Chapter 18
AUDREY POV
The next day went in quite a blur. I came downstairs for breakfast and I saw everyone was present except Prince Liam. My father had asked the King Roland, where his son was and he replied that he was around, just doing his normal things. I didn’t really bother myself much to know where he was, I was just trying to focus on the part that Myst told me that he was going to get me out of the palace this evening. All I had to do was to be present and make sure no one notices something fishy was going on.
“And what about you, Princess Audrey? How are you coping with the engagement. Is everything going smoothly? Soon enough you will start dressing and stuffs. Just want to know from you.” King Roland said facing me as I bit my pea and munched on it for quite a while before swallowing. I could see my parents eyes on me, waiting to hear what I would say so I just smiled and said,
“Why everything is going quite smoothly. I can’t weaitb to know more about Prince Liam and get married to him. He is such a good prince.” I said wishing I could choke on my food.
“That is good news. I am happy that you are fully in 100%. That means we can go ahead with the preparations. I was right when I told my son not to stress himself, that you would eventually come to like it and he was busy stressed out for nothing.” He said as I just smiled and stuffed another pea in my mouth. King Roland went back to talking with my father while my mum squeezed my hand softly and mouthed,
“Thank you!”
I just nodded my head and kept on eating. Instead of focusing on how miserable I would be, when I get married, I decided to focus on how fun my day will be with Myst. He was taking me to the woods and he wasn’t going to leave me one bit. This was too much to contain. Breakfast went in a blur and I did all my royalty tests and I passed all of them. My mother was quite impressed when she saw my knitting work, although she knew I hated knitting.
Lunch came and I got a glimpse of Prince Liam in the astrology room, reading a book. I wanted to talk to him, but he didn’t seem to notice me, I was feeling bad already. Was he acting this way because of the way I talked to him? Should I go in and apologize? This troubled me but I shook my head. I had to be firm. Prince Liam was the kind of guy who followed me like a puppy. Sooner or later he would start bugging me again and since I didn’t want to get married to him, I shouldn’t feel bad because he was ignoring me. I walked off and went to lunch also. After lunch, my parents and King Roland decided to head out in a carriage and return in the night. I waved them good bye as did Liam. That was the first time we have been in close contact today and he just walked off not caring to greet or say hi. I shrugged and went back to my room. Finally I had the day off and sitting on my window sill was Myst.
“How did you get here already? Did you come in from the window?” I asked as he laughed and said,
“Why do you keep on asking the same questions, over and over again? It is best if you don’t know some things. Now wear this and follow me.” He said pointing at the black cloak that was on my bed and I took it and wore.
I was finally outside the palace. I didn’t even know that there was a secret tunnel all this while that led to the village, if only I knew earlier, I would have run away from the palace every time I was sad and miserable.
“You are seriously not going to tell me how you knew about that secret passageway and the routines of all the maids to get us of there undetected.” I said but he just laughed and replied,
“Do not bother yourself about those things. All you need to know is that I kept my word, didn’t I? I brought you out of the palace so that you can have a normal life for once.
“I really wish that was possible but very soon I have to head back home and return back to that caged life of mine. And I just hope that none of the maids or my aunt would search for me, that would be a catastrophe. My father would think I was trying to elope with you and he will marry me off this night.” I said as Myst just nodded his head in amusement and said,
“Your life is very complicated but some people like to be in your shoes you know. Some of the villagers wishes that they were the princess for one day.’ He said as I rolled my eyes and replied.
“They think its because they don’t know what we princesses go through. It is a lot harder than choosing what dress to wear or which shoe to pick. It is more about choosing the decision that would pain you and yet still be in the good welfare of our people. If I had a choice, if I could just have the option of being a commoner or royalty.
“Let me guess you will pick commoner?” He said as I shook my head and replied,
“I would pick commoner, they always seem to live a thrilling life and that’s where I am Where my heart lays. I a m boring you already. Let us just find the cave and see if we can rescue the creature in it.’ I said leading the way as Myst followed behind me, keeping quiet.