King Richard
He was old.
Brutish.
A large scar ran down the middle of his pockmarked face and a large, black beard went down to his shoulders.
It was warmer in Gilgunronh so his clothes were more revealing, his shirt open a button more than it should be.
His coal eyes rake over me and I can't help but recognise the same glint in them that they had.
The sudden memory of that traumatic night shocks me for a moment and I force myself to breathe.
I was suddenly and passionately filled with urge to be anywhere but here.
Anywhere but near this man. I couldn't do this.
Not even for my people.
His eyes narrowed and I was filled with a bone deep fear that my thoughts had been on my face.
That he had read my disgust and now he was going to punish me for it.
Instead he looked over me again before grunting, "you'll do," and going back to his meal.
My cheeks flushed at the dismissal but I sat at the other seat with a meal already there.
"In the future you would do well to know that dinner is strictly at 7pm.
You're lucky I decided to wait until 730.
"
He didn't look up from his plate as he talked but I felt the judgement.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. We had an unfortunate encounter with the Thieves of Sholle Forest." My voice is a bit faster than normal and I try to calm myself down.
He nods, seemingly unconcerned, before glancing up at me and frowning.
"How old are you?"
"Excuse me?"
He sighs impatiently, "what is your age?
"
"U-um 19."
"So you've had your first bleed?
"
My cheeks flush with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.
"That's personal information!"
King Richard grunts in irritation, shifting to glare at me.
"It's my business whether or not you can produce an heir.
Don't go getting the frivolous idea that you're here for anything else.
I'll ask one more time. Have you had your first bleed or not?
"
This time it's me who looks at my plate, if only to hide my rebellious thoughts.
"Yes."
He goes back to eating immediately and I push my roast around on my plate.
My stomach is swirling too much to be hungry, especially after the stressful day I've had.
"I see no reason to wait until the wedding to begin trying for an heir. We will be married by tomorrow afternoon anyway. You will go back to your quarters and prepare yourself for me."
Panic fills every cell of my body. He cannot touch me. I will not allow it. He must sense my emotions because he looks up at me with annoyance.
"Do not forget your place, girl. I would hate to have to find a plot for you next to my other wives."
I stay quiet because I know if I say anything my words will have me executed by morning. Pushing my plate away from me roughly, I stand.
I'm almost out the door when his voice stops me.
"I prefer my women hairless down there. You have half an hour to fix it."
He will touch me over my dead body.
I'm currently in my temporary room in the castle frantically shoving a few, small items into a satchel. I have no idea where I'm going to go but at the moment dying somewhere random in the forest sounds better than being here.
There's no time to warn Daria so I have to trust that she can look after herself.
Stripping the pink dress off, I throw it in the corner in disgust. The sight of it reminds me of his leering eyes and his disgusting questions.
Instead I pull my riding clothes on.
They're simple and brown and I usually only wear them at home.
I'm not sure why I packed them but I'm certainly glad I did.
Pulling a cloak over my shoulders and grabbing the satchel, I slip out the door quietly.
I just have to make it to the stables and take a horse.
Then I can ride somewhere. Anywhere. The trading town of Jor?n is a two hours ride from here and the Kingdom of Saelen is another day's travel after that.
I can make it. I have to.
The hallways are empty and I've never been so grateful. Somewhere a maid is singing a quiet Jor?nian lullaby and the soft swish of a mop indicates her chore.
She seems to be the only one around.
I successfully make it to the gardens without encountering anyone. It feels too easy but I can't let my second guessing pull me down. I'm almost there.
"Your Highness?"
Shit. I'm so screwed. I turn around slowly and make eye contact with Daria.
I've never been so relieved to see her face in all the years she's worked for me.
I signal for her to be quiet and pull her closer to me, still moving towards the stables.
"We must be quiet, Daria. No one can know we're leaving.
"
"We're leaving?!"
Her voice echoes loudly through the stalls and I check to make sure no one's heard her.
"Shhhhh. Yes we're leaving. I'm not marrying that monster.
We have ten minutes to get out of here."
She shakes her head and stops moving.
"You can't leave, Your Highness. What about the money the kingdom will receive with the marriage? "
I look at her guiltily. "I'm sorry, Daria.
I thought I could do it but I can't. When we get home I'll find some other way to get the money.
I promise. But I'm not dying at the hands of King Richard - not for all the money in the world.
"
Her expression changes quickly to one I've never seen.
Her eyes turn cold and hard. "People are counting on that money.
How could you be so selfish, Juliette? Don't you realise there are starving families counting on this marriage to work?
"
It's the first time she's ever used my name before and that makes the words she said strike even deeper.
I hate myself.
She's right. I'm being selfish. I need to turn around and go upstairs and endure the night. I need to marry King Richard for the sake of people. It's my duty as a their Princess.
I turn and look at the imposing castle and then back at Daria.
"My father will only use that money to fatten his personal coffers, Daria. You have to know that."
She shakes her head, "no. The money is for the people. And you're taking it away by being selfish."
I'd rather hate myself and be alive than fulfill my duty and be dead.
"I'm sorry, Daria. I can't."
I push past her and start saddling up a grey mare.
"You should come with me. King Richard is a cruel man and I wouldn't recommend staying here by yourself.
"
She shakes her head again looking at me with distaste.
Her callous reaction stings but I shrug it off.
I can't afford to be distracted right now.
I can cry about this later when I have time.
I swing myself onto the horse, wincing as my knee twinges. I'll have to apply some cream when I get to my destination. Horse riding always results in my knee being inflamed for the rest of the day.
With one last look back at Daria I race off into the night.
I'd made an early decision not to use the roads because of the horns I'd heard from the direction of Gilgunronh.
I wouldn't be surprised if Daria had run straight from the stables to the King and told him what I was doing.
They would have started searching no more than half an hour after I left.
I needed to find somewhere to sleep for the night but paranoia kept me urging my grey mare forward. I couldn't let him catch me.
It was only after I'd been riding for another hour in the pitch black that a terrifying thought occurred to me.
I could be riding back in the direction of Gilgunronh.
I had no idea where I was right now and moving forward in this state only put me at more risk.
The thought was enough to make me stop and not so gracefully fall off the mare.
My eyes were drooping and my knee hurt like hell.
Stumbling in the dark I managed to tie the grey mare who'd I named Pollyanna to a tree.
I slumped to the ground resting my back against a large oak.
I'd rest for a moment and then ride again.
Just for a moment.