Pain and Solution

Donovan's sharp eyes flicked to Liora's face, catching the faint, unmistakable smile dancing on her lips. "Is that a smile I see, Li?"

Liora instantly pressed her lips together, trying to suppress her grin, but her eyes sparkled with a happiness she couldn't hide. She was genuinely overjoyed that Nova had broken up with his girlfriend. She could never forget his kindness. It was he who protected her from those four beasts, even though he disliked her. He had saved her on that stormy day and again on that camping night. She was sure she wouldn't be living an everyday life if it weren't for him.

He treated her as if she didn't exist back in high school. But no matter what, he was always there when it mattered. He might act cold, but beneath that icy exterior, he had a good heart. A heart that deserved someone equally good. That's what Liora believed in.

She shook her head in denial, but her eyes betrayed her. Her eyes gleamed with a joy she couldn't mask, and Donovan noticed. He bit his inner cheek, fighting the urge to laugh. This girl was a terrible liar, at least in front of him.

"Is that how your sad face looks then?" he asked, his voice teasing as his eyebrow arched.

Liora blinked, caught off guard by his question. Was she that transparent? She felt her cheeks heat up as she realized she must have looked foolish. She wished she had a mirror to see her expression, but then she remembered—her bag was still on the tree, along with her residence key.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed, her voice panicked. "I-I need to go back to the tree! My bag is stillthereon the branch, and my room key is inside. I don't want to fill out another form for a lost key!" Her heart ached with worry. "Please, let me go back on my own. I promise I won't run away. I'll come right back to you... Please!" Her wide, pleading eyes looked up at him, so earnest and innocent that Donovan actually halted mid-step.

For a brief moment, he hesitated. Those eyes could melt stone. But then his face hardened again, his jaw tightening. He resumed his pace, holding her firmly in his arms.

"Someone will get it. We have more important matters to discuss," Donovan replied, his face a mask of indifference. There was no room for negotiation.

Liora felt a pang of disappointment as she understood he wasn't going to yield. She exhaled, letting her shoulders droop in defeat. There was no escaping him today. In high school, he never acknowledged her at all, but now he was acting completely differently. He could have treated herthe same way he did back n high school. So what changed now? She had never witnessed him being this close with any other girl, always maintaining a distance of about a hand's length. So what was motivating him to act this way towards her? How much had he transformed since their days in high school, Liora pondered.

Should she reveal her true identity to him? She thought it over carefully.'He would probably never want to see me again if he discovers who I genuinely am, the same girl he despised.'Liora felt a tightness in her chest. Her mood soured. And suddenly, she lost the desire to speak or think any further.

High above them, on the terrace of the main administrative building, two figures stood watching the scene unfold. Lazirious, the head of administration, stood rigid, his arms crossed, his jaw clenched. His face was grim, and his eyes narrowed as he watched Donovan carry Liora towards the parking lot.

Beside him stood Sirus, his posture equally tense but his expression coldly neutral. He stood with their hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the tree Liora had just fallen from.

The main building was the tallest on campus, towering over all others. No student was allowed on the terrace. It was a sacred ground reserved only for the administration and the Valtham family. Even the Trio needed special permission to stand where they stood now.

Sirus finally broke the silence. "Are we really allowing anyone to do whatever they want on our grounds?" He didn't turn to face Lazirious, his eyes still fixed on the tree where Liora fixed the wheel securely on the branch.

Lazirious's expression remained unchanged. "She is allowed, Sirus. We have no authority over her."

Sirus's lip curled in disdain. "Then why can't we stop Sven from siphoning off our sources? He walks around as if he owns this university. I don't like it. I want to remind every single one of them who we are." His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white. "Why do I feel more helpless than those people?" Sirus's voice was laced with frustration and anger. He hated feeling powerless, and right now, that's exactly how he felt.

Lazirious glanced at his friend and worried about his friend's intention brewing underneath his patience. "Anyone connected to that girl is untouchable, Sirus. We are not permitted to interfere."

Sirus finally tore his gaze away from the parking lot, his eyes blazing with fury. "And why not? Who is she to receive such immunity?"

Lazirious's jaw tightened as he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "Have you forgotten the King's command?" Sirus's snap back at Lazirious's words was like a slap to his senses.

"She and anyone associated with her are off-limits. You know what the King will do, don't you?.... If his words were not followed?" Lazirious's eyes were cold and piercing as he looked at Sirus.

Sirus's face contorted with anger, his jaw clenching as he tried to contain his rage. He let out a low, guttural growl, his aura turning dark and menacing. "I hate this." He looked down at his clenched fists, his body trembling with suppressed fury. "If only the Lord were awake... Sometimes, I feel like I should....."

Lazirious's eyes softened for a moment before hardening once more. He placed a firm hand on Sirus's shoulder, stopping him from saying more. "Our time will come. Our hunting ground will come alive again. The right time will come, Sirus."

Thinking of Lord's return, a wicked smirk spread across Sirus's face, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "I can't wait to hunt again. It's been too long since I have tasted the fear of my prey."

Lazirious'sownlips curved into a cold smile as he looked out over the campus."Patience, Sirus. Our King will bring the Lord back."

Sirus's eyes flicked to the parking lot, where Donovan was putting Liora into his car. "And what of him? The Glacier Boy? Did he provide the names of those spreading rumours?"

Lazirious's smile widened, his eyes dark with amusement. "No, he didn't. And he won't be able to anytime soon. He is occupied acting like a hero for Sinclair's daughter."

Sirus's head snapped towards Lazirious, and his eyes narrowed with interest. "He wanted information on Liora Valentine in exchange for the names, didn't he?"

Lazirious'scould not help but laugh. It was cold and mocking. "He has no idea what's coming his way. Moreover, he squandered his opportunity to strike a bargain with us. A foolish boy who missed seeing the bigger picture." Lazirous was observing Donovan and Liora as he spoke. "Regardless, I already have their names and the individuals with whom they confided their thoughts about us."

Sirus's eyes sparkled with excitement. "How many students are we talking about?"

Lazirious's gaze was as sharp as a blade. "Seven from the campus. And they have been spreading information to their friends and cousins. We're tracking them. In three days, they all will be in the dungeon."

A slow, menacing grin spread across Sirus's face. "It's been too long since we have fed the dungeon." His eyes were wild with anticipation, his body trembling with excitement. "It's going to bring back the memory of our glorious time."

Together, they stood on the terrace and watched students below with gleaming eyes.

The students in the parking lot stopped in their tracks, their mouths falling open in disbelief. Donovan, the aloof Donovan, was carrying a girl. And not just any girl but the same girl Caspian and Donovan's cousins stoop up for her.

"She must be important," someone whispered. Phones were pulled out, and the cameras were ready to click. Yet, without warning, all cellular devices switched off, leaving everyone looking stunned.

Donovan approached a sleek black Mercedes G-Class. The driver immediately stepped out, his face showing surprise before he quickly opened the door.

Donovan placed Liora inside the car and climbed in beside her, his expression calm and unreadable. He turned to the driver. "You can go and stretch your legs and lock the doors."

The driver obeyed, and with a click, the car doors were secured. Outside, the whispers grew louder, the students staring in shock at Donovan's car and at their cell phone, which somehow switched off magically.

Inside the car, Liora's heart sank as she realized there was no escape. Her fingers nervously interlocked, twisting and fidgeting as she glanced at Donovan. He sat beside her, his posture deceptively relaxed, but his expression was hard, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart race.

Donovan looked like he was wrestling with his own thoughts, his jaw clenched, his shoulders rigid. Yet, despite the tension, Liora didn't feel scared. Not of him. Not of the man who always seemed to appear when she needed help the most. He was intimidating, yes, but she felt... safe.

She took a deep breath and gathered her courage to speak. "Listen, you're mistaken," she began, her voice trembling slightly.

Donovan's eyes flicked to her, piercing and unreadable. He leaned forward, resting his head against his fist, his elbow braced on his knee. "I've heard that before," he said, his voice low. "And?"

Liora's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening at his cold tone. She looked down at her hands, fidgeting as she spoke. "I-It's all a coincidence. You always show up wherever I am... but I'm not doing it on purpose." Her words were rushed, almost pleading.

Donovan's lips curled into a cold, humourless smile. "So, it's my fault?" His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp, accusing. "I just happen to be wherever you decide to fall?"

"No... no, that's not what I meant!" Liora's voice cracked, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "It's just... I don't know why... but we keep running into each other. I swear, I'm not..."

Donovan cut her off, his eyes narrowing, his face so close she could feel his breath. "Do you expect me to believe all this is just coincidence? You fall into my arms not once but twice, leave a hickey, ruin my ex's dress, and then fall from a tree... right on top of me?" His voice was sharp, each word hitting her like a slap of truth.

Liora's cheeks flushed a deep pink, her eyes wide with embarrassment. "I-I didn't mean to... I swear, I'm not—"

Donovan cut her off, his eyes narrowing. "Do you really not have a sister?" He could not help but ask again. He couldn't resist asking once more. An unsettling sensation lingered within him. He lost all logical thought whenever he was near her. And he despised feeling this way.

Liora's heart skipped a beat. Why was he so obsessed with this question? Why did he keep asking about her having a sister? Was it a crime not to have a sister in his eyes?

His gaze bore into her, demanding an answer. "I... I'm an only child," she stammered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes fell to her lap, her fingers twisting nervously. But her mind raced. Why did he care so much about his sister? Is he looking for someone?

Donovan studied her for a long moment before his shoulders relaxed slightly as he leaned back, his gaze softening. "You're hiding something, Li. I can see that clearly."

Liora's head shot up, her eyes wide with shock. "W-What?"

His chest tightened, anger bubbling up inside him. Not ather, but at himself. Why did he care so much? Why did she remind him so painfully of Liora? He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Meet me tomorrow at Twilight Zone. 11 pm."

Liora's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. "11 pm? Twilight Zone? Why?"

Liora's eyes filled with panic. "Settle what? What do you mean?"

Donovan looked away, his jaw clenching. "I want you to meet someone," he said, his voice low and firm. "Someone I think would be a better fit for you. Someone who can give you what you're looking for. I am not the one for you." Donovan's face remained impassive, his eyes hardening. "I want this... whatever this is between us... to stop. I'm not interested in you, Li. And I don't want to keep running into you like this." His voice was firm, his words like icy daggers piercing her heart. And here she thought it was different because she looked different. No, he still hates her even though she looks different.

Liora felt a sharp pain in her chest. He was misunderstanding her. She looked away, her hands trembling as she tried to hold herself together. "I... I don't want to meet anyone else."

"I don't want you chasing after me anymore. This... whatever this is... it has to stop."

"I... I wasn't chasing you... I just..."

Donovan's jaw tightened, his eyes cold. "Give it a chance. I will accept your answer if you don't like him." His voice wavered, betraying a hint of frustration. "Don't be late. I will be waiting for you." His voice was cold and detached as if he were forcing himself to push her away.

Liora bit her lip, fighting back tears. She wanted to scream, to tell him who she really was, to make him see her. But the words wouldn't come.

"Whatever you need to discuss, you can do so tomorrow. I have to be somewhere else right now." Donovan could see in her expression that she was ready to debate with him. However, he needed to get to Valtham Palace and couldn't delay any longer.

Liora also wanted to put an end to this. She couldn't allow him to keep hurting her like this. First, he was avoiding her, and now he was misunderstanding her. Yes, tomorrow, the first thing she would say is that she is Liora, and that would finalize stuff between them. He is going to hate her regardless of whether she is Liora or Li.

"Can I... invite my friends?" she inquired. She had never been out late at night before. Only with her mother and Uncle Dane. And once with Rachel and Daran when they went to watch the bike race.

"No, you can't. I will be there, and I will keep you safe."

"You mean your friend will ensure my safety, right?" Liora glared at him in irritation. Her sarcasm was sharp enough to make Donovan frown.

He wasn't pleased with what she had just said. "Have you switched your preferences so quickly, Li? That was quick!" Donovan shot back with sarcasm as well.

Before Liora could argue, the car doors unlocked with a soft click. The driver opened her door, holding her backpack to her. Liora's head snapped up, her eyes wide with confusion. "When did... how..."

Donovan's face remained emotionless, his eyes cold. "I have my ways. Please leave now."

Liora opened her mouth to protest, but Donovan's eyes hardened, his voice low and commanding. "Go. And don't be late tomorrow."

Liora bit her lip, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She nodded her voice barely a whisper. "She is going to give him an earful tomorrow."

As she walked away, she stole one last glance at Donovan. He watched her, his eyes dark and unreadable, his face a mask of cold indifference.

But she didn't miss the way his fingers gripped the seat tightly, his knuckles white with tension. Nor did she miss the way his jaw clenched, his eyes lingering on her retreating form.

Inside the car, Donovan closed his eyes, his head falling back against the seat. His chest tightened with an emotion he couldn't name, his heart aching as he watched her leave.

"Li..." he whispered, his voice breaking. "Liora..."

His hands clenched into fists, his mind racing with memories he had long buried. He wanted to push Li away, to end this madness that threatened to consume him. But he couldn't. Not when she reminded him, Liora. Her walk, her fragrance and her voice. It was all Liora. He is losing his mind. Donovan thought.

Donovan's eyes burned with a fierce determination. He had to resolve this situation with Li. He needed to find Liora and confront the reality. Only then could he put a stop to this insanity. He needed to grasp what he was feeling.