Liberation

The mention of the word 'happiness' always comes with a specified magnitude, as we often have the habit of measuring happiness or comparing it with other instances of happiness experienced by us in the past. Based on whenever we have encountered this emotion, we have an entire in- built spectrum for placing happiness relatively, and this often becomes the reason one is distracted from the perfect opportunity of enjoying the happiness, and instead tends to jump straight from quantifying the happiness to the fear that the reason for the happiness might end soon.

But Nora did not have even a fraction of that fear. One thing that she had learnt in the dark corners of room, was that she was happy with a single ray of sunlight, even if it was there for a few seconds only - and this time, she had the entire sun to herself! Being a lover of the moon, she was also fond of the Sun; and when the Sun had already marked its presence in her garden, the chance of getting the moon had increased, too.

With the air of happiness keeping her company, she had all her things packed within no time - she did not have as many things to pack, anyway.

She straightened when she heard a knock on her door, and saw her mother entering the room with five attendants, each of whom was carrying a luggage trolly that seemed brand new. The attendants following her were ordered to stop at the gate itself, as she commanded after stepping inside ;

"You, place the luggage here, and leave. I want to talk to my daughter in solitude."

Within minutes, all the servants had piled the trolleys at one corner and vacated the room hastily.

Finally, Helen turned towards Nora, who was looking at her blankly, as if asking her what was going on without the need for words.

"I know I have always been a bad mother to you, and was never able to do anything for you. But still, I want to make up for it somehow… even though you have spent most of your time locked up in a single room, I still got solace from the fact that you were in front of my eye at the very least. I could see you whenever I wanted, and most importantly, you were safe from the outer world. So I never bothered to fight for your rights or even consider that you deserve something better, something more.

Now that you are leaving and so is my consolation of having you in my proximity, I really want to do something for you. I don't know how exactly I will be able to do that, but for now, I have brought so many things for you and I guess you will like them."

Saying this, she opened one of the trolleys, revealing plenty of designer dresses that had been folded and neatly tucked inside its satin- lined compartments. She took a step forward to open the next one, which was filled with all sorts of bags and accessories, and she kept going on, revealing different things that a teenager like Nora might love to have or desire for. But for Nora, her liberation was the most desirable thing in the entire world at that point of time.

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The car finally came to a halt in front of the Beta wing of the ACC house girls' dormitories. It would be the first time that Nora was going to take a look at what the girls' dorm looked like, after her school exploration adventures had gone awry. The last time that she had tried, she was whisked away from the corridor of the boys' dorms to Robin's room, having taken a thorough tour of the floor underneath his bed, before eventually entering the forbidden forest and landing right into the trap David had set for her. 

Shaking her slightly to dispel the memories poking at the edges, she stepped out of the car, and found Romera standing in front of the giant blue gates, waiting for her arrival. She was going to greet her, when her father approached the gates first there, having disembarked just after her. He spoke up before either of them could have said a word in greeting ;

"I know you must be extremely happy, that the board has accepted your proposal of letting my daughter live in the hostel, just like any random commoner. But don't you think that just because you people are willing to treat her like a lower wolf, I will let it go on, and watch silently. I am here to warn you on her behalf : if my daughter gets to experience even the slightest discomfort, I will not be sparing you. I hope you have arranged the servant quarters at the back of the dormitory building for Nora's convenience, as she is not habituated to doing her work by herself."

"Indeed. And Alpha, I would like to apologise to you in advance, because I shall have to stop you here. Beyond this point, only she-wolves and students of the school are allowed, so you will have to return. As for Nora's comfort, there is no need to worry about it. My own house is just by the side of Nora's dorm, and I have arranged a door that gives easy access from the corridor of her room to my house. And yes, the arrangements for her servants are also done."

Romera spoke, maintaining the politest tone she could keep in front of Frederick without losing hold on her patience. She dismissed him as quickly as she could and turned her attention to the girl standing between them, addressing her while gesturing to follow her inside.

"So! Nora, shall we go now? Don't worry about your luggage, it will be organised in your room by the time I give you a complete tour of the dorm."

Nora looked at her father for permission and started walking behind Romera after she had gotten a nod from Frederick. But the first thing she noticed after entering the dorm building was Valerie packing her luggage. And without saying anything or thinking anything, she stepped past Romera and hugged Valerie, giving a healthy dose of shock to both Romera and Valerie.

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