wealth and began pursuing his lifelong dream of opening a luxury hotel. Within a year, the Bertson Grand Hotel became one of the most famous establishments in the region, attracting wealthy guests from far and wide. However, behind its elegant appearance was a cruel secret. Alice was forced to work there every day as both a waitress and a chef. The cooking she had once loved became something she dreaded because it was no longer a hobby but an obligation. Gilbert trained her harshly, expecting perfection from her at all times, and although she eventually became an excellent cook, she received no praise for her efforts. Instead, she was treated as though she existed only to serve others…
Years passed, and Alice slowly changed. The cheerful, imaginative girl she had once been became quieter and more serious. She learned to follow schedules, complete tasks efficiently, and hide her emotions from others. Rather than dreaming about the future, she focused on surviving each day. Many guests ignored her entirely, while others laughed at her situation and mocked the fact that she was an a young worker. Alice endured it all in silence because she no longer expected kindness from anyone.
She changed, from the girl who once wore luxurious dresses and took care of her skin and hair to one, Always wearing the same servant’s dress, with dull eyes and abused hands from the amount of work she had done, she could not even take a small break in the morning or else Gilber would hit her as a way of ‘discipline’
Then one day, everything began to change. A wealthy widow arrived at the hotel with her ten-year-old daughter, Paris. Unlike most guests, the woman immediately noticed Alice’s exhausted expression and the way she worked constantly without complaint. She treated Alice politely, thanked her for her service, and occasionally left generous tips. Paris quickly became fascinated by Alice as well, and whenever she had the chance, she would secretly seek her out. One afternoon, while Alice was carrying a tray through the hotel garden, Paris ran up beside her and smiled…
“Do you want to play?” she asked.
Alice nearly dropped the tray in surprise. Nobody had asked her that question in years.
“Play?” she repeated.
Paris nodded enthusiastically. “Just for a little while.”
For the first time in a very long time, Alice smiled. It was a small smile at first, but it was genuine, and neither girl realized that this simple friendship would soon change Alice’s life forever..
and that’d be revealled next chapter.
