ery clandestine gathering and whispered discussion fuelled the smouldering rebellion inside of her. But along with that

he bitterness that pervaded every thought she had was getting worse as she stood in the kitchen peeling vegetables fo

hrough the quiet hum of the kitchen. The order was piercing

e honorific reminded her of the girl she was supposed to be and the on

e carrot basket. She remembered the look in his green eyes as he gazed at her, a mix of determination an

; she was now a woman scorned and a wounded warrior. She saw Desmond laughing with Isabella, and the memory o

artled out of her reverie by Isabella's voic

"Yes, Luna," but the w

azure eyes piercing and authoritative. "I anticipate that t

ittle. She managed to say, "I'll do my best," but it was a contemptuous state

la turned away, her heart pounding. The weight of her anger stir

and tall. The thought was alluring: what if she could overcome the harsh treatment? What if, instead of

ivating factor for transformation. She had remarked, "Lyra, let it fue

to herself, "Fight back." It was a straig

th. She discovered that she was paying closer attention to Isabella now, noticing every small act of cruelty and every nuanced slight. Ev

tion. The sound of conversation and laughter whirled around her like a tempest as she stood at the edge of the

o herself, "Look at them." "Unaware of

n a chalkboard. With a smile on his lips, Desmond leaned in closer and spoke to her in a whisper. Ly

confusion, Nia's voice said,

smile that fell short of

sed an eyebrow. "You haven't said much late

"I don't want to celebrate her." "Why

es flickering with concern. "You must not al

d the gloom that gathered in Lyra's heart. Lyra muttered, hardly conscious of what she was saying, "I wan

s were already racing, the rage turning

said, her voice growing louder. "I'l

resolve. Next, let's devise a strategy. We cann

oices. What had started as a flicker of resentment now blaze

rden but rather a strength that was just waiting to be released. She woul

t's laughter faded into the distance. With a firm and ferocious voice,