Poison Rose of Avalon

Two years have passed since the incident occurred with Silvia. Caspian never brought it to Liora, nor did Liora ever feel inclined to explore that ingrained memory. She buried it deep, locking it away in the darkest recesses of her mind, convinced that forgetting it was the best way to cope.

Standing by the window in the living room and facing the small garden, Liora looked discontented.

"Mama, I don't want to go to college full of Privilege," Liora said, her voice clipped, but her frustration barely contained.

The faint scent of lavender detergent lingered in the small living room as Amara methodically folded laundry, her fingers moving with the precision of someone long accustomed to repetitive labour. She didn't glance up, didn't even pause.

"Ora, the chairman, pulled strings for this. How can I say no? You know how much he's done for us."

"Yes, I know," her tone sharper now, the frustration breaking through her fragile restraint. "And I'm grateful. But I want to go to a normal college, Mama. Somewhere… where people don't care about designer bags or trust funds."

Liora would never enter any college dominated by the privileged—a suffocating crowd of heirs to government officials, CEOs, and moguls. She very well understands the hierarchy that ruled such places, a rigid system where wealth and status dictated everything from friendships to opportunities. She'd seen it all before and endured it, and the thought of going through it again made her stomach churn.

She wasn't ready to be part of that receiving line, forced to bow her head to power and pretence, but not again. Not anymore.

Amara's hands stilled for a moment, her shoulders slumping before she turned to face her daughter. Her expression was a mix of weariness and warning. "Fine. Then tell the chairman yourself."

Liora froze, the words hitting her like a gust of cold wind. "Me?" she whispered, the fight draining from her like air from a punctured balloon.

Liora thought quickly and considered it more advantageous to address the chairman rather than pursue a college experience with individuals lacking humanity. She cleared her throat before speaking.

"I will," she stated, her voice trembling with a confidence she did not genuinely possess.

Even now, she felt a sense of intimidation whenever the chairman was around. After he presented her with Caspian's gift, the iPhone, when she was in the hospital, he maintained his distance, before or after that moment. Roberta had been the go-between, relaying any messages from the chairman whenever he needed to communicate with her.

When Amara left the room, Liora grabbed her phone and dialled Daran. "Get ready," she said the moment Daran picked up. I'm coming."

The sun hung low on the horizon as she climbed into her pinkish Kia Niro and stood out like a sore thumb. The colour clashed against the muted tones of the fading evening. It was a gift from her mother after she'd earned her license.

She pulled up to the orphanage, her car humming softly against rustling leaves and distant laughter. Daran was already waiting, leaning casually against the gate with his arms crossed.

A gentle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth before he slipped into the passenger seat, barely fitting in the cramped space.

"You've got to change this car's colour," Daran muttered, eyeing the interior with thinly veiled distaste.

"Daran, focus," Liora said, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "The chairman got me a spot at Regalian College, but I don't want it. I need your help."

Daran arched a brow, his lips quirking up into a smug grin. "You're saying no to Regalian? Do you know how many people would kill for that?"

"Let them. I don't care," Liora snapped, her tone sharp. "I've had enough of rich kids and their… games."

Daran threw his head back, his laughter ringing like bells on a festive morning as though Liora had shared some jokes and mocking sounds that filled the car.

"Rich kids, huh? What about your rich boyfriend? You know, the one you haven't seen in, what, nine years?"

Liora's eyes rolled. She wanted to hurl every word she could think of to carve her fury into Caspian's soul. Her jaw tightened.

"You see my point. We are practically a stranger now."

Her voice wavered, but she covered it with a fake chuckle. Her gaze flickered to the dashboard, her mind drifting to Caspian—the boy who had vowed to return two years prior but never did. He has not called her or been reachable .since three months.

"And anyway," she continued, shaking the thought away, "I want to focus on finding Sven Valentine, not on surviving some posh nightmares."

Daran's grin diminished as he cast a sideways glance at Liora before facing front again, his demeanour shifting to one of seriousness. "Speaking of which…" he began, leaning back in his seat.

Liora's heart skipped a beat; did Daran find something about Sven Valentine? "You found something?"

Daran tilted his head, drawing out the moment. "I found something about your uncle."

"He's not my uncle, but a scoundrel," Liora corrected. "Just tell me," she demanded, leaning closer.

"Sven's in California," he said slowly, watching her reaction. "And my friend at the university did some digging there. Let's just say she found something, and It's big."

Liora's breath hitched. "What did she find?"

Liora held her breath, waiting anxiously for Daran to reveal more. But he would not speak further. 

"What? Finish your sentence," she urged in frustration.

Daran smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He whistled softly before locking eyes with Liora, a fervour in his expression that left her feeling unsettled. After a thoughtful moment, he shattered the quiet:

"Liora, are you familiar with the idea of reciprocity?"

"Daran—reciprocity? You really have a way with complex vocabulary."

Daran inclined his seat, resting his hands behind his head as if he were lounging on the beach basking in the sun. "Nothing comes for free, Liora. Not even answers."

Liora flicked Daran lightly on the head with her phone. "My kali lessons are only with females; no males are allowed. How many times do I have to keep repeating myself?" She cocked her head to the side, arching her eyebrows and giving him a bemused look.

"Come on, how about sparring just once with me?" Daran asked, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"Sure, if you're so desperate to get beaten up, who am I to hold you back?" Liora smiled at Daran, and quickly vanished. "Now, spill," she said, her tone shifting to one of eager curiosity.

Daran's grin widened, making Liora curious for answer. The way her eyes "My friend told me Sven works at her university under a different disguise. If you go there, you might find all your answers."

Daran enthusiastically spilled the mystery, making the revelation feel almost casual, like he was discussing the latest blockbuster, with twists and turns that were easy to follow and exciting to uncover.

Liora reclined a bit, her thoughts swirling with options. She had nearly signed three times already.

"But... But how can I go to California?" she asked, feeling a great deal of disappointment. The very idea felt like a distant dream; there was no way her mom would allow her to go that far for studies, especially not on her own.

Although Amara frequently travelled for work, typically coming back home within a week, the idea of studying and living in another state presented an entirely different level. She could easily envision it: Dane standing watch with a rifle, forming a formidable barrier around the house, while her mother took time off from her job, preparing meals and hovering over her at all times, unwilling to let her out of sight for even a moment.

Liora's heart sank as she imagined the countless conversations that would unfold, filled with her mother's worries about safety.

"Why don't you ask the Chairman to send you to California to the same university as my friend? Caspian lives in California, too. You could catch him red-handed and track down Sven. One mission and two goals accomplished," Daran suggested, his eyes gleaming excited at the thought.

Liora considered this for a moment, her mind racing. The idea felt audacious yet tantalizing. "You are right... wait." Liora turned to look at Daran, who was leaning on his seat. "Why would I catch Caspina red-handed?"

"Because I am sure he is with someone else while you are waiting for him," Daran said nonchalantly.

"Dont speak nonsnense about Caspian, Daran." Liora gave him a wide rages stare.

"Whatever." Daran exhaled with frustration. "Other than repeating you are his, has he ever actually said 'I love you' to you? Not even once, right?" Daran raised his eyebrows, anticipating Liora's response.

Liora's posture drooped as if life had lost all its promises. Daran was correct; Caspian had never told her that he loved her. She had been waiting to hear from him, but now it had been three months since she last heard his voice. She glanced at her phone, a gift from Caspian. With a heavy sigh, she pursed her lips, feeling a deep emptiness in her heart. One hand rested on her lap while the other clenched on the car seat.

Observing Liora's distress, Daran promptly redirected the discussion to another topic."Going to California would be best for you if you want to catch Sven. Once you are in Carlinofia, my friend Rachel will assist you at every step. You can trust her." 

"Rachel," Liora repeated. She leaned closer to Daran, "So, which university is that?" 

"Quantum Future." 

Liora's eyes widened in surprise as she experienced a momentary pause in her breathing, her lips forming a perfect 'O' shape. "Oh my god! That's where Caspian studies, too!"

Daran beamed with delight. "Look, California is beckoning you," he said, feeling a swell of pride for the support he had given Liroa.

But Liora's excitement abruptly faded away with one question. "Do you think Mama would allow me to go there?"

"Not," Daran said, emphatically waving his hand in dismissal.

Liora pouted slightly. "Daran, you must come with me to help convince Mama."

"Nope." 

"Oh, come on. She still thinks you're my boyfriend..." Liora narrowed her eyes as if contemplating the matter seriously, the glint in them daring him to argue. "And knowing her, she's probably already measuring curtains for your wedding gift."

Daran shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. "You mean our wedding gift." Daran avoided Liora's gaze, although his tone conveyed more than just light-hearted teasing.

"Good." Said Liora. "Then you'll help me convince her. We'll tell her and Uncle Dane we're heading to California to study—together." The word rolled off her tongue with calculated sweetness.

Daran froze. "Liora, no way. I can't lie to your mom. She's—she's too nice." His hands shot up defensively like the weight of the lie was already crushing him. "She still sends me cookies and pastries, for crying out loud."

Her lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk. "Exactly. That's why you're going to help me." She leaned closer, the threat dripping from her words like venom. "Or, I'll tell Uncle Dane you tricked me into calling you 'baby.' He's a captain now, you know. Imagine him showing up at your house, badge in hand."

Daran's face drained of colour. "You wouldn't."

She tilted her head, letting the silence stretch long enough to unsettle him. "Try me."

His sigh was heavy, defeated. He mumbled something about getting himself killed, but she was already halfway to her phone, dismissing him with a flick of her hand.