f*******n LOVE

The massive iron gates of Blackwood Manor opened with a slow and rusty groan. Inside, the world looked different. Sun rays poured through the tall towering windows and danced across floors made of marble polished to shine like a mirror. The chandeliers made of crystal glistened above with their soft light against the ceilings painted delicately. Everything was spotless and so perfectly and carefully arranged that it felt less like a home and more like a preserved masterpiece. Outside, the gardeners carefully trimmed the blooming roses. Housekeepers moved through the corridors with exaggerated silence and dusting furniture that was already clean. At the entrance, Uniformed security guards exchanged brief nods as a luxury car entered through the driveway. Everything in the Blackwood Manor had its place. Everything... Except Victoria. At only eight years old, Victoria Blackwood had everything a child needs except the one thing she wanted the most... A company. Anyone entering her bedroom would have thought a princess lived there. There were soft pink curtains that spilled from a tall canopy bed, expensive dolls also stood arranged on shelves that looked polished and tons of storybooks filled an entire bookrack. And somehow the room felt empty in a strange way, as if it had been waiting for its owner to come back and make it feel alive again. Victoria sat by the window quietly, her chin resting on her knees as her body curled together while watching children play far across the estate's iron fence. Their way of laughing entered into her room like music she could hear but won't be able to join. The children chased one another without worrying about their stained clothes or dirty shoes. Victoria smiled faintly because she was wondering what it would feel like to laugh that freely with no worries. There was a gentle knock on her door that interrupted her thoughts. "Miss Victoria," her governess called for her as she entered the room with a neatly folded white dress. There were tiny pearls that decorated the collar. "Your mother would like you to join her for afternoon tea." The governess said. Victoria nodded obediently and replied, "Yes, Miss Clara." The governess smiled at her warmly before leaving the room. Victoria stared at her dress for a long moment then she sighed. She then looked towards the small back window that overlooked the estate garden. Beyond the small window was a narrow road path that led to the back gate that was rarely used. She had seen it so many times, but today... It seemed to be calling unto her. Her heart started beating a little faster. She looked over at the corridor, it was silent. Carefully, she pulled off her shoes, climbed down the staircase that was reserved for the servants of the manor, and tiptoed through the quiet garden. When she reached the old iron gate, she hesitated... She has never ever disobeyed her mother before at all but somehow today felt a bit different. She took a deep breath and then pushed the gate open. The warm afternoon sun kissed her face, quite unlike the filtered sunlight that entered through the manor windows, this warmness felt real and also made her feel alive. Victoria smiled without even realizing it. She walked down the dusty roads curiously and the air smelled of freshly baked bread, roasted corn, and ripe fruit from nearby market stalls. People laughed openly, traders called out to customers, and children ran freely through the narrow streets. Everything felt unfamiliar but in a good way. Then... A football came rolling toward her feet, she froze. They stopped shouting. One by one, the boys chasing the ball turned to look at her. Her spotless white dress, her neatly braided hair, It was obvious she didn't belong there. For a few seconds, no one moved. Then one boy broke the silence. He jogged over, picked up the football, and looked at her with curious brown eyes. His clothes were wrinkled, old and a bit dusty, but his smile was warm enough to chase away every ounce of her nervousness. "Hi," he said, putting the ball under one of his arms. "Are you lost?" Victoria blinked at a loss. For the first time in a very long time... Someone had spoken to her as if she were just another child and not an heir. She looked at the football under the boy's arm, then back at the boy and a shy knowing smile spread across her face. "No," she answered softly. "I think... I just found something," she said with that same knowing smile. The boy blinked. He was surprised by her soft voice and the quiet smile she gave. It was so different from the smiles of children he had seen in fancy cars that looked so stiff. When the boy heard her say “I just found something” His smile widened. He did not know what she meant by that… but it made him feel weird in a nice way. Victoria asked, “What's your name? mine is Victoria.” The boy replied, “Hi, I'm Lias.” Without thinking too much of it because Lias wasn't a child that overthink things, he just held out the football toward her like an offering. "Do you want to play?" he asked. The other children stared at her tho not unkindly, just a bit shocked that someone like her would even be there outside with them at all… But then Lias turned towards them and called back to the rest and said: “You guys! She said she is playing.” One of them laughed brightly and suddenly kicked the ball hard down from Lias’ palm towards the street where two of the kids immediately chased after it like dogs playing fetch with sticks! Lias looked back at Victoria with an expectant smile, bouncing lightly as dust swirled around their slippers under the sunlight pouring through the narrow alleyways between the houses built too close together for peace but were somewhat perfect for playing games anyway.