Chapter 1
1427 Words
The morning light, a pale sliver peeking through the curtains, was enough to convince me that it was time to drag myself out of bed. It wasn't like I had a choice. The castle clock chimed, its chimes echoing through the corridors, a constant reminder of my schedule.
I threw back the covers, my purple hair a mess, and tried to ignore the way the silk of my nightgown felt like a reminder of all the things I couldn't have. This castle was supposed to be my palace, but it felt more like a prison.
I went through the motions—the fancy gown, the mask that always felt like a cold weight against my skin. It was a symbol of my power, but also of my father's control over it. I hated it, but I knew I had to wear it—at least until tonight.
Breakfast was...well, breakfast. My father was his usual regal self, sitting at the head of the table, radiating that kingly aura that always made me want to roll my eyes. Eion, my older brother, looked worried, as always. He knew I was restless, but he didn't know about my plan. He would be worried sick if he knew what I was about to do. Elite, our sister, sat across from me, her smile serene and her face so composed. I watched her, thinking about how she'd always been content with this life, even though she knew she wasn't truly one of us. It was strange, really. We were both princesses, yet I felt trapped while she seemed content with our gilded cage.
"Are you ready for the Celebration?" My father asked casually.
"Yes, we prepared everything," Eion answered and continue with his food.
"I'm so excited for tonight," Elite exclaimed and throw me a playful smile.
Elite knew about my restlessness, she's the only one I could talk to about my struggles and I am so glad to have her. She's always there for me and she always cheers me up, though sometimes I feel her loneliness, she never really show it.
I know how much she wanted to be back from where she came from, but I couldn't even do anything to help her. If only I could use all the power in the world just to find her home.
"I think I'll just stay at my room, I'm not really feeling well today," I exclaimed almost just whispering and just slowly touching my food.
"Are you sick? You never miss the festival," Father said worried.
I gave him a weak smile to look like I'm sick and cough a little a bit.
"I've been having trouble sleeping this past few days, I think it's because of the weather, ehem ehem," I exclaimed and fake a small cough.
"You should get some rest, you're so pale, and your burning up," Eion said after reaching for my forehead.
"I'll take her," Elite volunteered and guide me to my room.
Once we reach my room, she immediately lock the door and pull me to the bed.
"Are you really doing this tonight?" Elite and her worried voice made me look at her.
"This is the only chance I have Elite, I have planned this for what? 2 years. I can't waste this opportunity I have. I'm tired being a prisoner at my own palace. It's so suffocating to live under these rules and under this mask. I just wanted a life like yours, a life that I would be free where no one has to get hurt or worst, die, just because they've seen my face," I exclaimed and hold both of her hands.
"His Majesty would be devastated, it would break his heart when he lose you,"
"He ain't losing me Elite, I'll be back, I promise. I just don't know when," I stand up and look outside the window.
"How about Eion?" She asked.
"I know he would understand, and they still have you. You're always there for everyone of us,"
She walk towards and caged me in her arms.
"There's no really stopping you now, huh,"
"I don't know what father is afraid of, but he should stop worrying. And I don't want to live forever in his fear," I said as I hug her back.
"Where are you going?" She asked in her warm tone.
"As much as I trust you not bailing me out, but it is better that you don't know. I know my father, and he wouldn't stop until he finds me and I don't want you suffering just because I runaway,"
She hug me tight like she doesn't want to let go.
"And I'll look for your family out there, I'll search every corner if this world just to find them," I said and gently tap her back.
"I'm really gonna miss you,"
"Me too," I replied.
"You should head back, they're gonna suspect us," I added.
"Okay, be careful out there and if you can't take it anymore just return here,"
"I'm afraid that would take a long time," I said and cracked a smile.
She walk out of my room and waved at me before she disappear from my sight.
The rest of the day was a slow torture. The garden festival was tonight, and I was supposed to play the perfect princess, but all I could think about was my escape. The castle walls were a formidable barrier, but I had found a way. The guards would be distracted, caught up in the festivities.
Finally, the night arrived, it feels like this was the longest day in my entire life. The gardens were a dazzling mess of lights and music, but I couldn’t enjoy it. I was stuck here, while the forest beyond the walls whispered my name, beckoning me to freedom.
I changed in to the maids uniform cause we don't want unwanted attentions. I remove my mask and put on the face mask for the kitchen staffs. I also wear the kitchen cap or togue or whatever they call it to hide my hair. I sneak to the kitchen and gladly everyone was so busy to notice me. I walk out of the back door casually and grab some tray of food.
I walk carefully to the back gate to avoid some guards.
I was almost out but there's a guard standing at the back gate.
"I was asked to get some stocks at the market," I modified my voice just in case.
And gladly, they let me out.
I slipped away unnoticed, blending into the crowd of guests. My heart hammered in my chest, but it wasn’t fear, exactly. It was anticipation, a kind of excitement that felt like it could burn me from the inside out.
I made my way towards the outer walls, my footsteps light and silent. My gown rustled against my legs, a constant reminder of everything I was leaving behind. But I didn’t look back.
Instead I kept walking, moving as fast as I possibly could. Every part of my body screamed at me to stop, to turn around and run back home, but I pushed aside any thoughts of returning.
No matter what, I was a princess of House Artisan. I would make sure that my father would never again harm an innocent.
My feet took me closer and closer, to the edge of the wall, and then, finally, it reached down and touched grass. I smiled, but I quickly hid it before anybody could see it, and kept walking toward the border.
It was dark and cold. Even though I had walked further than I thought, my breath left my lips like mist.
The forest felt vast and daunting, but I pressed on, guided by the faint glow of the moon. The trees loomed over me, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky. The silence was broken only by the rustling leaves and the sound of my own ragged breaths.
Hours seemed to stretch into eternity. My legs ached, my stomach growled, and the cold seeped through my thin clothes. But I kept moving, driven by a desperate need for freedom.
As the first light of dawn began to paint the sky, I stumbled out of the woods and into a clearing. A small village nestled in the valley, its thatched roofs glowing in the soft, golden light. A thin plume of smoke rose from a chimney, promising warmth and perhaps, a chance for rest.
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. My escape was complete.
- Writer
