Run to freedom

The New Life

Elizabeth and Marcus were living a good life in the village, they hadn't moved out of the hotel yet obviously but they were doing well for themselves. They both got new jobs, Elizabeth as a Baker and Marcus as a blacksmith. When the innkeeper asked their names out of suspicion they said their names were Mary and Stefan Fitzgerald. They had to be extra weary during to all the searches for the 'missing' princess because they learned that the king had declared that she was kidnapped by her former bodyguard. But other than that they were fine, they were able to pay for the hotel room and buy more clothes and food so they had nothing to worry about, except working out a plan for what to do next.

It was a peaceful evening when Elizabeth returned to the hotel where Marcus was waiting ready to figure out a new plan. When Elizabeth entered the room Marcus was sitting on his bed, waiting to talk about the next step of their plan. Elizabeth walked over and sat on her own bed facing him before Marcus began to speak,
"What should we do next? I mean we can't just stay here forever."
"Why can't we? I mean we have good jobs, good money and the the people here are super nice!" Elizabeth replied.
"Because your sister will need to get married and become queen if we don't think of another way" Marcus stated solemly.

Elizabeth stared at Marcus for a while after he said that knowing he was right and that she had to protect her sisters from the fate of being married off to a stranger. She Lowered her head in defeat and said:
"Your right Marcus but what can we do? I mean I'm a princess that ran away and your a Knight who will probably be arrested for kidnapping me."
Marcus was silent, contemplating an idea before he sighed,
"There are rumors of a witch that lives deep in the forest she will help us if she's offered something of equal value. It's risky but we're running out of ideas and choices."
"Well then we have to find the witch. Let's go find her tonight night then, but first we must think of something to offer in return for her help." Elizabeth replied with  determination spread across her features.

Marcus stood up immediately and started protesting her idea with and angry but worried expression,
"WE?! No no no I'll go alone I'm not letting you put yourself in danger I'm ment to protect you. It's my job as your bodyguard!"
Elizabeth clenched her fist, replying with a yell,
"back when I was a princess perhaps but now where is my crown Huh?! I'm just a regular villager who left her home and wants to be free from the chains of obligation, plus I wouldn't be defenseless since I grew up watching the knights train and practiced their moves. So I'm going with you and that's that".
The two stared at eachother before Marcus sighed,
"We'll talk more about this tomorrow for now lets just eat and go to bed".
And so they did...or atleast Marcus did, Elizabeth on the other hand waited for Marcus to fall asleep before redressing and grabbing a lantern and sword.

Elizabeth quietly quietly left the room and walked down the hall to leave because if Marcus wouldn't let her go with him then she'd go alone. She got to the door to leave but stopped, reconsidering her plan, 'Do I really want to do this? What if Marcus is right and this is a bad idea for me to go?'. She stood there for a while until a voice rung out behind her,
"Hello Princess. May I ask what you're doing leaving so late at night?".
Elizabeth turned round and saw the innkeeper staring at her with a kind smile on her face.

Elizabeth started panicking  think about how the innkeeper might rat her out for the reward and tried to make a plan on how to get out of this situation but instead started started babbling without thinking,
"W-what Princess ME? No way, I'm not the princess! I mean I look nothing like her".
The innkeeper stared at her for a minute before chuckling out a reply,
"I know you are the princess, you should be quieter when you argue with your 'brother', I could when I was passing your door but don't worry dear I won't reveal your identity I have trust that you have good reasons for leaving the castle".
Elizabeth groaned in embarrassment before thanking the innkeeper for keeping her identity a secret,
"Thank you so much ma'am. And to answer your first question I was planning to go find the witch that lives in the forest to enlist her help in taking the kingdom from my apparently tyrant father".
The innkeeper walked over to her while speaking,
"YES your father has run this kingdom with an iron fist for years. It hasn't been to bad but we still must pay the expensive taxes and follow laws that are overly ridiculous and extensive." The innkeeper stopped in front of the princess looking into her eyes before continuing,
"The witch lives in the center of the forest, she has ever since the king banished her. She was such a kind woman that wouldn't hurt anyone unprovoked but the king feared her magic so he sent her away to the forest never to be seen again. He sent away the jewel of the village and the love of my life". The innkeeper froze, blush rising on her cheeks after realising what she said. Elizabeth laughed slightly,
"Well then I guess I'll have to reunite you with your lover. I may one to have my own romantic relationship but I'm a sucker for young love. I mean youre only 23 right?".
The innkeeper nodded in confirmation.

The princess left waving goodbye to Niome as she introduced herself. Elizabeth got to the edge of the forest and lifted her lantern and placed he free hand on the handle of her sword preparing for any danger that might come her way.

~~~
Also about the whole king being a tyrant thing if you think it's cringe then please give me some suggestions because I just needed a reason for the characters to overthrow him because him not accepting his daughter wasn't a fully good reason if he was a good king 😓