The King Aracnopar

Runaway

It was the day of the arrangement. I was decked in a large ball gown which hugged my waistline perfectly and flowed out as it trailed my legs. It was dark royal blue with gold hugging the hem of each piece that hugged around my neckline and shoulders. My hair was in a large updo with braids that went along each side of my head, the rosy cheeks and red lips the maids decided to give me made my pale porcelain skin seem to glow. I heard a soft knock at the dressing room door, “Come in.” I spoke. Asmon stepped inside, his eyes trailing the bottom of my dress up toward me. “Are you really doing this tonight?” He asked. My eyes became saddened as I peered away from him. “Just for the night. I’ll be gone in the morning.” I admitted to him, he would’ve been the first I informed of my future absence. He looked slightly taken back. “Why don’t you stay here Maria? I’ll teach you everything, I’ll take care of you.” He said with a hint of desperation in his voice. I furrowed my brows in confusion. “What are you talking about Asmon?” I requested his transparency. His eyes looked toward the floor as a troubled expression grew upon his face. “I—, damnit woman, I’m one of the ones requesting your hand tonight.” He admitted and I stared in blatant disbelief. Asmon.. I had no idea he would be one.. this just made everything so much harder. “Asmon.. you need to leave.” I said harshly, turning back toward the mirror with my eyes focused on the floor. “Maria, please,” he said, stepping toward me, resting his hand upon my shoulder. Suddenly, the door creaked open a bit wider and in walked a brawny and tall man with fluffy blonde hair and hickory brown eyes. Veron.. the leader of the guards. “Maria? Is he bothering you?” His husky voice spoke, his eyes focused heavily upon Asmon. “I would appreciate it if you both left.” I harshly demanded, blinking my eyes a few times to rid the tears before turning to face them both. “Please Maria, we need to discuss this,” Asmon continued and attempted to reach for my hand. “She asked us to leave, do not touch her unless you want to lose that hand Asmon.” Veron hissed with his words causing Asmon to glare back toward him before smiling. “Then we both better leave.” Asmon said with sarcasm beaming in his voice. Both boys exited without another word.

I sat on the throne between my father and Angel, my father's head resting wearily upon his closed fist as he peered at the line of men building in front of my throne. My face was red and it became harder and harder to force my tears back. I felt humiliated. “Lift your chin, you look so submissive.” Angel snarled her words toward me and I glared toward her. “You’re too much like your mother, Maria,” her words tore through me like daggers, my face became hot and my vision tunneled. “I hope you trip and land face first into fathers chamber pot you evil wench.” I spoke before I had time to calm myself, I could feel her eyes eating a hole through me but I refused to look at her. Father didn’t budge at our words toward one another. “Duke hazzletung, of Norfolb.” The announcer spoke and up walked a doofy looking man, his teeth were gapped and his freckles appeared more like moles across his cheeks. I felt like I needed a shower just looking at him. “Princess Rosaria, I request your hand. You will always need reassurance— I mean you will never need reassurance.” Hearing him speak made me realize just how long of a night it was going to be. I cringed harshly whilst attempting a slight smile. Many Dukes later, wishing my hand in marriage, I saw Asmon and Veron rising from their seats to take place in line. I felt lightheaded. I stood as the announcer began to speak and shushed him. “What in the devil are you doing Maria?” I heard Angel growl from behind me. “I am requesting my own hand.” I spoke, leaving the entirety of the room in silence. All eyes fell upon my father.. who was staring at me with his typical saddened eyes. “I accept this request.” He said, nodding in my direction. My heart was beating so fast. He accepted my request to take my own hand? Angel's face was red as tears of anger welled within her eyes. She wanted me with a man. Asmon and Veron both looked devastated, turning their beautiful eyes down toward the ground. The other dukes raved in anger towards my father before being silenced by the guards and the announcer. It was too much. My head was spinning. I tripped down the stairs, walking away from the thrones and felt as four pairs of arms caught me. I looked to see both Asmon and Veron, staring at one another with looks of death. I pushed them away and refused to look in their direction as I exited the throne room.

Once inside my room, I began throwing my alchemy and mage related items into a white and gold leather bag, shoving only a couple of outfits that would fit inside with all of the items. I began using my other items of clothing and my sheets to build a makeshift rope. It needed to be around 200 feet but I had plenty to spare. My room sat on the backside of the castle, so I didn’t have the worry of anyone seeing me scale down the castle either. Once the rope was finished, I pushed my dresser up against my door so it would take whoever found my absence a few minutes to get in. I tied the rope to the lock on my window which was made of sheer metal. It was strong enough to hold me. I hoisted my bag upon my shoulder and began scaling down the rope. “Oh my god.. Maria don’t look down.. don’t look down..” I attempted to remain calm as I scaled down. Just breathe.. I kept telling myself, as I could feel the cool air breezing by me causing the rope to swing ever so slightly. It felt like years I was scaling down one hand under another before my feet finally touched the grass. I took off running toward the kingdom's wall to crawl through the broken hole in the cobblestone wall.