Caspian extended his hand to Liora. "Let's go."
He led Liora once again through the mansion's winding corridors. They finally approached the door she had been waiting to see since morning. She felt giddy to get so excited to see a door like that.
She hid her broad smile and wanted to run instead of walking to cut the distance faster.
Caspian pushed the door open, and Liora instantly dashed into the room while Caspian ambled behind her with a smile.
Liora was mesmerised by the room, just like the first time she visited it. Even on her second visit, her eyes caught new details that she missed before. Her excitement was obvious to Caspian. She began to play around, exploring every nook and cranny.
However, when she glanced at the bed, she noticed something amiss—only one doll remained, while the rest had disappeared. Her joy turned to confusion as she rushed to the bed, frantically looking around.
With furrowed brows, she checked under the bed and into the corners."Where are the other dolls?" Liora looked worried.
Caspian approached her calmly. "I needed to make room for you, so I had to take them away. The bed is yours now, and everything else present here."
Liora paused her search and looked up at the tall boy standing in front of her. The size of her eyes grew in pure awe and disbelief. Finding her voice with difficulty, she asked, "Everything is mine?"
"Yes," Caspian confirmed with a nod of his head.
"Which means the doll also belonged to me?" Liora continued, her brow furrowed deeper. "Shouldn't you have asked me before throwing it away if I wanted it or not?" She cocked her left brow and crossed her arms under her chest while not letting go of the doll she held, tapping her foot impatiently.
Caspian could not help but smile, noticing how she tightened her grip around the doll she held. He was getting introduced to a new side of Liora, and in all honesty, he found it amusing and cute. He gently turned her towards the ornate mirror fixated against a wall, positioning her so she could see the doll in her arms.
"The doll belongs to me, Ora," Caspian said, maintaining a soft tone, yet something was unsettling in his smile and the way his eyes glinted.
"Everything in this room is yours except the doll. So, better take care of it. It would make me very upset if a single scratch came to my doll." Caspian eyes met Liora's in the mirror.
Liora looked at her reflection and then tilted her head to look at the doll. For Liora, the doll was seemingly like a simple toy. But now Caspian made it feel like he had a deeper connection towards his doll. It held more complex significance in her new world.
She looked at Caspian's reflection in the mirror. "Do you love this doll?" she asked, unsure if she was asking the right question.
Labelling a feeling as strong as 'love' might not be the right choice, but she could only think of that one word based on Caspian's affection toward that doll.
Caspian's expression grew serious as he looked at her. The amusement on his face vanished instantly. He searched for the right words, and after efforts, he finally managed to say.
"Right now, it means a lot to me."
"Why do you like this doll so much?" Liora continued.
Caspian was taken aback by her innocent yet probing question. He kept looking at her reflection in the mirror, just as he had watched her that first morning at the breakfast table. The silence between them grew thick, leaving Liora uncertain whether she should move or remain still, waiting for his answer.
He didn't have an answer, didn't give it much thought, and didn't get a chance to do it. Instead of feeding Liora false words, he decided to keep the mystery alive.
"Wait until I return," he said finally. "That day, I will give you the answer."
Liora swirled around to face him. "Are you going somewhere now?" Liora was surprised."Not now, but tomorrow."
"Where?" "I am going to the USA for further studies."
"Studies?" The shock was evident on her face. She rode the rollercoaster of emotions, beginning from excitement to shock at this point, in a short span of only a few minutes.
"Why?" She almost cried in disapproval."Because my grandfather wants me to go and study there."
"So you won't live here anymore?" Liora's voice trembled as she asked, her emotions starting to spill over.
Caspian hesitated for a moment. Another thing he didn't get a chance to consider was Liora's reaction after he broke this news to her. He wished he could find a better way to announce it.
Alas!
He looked into Liora's eyes, which flickered back and forth between his. This sudden change in her behaviour, the intensity of her emotions, and the barrage of questions were unusual for Caspian to experience.
"Yes, for the time being, I won't be here."
"So you will go far away from me, like my dad did." Tears filled her eyes. Caspian's lips parted in shock. He didn't think it that way. He wanted to say something to comfort her, assure her, but no words came to his mind.
"We just became friends, and you are already leaving me," Liora's voice broke while she spoke. "I was so happy that I made a friend, "but.. But.." her memories took her back to her old home. "My other friends suddenly stopped speaking with me. They stopped playing with me." Tears streamed down her face unceasingly, like a waterfall cascading onto the earth.
Though Liora looked and acted normal, her reaction revealed a deep scar on her soul.
Caspian tried to reach her, but she stepped back. Looking up at him with anger, she demanded.
"Why did we become friends if you were going to leave me? Huh? Why?" She yelled in frustration.
"Ora..." Caspian tried again."Everyone is leaving me." Overwhelmed by her emotions, she dropped to the floor, her small frame shaking with each sob. She hid her face in her palms and let her inner turmoil dictate her emotions.
Caspian was baffled. Things took a dramatic turn, and he didn't foresee it.
He quickly knelt beside Liora, moving her hands to reveal her tear-smeared face. He gently wiped her tears with his thumb, his finger gliding smoothly on her flawless skin.
"Ora, please listen to me. I'm not leaving you. It's a temporary arrangement." He said in a tender voice. Liora turned her face away, avoiding looking at him.
Caspian gently lifted her chin, trying to make her look at him, but Liora quickly covered his eyes with her hands, leaving the doll on the floor.
"Don't look at me," she mumbled in a thick voice. "I'm embarrassed that I'm crying in front of you."
Caspian's face softened even more. He liked how she was honest about it. He slowly pulled her hands down from his face and pulled her closer. Liora couldn't help but place her face on his chest while he ran his hand on her back soothingly. Her tears continued to flow, soaking his shirt as she buried her face in his chest.
"Please don't go?" She pleaded through the sobs.
This whole situation was new for Caspian. Is someone crying for him not to leave? Usually, it was the opposite—people cried for him to go away, except for his grandfather, of course.
This was the first time someone begged him to stay. Even his parents seemed relieved that he was leaving. He had been dreading his departure to the USA since yesterday, but he had never imagined it would be that difficult because of Liora's reaction.
He looked down at the little girl clinging to him, her tears still wet on his shirt.
"Ora, I will come back soon. Even though we are far away, we will stay in touch. We can send messages and do video calls every day, and you'll see, time will fly by faster. And before you know it, I'll be back here," Caspian was trying to assure her.
She sniffled, and her sobs gradually started to subside. "Promise?" She lifted her head to look at him with her pretty hazel eyes.
"Promise," he said, holding out his pinky finger.
Liora linked her pinky with his. "Okay, so every day we will stay in touch," she whispered, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.
"Save my mama's number," Liora's voice was still tinged with sadness.
"Don't you have your phone?" Caspian asked, raising his brows."No, But you can call me on my mama's number."
Caspian shifted slightly as he felt discomfort in his legs. "Okay, Ora, let's get up first before I have to admit myself to the hospital for a knee injury from sitting like this."
Forgetting about her moist eyes, Liora giggled through her tears. The unexpected humour broke through her sadness.
"Alright," she said, allowing him to help her to her feet.
Caspian stretched his legs dramatically, "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 humour made her feel a bit lighter.
"You're funny!"
Caspian released her hand and walked over to the desk which was next to the mirror. He opened the first drawer and pulled out a flip phone decorated with glitter. Turning around, he held the phone out to her.
"Ora, take it. It's yours, just like everything else here." "Phone?" Liora's eyes widened in shock, rendering her speechless.
Was he her angel? She wondered. Did Papa send him into her life to take care of all her needs like he used to do? She speaks of something, and Caspian gives it to her. Yes! He must be an angel sent by my father.
But before Liora took the phone with trembling hands, her eyes shining with amazement, she picked up the doll.
"Now you can call or text me anytime you want. You'll have your own way to stay in touch with me, no matter where I am."
She hugged the phone tightly, "Thank you, Caspian," she whispered. "You really are my angel!"
"Angel?" Caspian blinked once before he threw his head back and laughed. "See! You have a way to make me laugh."
"But I mean it," Liora whined."Alright, Ora, I will be your angel if that's what you want me to be."
Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was already dinner time. Caspian walked Liora back to her new home, gently holding her hand. As they reached the door, he turned to her with a warm smile.
"See you soon," were his last words before leaving.
Liora stood at the door, watching him walk away. Her eyes became moist again, but she managed to control her emotions. Her new friend, her angel, disappeared in front of her eyes. 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 to take care of it and to keep it clean.
She held the phone and the card close to her heart, she was sad and had hope of seeing him soon.
'I will take care of everything you trusted me with.'*****It was Monday morning. Caspian had arrived in the USA, embarking on his mysterious mission, which his grandfather had given him.
Back at the Luxor Estate, it was also a significant day for Liora. The school she had avoided for so long was no longer optional.
Dane waited outside to drive Liora to school. He greeted her as soon as she got into his car, to which she replied with a smile.
Dane found her very pretty in her school uniform. Light grey pleated skirt a little above her knee, paired with high knee socks and black shoes. Her white shirt was neatly tucked in, and she had on a dark grey blazer. She sat quietly in the car while Dane drove.
She was watching, passing scenery outside the window. She saw people sitting in cafes, some cafes just opening for the day, individuals crossing roads holding coffees, joggers, and a bunch of children walking together with their school bags, heading towards school.
Dane glanced at Liora through the rearview mirror, noticing her neutral expression.
"Everything okay, Liora?"
Liora hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Officer Park, do you think a person can fight 10 people at once?" Her voice was soft, almost inaudible.
"Why do you ask that, Liora? Is someone troubling you at school?" Though Dane knew about Liora's situation, he wanted her to open up to him.
"No... nothing like that. Just wanted to know if a woman can win against 10 people," Liora responded, her voice hesitant.
Dane needed to trade the information very carefully. He did not want to advise Liora to use violence to resolve matters but neither did he want her to live in fear.
The Elite school, which is the door of hell for children like Liora's background, was a unique channel where even he couldn't interfere.
"Liora," Dane began thoughtfully, "I want you to understand something important. Facing ten people all by yourself is never a fair fight, no matter how strong or skilled you are. If you ask me if one woman can physically fight against 10 people, well, if she's well-versed in martial arts and has expertise in using weapons like a long stick, she might have a chance. But 10 people against one, even for a man, is still a lot, especially if it's only men. In my opinion, before learning anything else, one must know how to run fast."
Liora turned her gaze from the window to Dane with curiosity, her confusion raised. "Run fast?"
"Yes," Dane looked at Liora from the rearview mirror.
"If you can run faster than them and for a longer time, those 10 people might never be able to catch you. You can vanish from their sight, and they won't find you," he tried to instill a sense of strategy in Liora, and she listened carefully.
"But what if running away isn't an option?"
Dane glanced at her reflection, seeing the concern etched on the young face. "Then look for alliances. Seek out people who can help you."
Liora nodded slowly, thinking about his advice. "It's hard to find someone who will help you when they themselves are in a similar situation." She sighed.
Dane pulled the car in front of the School gate and turned back to look at her.
"I know it can be tough, but I am sure there are good people out there, even in a place like the Elite school. You just have to find them. And until you do, know that you have people who care about you outside of school."
By mentioning Elite School's name, Dane let Liora know that he was aware of her struggles and that he was there for her. This gesture did not go unnoticed by Liora, who smiled at him gratefully.
Before stepping out of the car, she turned to Dane. "Thank you, Officer Park! I think I am going to focus on running."
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. You have got my number." Dane said before driving away.
As Liora reached the school entrance, she opened her bag and took out a pair of thick, black-framed glasses. She put them on. She clutched her backpack straps tighter and entered the gate of Elite School.
She looked around, the other students near the gate also donning identical glasses, bowing down their heads and entering the school.
This wasn't just a personal choice—it was a mark of their background, a rule imposed by one of the students from a powerful family, setting them apart in a school dominated by wealth and influence.
Inside the classroom, the division was even more apparent. Students with glasses sat alone at tables meant for two. But those thick black frame glasses were not enough. The boys had similar terse haircuts, while girls were required to keep half of their faces hidden behind their hair.
The teachers knew about the bullying, but none dared to raise their voices against it. Those who had tried in the past had mysteriously gone missing or left the school. Those were a grim warning to anyone who considered challenging the status quo.
Liora adjusted her glasses and hair, preparing herself mentally for another day in this hellish environment.
She walked through the school hallway, and the sound of girls laughing echoed in the background. She kept her head down, hoping to go unnoticed.
Unfortunately, Liora's tactics failed, and a sing-song, high-pitched voice fell on her ears. "Hey, look who showed up." One of the girls sneered.
"One of the pests has returned."