Before long, Raven had cried herself to sleep. Lucas knew her pain all too well. Back when he was following her, he felt the pain her shadow bore. His heart felt a sting that was small, but a pain that was too great. He carried Raven in his arms and placed her in the bed. He covered her with the bed sheets before leaving her to sleep. A sigh escaped his lips as he walked through the castle halls.

His heart was full of emotion, while his mind was full of questions. His mind bombarded him with questions as to who wanted to escape, but also why Raven had to be the victim. Lucas’s heart felt the pain of regret. Regret of ever meeting Raven, but the joy of seeing her beautiful brown eyes for the first time.

“Master?” a voice asked.

Lucas turned to see Tomi standing behind him. His face was filled with worry as he looked at his master.

“Tomi, forgive me, what is it?” Lucas asked, trying to hide his pain.

“Master, you can’t fool me,” Tomi sighed. “I’ve known you for a long time and I know when you are hurting.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Tomi. I’m not ‘hurting’ as you say,” Lucas forcefully chuckled.

“I can tell by the look on your face that you blame yourself for what happened to Miss Raven,” Tomi said softly.

Lucas’s face instantly fell. His fake smile shattered to reveal the frown hidden beneath. Tomi knew Lucas, a little too well. The two have been friends since the beginning and Tomi has always been there for Lucas. But this time, Lucas didn’t want Tomi involved, but…

“Master, this is not your fault,” said Tomi.

“Then why do I feel responsible? Think about it. If Raven had never met me, then she would be safe and sound at home. At her school…She would not be involved in this mess!” exclaimed Lucas.

“But didn’t you say so yourself, that Miss Raven was miserable back home? Lucas…”

Lucas’s eyes widened as Tomi called his name. The only time when he would be when the conversation was serious. Any other time Tomi would call him master.

“Lucas, my friend, you cannot blame yourself for this. Rest assured, we will find the culprit! And when we do, you have my word that they will pay for harming Miss Raven! The grief you have suffered…will not go unpunished,” he declared.

Lucas smiled warmly at his friend. Out of all his servants, Tomi was the one he trusted the most. “Thank you, Tomi.”

**

Raven’s eyes fluttered open, hoping the events that conspired the day before was a dream. Her eyes looked from left to right. She realized her dream was an all too real reality. With a sigh, Raven turned over in the bed. She remembered seeing her mother’s face in the mirror last night. Were the tears real? Or were they just a ploy?

Raven’s mind drifted to the memory of being held in Lucas’s arms. She shot up from her bed, and her hands scrambled to hide her flushed cheeks. She felt flustered at first, but then her hands slid down to hug herself.

“Lucas…he felt…warm,” she thought.

The image of Lucas holding her in his arms remained in her mind. Lucas was a nice person. Raven felt safe and she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. Raven got up from her bed and felt the cold, yet beautiful black tile floor beneath her feet. She walked over to balcony window and observed Lucas’s world.

The sky above was dark with small twinkles of light that resembled stars. The land beneath it was also dark but resembled a small town. People or shadows were living in houses and communicating with one another. They would walk around, laugh, talk. It was like her life back home. Except, she didn’t have the same privilege they did.

“Welp, no sense in moping around. Since I’m stuck here, might as well make the best out of a bad situation. Time to explore!” she clapped.