In all the land, there existed no one as formidable as the mighty king and warrior King Absar, Feared and revered in equal measure, his presence commanding respect and admiration. He would go to any extent to fight for his people, yet he would certainly apply justice tempered with mercy to anyone found wanting. He stood as a towering figure in my eyes, to me, he was more than just a king; he was my beloved father, my hero.
We were taking a walk through the green field which stretched far and wide, the sun was hot just as it was bright, and it hit every point of his golden crown and his raven black locks. The little me looking up to my father always wondered how he was that tall, he was huge and mighty, his long full beard flowing like a river of wisdom. His hands bore the calluses of countless battles and constant training, a testament to his dedication to the art of war, i knew because it felt that way whenever he held my hand. His shoulders were broad and his clothes always seemed not to contain his chest whenever he wore simple clothes on our rendezvous trip. Oh and I seldom heard the noblewomen gossip about his beauty, "beautiful king" they would call him amongst themselves, and indeed, they weren't wrong, I was a child but I think I could identify beauty. As we approached a cave-like entrance obscured by shrubs and trees, my father drew his sword, a symbol of his readiness to face any challenge.
"There is always light at the end of every tunnel, child, remember this" he remarked, his voice carrying the weight of experience. With swift strokes, he cleared our path, revealing the hidden passage.
"really father?, I suppose there is a hidden message behind this lesson once again?" he smiled in response, his teeth exposed in his full grin, i giggled as i ran through the tunnel, as a child i often went through these tunnels, i knew where each one began and where they ended and how they connected each other.
"Wait, do not rush, my dear" he cautioned as I darted ahead, he followed after me, still strong and agile he would run after me
"Age has not dulled my speed," he jested, a playful glint in his eyes.
"you are getting old father" I teased, my father was nowhere near old, it wasn't long before I could see a light at the end of the tunnel, I stepped into it to be confronted by a blinding light, I blinked my eyes continuously to adjust my eyes to the sudden change, I was greeted by a burst of Olive blossoms, their delicate petals dancing in the breeze.
"Father Olive blossoms!" I laughed excitedly jumping into his arms.
"So I suppose you've decoded my hidden message" my father chuckled, his pride evident.
I nodded vigorously, I had no idea. Those were the days i had no worries, those carefree days of my childhood, basking in my father's love and wisdom, now seemed like a distant dream. We were now like oil and water that could never mix, constantly challenging each other.
I hissed as the needle pricked my finger, I wasn't particularly fond of needles but I was determined to reach my goal, I watched in shock as the red crimson liquid ran down the finger racing like it was running a marathon, I threw my cream colored dress to a corner of the bed like I had touched fire with my hands fully aware that my blood stain would ruin the fine color of the dress. I stood abruptly completely frustrated as that was not the only time I had poked myself, I looked towards my wardrobe now regretting my decision I could easily have picked any dress that was luxurious, colorful and expensive with designs only made for me, but they would never let me blend in. Of all my clothes this was the only dress I owned that was simple and didn't stand out as much, I didn't want any clothes that would spell out, "Greetings everyone I am the princess" if Mother knew of my plans I would simply be breathing my last, she would skin me alive, A princess making her own seams on her dress how ridiculous! According to her it was a task deemed unworthy of a princess by conventional standards. Yet, I persevered, driven by a desire for independence and a taste of the world beyond palace walls.
I drew a deep breath trying to calm myself, I grabbed a white cloth that hung on my chair and wiped the blood as I sat again to resume my attempts to fixing the rip on my dress. "My dear, there is no gain without pain," my father's words echoed in my mind as I patched the fabric, my determination unyielding. After a hundred attempts and mistakes as well I succeeded.
"There, I did it" I squealed excited prancing around the room after several minutes of trying to replicate the seam that lady jasmine taught me, maybe for others this was no particular achievement but to me I had done a great thing, it was an impossible task!. I soon calmed myself down as I did not want to attract attention, everyone had probably retired to their rooms and I was expected to have fallen asleep by now, my maids had helped me with my bath, they had washed me, dressed me, combed my hair and gotten me into bed, there was no way they could fathom what I was up to.
I was turning eighteen in three months and I felt it was high time I was given some freedom, aside from the guards, maids, Court officials that frequented the palace, my father, mother and my wonderful uncle. I hardly saw another human being I could talk to, and even if I wanted to talk to them it was not expected of me to relate with the guards or maids except it was necessary.
With everybody off guard I could finally go to the festival that launched our celebrations.
The night party wasn't just any random party to me, it had been my dream since I was younger, to experience the way the common people lived their normal lives, I was dying of curiosity to see for myself the legendary night party, it beckoned to me like a forbidden fruit. It was a chance to experience life beyond the confines of royalty, I heard that some young ladies found love and potential life partners at the party, I'd always dreamed to seek love not bound by political alliances. My father had promised that when i got older I could experience the celebrations up-close rather from a distance as always but I realized it was all for talk, the older I grew up the more strict and protective he became, he never left me out of his sight, I was a person too and he should've understood that I was growing into a young woman! It was high time I took matters into my own hands, and this night was the night I write my own story.
"Just imagine, meeting a young handsome lad, kind and gentle" I twirled smiling ear to ear
"We'll sleep under the dark brilliant sky, and gaze at the moon and the many stars that illuminates it" I giggled as I held my cloth to my chest, remembering a dialogue from a book I had read the night before, I pranced around my room like a little kid, as I remembered what mother said.
Don't be stupid child, no one marries for affection, it's all just fantasy, it's what they write in those fiction books to confuse young ladies and make a profit. It's against our custom for the young ones to choose their partners; the parents make all the decisions.
Those words left a bitter after taste in my mouth, recalling what she said stopped me in my tracks and took away all the excitement as my smile dispersed into a frown that formed slowly on my face, Was she condemning me to live a life like hers, my parents tried hard to hide it but they weren't particularly a couple you would be envious of, once upon a time I heard my father was smitten with a young and fair maiden, he could never have her nor forget her, so the rumors said.
"No my case will be different, it has to be different, love has to be written in my fate" I fought the thought; mother didn't know what she was saying.
"Oh goddess Vilina give me my love, please" I clasped my hands and bowed my head in prayer as I returned to my excited jolly.
It had taken me several days to prepare for this day; I had to give myself a lot of courage and think of my escape plan. I had stupid friends with mouths as big as a whale, I couldn't tell them my intentions, they would probably tell their mothers and before you know it, the king would hear about it, all they could do was taunt me about how helpless I was despite having a high status. But they weren't my friends by choice, they were friends by compulsion and necessity, their fathers had authority in the government and I needed friends anyway.
With meticulous care, I adorned myself in a gown of simple elegance, Every layer of fabric, every stitch, spoke of my defiance against a fate dictated by others.
"Layers upon layers" I grunted as I wore the garment, which was probably the same weight as I, I pray for the day women would wear simple apparels as men.
I finally succeeded in wearing the dress as I admired myself, honestly it was a pain to wear I finally understood why needed five maids to help me with my fitting everyday but it was elegant and I was impressed with my sewing, it was hard to notice if there was any alteration. the sleeves were long and flowing, the gown kissed the floor and trailed as I walked, the neckline was just an inch above my bosom, my waist was cinched it looked like I hadn't eaten for two days and the material was so soft it was made with the best silk in Albus, my shoes were comfortable and my gloves, I ignored the gloves, it felt too much, lastly I attached my scented pouch underneath one of my layers making it invisible but it gave out a beautiful pleasant smell. I trailed my fingers through my hip length brown thick mane, dragging the drawer I took out a hair pin, I put my hair into an elegant messy bun and fixed the hair pin making it pass right through it, it was my favorite green pin, our royal merchant said it was popular in the eastern continent. Pouting i applied my red color from my little container, as I rubbed it together in-between my lips. I was satisfied with the way I had fixed myself without anyone's help now the real problem lied in getting out of the palace.
This period was one of the most important celebrations in the history of the kingdom of Albus, it was the only celebration that took about three weeks, it was always celebrated along with our harvest festival, three weeks of amazing events. It was dedicated to the Knights of Albus dead or alive. A long time ago a brave knight and his companions won the freedom of our people and delivered the land from the oppression of its enemies and the forces of evil magic and magical beasts, he gained the peoples love and they made him the first king of Albus, because it took five years of endless war, pain and misery, every five years the valiant knights of Albus are celebrated. On the last day there is a tournament where any man is allowed to fight, whether he be commoner or trained knight, he may partake and fight to the death. The winner is given more gold coins than he could count a chance to join the knighthood and become an honored guest of the king in the palace for a month.
I loved every part of the celebration except this practice, the celebration was created to celebrate freedom and life, but this practice in my opinion was a stain to the image this celebration was supposed to uphold, it was barbaric. Men from all over far and near came to compete with the hope of changing their fates, many lost their lives the lucky few mostly disfigured; the nobles claimed it was a way to celebrate strength and valiancy.
There was one more thing I liked about this period, there where nonstop foods and drinks, I know mother said it wasn't okay to stuff myself, you're a princess this, you're a princess that!
I ran to the window of my room excitement coursing through my body, what I was about to do I had never done it before. As I gazed out of my window, a plan took shape. I had a rope ready, there was a tree very close to my window but the last time I tried climbing I almost lost my footing, I would have broken my neck. I decided a rope will be better which i stole from the guards when I sneaked into their training room.
I tied it to the foot of my enormous bed and threw it over my window, with my heart beating heavily in my chest I took a step of courage, holding the rope, I climbed over the window lowering myself slowly and steadily, I successfully made it to the bottom without dying; relieved I scanned my surroundings checking for guards possibly patrolling the area. With a stolen rope and a daring leap, I descended into the night, leaving behind the trappings of nobility for a taste of anonymity. From my observation the patrol guard wouldn't be passing for the next two minutes. I ran with all my might supporting my dress with my hands, there was no way I was getting out of this massive palace except there was a secret passage at least not through the palace gates.
I smiled as I reached the entrance of a secret passage, the secret passage known only to a select few members of the royal family offered me refuge from prying eyes. Pushing a brick which served as a lever I heard a subtle click, the door creaked as it opened and let out a gust of dusty wind, I waved my hand in an attempt to clear the dust. The night air whispered promises of freedom and adventure, igniting a fire within me. Scanning again for any possible witness, I dashed through the door as it closed behind me, ignoring the whispers of warnings in my head hinting at possible consequences.
In the shadows of the castle walls, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, guided by a flicker of hope and the belief that love, true and untamed, awaited me beneath the starlit sky.