Thirty-eight

The next morning, Maria awoke before Alice, her eyes immediately drawn to the Sleeping Beauty beside her. Gently, she ran her fingers through Alice's tousled hair, marveling at its softness. The morning light streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on Alice's face as she stirred from her slumber.

Startled by Maria's touch, Alice's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Maria's. There was a mixture of surprise and curiosity in her expression as she took in Maria's admiring look.

"So you think I'm beautiful like that," Alice mused, her voice filled with a touch of teasing playfulness.

Maria blushed, a rosy hue spreading across her cheeks. She couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for Alice. "Yes," Maria admitted shyly, her voice barely above a whisper, "but you are beautiful even when you wake up."

A grateful smile graced Alice's lips, her cheeks mirroring Maria's blush. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Maria decided to give Alice some space and offered, "Well, I'm going to go downstairs and let you have your shower. See you for breakfast."

Alice nodded, her smile lingering. "Yes, see you later."

As Maria descended the stairs, her footsteps echoed through the house. However, as she approached a closed room, her curiosity piqued when she heard muffled voices emanating from within. Intrigued, she tiptoed closer, straining to catch the conversation.

Inside the room, Alice's father engaged in a serious discussion with a subordinate. Their hushed tones indicated a weighty matter at hand.

"We have to find an efficient way to eliminate the demon queen and, at the same time, the entire royal family," Alice's father declared, his voice laced with determination.

The subordinate nodded in agreement, adding, "We have to get them all together and strike them down simultaneously."

Alice's father sighed, the weight of the task evident in his voice. "Yes, but it would be a complicated endeavor."

Unable to resist her curiosity, Maria quietly pushed open the door and slipped into the room, their conversation interrupted by her sudden entrance.

"What are you doing here, Maria? This is not the place to have breakfast," Alice's father questioned, surprise etched across his face.

Unfazed by his response, Maria revealed a steely determination in her eyes. "You want to eliminate the demon queen and her family? Well, I didn't expect that, but I can surely be useful to you."

Alice's father studied Maria intently, curiosity mingled with suspicion. "Tell me, Maria, what would you gain by doing this?"

With a flicker of something sinister in her gaze, Maria, in a voice that hinted at hidden motives, replied, "I have my reasons, but I would also like to see Eloise gone."

Alice's father leaned back, contemplating her proposition. "How are we going to do that, then?"

A sly smile played at the corners of Maria's lips. "Don't worry, I will take care of everything. But let's have breakfast first."

In the dining room, the table was set, and Maria took her place at the head, her demeanor calm and composed. She addressed the gathered company with a friendly tone, "Enjoy your breakfast, everyone."

Alice, appreciative of Maria's presence, replied, "Thank you."

The meal passed, conversations flowing naturally among the group. Maria, however, knew her time was limited. With a final farewell, she stood up, ready to depart.

"Well, I have to go now. See you next time," Maria announced, her voice tinged with a hint of regret.

Alice's expression turned slightly crestfallen. "But you can stay a little longer, and today there are no classes. Please stay."

Maria shook her head apologetically. "I can't stay, Alice. I have a meeting with the board today, and I must attend. But I will see you in class."

Alice's disappointment was evident, her gaze downcast. "Well, see you tomorrow, Maria," she murmured softly.

Maria, unable to resist the forlorn look on Alice's face, leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her cheek, an intimate gesture of reassurance. With a whispered promise, she departed, leaving Alice behind.

A bittersweet feeling settled within Alice. "I would like every day to be like last night and this morning. Finally, I find someone to stay with me. Usually, Mum and Dad are too busy, and I often stay alone in my room." though Alice.

Eloise, feeling a sense of ennui that had plagued her for weeks, decided it was time to venture outside and escape the confines of her home. Descending the staircase, she spotted her mother preparing to leave for the shops and seized the opportunity to intercept her.

"Mum, wait, please," Eloise called out, her voice filled with longing.

Lucy turned towards her daughter, a curious expression on her face. "Yes, what is it, Eloise?"

An eagerness lit up Eloise's eyes as she made her request. "Can I come shopping with you? I'm bored staying home."

Lucy smiled, acknowledging her daughter's desire for a change of scenery. "Yes, of course. I don't see any problem with that."

Eloise accompanied her mother on the shopping trip, the two sharing moments of conversation and laughter as they navigated the bustling streets. On the way back home, Lucy decided to make a detour, stopping by an orphanage.

Eloise's curiosity was piqued as she observed their arrival at the unfamiliar place. "What are we doing here, Mum?" she inquired.

Lucy cast a warm smile at her daughter. "Just follow me, and you'll see."

Inside the orphanage, a woman greeted them. "Hello, Lucy. It's been a long time since we last saw you."

Lucy returned the greeting, her tone warm and nostalgic. "Yes, it's true. I don't have much time, but how are the children doing?"

The woman's face brightened. "They're doing very well, and they're playing outside."

Eloise's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Mum, can I go and see them?"

Lucy nodded indulgently. "Yes, of course."

As Eloise ventured outside, her gaze fell upon a group of children engaged in spirited play. Among them, she noticed a little girl who stood apart from the others, her tear-stained face and disheveled appearance evoking empathy within Eloise.

Curiosity and concern mingled in Eloise's voice as she approached the distressed girl. "What's the matter, little girl?"

The little girl, her eyes swollen with tears, looked up at Eloise with a mix of fear and suspicion. Her voice quivered as she whispered, her vulnerability apparent, "You came to make fun of me too."

Eloise was taken aback by the accusation, her brows furrowing with genuine surprise. She hurried to dispel the misunderstanding, her voice gentle yet determined. "No, wait, little girl. I'm not here to make fun of you."

But the little girl's mistrust remained evident, ingrained by past experiences that had left scars on her fragile heart. Fueled by fear, she started to run away, her tiny feet carrying her swiftly. Eloise, fueled by compassion and an unyielding desire to connect, chased after her. Their footsteps echoed through the empty streets as Eloise pursued the elusive figure.

After a lengthy pursuit, Eloise finally caught up to the exhausted girl, their gasping breaths mingling in the air. Beads of perspiration adorned their foreheads as they stood face to face, a fleeting moment of respite in their shared journey.

"You run pretty fast, little girl," Eloise remarked, her voice laced with admiration, attempting to break the ice that had formed around the girl's fragile heart.

The little girl regarded Eloise warily, her eyes still clouded with uncertainty. "Why are you chasing me like that? Tell me, what are you going to do to me? Are you going to kill me?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear.

Eloise's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, her heart sinking at the gravity of the girl's words. "No! Why are you saying that? I saw you crying, and I was just wondering how a cute little girl like you could be so sad."

But the little girl's mistrust persisted, her voice quivering with vulnerability. "Tell me, are you a pedophile?"

Eloise recoiled at the accusation, her heart breaking at the thought of such a dark perception tarnishing her intentions. "No! Stop it! I'm not a pedophile," she asserted, her voice filled with genuine distress.

The little girl's voice remained filled with fear and vulnerability. "Yes, you are, because no one goes after little girls like you just did."

Eloise let out a sigh, feeling a mix of empathy and frustration intertwining within her. She realized that this encounter was not only about gaining the trust of a wounded child but also challenging the deeply ingrained prejudices that had plagued the little girl's perception of the world. "You're always like this, little girl," Eloise murmured softly, her words carrying a hint of both understanding and resolve.

In that moment, Mia, no longer a nameless entity, revealed her identity. "I have a name. My name is Mia," she whispered, her voice laced with both longing and reluctance. Eloise's expression softened, and she extended a comforting gesture, her hands forming a bridge of understanding between them. "Nice to meet you, Mia. I'm Eloise. But you didn't tell me why you were crying."

Mia's voice trembled with vulnerability as she began to share her experience, her words carried on the wings of a shared trust that was slowly blossoming. "Actually, the other kids pushed me into the mud and then made fun of me. They like to make fun of me just because of my red eyes. They say I am a monster and that I don't belong here."

Overwhelmed by a surge of sympathy, Eloise tenderly took Mia into her arms, embracing her in a comforting embrace. In that moment, a deep connection was forged, unburdened by prejudice or suspicion. Eloise made a firm decision within her heart, silently vowing to protect and nurture this wounded soul.

"Mum, can we keep her, please? She is adorable," Eloise implored, her eyes turning to her mother, seeking support and understanding.