The Forbidden Princess

Chapter 5: Take Me Away

I had gotten into Caleb's car and immediately put on my sunglasses and my hoodie over my hair. I had to make sure I would be completely unnoticeable. We've been on the road for what felt like several hours, but what's only been twenty minutes. The city was about an hour and a half away using the normal route, but we're using back roads that will take us a little over two hours.

Caleb's car wasn't the newest model out, but it worked just fine. He made sure it was clean and tidy for the most part. I noticed there were several additions to the steering wheel and floors. I could tell he was really into art and design by the way his car was set up.

“You must really be into this design stuff?" I pointed to the ceiling design of the fox inside the car.

“This whole trip can be silent, no need to try and interact with me." He uttered while turning the radio volume up.

“I know this was the last thing you had in mind, alright? But this is my first time being near someone who is my age and is normal." I let out while feeling embarrassed.

He gave me a quick glance and looked straight ahead on the road.

“What do you mean you haven't been around anyone your age?"

“...I- It's just you know..but mainly following protocols and whatever." I hesitantly replied.

He gave me a puzzled look and just nodded along with my confusing answer.

“I mean why would you want to be near anyone else? You get a castle and all that fancy stuff to yourself." He exclaimed.

I looked down and tried holding it all in without reacting. No one really knows how lonely it is or what I have to deal with on a daily basis inside that castle. I sat there and realized that my life was actually someone else's dream.

“All I'm gonna say is, all glitter that shines isn't necessarily gold," I stated.

“Well if you say so, but you give me a castle all to myself.. I'm never complaining another day in my

life." Caleb laughed off.

I laughed along with him. It was all jokes and I didn't want to ruin the conversation. Caleb seemed very laid back and was an obvious risk taker. Maybe I can learn a thing or two from him on this trip.

“Back to this fox on your ceiling, how did it get up there?" I brought up again.

“I painted it myself."

“You're telling me this is hand painted and not a sticker from the store?" I started touching the ceiling and getting a feel.

“Not all of us are heirs or heiresses you know, some of us have other hobbies as well." He smirked.

I noticed he was giving me a hard time on this whole castle princess act.

“I know you think I might be this stuck up brat, but I would switch places with the next person in a heart beat."

“What's holding you back?" He questioned.

“I can't just leave whenever I want. And If I could, they would make it impossible for me to live beyond the castle doors." I replied.

“Who would make it impossible?" Caleb stopped the car.

“I mean everyone, my parents, everyone."

“You've made it this far, why don't you just go for it? Who else is here to stop you?" He insisted.

That's when it started clicking for me. Who else is here to stop me? I don't have Kenneth breathing down my back or my aunt trying to rip me apart. Just Caleb and I on one of the most spontaneous trips I've yet to take.

I continued to ask about his art and looked around as we drove by different mountains. I started to daydream about myself being in the city. Finally being able to explore and enjoy the simpler things in life, without a care in the world.

—

ONE HOUR LEFT

As another twenty minutes just passed, my mind started to drift away badly. I started thinking about my parents and how they would react to me sneaking out without their acknowledgment. This was the craziest thing I've done in my entire life and it was just setting in for me now.

Caleb was jamming out to his music and I played around with my bracelet. The bracelet that Yasmine and I had made when we were younger. I got sudden flashbacks of all the memories from the castle and started reminiscing.

Was I making the right choice?

Why did I rush into this with a complete stranger, who I don't even fully trust yet?

Why did I even go to the basement and hoping to fix things?

My mind was boggling with all these regrets and questions. I had to think of something and fast. This wasn't like me to ignore all the risks and jump into an outrageous plan.

But what could I do and how?

“Caleb, I think I should go back to the castle now," I stated.

“Go back to the castle for what?" He started sounding irritated.

“It's just I didn't think I could make it this far and now I'm not sure what will happen if I do come back later," I confessed.

“We're almost there and I can't risk putting myself in danger by going back now." He responded.

“I'll drop everything and won't say a word, just take me back." I insisted.

“Too late for that now. We're going with the original plan." He replied and didn't stray from it.

I knew I was alone in this and didn't have any other choice.

I glanced at the door locks to make sure they were unlocked. This was my chance and I knew I had to take it. I took a deep breath and held myself tight.

I opened the car door and jumped out of the moving car.