Poison Rose of Avalon

Caspian knocked softly on the open door of the guest quarters before stepping inside. "Mrs Valentine, I hope you like the place!" he said, his voice smooth as vanilla ice cream.

Amara rose with a welcoming smile. "Yes, young Master, it's beautiful and comfortable," she replied sincerely. Glancing down at Liora, still curled up on the couch, she added, "Ora already loves it here."

Liora glanced up at her mother, thinking, I wish Mother had said his name. She then turned her gaze to Caspian, her eyes reflecting a mix of caution and curiosity.

Caspian met Liora's gaze with a warm smile. "You're right, Mrs. Valentine," he said gently. "This place will be her home, forever!"

Seeing Caspian's kindness, Amara felt a renewed sense of hope. With people like him and the Chairman around, she believed they could truly thrive here, especially Liora.

Caspian lingered on Liora for a moment before returning his focus to her mother. "Mrs. Valentine, if you don't mind, may I take Ora to play?" He was a true gentleman for his age, Amara thought.

She knew Caspian's aloof nature well he didn't entertain anyone unless they held importance to him. Yet, he was warm and welcoming toward them, which she saw as a good sign, particularly for Liora.

Amara chuckled softly, a smile spreading across her face. "I suppose my daughter and young Master have already become fast friends."

This was perfect for Amara. After everyone had abandoned them, Liora hadn't had anyone to play with. But now, with Caspian extending his hand, it felt like a blessing. " Ora, would you like to go?" she asked, looking at Liora.

Liora leapt from the couch, standing eagerly beside Caspian, her excitement impossible to miss. She could hardly wait to visit the secret room again.

Caspian held her hand firmly yet gently. "Thank you, Ms. Valentine. Don't worry about Liora. I'll take care of her and bring her back by dinner," he reassured Amara with a warm smile.

With that, Caspian led Liora out of the guest house. Amara watched them leave, feeling both relief and happiness. Caspian had made her feel at ease, and she trusted him with her daughter.

Caspian ensured his time with Liora would be uninterrupted until dinner. He wanted this experience to be something special for Liora, for her to remember his kindness until he returned.

Liora's eyes sparkled with excitement as they moved deeper into the estate, her small hand clutching Caspian's. He glanced down at her, his smile widening into something more sinister, though his voice remained as smooth as ever.

"Just like this, Ora," he murmured. "Stay like a good doll, and everything will be perfect."

'Is he calling me a doll again? He did give me his doll room, though. I guess it should be fine.' Lost in her anticipation, Liora didn't sense the darkness beneath his words. She nodded eagerly, trusting him, as Caspian's grip tightened around her hand ever so slightly.

Back in the guest house, Amara remained blissfully unaware of the complexities of Caspian's intentions. She only saw the caring benefactor.

"Can I ask you something?" Liora asked.

"Sure."

Liora paused, making Caspian halt. "Promise me you won't be angry." She hesitated, her eyes searching his face.

"Do you often make people promise things, Ora?" Caspian asked, tilting his head slightly and raising his left eyebrow.

"No, not really," Liora mumbled, her voice soft as she pondered her words.

"Then do you believe in promises?" Caspian pressed, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Yes, I do," Liora replied, nodding with conviction.

"Does this mean you don't trust me?" Caspian's voice sharpened, though his expression remained unchanged. There was a strange glint in his blue eyes that made Liora uneasy.

"No, it's not like that," Liora stammered, her words tumbling out. "I just... I don't want you to be upset with me."

Caspian, momentarily agitated by the thought that Liora might not trust him, softened when he heard her words. His expression changed to a smile, though his eyes remained watchful.

"Behave well, follow the rules, and I promise I'll treat you kindly. Now, what is it you want to ask?"

At just twelve years old, Caspian's words dripped with a cunning sophistication that set him apart from his peers. Was he one of those rare prodigies who could outsmart the greatest chess player in the world, weaving intricate strategies even at such a young age?

Liora's gaze dropped to the ground as she shuffled her feet, a flush of shame creeping over her. Caspian stood patiently, waiting for her to gather the courage to speak.

After a deep breath, Liora finally spoke. "What... What is your name?" She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Here was this kind boy who had given her a room, and she didn't even know his name. Would he think she was foolish?

Caspian chuckled softly. "My name is Caspian," he said, bending slightly to meet her eye level. "Caspian Glacier."

Liora's eyes widened just a little as she looked into his blue eyes, like oceans stretching endlessly. "Caspian Glacier," she repeated, testing the name on her tongue. Then, with a sincere smile and her voice full of gratitude, she added, "Thank you, Caspian. For everything."

Caspian straightened and smiled down at her, though the warmth in his expression didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're welcome, Ora. Now, let's go, shall we?"

Liora nodded eagerly, her nervousness easing slightly now that she knew his name.

As they approached the mansion, a row of bicycles stood ready, held by the Glacier estate's maids. Liora's eyes widened in amazement as she spotted a beautiful bicycle, its purple and pink color scheme giving it an almost dreamlike quality.

She turned to Caspian, her curiosity ignited. Though she tried to appear unaffected, her legs betrayed her, shifting restlessly as she longed to try out the beautiful bicycle nearby.

Caspian noticed her unease, a sly smile creeping across his face, "do you want to ride it?"

"Yes!" Liora exclaimed, her voice bursting with excitement.

Caspian nodded to the maids, who immediately handed over the bicycle. The maids watched as Caspian and Liora readied themselves to ride. They stood by, silently observing, until Caspian and Liora disappeared from view, before finally allowing themselves to relax.

A collective sigh escaped them, as though a cool breeze had washed over them, easing the tension that had built up.

Caspian led Liora on a tour of his favorite spots around the Luxor estate. The weather was perfect, not too hot nor too cold—with the sun veiled behind clouds, casting a soft light over the grounds. They rode side by side along the bicycle lane, Caspian easily matching Liora's pace.

After an hour of steady riding, Caspian noticed Liora's face beginning to flush. He glanced up at the sky, then decided it was time to head back. Taking the lead, he guided Liora toward the mansion.

When they arrived, instead of taking her back to the secret room she had been eagerly awaiting to see, Caspian led her to his room. The grand doors opened to reveal a space that was both elegant and inviting, filled with rich furnishings and personal touches that spoke of Caspian's unique tastes.

"Come inside, Ora," Caspian invited, holding the door open with a calm, welcoming gesture.

He guided her to a plush chair by the window, where a gentle breeze filtered through the open panes, carrying with it the scent of fresh air. Caspian's room mirrored the complexity of his character. The walls were painted in rich midnight blue and crisp white, creating a striking contrast.

The room's centerpiece was a king-sized four-poster bed, crafted from dark, polished wood. The bedding is made from high-thread-count Egyptian cotton in deep, moody hues, its luxurious texture almost intimidating in its perfection.

A pair of Chesterfield leather sofas, upholstered in deep oxblood, were arranged around a low, intricately carved wooden coffee table, their placement creating a sense of both sophistication and comfort.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined one wall, filled with an impressive collection of classic literature, modern novels, and non-fiction works on psychology and strategy, each book a glimpse into Caspian's mind.

Among the many captivating pieces of art in the room, one painting truly stood out. The background showed a vast, stormy sea, painted in deep blues and greens, with waves crashing violently under a dark sky. In the centre of this scene was a large fish, a mix between a shark and a dolphin. It had the sleek, fierce look of a shark and a dolphin's smooth, playful curves. This creature was a perfect blend of beauty and danger, both fascinating and unsettling.

The room didn't resemble a typical boy's space; instead, it exuded the refined elegance of an adult male's sanctuary. Every detail spoke of a taste far beyond Caspian's years.

With a soft knock, the maids entered, bringing trays laden with beverages and a sumptuous lunch. At Caspian's signal, they set the table by the window, arranging the dishes with practiced precision. The crystal glasses sparkled in the soft light, and the warm aroma of freshly prepared food filled the room, adding a final touch of comfort to the atmosphere.

Liora's stomach rumbled softly at the sight, reminding her of her hunger and thirst.

Once the maids departed, Caspian gestured toward the food. "Let's eat."

Liora didn't need any further encouragement. The table was laden with delicate grilled sandwiches, fresh fruit, and small pastries that looked almost too exquisite to eat. Her mouth watered at the sight of the tempting spread.

"I feel like a princess today!" She bounced with excitement, clapping her hands, a wide smile lighting up her face. Her long brown hair swayed with her movements.

Caspian's laughter echoed in the room. "You have a way of making me laugh, Ora."

Caspian settled beside her, watching with a contented smile as she eagerly sipped the lemonade. The cool drink immediately quenched her thirst. She then picked up a sandwich, savouring the flavours with a pleased hum.

Caspian observed her closely. "Is it to your liking?"

"It's delicious, thank you!" Her words were muffled as she spoke with her mouth full.

"I'm glad you like it." 

The lunch passed in a comfortable silence. Each gesture of kindness from Caspian, each thoughtful moment, slowly drew Liora deeper into his world, earning her trust and loyalty in ways she couldn't yet fully understand.

Caspian was determined to make lasting memories for Liora, ensuring that today would remain her most cherished day until his return.

As the maids cleared the table and departed, Caspian picked up his guitar and began to play, filling the room with soothing melodies. His long fingers moved effortlessly over the strings, creating a calming tune. Yet, Liora remained by the window, listening to the music, her restless thoughts gnawing at her.

 'Why isn't he taking me to that room? Is he breaking his promise?' The thought flickered through her mind but was quickly dismissed. 'No, after all, they had made a pinky promise, and everyone knew that pinky promises were sacred—they couldn't be broken.'

Caspian continued playing the guitar, his fingers gliding effortlessly over the strings, lost in the music. Liora's gaze darted around the room, showing little interest in the melodies filling the air. Her thoughts were consumed by one thing—the secret room, that fairytale room. Each note from the guitar seemed to stretch time, heightening her impatience. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, she broke the silence.

"When will we go to that secret room?" she blurted, her voice a mix of eagerness and frustration.

Caspian, still strumming with his eyes closed, smiled knowingly, as if he'd been expecting the question.

He opened his eyes slowly, amusement dancing in them. Gently, he set the guitar aside, its strings vibrating one final time before falling silent.