The next morning, Esmeralda was in her room, packing her essentials to begin her journey to Prince Antonio. Ezra was strongly against her decision to reach out to her uncle, but against his better judgment, he reluctantly agreed to accompany her. All of her father's attempts at reconciliation had been met with coldness, and she couldn't bear to be around him for another day. Esmeralda and Ezra had made a pact to meet outside the palace so that he wouldn't get in trouble for assisting her.
As she approached the door to exit the palace, she was halted by two of the guards, acting on her father's orders. "I'm sorry, Princess, but we have strict orders not to let you leave the castle under any circumstances," said Elijah.
"I am no longer the princess, and I don't care whose orders you're fol
