DISLIKING THE MALE LEAD

CHAPTER 5

"I've spoken like this my whole life," Ara Bella said with a shrug. "I've lived in the forest since I was five, so I never learned royal etiquette." Prince Ely looked at her curiously, and she asked, "Are you disappointed?" Prince Ely shook his head, and she smiled. "So, what's wrong?" she asked gently.

Prince Ely's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm having trouble with my lessons, and Uncle Henry is always scolding me. He says I won't make a good king if I don't study harder," he said, his voice trembling. Her expression softened, and she offered him a chocolate candy.

"As the future king, you have a lot of responsibilities, but I believe in you, Prince Ely. You're a bright kid, and I know you'll figure it out," she said, trying to reassure him.

"Are you taking lessons too?" Prince Ely asked. She smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I'm trying to learn as much as I can, but to be honest, royal etiquette is proving to be a challenge," She said with a candid smile. "I'm here taking a break from my lessons, hoping some fresh air will clear my head."

She offered Prince Ely a candy from her hand. "Try one of these - they're my favorite."

Prince Ely's eyes widened as he unwrapped the candy and took a bite. "Wow, it's really good!" he said, his face lighting up with delight.

She chuckled and nodded. "I knew you'd like it."

Ara Bella's eyes widened in surprise.

"What did you say? Prince Calcion is on his way here to the Eldrid Kingdom for a peace treaty?" She exclaimed.

She was in the garden, enjoying afternoon tea after finishing her royal etiquette lesson. It had been three months since she arrived in this world, and she couldn't help but admit that she still hadn't fully adapted. She missed her real world, her career as a surgeon, and her adoptive parents.

Her maid, nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. They'll be attending your coming of age ceremony as well." Her fingers tightened around the delicate tea cup, her knuckles whitening with tension.

"This might be the chance to get out of here." She thought, a plan beginning to form in her mind.

The day before her coming of age ceremony, Ara Bella sat in her room, surrounded by the items she had gathered for her escape. Gold coins, jewelry, and clothes lay spread out on her bed.

"This should be enough to get me started," she thought, a determined smile on her face. Over the past months, she had been secretly studying the palace's layout, searching for a way out. She had discovered a hidden path and even learned how to ride a horse, preparing herself for the journey ahead. Moreover, she had been experimenting with her magic space, learning how to harness its power. As she focused her thoughts on storing the items, she clenched her fist, and the tattoo character on her ring finger glowed. In an instant, the items on her bed disappeared.

"Perfect! My magic space is coming in handy," she said, feeling a sense of excitement and relief.

Ara Bella slipped out of her chamber, her eyes scanning the palace hallway for any signs of life. When she saw that the maids and guards were busy, she felt a thrill of excitement. Her escape would be easier than she thought. She made her way to the garden, where she had discovered a hidden path leading out of the kingdom. However, her progress was halted when she heard someone call out to her.

"Your Highness, I've been looking for you everywhere," the head butler said as he spotted her.

She turned around, a bright smile plastered on her face.

"Head Butler Will, what can I do for you?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "The King is looking for you, Princess," he replied.

"And why is that?" she asked, still smiling to avoid raising suspicion about her plans for the day.

"Prince Calcion of the Terra Kingdom has arrived at the palace, Princess Eliana," he announced.

Ara Bella's heart sank, and her mind racing with frustration, she thought, "This can't be happening! I thought he was arriving tomorrow!"

"I'll go greet him, of course," she said, her smile faltering for a moment before she regained control.

The head butler bowed and departed, and as soon as he was out of sight, Her smile disappeared.

She clenched her fists, her mind screaming, "Not a chance! I'll never give that arrogant prince the satisfaction." With renewed determination, she hurried into the garden, her eyes fixed on the hidden path.

"Princess Eliana! Your Highness!" Ara Bella heard her maid.

Emma's words were laced with urgency, and her eyes widened as she saw the guards accompanying her maid.

Had Emma discovered her plan to escape that day? Emma knew how much she despised Prince Calcion, and she had never spoken positively about the prince whenever Emma mentioned him.

"Your Highness! Where are you, Princess Eliana?!" Emma's anxious voice called out. Ara Bella hid behind a large, broad tree. She couldn't let her escape plan fail today. This was her only chance. When she saw that the guards had their backs turned, she quickly ran towards the end of the garden.

"There she is! Guards, catch her!" She heard Emma shout.

She closed her eyes tightly. "Emma, you traitor! Why are you stopping me from escaping?" she muttered to herself. She ran as fast as she could, but she couldn't control herself when a figure suddenly emerged from the bushes.

"Watch out!!!" she shouted. The man was startled to see her, but it was too late. They collided, and she landed on top of the stranger's muscular and broad body.

"Aww..." she groaned.

"Princess Eliana!" she heard the voices calling out from a distance. Ara Bella quickly moved, placing her hands on the ground to push herself up. Unfortunately, her gaze met the stranger's face.