The Schemes Of Love [DRAFT]

I swear I will never go outside the palace walls again.. if I make it home from this father will surely scold me and worse. But at least I would be alive, I would rather live through the beatings than die at the hands of a deranged man whom is chasing me through the woods. Heavens knows what he wants, and I do not want to find out. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I listened to the sound of my nightgown getting caught on the branches of bushes and thorns, as well as the sound of my feet hitting the softened spring soil of the forest floor, along with the deranged man whom was following me. I could feel hot tears run down my pale skin, as my dark eyes welled up with tears. Making me wipe my eyes clean so that My vision wasn’t to blurred but what was the point. The fear of it all had finally hit me.. I realized my fate at this time. I knew I was a goner. My point was proven the second my leg went out from under me and my head collided with a rock on the ground. Everything went black from there. I had very vivid dreams of what life was like before all this.. the small dinners in the dining hall by myself, the emptiness in the library, the sadness the hallways of the palace felt. How dark and grim everything is now. Even the constant silence in the parlor when me and father are together..the constant silence accompanied by a icy cold rain of loneliness. Which leaves me with the question “now what?” What do I do now? What do I do within this vivd dark dream? Am I in control or is someone else? I guess I won’t know.. not until I wake up. I hope that’s very soon. I didn’t know what time it was. Nor what day it was, my head ached beyond belief, as did the rest of my body. My mind was like a never ending fog that no matter where you run to you never can escape. I was awake this time.. I knew that but.. why couldn’t I see? Everything was dark. I couldn’t move. But I could scream. So I screamed. I screamed and cried. I screamed for what felt liked hours. I just kept carrying on until I tried to get up and move.. my hands were tied together in front of me, so when I tried to stabilize myself on my hands, it only ended in me slamming my head on the cold hard floor. I let out an agonizing groan. My head hurt more than it ever had before. I could feel my eyes well up with tears once again, when suddenly I saw a light emerge from the darkness. It was blurred but it was there. My fight or flight instincts began to kick in as I began trying to move. “P-please.. leave me a-alone!!” I struggled to yell out between sobs. I just wanted all of this to be over, I want to wake up now. “Hey.. it’s ok. I’m not going to hurt you. You have my word on that.” The voice I heard was soft.. definitely a deep masculine sounding one, With a strange warmth to their voice.. it was quite relaxing and soothing to listen to. If I’m being completely honest I would love for this person to read me to sleep. Someone touched the side of my face, being extremely gentle, they began to pull the piece of fabric up that was covering my face. There was a very soft light, must have been a candle of some sorts. Once my vision had adjusted to the Ghostly light, my eyes were met by probably one of the most beautiful set of violet eyes I had ever seen. “Who are you..?” “I can’t tell you my name Princess Emerson.. but you may call me Ashton..” Ashton pulled the candle closer. He had broad shoulders, his one hand looked rough and scarred, while his other had was covered by a black leather glove. Ashton’s hair was a very dark color; he had a light tan complexion. He was very much so in a need for a shave, looked about over a week due, following it looked like he hadn’t slept in ages. “.. how do you know my name Ashton..? And w-what do you want from me? Why am I here?” “Your here under ransom. I’m using you in order for you father to pay the people of this kingdom the money they deserve. They all starve in the streets ever since your mothers passing. No one can escape..” “.. look.. I’m sorry for his actions. But holding me here won’t due you any good-“ “Nonsense. I’ve been spying on your father for awhile now. He plans to marry you off for money correct?” “Well yes but-“ “If he wants his money princess, I’m sure he will do whatever I say.” “.. you have a point. What do you plan to do with me?” “Nothing. I threatened your life in the letter.” “Y-your going to kill me?!?” My mind instantly started to race with thousands of different things that could happen. This is the last way I want to die. Who knows what he will do before he kills me. “God no! I refuse to harm anyone. The only thing I would do is make sure he never sees you ever again.. I hate to say this but your only a paycheck to him. I know that’s insanely rude to say to someone but with your life and the way it is.. I’m sure your pretty self aware.” “Yeah.. I thank you for not killing me but that doesn’t mean I’m going to trust you right away..” “Don’t blame you. I did kinda chase you through the woods while your in your nightgown. Not exactly very.. gentlemen like of me” he was trying to make a joke. It wasn’t that funny. “Mhm.. so your not going to hurt me..?” “No. I don’t want to hurt you.” “Ok.. so. What do you plan on doing..?” “I’m simply going to hold you here until your father meets my Demands. I refuse to harm you in anyway, violence is just not something I’m about.” He got up and began to lite other candles around the room. I laid back down. Being rather careful not to hurt myself. That’s when I felt something warm run down my forehead, my vision began to blur and the room felt like it was spinning. “Emerson are you-“ I’m not sure what else he had said. Everything had gone black after that. Next thing I knew I was bundled up somewhere warm and cozy. Somewhere nice, it felt safe. “Emerson..? Emerson can you here me?” “Huh..?” “Oh thank god. I thought you were a goner there for a moment..” I peaked my eyes open a bit, from what I could see it was Ashton. “You hit your head on that rock pretty good unfortunately. So, I had to deep clean the wound, which there was a bit of an infection but I’m pretty sure it should be good now.” “W-what the hell are you talking about..?” I was generally confused, I know he was using medical terms but I don’t quite understand them. “Uh.. pretty much I cleaned your forehead cut up. I guess your still trying to calm down from well.. everything and your having a hard time processing things. I get it.” My stomach began to growl and ache, I hadn’t eaten in a bit so this was expected. “You ok..?” Ashton asked. “No.. my head hurts, I’ve been kidn*pped, and my stomach hurts.. but at least I’m somewhere warm and comfy..” “I can help with one of those things. I can make you something to eat” “I would take you up on that offer but who knows if your trying to poison me..” Ashton rolled his eyes at my comment, seeming a bit irritated. “Fine.. at least drink some water.” “I don’t get why your being so.. so kind.” “I don’t want you dead. Isn’t that reason enough? I don’t want your blood or anyones on my hands. Make sense?” “Yes. But your holding me hostage. Why would you hold someone hostage and not hurt them?” “Because I was in that situation before. It left me with this.” He removed his black leather glove, and rolled up his sleeve.. exposing what looked to be a makeshift arm. “.. what happened to you..?” “Your father happened. When I introduced him into the idea of science, the power of medicine, things that could do even more than a guy on a cloud could do.. he called it witchcraft. He thought I was crazy for building things that a god didn’t give us” “Oh.. I’ve heard about you.. father complained about your quote satanic beliefs.” “Of course.. well. Get some sleep. I expect you to eat tomorrow..” Ashton left the room. All that was in the room was a small table and chairs, along with the bed I laid on and a candle. I was no longer tied up. So for the first time in hours I got to stand and walk. It was difficult at first but the wall was much help support wise. I tried my very best to open the door.. there was no way out other than the door but it didn’t open, wouldn’t budge at all. I guess this is where the shock had turned into realization. I was alone.. and nobody was going to help me.