ZARA'S POV
Lia and I sneaked around in the palace like thieves. We hid behind pillars and furniture. But that was enough. I was sure that if we didn't leave the palace soon, Carl would find us.
"Princess I have an idea," Lia whispered.
"What idea?" I asked, also in a whisper.
"I think we should ask queen Catherine for help, even if she is Carl's mother, she likes you a lot and I'm sure if we ask her she would help," Lia said.
"But how are we going to go to queen Catherine's rooms, there are guards everywhere," I replied.
"You are right princess, I didn't think of that."
"Ladies," a tiny voice said, startling me and Lia.
We both twirled in the direction to see prince Aiden looking at us.
"Aiden, what are you doing here," I questioned, and he rolled his little eyes.
"I'm a prince, and this is my palace, I could go wherever I want," he replied, and I realized my question was actually foolish.
"Now it's my turn to ask what you are doing sneaking around like thieves?" Aiden asked.
"We are looking for the Princess's earring," Lia lied and Aiden scoffed.
"I know you are lying, so you think you could deceive me because I'm five years old," Aiden muttered, rolling his eyes, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
I looked at prince Aiden and an idea came to my mind, maybe he could help us hide somewhere. I didn't care if he was little, because right now I didn't have a choice.
"Aiden, I need your help, can you help me and Lia to hide from the king, please, I pleaded, making puppy eyes at him.
He looked like he was thinking about it while using his tiny hands to stroke his invincible beard.
"I would help you, but what do I get in return," Aiden asked, and I looked at him surprised.
"You don't expect me to help you without getting anything in return, nothing in this world is free," Aiden muttered.
I didn't even know what to say. How can a little boy think like this? I found it amusing though.
"What do you want?" I asked him because right now I didn't have a choice, he was my only option.
"I want two pieces of gold," he replied.
"What will a little boy like you use gold for?" Lia asked.
"I won't remain little forever, so I need to start planning for my future now," Aiden said.
Gosh, he's so cute, I can't believe how smart a five-year-old is.
"Okay Aiden, I'll give you the gold, just help us hide first," I told him, and he scoffed.
"You have to pay me first, who knows maybe after I help you out, you may decide to go back on your word and not give me my gold," he said.
"You are such a cunning boy," Lia muttered.
It's okay Lia, let him be, I told to her. I removed my gold necklace and a gold bangle, and gave it to Aiden, he scanned it before smiling at me.
"Come with me, he mumbled, walking away and Lia and I followed him, looking around us.
He walked fast, avoiding the servants or guards.
He took us to his room, walking to a portrait hanging on the wall, the moved it and touched something behind it and a door opened. you wouldn't even know it was there cause it looked like a wall.
"You should follow, this secret passage, it will take you outside the palace," Aiden said, and Lia and I were so happy.
"When do you intend to come back?" he questioned.
"Tomorrow, at noon," I replied.
"Okay, just come through the passage early noon, and I will open the door for you," he said, and I pecked his chubby cheek happily.
"Thank you, Aiden," I muttered.
"You don't have to thank me, you paid me after all, now go before someone finds you, and you will also need a fire touch because it's dark," he said.
We walked through the secret passage, silently, it was dark, but with the help of the fire touch, we could see where we were going.
In no time, we were outside and we jumped up and down, happy that we made it out.
"Princess look, Lia said, pointing towards a direction, and I twirled, to look at what she was pointing at.
It looked like the road to a market. I didn't waste time and started running in that direction, and Lia followed behind
Lia, we should have fun before we go back to the palace, I yelled.
"Princess, you need to change your clothes, so no one will know you are a princess, Lia yelled after me.
She was right, what I was wearing looked like what only a royal, or a lady of high status would wear.
I was wearing a white flay gown, with golden embroidery.
****
Lia and I changed into normal clothes. I had to sell my remaining gold bangles, so we could buy clothes, and food, and also rent a place to stay for the night.
"Princess, what's the point of hiding, don't you think the king will still punish you if you go back to the palace?" Lia asked, and I sighed.
"It was best to hide now that he's angry like a beast, because by tomorrow, his anger would have subsided, even if it's just a little bit," I replied, and she nodded her head.
"For now, why don't you stop worrying, and let's look for something fun to do, my escape from the palace would not be in vain," I muttered, making Lia roll her eyes.
"Princess I can't believe that you are in trouble, and the only thing you could think about is fun," Lia said, making me chuckle.
"Life is short, so I have to make the most of it whenever I can, and you don't know when we'll be able to leave the palace again," I muttered.
"Come on Lia let's go," I said, pulling her hands, and walking outside.
"Look it's the princess, someone yelled, making my heart skip.