Given a Second Chance

Liliana Calvert

A/N: I don't think this part published correctly so I republished it. Hey guys! Yay, update! Going to a bit of a writer's block because the next few chapters are fillers that will lead to the next arc, sigh. The chapter may be a bit short. Also, please leave a like if you're enjoying the story!

When I came home, to say my parents were upset was an understatement. My mother, who was usually at tea parties and other gatherings, was actually home, and even my father, the workaholic that he is, was not working. My mother ran up to me, a relieved expression on her face, and enveloped me in a hug.

"Thank God you're alright," she sobbed, my shoulder dampening due to her tears. I patted my mother's back, hugging her back, breathing in the comfort. I had been terrified in the last day, and seeing someone who worried for me was a great relief.

Felicity stood at the corner, her hands fidgeting and her eyes glistening. I released my mother and opened my arms.

"Come here, Felicity." No other words had to be made, and Felicity hugged with a strength I never knew she had.

"You have no idea how worried I was," she whispered. After releasing her, I also gave my father a quick hug, though the moment was not as strong as with the girls.

"Are you hurt? What happened?" I was suddenly enveloped with questions by all three people, not knowing which to respond to first. I held up my hands.

"Wait! I'll tell you the story, but first," I started, "I'm starving." And boy, I was starving. The worst type of kidnapper is the ones that don't feed you.

XXXXX

"So what you're saying is that some crazy elf tried to murder the prince and revive some sort of demon king?" I nodded while stuffing my face with some strawberry cake. I had told them of the story of my kidnapping, from the beginning to the end, all while omitting the I can use ice magic, of course.

"And then you met the king who thanked you?" My father continued, staring at me wide-eyed. "Anything else you haven't told us?" I gulped the sweet dessert and chuckled nervously.

"Well.." I started but was interrupted from a carriage arriving outside. "I might have saved a little elf girl who's now going to stay with us," I said, then quickly ran outside. "Wait, what?" My father called me.

Outside, the carriage had already left, leaving behind a dark-haired little girl in a tiny, pretty dress. When she saw me, she gave a huge smile and ran up to give me a hug.

"Hey, sweetie. They treated you gently right?" She nodded, looking as happy as I had ever seen her.

"Come inside. There are people I would like you to meet," I said, grabbing her hand and heading inside.

My father and mother were waiting, his hands wrapped around her waist. My mother spoke first. "Look, Camille, I know you mean well, but, we can't just house an elf of all things." Her eyes were sad, especially looking at how young the girl was.

"She saved me!" I exclaimed in alarm. The girl most likely no longer even had a family. If I left her alone, the humans would abuse her; she would be left all alone, scared.

"Alright," my father agreed. Both my mother and my heads immediately turned to my father. "Alright?" we both questioned. My father grabbed my mother's hands.

"Honey, she's just a little girl. We both know what would happen if we just let her go," my father said gently. My mother looked guilty. She turned her face towards me and looked into my eyes for a long time, then sighed in submission.

"Thank you so much!" I shouted, hugging them. So, so many hugs today. Good thing I like hugs.

Felicity walked over to the elf girl, rubbing her head affectionately. "So, what's her name?" she asked. The elf girl looked down sadly, shaking her head.

"You don't have a name?" I asked in surprise. How is that even possible? Her shoulders started shaking. She was probably crying.

I crouched down to her side, pulling her face to match mine. Her eyes were tearing, and she even looked a little shameful.

"No matter. How about I'll give you a name?" She looked up, hope in her eyes.

"How about Lily? Short for Liliana?"

"Lily? What does it mean?" Felicity, who was standing beside me, asked.

"It means sweetness," I said rubbing Lily's head. Unfortunately, this flower is one of the species that didn't exist in this world. I couldn't explain it. But lilies were beautiful, cute, and bright, everything that I saw in this little girl.

She smiled, once again giving me a hug.

"Liliana, huh? Well then, Liliana Calvert is a great name for a cute little girl," my father said.

"Calvert?" I looked to my father in shock.

"Well, she's part of the family now right?" My father smiled. Lily gave a silent giggle, her gray eyes shining more than ever before.

"Liliana Calvert. Do you like that?" I asked, smiling. She nodded her head frantically.

"I'll make you into the cutest little maid ever!" Felicity squealed. "I'll go make a tiny outfit right away!" She yelled, running towards her room. She suddenly stopped, turning right back and heading towards Lily. Felicity picked her up, causing a small gasp from the little girl, and started running again.

"Whoops! Forgot that I need your measurements first," she panted while running.

"Felicity," I called after her. "Don't forget to show Lily her room!"

"Ok!" She yelled.

I turned to my parents. "Thank you for doing this," I told them. "You have no idea how much this means to me." I didn't have any siblings in my previous life, and I had always wanted a little sister.

"We would do anything for our daughter," my mother said softly. I was suddenly hit with guilt. These people had cared for me so much, thinking I was their child. But they didn't know that they would never see their daughter again, not really.

"I love you guys," I said, hugging them both.

"We love you too," my father said in surprise. I guess the old Camille wasn't much for affection. "It's been a long few days. Why don't you get some sleep?" He suggested. I nodded, feeling my shoulders dropped in fatigue.

I began walking towards my room, yawning while navigating through the mazes of the mansion. When I finally arrived at my destination, I flopped onto my bed, and took a deep breath in, before letting myself go. I muffled my sobs in my pillow, feeling the case get damper and damper.

It was hard acting brave, acting like you are fearless, not afraid of anything. But it was a lie. I was terrified, scared of getting hurt, scared of dying, scared of others getting hurt, and most of all, if they knew I wasn't Camille Calvert, would they still care for me? Or would I be thrown away, and be all alone again?

I took deep breaths, willing for my sobs to quiet down until my tears came to a complete stop. Then I reached into my dress, pulling out a dark and worn out book. That's right. I had taken the book just before we escaped the building. I ran my fingers across the odd patterns on the cover. For some reason, I felt that if I didn't take it, I would regret it my whole life.

I couldn't let anyone know. If someone knew this book was in my possession, I had a feeling even my parents couldn't protect me. I placed the book under my pillow, and patted it down, making sure nothing looked suspicious. I changed into my night gown, and slipped under my covers. Then, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.