Lira walked into the academy, her shoulders hunched as she prepared herself for another day of whispers and sneers. As she passed through the hallways, students from powerful families looked at her with disdain, the same judgmental stares she had grown accustomed to. She was an outcast, powerless and alone—at least, that's what they all believed.
After a long morning of classes filled with murmurs and giggles behind her back, Lira headed to the cafeteria. She took a seat in the far corner, hoping to eat her meal in peace, away from the watchful eyes of those who found pleasure in mocking her.
As she poked at her food, deep in thought, she barely noticed Lionel walking towards her. His presence was always commanding—everyone knew who he was. Not only was Lionel from one of the most powerful royal families, but his abilities were unmatched. He had power, status, and respect, something Lira had always lacked.
She looked up just as Lionel sat down across from her, placing his tray beside hers. The entire cafeteria seemed to freeze, whispers rising among the students as they gawked in disbelief.
Lira blinked, confused. "What are you doing?" she whispered, glancing around at the shocked faces of her peers.
"Having lunch with you," Lionel said with a smile, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"You don't have to do this," Lira muttered, lowering her gaze. She felt the weight of the stares around her, the judgmental eyes burning into her. "People will talk."
Lionel shrugged. "Let them talk. I don't care what they think."
Lira looked up at him, still unsure. "But... I'm not like you. I don't have powers. I'm just a—"
"A girl with more strength than most of these people put together," Lionel interrupted, his tone firm but kind. "You don't need powers to have worth, Lira."
Her chest tightened at his words. She had never heard someone say anything like that to her before. For so long, she had been told by Isodele, Anya, and even the other students that she was worthless without magic. But here was Lionel, one of the most powerful students at the academy, telling her otherwise.
As the two of them continued to eat, the cafeteria buzzed with disbelief. Lionel, the strong and respected student, was sitting with a "commoner," a powerless girl. The stares intensified, but Lionel seemed unfazed. He chatted casually with Lira about school, life, and even shared a few jokes, making her smile despite the tension in the room.
Lira couldn't help but feel a small sense of comfort. For the first time in a long while, she wasn't completely alone.
As lunch ended and Lionel stood to leave, he leaned down and whispered, "You're more than what they see. Don't let them define you."
Lira watched him walk away, the cafeteria still buzzing with shock. She sat there, trying to process what had just happened. Lionel's words stayed with her, lingering in her mind.
Maybe, just maybe, she was more than the powerless girl everyone thought she was.
4o
YOU ARE READING
Shattered Crown
خيال (فانتازيا)Lira has lived her entire life as an outcast in the palace, under the cruel thumb of her stepmother, Queen Isolde, who rules the kingdom with an iron fist. Raised as an orphaned noble, Lira was told that her parents were mere servants who died when...
