TAKE MY HAND | A.K ✔

𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

Another month passes with Margaret and Awsten essentially inseparable at this point. She still does her duties, and Awsten does his, but they aren't so secretive with their meetings anymore. He'll interrupt her duties to take her on dates.

Tonight, Margaret is meeting him at the hedge maze in the garden outside. She's wearing that gorgeous golden dress as she hurries through the tunnels. Sometimes they insisted on keeping the charm from when they first met.

She's surprised when she sees Otto in tbe passageway.

"Otto," she greets with a curtsey.

"Miss Anna! Just the fair maiden I was searching for. Awsten wanted me to find you and lead you through the passage. There is a much easier way to get outside and he wanted to make sure he saw you as soon as possible. Please, miss, follow me," he says, bowing at the girl.

Margaret follows Otto through the tunnels. They talk a bit as they walk. Margaret soon realizes she has never been in this section. Her fight or flight kicks in when Otto stops, but before she can run away, Two men are behind her and tying her hands together behind her back.

"Otto! What is happening?" she asks, trying to get away.

"Hm? Oh, you didn't know? Our intentions with you have, how do you put it, changed directions, Margaret."

"Wh-"

"Gag her," Otto says. "I don't want to hear her speak anymore.

Unknown to Margaret, Jasmine was following them. Jasmine wasn't just a servant but a knight. It was her duty to protect the kingdom.

She follows them to the Great Hall. She stands in the corner to keep herself hidden. Truth be told, the two girls had grown close the past few months. It hurt Jasmine to know it was all a lie. Margaret was just trying to get in.

"Such a shame the rioters got to the King," a guard beside her speaks up. "This girl is getting executed for escaping the same people that are holding the king at sword point."

Jasmine looks at the scene in front of her in horror.. She was lied to. Margaret isn't a traitor. The traitors were them. She goes to pull her out her sword when she's pushed. She turns to see Otto with a sword, a smirk on his face.

"I knew you were a softie," he jeers, pulling out his sword.

"You're not getting away with this," Jasmine says, drawing her sword.

The two battle. Otto, while a great liar, is not as great a swordsman. Jasmine easily begins to over take him, slashing through his leg, causing him to scream in agony and stumble. He lunges at her, but Jasmine is too fast and jumps out of the way, kicking Otto to the ground. Otto is on the ground, bleeding and unconscious.

"Jas, we need to get out right now," Geoff says quickly, grabbing Jasmine's arm and pulling her back into the passages.

Margaret is tied up at the front of the hall to a post. She can't make anything louder than a muffled scream from the gag. Hot tears stream down her face. This is it, it's the end. She's going to be murdered right here.

She doesn't expect to see Awsten with the King and Queen. Her heart drops at his emotionless state. She was used. She thrashes around some more, trying to scream at them. The King and Queen stop while Awsten continues walking towards her.

"Margaret," Awsten says, his expression cold as he pulls down the gag.

"You lied to me!" she yells. "I trusted you!"

"That was your mistake," the King scoffs. "Four kingdoms have been desecrated. I truly am sorry, dear, but there is no way to win."

She lets out a sob, letting her head fall, her eyes on the ground.

"Roscoe, my love, are you sure about this. She is only-"

"Enough. This is the only way, Ginny." Roscoe looks at his son. "Awsten, take care of Princess Margaret, please."

Awsten nods and begins to walk towards Margaret. He pulls out a white dagger as he approaches her. Margaret closes her eyes when she sees Awsten's boots in front of her.

He lifts her head up with his finger, leaning close to her. "My love, I am so sorry. I never wanted to lie to you. This is the only way."

"Go to Hell," she sneers.

Awsten lets out a small laugh. That's when Margaret notices the small bag of red dye tied to the handle of his dagger. "Do forgive me, Margaret. Then again," he smirks, lowering his voice, "my plan is going well."

Margaret keeps her face distressed, but knows that Awsten's intentions aren't to kill her. With a jab of his dagger, the bag breaks, red liquid oozing from her chest. Margaret pretends to be in immense pain.

"I'll take her to the dungeon to rot," Awsten says, his demeanour once again numb.

"Thank you, son."

Awsten unties Margaret from the post, lifting her up and carrying her out of the Great Hall. Once inside the passageways, Awsten took off into a run.

"I have a carriage packed and ready. We are escaping. There is a boat leaving for the New Land in the morning," he says with urgency.

"I thought you betrayed me," Margaret mumbles, tightening her grip on him. "I really thought I was dead."

"My love, I would never do anything to hurt you. I was aware of my parents' plan near Jawn's ball. They wanted me to keep my friends close and my enemies closer."

"That's why you seemed so nervous all the time."

"Yes. I never wanted to hurt you, so I set my plan in motion."

"Wait, what about the others? Jasmine, Lia, Jenna, and Shilo? Gracie, as well."

"They are waiting. I did not have time to clue Jasmine in, but Geoff promised to get her. Jawn and Daphne are also waiting for us." He sets Margaret down at a doorway. "I did not even get the chance to tell you how beautiful you look. I apologize about the dress."

Margaret rolls her eyes, pulling him in for a kiss. He melts against her touch as he usually does. Awsten pulls away, staring at her lovingly.

"I am madly in love with you, Margaret."

"I feel the same way for you, Awsten. You're my one and only."

"Let's get married."

"I would love that."

The two smile at each other before heading out the door to the carriage where all their friends are waiting.

And just like nearly half a year ago, Margaret is escaping. This time, she's not alone. She's accompanied by her lover and her dear friends. Although Margaret didn't expect her life to go this way, she's happy she met people that'll be a part of her forever.

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