Poison Rose of Avalon

Caspian rose from his seat, extending a hand toward Liora. "Let me lead you the way!"

He led her once more through the mansion's winding corridors, and they finally stopped in front of the door she had been eagerly waiting to see since morning. Liora's heart raced with excitement, her giddiness almost overwhelming. She hid her broad smile, fighting the urge to run in order to reach the door faster.

Caspian pushed the door open, and Liora dashed into the room, leaving him to follow with a smile on his face.

Liora was once again mesmerized by the room, just as she had been the first time she visited. Even on her second visit, her eyes caught new details she had missed before. Her excitement was no surprise to Caspian as she explored every nook and cranny, playfully darting around.

But when she glanced at the bed, something seemed off—only one doll remained, and the others had disappeared. Her joy quickly shifted to confusion as she rushed to the bed, frantically searching. She checked beneath it and peered into the corners, her brow furrowed.

"Where are the other dolls?" Liora asked, her voice laced with worry.

Caspian approached calmly, his voice gentle. "I needed to make room for you, so I moved them. The bed is yours now, and everything else here is as well."

Liora stopped her search, looking up at the tall figure standing before her. Her eyes widened in awe and disbelief. After a pause, she finally found her voice, though it came out soft. "Everything is mine?"

"Yes," Caspian replied, nodding with a reassuring smile.

"Which means the doll also belongs to me?" Liora continued, her brow furrowing deeper. "Shouldn't you have asked me before tossing it aside, to see if I wanted it or not?"

She cocked her left brow and crossed her arms over her chest, not letting go of the doll she held, tapping her foot impatiently.

Caspian smiled at her actions, noticing how she tightened her grip on the doll. He was seeing a new side of Liora, and, honestly, he found it both amusing and endearing.

Gently, he turned her toward the ornate mirror fixed to the wall, positioning her so she could see the doll in her arms.

"The doll belongs to me, Ora," Caspian said softly, though something unsettling lingered in his smile and the glint in his eyes. "Everything in this room is yours except the doll. It's mine. So, take care of it. I would be very upset if even a single scratch came to it."

Liora studied her reflection before tilting her head to examine the doll more closely. To her, the doll had always seemed like a simple toy. But now, Caspian had made it clear that his connection to it ran deeper. It was no longer just a toy; it held a more complex significance in this new world she was stepping into.

She glanced at Caspian's reflection in the mirror. "Do you love this doll?" she asked, uncertain if that was the right question. "Love" seemed like too strong a word, but it was the only one that fit based on how Caspian treated the doll.

Caspian's expression turned serious as he met her gaze, and the amusement on his face faded instantly. He searched for the right words, and after a moment of thought, he finally spoke. "Right now, it means a lot to me."

"Why do you like this doll so much?" Liora asked, her voice gentle yet probing.

Caspian was caught off guard by her innocent but direct question. He continued to study her reflection in the mirror, just as he had that first morning at the breakfast table. The silence between them thickened, and Liora found herself uncertain whether to move or stay still, waiting for his response.

He didn't have an answer. It wasn't something he'd thought about much, nor had he ever been given the chance to. Instead of offering Liora a fabricated response, he decided to keep the mystery alive for a little longer.

"Wait until I return," he finally said. "When I do, I'll give you the answer."

Liora spun around to face him. "Are you going somewhere now?" Her surprise was evident.

"Not now," he replied, "but tomorrow, I'm going to the USA to continue my studies."

"Studies?" Shock spread across Liora's face, as if she were caught on an emotional rollercoaster. In just a few moments, she went from excitement to disbelief. "Why?" She nearly choked on the words, her voice thick with disapproval.

"Because my grandfather wants me to go and study there."

"So you won't live here anymore?" Liora's voice wavered, her emotions spilling over as she struggled to understand.

Caspian hesitated for a moment. When he broke the news to Liora, he hadn't considered such a reaction, and it surprised him.

He gazed into Liora's eyes, which flickered uneasily between his. The sudden shift in her behavior, the intensity of her emotions, and the rapid-fire questions were something Caspian had never quite experienced before.

"Yes, for now, I won't be here."

"So, you'll go far away from me, like my dad did?" Tears welled in her eyes. Caspian's lips parted in shock. He hadn't expected her to see it that way. 

"We just became friends, and now you're leaving me?" Liora's voice faltered. "I was so happy I made a friend, but… but…" Her memories suddenly took her back to her old home. "My other friends… they stopped talking to me. They stopped playing with me." Her sobs broke through, and she began crying uncontrollably.

Though Liora's appearance remained unchanged, her reaction revealed a deep, painful scar within her.

Caspian reached out, but she pulled away, her eyes flashing with anger. "Why did we become friends if you were just going to leave me? Huh? Why?" She shouted, frustration pouring from her.

"Ora…" Caspian's voice was gentle yet full of surprise.

"Everyone is leaving me." Her voice cracked as she collapsed to the floor, her small frame trembling with each sob. She buried her face in her hands, letting the wave of grief overtake her.

Caspian was stunned. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, one he hadn't anticipated. He quickly knelt beside Liora, gently pushing her hands aside to reveal her tear-streaked face. His thumb brushed over her cheeks, wiping away the tears as it glided softly over her smooth skin.

"Ora, listen to me. I'm not leaving you. It's just a temporary arrangement," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. Liora turned her face away, unwilling to meet his gaze.

Caspian carefully lifted her chin, trying to coax her to look at him, but Liora quickly raised her hands and covered both his eyes with her hands, leaving the doll on the floor.

"Don't look at me," she mumbled, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm embarrassed to be crying in front of you."

Caspian's heart melted at her words. He admired her honesty, even in this vulnerable moment. Gently, he lowered her hands, drawing her closer to embrace her.

Liora instinctively buried her face in his chest, and he ran a soothing hand across her back. Her tears soaked through his shirt, but he held her close, offering silent comfort.

"Please don't go," she begged, her voice breaking with each sob.

This was an entirely new experience for Caspian—someone crying, begging him not to leave. It was usually the other way around; people wanted him to leave, with the exception of his grandfather, of course.

This was the first time anyone had ever pleaded for him to stay. Even his parents seemed relieved by his departure. He was a maniac in everyone's eyes, and that did not bother him in the slightest.

He had been dreading his trip to the USA since yesterday, but he never imagined it would be so difficult, especially because of Liora's reaction.

He gazed down at the little girl clinging to him, her tears still wet on his shirt.

 "Ora, I'll be back before you know it. We'll stay in touch. We can message and do video calls every day, and soon enough, time will fly by. Before you know it, I'll be right back here," Caspian said, trying to reassure her.

Liora sniffled, her sobs slowly subsiding. "Promise?" she asked, lifting her head to meet his gaze with her big, hazel eyes.

"Promise," he replied, extending his pinky finger.

Liora linked her pinky with his, a small but hopeful smile forming on her lips. "Okay, so we'll stay in touch every day," she whispered, a spark of hope in her eyes.

"Save my mama's number," Liora added, her voice still thick with sadness.

"Don't you have your phone?" Caspian asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No," she replied, shaking her head. "But you can call me on my mama's number."

Caspian shifted uncomfortably, feeling a twinge in his legs. "Alright, Ora, let's get up before I have to get admitted to the hospital for a knee injury."

Liora, forgetting her tears for a moment, giggled through her sobs. The unexpected humor cut through her sadness.

"Alright," she said, allowing him to help her to her feet.

Caspian stretched his legs dramatically, letting out a mock sigh. "Whew! Much better. I was starting to think I'd need a wheelchair."

Liora's giggles turned into laughter, and she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. Caspian's lightheartedness made her feel a little lighter.

"You're funny!"

Caspian smiled and released her hand, walking over to the desk next to the mirror. He opened the first drawer and pulled out a glitter-decorated flip phone. Turning back to face Liora, he held it out to her.

"Ora, take it. It's yours, just like everything else here."

"Phone?" Liora's eyes widened in shock, leaving her speechless. Could he be her angel? She wondered. Had Papa sent him into her life to care for all her needs, just like he used to? Every time she spoke, Caspian seemed to give her exactly what she wanted.

'Yes! He must be an angel sent by my father.'

But before Liora could take the phone, her hands trembling with excitement, she first picked up the doll.

"Now you can call or text me anytime you want. You'll always have a way to stay in touch with me, no matter where I am," Caspian said with a smile.

Liora hugged the phone tightly to her chest, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you, Caspian. You really are my angel."

"Angel?" Caspian blinked, surprised, before throwing his head back in laughter. "See! You always know how to make me laugh."

"But I mean it," Liora whined, her voice full of earnestness.

"Alright, Ora, I will be your angel if that's what you want me to be," Caspian said with a soft smile.

The hours passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for dinner. Caspian gently took Liora's hand and walked her back to her new home. As they reached the door, he turned to her with a warm smile.

"See you soon," he said, his voice tender before he walked away.

Liora stood by the door, watching him disappear down the path. Her eyes grew moist again, but she fought to control her emotions. Her new friend—her angel—was now out of sight.

She looked down at the phone in her hand and the silver card Caspian had given her, the key to the fairytale room. He had entrusted her with the responsibility of taking care of it, of keeping it clean and safe.

She held the phone and the card close to her chest, sadness in her heart but also hope. She would see him again soon, and until then, she would hold on to their promise.

'I'll take care of everything you've entrusted to me.'

It was Monday morning when Caspian arrived in the USA, embarking on the mysterious mission his grandfather had given him.

Back at the Luxor Estate, it was also a pivotal day for Liora. The school she had long avoided was no longer optional.

Dane waited outside to drive Liora to school. He greeted her warmly as she got into the car, and she smiled in response.

Dane couldn't help but think how pretty she looked in her school uniform—a light grey pleated skirt just above her knee, paired with knee-high socks and black shoes. Her white shirt was neatly tucked in, and a dark grey blazer completed the outfit. She sat quietly in the car, gazing out the window as Dane drove.

The world outside seemed full of life: people sitting in cafes, some just opening for the day, individuals crossing the road with coffee cups in hand, joggers passing by, and groups of children walking together with their school bags, heading toward their own school. Dane glanced at Liora through the rearview mirror, noticing her lost-like expression.

"Everything okay, Liora?"

Liora hesitated before speaking. "Officer Park, do you think a person could fight 10 people at once?" Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.

"Why do you ask that, Liora? Is someone bothering you at school?" Although Dane knew a bit about her situation, he hoped she would feel comfortable enough to open up.

"No... nothing like that. I was just wondering if a woman could beat 10 people," Liora replied, her voice still uncertain.

Dane knew he had to tread carefully with his words. He didn't want to advise Liora to use violence as a solution, but neither did he want her to live in fear. The Elite school, a place that could feel like hell for children from backgrounds like Liora's, was a world in itself, one where even he couldn't interfere.

"Liora," Dane began thoughtfully, "I need you to understand something important. Facing ten people on your own is never a fair fight, no matter how strong or skilled you are. If you're asking whether one woman could physically fight against ten people, well... if she's well-versed in martial arts and knows how to use weapons, she might stand a chance. But ten against one is still a lot, and if they're all men, it's going to be even harder. In my opinion, before learning how to fight, you need to know how to run fast."

Liora turned her gaze from the window to Dane, a look of confusion in her eyes. "Run fast?"

"Yes," Dane said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

"If you can run faster than them and for a longer distance, those ten people might never be able to catch you. You could disappear from their sight, and they won't be able to find you." He hoped to instil in her a sense of strategy, and Liora listened intently.

"But what if running away isn't an option?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Dane glanced at her reflection, seeing the concern etched on her young face. "Then look for alliances. Find people who can help you."

Liora nodded slowly, considering his words. 'It's hard to find someone who will help you when they're in the same situation themselves.' Liora thought.

Dane stopped the car in front of the school gates and turned to look at her.

"I know it can be tough, but I'm sure there are good people out there, even in a place like Elite School. You just have to find them. And until you do, remember, you have people who care about you outside of school."

By mentioning the Elite School by name, Dane subtly let Liora know he understood her struggles and that he was there for her. This gesture didn't go unnoticed. Liora smiled at him gratefully, feeling a small sense of relief.

Before stepping out of the car, she turned to Dane. "Thank you, Officer Park! I think I'm going to focus on running," she said, determination shining through her words.

"If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. You've got my number," Dane replied, offering a reassuring smile before driving off.

As Liora walked towards the school entrance, she reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of thick, black-framed glasses. She slid them onto her face, her fingers tightening around the straps of her backpack as she steeled herself. She entered the gate of Elite School.

Around her, other students also wore identical glasses, keeping their heads lowered as they filed into the school. It wasn't merely a personal choice—those glasses were a mark of their background. A rule imposed by a student from one of the wealthiest families had turned them into a symbol of status, distinguishing them in a school where wealth and influence ruled all.

Inside the classroom, the division became even more evident. Students with glasses were segregated, seated alone at tables meant for two. But the thick black frames weren't the only identifiers. The boys had closely cropped haircuts, while the girls were expected to hide half of their faces behind their hair, a constant reminder of their place.

The teachers were aware of the bullying, but none dared to speak out against it. Those who had tried in the past had mysteriously disappeared. The missing teachers were a grim warning to anyone who might consider challenging the unspoken rules of the school.

Liora adjusted her glasses and straightened her hair, taking a deep breath as she steeled herself for another day in this suffocating environment. Her mind raced, but she pushed it down, focusing on getting through the day.

She walked through the school hallway, her eyes trained on the floor, hoping to remain invisible. The sounds of laughter and chatter swirled around her, some of it genuine, some of it dripping with mockery. She kept her head down, her footsteps quick and light, praying she could slip by unnoticed.

But luck was not on her side. A sing-song voice, high-pitched and dripping with contempt, cut through the air. "Hey, look who showed up." The voice was accompanied by a sharp laugh. "One of the pests has returned."

Liora's heart sank, but she didn't stop walking. The words stung, but she had heard them before. They were nothing new. Still, her grip on her bag tightened, and she bit her lip to keep herself from reacting.