The Princess's Runaway Tale

Emily's Daring Escape

Two hours remained until the grand banquet. Emily was deep in thought, considering her options when three knocks echoed from the door. The queen had sent three maids to her chambers, each holding opulent dresses and glittering jewels, bowing respectfully at the entrance.

The head maid of the queen’s retinue curtsied deeply. "Your Highness, the Queen has instructed us to bring you this ceremonial gown for the evening banquet, as vital guests are expected."

From her vantage point atop the elegant stairs, Emily gazed at the dresses the maids held. The rose-colored gown shimmered with intricate jewels and diamonds, while satin laces lined the bodice, tapering into a slim, enchanting curve at the waist. It appeared like a lavishly wrapped gift, awaiting its unveiling.

Her doubts, seeded by the maids’ earlier conversation, grew heavier in her heart upon seeing this gown. The young queen, for all her pretense of humility and thrift, had often sought to position Emily as a symbol of extravagance to win over the court's favor. Even her chief maid was often seen in dresses from three years past.

Yet, to Emily’s surprise, such opulence had never before been sent her way. It was clear the queen intended for Quebec's emissaries to set their sights on her.

With an air of calm refusal, Emily shook her head. "Thank the queen for her kindness, but I have already chosen my attire for the evening."

The head maid held the hem of the dress, her expression deferential. "Her Majesty desires that you embody the responsibilities of a nation's princess."

The air grew tense. Emily met the maid's gaze, realizing with a jolt—the queen knew of her eavesdropping earlier. Not that Emily expected her secret to stay hidden for long in this kingdom, where the queen shared equal power with the absent king.

Her heart sank. The queen seemed intent on fulfilling the Quebec pact tonight, with Emily’s lack of support making her vulnerable. Without legitimate grounds, refusing this storied contract would be near impossible.

Emily needed to avoid the banquet. If absent, the queen’s schemes would be harder to execute. Without wasting words, she signaled a maid to take the dress and jewelry, maintaining her authoritative composure to prevent the head maid from intruding.

"I'll accept the dress; you may leave," she declared, princess-like in her command.

The head maid stood firm. "Apologies, Your Highness. I cannot disobey the Queen's order."

Emily frowned, then dismissed them with a scoff. "In that case, remain outside the door."

Turning inward, she chose two trusted maids to help her change. She also summoned Grandma Saya, her confidante since childhood.

Once a candidate for the Light Temple’s saint, Saya had withdrawn due to health issues, finding refuge in Emily’s mother’s service. After her mother’s passing, Saya remained steadfastly by Emily’s side until her own health waned, eventually moving to the palace chapel to serve as a nun. She was the sole ally Emily trusted.

Quietly entering through a side door, Grandma Saya found Emily fastening a delicate pearl necklace. The princess sneered at the queen's ostentatious tastes, rejecting the garish blue sapphire necklace, matching bracelets, and tiara. Such extravagance, she thought, added nothing to her elegance, only making her look like a festooned wish-tree.

Surprisingly, the dress itself flattered her figure well, belying the queen's usual aesthetic. As she stood before the mirror, Emily tweaked the ivory satin at her chest, the rose-hued gown accentuating her alabaster skin. She resembled a regal swan gliding through a sea of roses, each feather meticulously cared for.

Declining the hoop skirt proffered by her maid, Emily had a sudden flash of inspiration. "Grandma Saya, do you recall Jack?"

Lest Saya forget, Emily added, "The knight brother assigned me years back."

Recalling momentarily, Saya replied, "You mean Sir Jack Lancaster?"

Emily paused, maintaining composure. "Yes, that’s him."

Truthfully, Emily had forgotten the knight's name. Apart from her brother and father, she held little appreciation for outsiders, indifferent to those undeserving of her notice. Years prior, her brother, the crown prince, concerned for her safety amidst political unrest, had appointed a personal knight.

Unlike the typical palace knights, her brother assured her this knight, versed in combat and magic, was peerless. Most uniquely, he pledged loyalty to a single master—Emily.

Though skeptical at first, Emily trusted her brother's judgment. Upon meeting Jack one afternoon, still drowsy from her nap, her brother's gentle coaxing had her leave her bed. Wearing a soft cotton nightgown with a plush woolen wrap, her rosy cheeks bore the lingering marks of sleep, emphasizing her tender allure.

From the palace balcony, Emily lazily surveyed below. A knight in gleaming armor knelt, a pure gold mask covering his features. His face hidden, only his eyes, and their intent, were discernible.

Her initial curiosity gave way to disinterest; his overwhelming presence displeased her. Turning away, she confided in her brother, muttering her reservations. Yet suddenly, her breath hitched—the eyes behind his mask were locked on her, unyielding in their attention.

The unseen heat from his gaze bore into her, a silent predator lying in wait. It wasn't behavior befitting a knight tasked with her protection. Yet when she sought her brother's notice, the tension dissipated. The knight resumed his serene demeanor, swearing undying allegiance under her brother's watchful eye.

Sealing their bond, Emily's brother meticulously clipped a lock of her hair, combining it with the knight's blood in a pendant—a precious tear-shaped gem. "This moonstone," her brother explained, "binds you, a touchstone to Jack."

The blood’s sanguine essence melded with golden strands inside the jewel, an emblematic testament to their covenant.

From that day, under her brother’s fond gaze, Emily accepted Jack's vow of service. Yet her thoughts drifted to escape—the labyrinthine corridors, a formidable yet cunning plan her only salvation.

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With Saya's loyal presence, Emily crafted her daring gambit, her resolve notable. Trusting Jack may be her only means to outwit the queen. Clad not as a pawn, but a princess with her kingdom's destiny in her hands.