The Golden Trio.

Chapter 1

•Lilly's P.O.V•

Hard footsteps could be heard all around me as I picked up my pace. The guards already out looking for me. My dress well over ruined now.

I didn't stop.

How could I?

Family is something that should cherish you and always be the ones to look out for you, correct? So why had my family assigned me to marry a r****t and murderer just to keep the peace between the two kingdoms? In my eyes that's not something that a true family would do to the only child they had, duty as king and Queen should only stretch over so much. And family should never be run as a duty. Not in my eyes and surely not in many other slaving princesses who had to give away a pure body to keep kingdoms in check. My heart instantly swelled for those many vulnerable women out there, fending for nothing with everything they had.

Wind swirled around me, the chill causing me to shiver. I didn't stop running and I could feel the burning sensation building in my lungs begging me to take a break for a split second. But a second is all it takes for those nasty guards to catch up to me. That was something I really didn't want.

With that in mind I ignored the burn and continued to run like my life depended on it.

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Stumbling effortlessly I gave my lungs the Oxygen they deserved. I placed my hands on the closest tree I could and took in sharp breaths, the burning in my lungs never left. I threw my head back and inhaled for as long as I could before I exhaled. That's all the oxygen I should need for now. I need to get going just in case they're closer then I assume.

Pushing myself off the tree I looked down at the long gown I had on. It was a baby blue floor length ball gown covered in little 3D flowers and many different shades of blue glitter. The top part is a corset that sat perfectly on my small waste and molded around my breast size that was big considering my size. It was a beautiful gown but it took hardly anything to ruin. I huffed in irritation as I picked the soft fabric up and ripped it clean off. just above my knees. Hopefully this will make it easier to run and I won't overheat when the sun comes up.

Without stalling too much I carried on with my run, going in a different direction completely to try and throw the guards off, any sort of footsteps that I was able to hear had stopped and now it was oddly silent other then the natural sounds of nature. A clearing in the woods caught my attention. especially with the little cottage that stood directly in the middle. I debated on knocking the door but decided against it and instead rested against another tree.

Folding my arms above my head I leant on the tree using my arms as a pillow. The rough texture of the bark made my arms feel itchy but I ignored it. I needed to get my breathing steady and I physically couldn't do that if I continued to run even more. If I carried on I'd end up killing myself from exhaustion. Especially since I've been running for god knows how many hours.

Pushing myself off the tree I let my arms fall to my sides before spinning on my heel. A scream barely left my lips before a hand clapped over them. Maybe I should've let the guards find me instead.

The man's face stone and hard not a single emotion flashing through them. Something only heartbreaks could conque. His Startling blue eyes watched me, stalked me, dared me to make a single move. I didn't. His eyes to enticing to even think about moving. I analysed him quickly, doing a once over. Something I was taught from a young age to be able to tell the nobles and royalties apart.

Brown tousled hair shaved with short back and sides with possibly a few inches on the top. Those dangerous blue eyes that looked paler then my own swirling with green flecks haunting me slightly. High check bones prominent nose and a jaw line that could cut rocks in half. He looked like a ancient god with his Greek like skin tone and chiseled face.

Body clad with a white Cape and black slacks. Dirty camouflage boots with what looked to be a blade. He would be an Assassin, if he originates from my family's kingdom. If not, he could be anyone.

Slowly he moved his hand away from my lips, not fully sure if I'll scream or not. "Why are you running in the woods?" He quirked a single defined eyebrow at me, messy and full but still defined. Any sane person wouldn't be randomly running in the woods, but did I look sane? With a ripped dress, smudged makeup, messy hair, dirt and leaves sticking to my clammy skin. No. I looked anything but sane.

Laughing I threw my head back, the image of how bizarre I looked still prominent in my own head. Might as well act like I am crazy since that's all I can think. "Afternoon runs feel the best, don't they? You look like a person who likes to run." I comment. Deciding not to add 'away from your problems'. Though I'm sure we all do that to some extent.

He gave me a lopsided grin, toying with the blade he had pulled from his boot. The Moonlight reflected off the blade causing it to blindly shine. Intricate designs carved perfectly against the smoothed texture and I fought myself hard on wanting to run my fingers over them. I doubt he'd appreciate that. "That's true. I do, indeed I do. But that's the problem princess. You don't look like someone who likes to run without a reason." He tilted his head. Like a predator does once he's met his victim.

"Are you calling me fat? Because I do like to run with or without reasons. It's freeing and for a moment you forget about your worries and the world. It's just you, in your own world with no doubts and dutys."

He scoffed rolling his eyes.

Rude.

"You clearly are not fat." He gave me a once over and cringed as he took in my torn dress only noticing my attire now. Problem? No. Good. "So your running." He paused that sly lopsided grin forming on his features again. "In a ball gown, almost at midnight alone in the forest because it feels like your free?" Well that sums it up minus the part where I'm not free. Instead, I nodded, scared my mouth will say more then it needs too. If he found out I'm sure he'd hand me over quicker then he could blink.