The night air kissed my skin like freedom.
The moment I stepped into the garden, I had to force myself not to pause and take a deep breath. The moon hung low, casting silver light over the trimmed hedges and glowing blossoms. Lanterns floated beneath the trees like lazy fireflies.
I was outside.
My escape plan could begin.
No one was coming to save me.
I followed the cobblestone path flanked by guards until I reached the table under an arched trellis of climbing roses. He sat at the head, waiting.
His Highness, Andrew Von Matteo.
I curtsied—slow and deliberate. "Your Highness. What a lovely evening."
He raised an eyebrow.
With a stiff gesture, he indicated the seat across from him. I sat, back straight, my movements graceful. The maids served the wine, and I dismissed them with a gentle nod. We were alone now.
"I was expecting you to be dragged here," he said, clearly annoyed. He loved drama, this man.
"I'm sorry to disappoint," I replied, taking a sip of wine. "During my confinement, I've received enlightenment. I've learned that hysteria doesn't win battles—but civility might."
He studied me, then smiled. "You're different from what I've heard."
"I've been hearing that a lot lately."
Silence stretched between us, broken only by the faint rustle of the wind and the soft clink of cutlery. I took a small bite of the roasted potatoes—lightly seasoned. Not poisoned. Not yet.
I waited until he'd taken a sip of wine before speaking again.
"I'm surprised you haven't addressed it yet," I said.
"Addressed what?"
"Our engagement."
That caught his attention. He stilled.
He set his wine down with a quiet clink.
"How can I marry a criminal?"
He waited for me to flinch.
I laughed. "The sentiment is mutual."
His expression didn't change, but his jaw tightened. I had hurt his pride.
"You're accused of human trafficking. And possible manslaughter."
"But nothing has been proven," I said softly.
He blinked once. Leaned back.
"You confessed."
"Perhaps I was lying."
He laughed under his breath—a short, joyless sound.
"But the man in your father's dungeon confessed."
"That's not proof enough. The missing women are." I folded my hands beneath the table. "Have you even found one of them?"
His gaze flicked to mine. For a moment, we sat in silence again.
But I was watching. Tracking the guard rotations. Counting steps. Mapping every archway and corner from memory.
He reached for his wine again, but I only toyed with mine. I didn't need courage in a bottle. I needed clarity. Precision.
Tonight, I was getting out of that castle.
I leaned back slightly in my chair. With the Crown Prince present, the security was suffocating. I needed a reason to be alone. A distraction. Should I fake my death? No. I wasn't a possum—they'd catch on.
"Are you even listening to me?" Prince Andrew snapped, dragging me from my thoughts.
"Oh... yeah. I didn't catch that."
"You've been borrowing books from my library…"
I turned to him with the softest smile. "Of course, Your Highness. I've developed quite the interest in politics."
He looked irritated that I wasn't rattled. "You're not going to be the Crown Princess. So why bother reading them?"
"I don't even want to be," I said, watching the smirk fade from his lips.
I needed someone to open the gate. That was the only viable escape route.
"I've heard so much about this place," I said lightly, eyes sweeping the rose-covered archways. "It's a shame I've never received a proper tour."
Let him take the bait.
He didn't bite. He looked at me quite unimpressed.
"I would like to take a stroll in the garden then," I said rising to my feet with practiced grace.
His eyes narrowed.
"I'll be confined for who knows how long, allow me to enjoy nature before that happens."
"You'll be followed," he warned.
"I wouldn't expect otherwise," I said sweetly. A muscle in his cheek twitched.
I turned without waiting for permission. Giving him just enough deference not to spark outrage.
He gave a small nod. They fell in step behind me as I walked.
I traced my steps carefully, guiding myself towards the hedge maze just ahead. I needed cover, a detour, a split second window.
The guards were too close behind first, I had to make them underestimate me.
I kept my pace even, my posture languid. As I approached the split in the path, one towards the fountain, the other toward the maze I moved to my left. Barely visible. A rustle in the hedges.
I didn't stop walking.
And then it happened, a loud crash, a lantern falling from a branch behind us, bursting into flames on the grass.
The guards turned instinctively.
I didn't wait.
I pulled my dress skirt to my ankles and sprinted. A hand emerged from the hedge, gloved, firm grabbing mine and yanking me through the thorns and into the green.
I didn't scream, I didn't flinch.
I let them pull into the maze. The maze swallowed us. Dark. Silent. Except for our breaths.
We turned two corner, ducked under an arch, and reached a narrow alcove deep within the hedges.
Then he stopped.
A cloak hid most of his face, but I caught the glint of his eyes. Familiar. Dangerous.
"You were going to escape in that dress?" He asked in a low tone.
I looked at my outfit and shrugged.
"You won't have survived the night," he added.
"I want out of this place," I whispered. Stranger danger never mattered in my situation.
He led me to a maze wall where an old iron gate was covered with ivy. He produced a key and unlocked it with a quiet click.
A black carriage was waiting in the trees horses already hitched.
I was finally out of that darn castle.