The Forbidden Princess

Chapter 4: Let’s Escape

“I'm waiting?" I looked directly at Caleb.

“I don't know how to explain this..." He mumbled.

“I have all day to see what you come up with." I sarcastically responded.

“This was a dare...that my friends had me do. I meant no harm and didn't intend for it to get all messy like this." Caleb confessed.

“Very impressed you made it this far, but why do you say messy?" I asked.

“It was supposed to be quick and easy, just me sneaking into the castle and coming out alive." He uttered.

Well, he's still alive.

But none of this looked quick or easy, or did it?

Did I believe him? I didn't know at the moment to be honest. Luckily, he didn't have any weapons or harmful gadgets attached to him. For someone my age, I wouldn't suspect it was for any harmful acts. And if it was for harm or ill intent, I would think he would've wiped me out already. I start circling around the area to convey a mysterious side to myself.

“I'll give you whatever I have on me, and we can just dead this whole thing, deal?" Caleb questioned.

I looked at his jeans and noticed they were custom made by Orphelia. Orphelia is a well known and famous designer in the city. She is always creating something new and trendy. It felt great seeing someone from the city and my age for once.

“What would you even give me?" I pondered.

“Uh- I have some vintage pieces that I have saved or some stuff from my Orphelia collection." He responded.

The crazy part of this all was that I couldn't even take any of the things he could offer. I wouldn't be able to wear them anywhere near here or the castle. Everything was simply pointless and a waste of time.

I sat in silence.

I was in awe of how simple Caleb's life probably is. Just another city boy who gets to roam around and enjoy his life. Without a care or worry that he had to take over some sort of throne. I wanted that desperately and decided I should go after it.

“Caleb. You live in the city right?" I asked.

“I mean yeah."

“You get to go around and have fun whenever?"

“Yeah, I mean what else is there to do?"

“Well, the things you want to give me, I can't take. And the only way for you to get out of here is through me." I stated.

“Right…" He added.

“So here's my deal. You take me to the city for approximately a day and then bring me back, and I will agree to not say a word." I started standing up.

“That's it?" He laughed.

“That's funny to you, huh?"

“You don't want anything, besides me taking you to the city and back?" He questioned.

“Yes. So we have a deal or no?" I confronted.

“How do I know you're not going to rat me out?"

“If I really wanted to rat you out, I would've. Take my word or leave it."

“I guess. But we need to leave before sun down or we won't make it." He concluded.

“You hide in the bush and I will retrieve my stuff. You even try to leave and I'll have guard dogs roaming the premises for you in seconds." I stated.

He nodded and found a bush to take cover in. I immediately took off to get my basic needs for the trip. This was gonna be my first time back in the city and I wasn't going to waste it. My parents being out and ignoring my existence gave me all the time I needed, for the day at least.

I packed an extra pair of clothes, a jacket, and some jewelry pieces just in case. It didn't feel like much, but I reminded myself it was just for the day. I covered my bed to make it appear as if I was tucked in and sleeping. Then I did a quick room scan to make sure nothing was out of place.

Coast was clear.

I took my secret exit that led me back to where Caleb was. I was so anxious and already felt my hands starting to sweat. All of this seemed too good to be true. I held my tongue and made my way back.

“You finally made it back. Now we need to start heading out, now." Caleb insisted.

“You're gonna learn not to rush me." I replied.

“...I forgot to mention my car is about twenty minutes out." Caleb added.

I clenched my hands and bit my tongue, while following the trespasser's lead. He definitely knew how to work a person's nerve, but I couldn't let that get to me. I have a chance to experience the new city for as little as a day and I couldn't be more grateful.

Caleb started taking me through a dirtier unknown back way, which mainly consisted of high tall grass. It was cold and filled with all sorts of bugs. I've never felt more uncomfortable and irritated in my life. All I wanted to do was take a quick rinse with cold water. I pushed through and we eventually made it to Caleb's car.

“You never told me what you do in the castle?" Caleb brought up.

“What do you mean do in the castle?" I asked.

“Like what your role is throughout the castle."

“Oh I- I'm just an heiress actually." I responded.

It was silent.

Pin drop silent.

He looked me dead in the eyes with shock. I was confused.

“You mean to tell me you're the heiress?" He asked.

“Yes, is that going to be a problem?"

“You sure you wanna do this?" He hesitantly asked.

“I mean, we're already here." I hopped in the passenger's seat, while he started the car.

Those words felt freeing. We're already here.

So, this is what it meant to be free? And I get to finally experience it. But with a complete stranger. Wow. I should be telling Yasmine all about this, if she would even believe me.

Next Day

Hearing that I had to take over the throne, felt like a fever dream where I never left the garden. Taking the throne was bigger than I ever imagined it to be. Not only will my freedom be gone, but I will have no control over my life. I'm nowhere built for the throne and could never be. All of this was supposed to be for my sister, Yasmine. She should be here taking over and making everything right.

I don't know what to think or if there was even a way out of this mess. My mother told me to sleep on it and we would meet again today. But I was able to do everything, but sleep. I just hope this was a prank and they were putting me up to a test. I knew this was going to be something I'd have to deal with down the line, but I didn't expect it to be this soon. Condolences to all of my teen years gone to waste, because of being stuck inside here. Taking over the throne would ruin all my chances of ever getting to experience a portion of what I missed out on.

“Ten more minutes." My mother knocked on my door.

Exactly what I 'need' to hear to calm myself. I slowly started to put on my attire for the meeting and tried to wipe off all my stress.

I walked down the stairs like normal and went towards the chamber. As I turned the corner I noticed my aunt, who seemed to be having a private conversation with Kenneth. I hid and snuck around to get closer.

“How long till she miserably fails?" My aunt asked Kenneth.

“If she can make it through crowning...I'll give it a week at most." Kenneth laughed.

“She's nowhere equipped for the throne. I just know they'll be regretting this."

“It's like they want everything to go down in flames?" Kenneth exclaimed.

“I don't know what they have planned, but I know I won't be here to clean any of it up." My aunt smirked back at Kenneth.

Aunt Celine and I were never close, but she always made it her mission to paint me out as a rotten apple. She was my father's eldest sister, who always had something arrogant to say towards our family. Aunt Celine was also the remaining out of the two, who was unaffected by last year's flu season. You could say she's always been sick enough in the head to not be bothered by a virus.

I snuck back around and walked casually back to the chamber entrance. I had to pull myself together and get through this. I'm not gonna let Aunt Celine get to me or have the chance to wave failure all over my head.

I made my way into the chamber. The room was a lot more relaxed and comfortable today. But I wasn't buying into any of it..

“Please, grab a seat. We will begin shortly." My father began speaking.

I took the nearest seat to the door and looked directly at my aunt. She gave me a small grin and glanced at my mother. At that moment I felt like a ticking bomb, who was two seconds away from being activated.

“Shall we begin?" My mother spoke with a stern tone.

Every head nodded.

“I know this is very sudden and new, but we do need to start the process immediately."

“Is there a reason for the urgency?" I asked.

“It isn't in terms of urgency, dear. But more for preparation, the sooner the better." My mother stated.

The meeting continued as planned. Random policies and orders were read, that I would have to follow and attest to. It consisted of me asking follow up questions while getting ignored or told to put it on hold. Nothing seemed to be making sense and I didn't know if I could keep up.

After several glares from across the room, it was finally nearing the end. I felt relieved for once and released the tension from my body. My hands weren't sore and my teeth weren't clenched to a rock.

“As it approaches the end, we do have one last order of business to discuss." My mother made straight eye contact with me. “We need to discuss the Union of Nuptials."

I had no idea what nuptial could mean, but it didn't sound like another random policy? I had to just play along and go with the flow.

“How should we properly proceed with the Union of Nuptials?" I asked.

“With the form of alliances and due to also being short notice, we only have a few presentable candidates." My father chimed in.

Following my father's statement, everyone besides my parents left the chamber. I had no clue on the departing, but was glad my aunt was nowhere in sight. Both my parents came closer to sit beside me.

“I have picked a great few, do not worry Paige. I am eager to see you walk down the aisle!" My mother exclaimed.

“The aisle for the crowning? I didn't know I needed a partner?" I questioned.

My parents looked at each other with puzzled looks and glanced back at me. I was not picking up or reading any signal.

“Paige, the Union of Nuptials isn't part of the crowning dear." My mother began.

“What does Nuptials even mean?" I asked.

“The Union of Nuptials is the wedding, and initially proclaiming vows for marriage." My mother stated.

I stood up and looked around to make sure I wasn't hearing things. Marriage was already a given, but now I have to choose amongst candidates and possibly have it arranged? I'm barely turning nineteen, and with my total life experiences I would be considered way younger.

“WHAT?!" I let out.

“Paige. This is what comes with being part of the throne." My mother responded.

“For once, can you think about me and me only?"

“This isn't all happening tomorrow, but we do need to put this in perspective real soon." My mother tried consoling me.

“It should've been ME they took, instead of Yasmine!"

“I don't want you saying anything of the sort, do you hear me?" My father demanded.

“I'm never going to be your perfect poster child, OKAY?! I've accepted it and will always accept it. And you shoving all this pointless sh*t down my throat isn't working either." I exclaimed all at once.

“Paige Zena Caressela II, I demand you to stop." My father stated.

“Truth be told and I won't let it go against my true character. That goes for Aunt Celine too. You all know she hates me with every bone she has-"

“Go to your room, NOW." My father yelled out.

I left the chamber and didn't look back at either of my parents. There was nothing I regretted or wanted to change. If this meant I had to figure a way out, then that is exactly what I will need to do. There's a price to everything and I surely wasn't going to be outbid. This wasn't the last and I'll be dam*ed to be Queen.