Forbidden love flee

{~Prologue~}

I sprinted away from the lavish palace, my cape billowing dramatically behind me. My heart raced with excitement and fear as I thought of my beloved Ian waiting for me. I refused to succumb to the pressure of my parents' expectations, determined to be with the man I truly loved. This was my chance at true happiness and I would not turn back now.

I halted at the foot of a towering tree, my secret sanctuary with Ian. With nimble movements, I scaled its rough bark and made my way into the concealed treehouse. My backpack landed in a corner with a thud as I collapsed onto the plush beanbag, eagerly awaiting Ian's arrival.

Before long, I heard the familiar sound of rustling leaves and the soft thud of footsteps on the floor. Ian emerged from the shadows, his eyes lighting up as they met mine. Without a word, he crossed the room in swift strides and pulled me into a tight embrace. His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I melted into his arms, savoring the warmth of his presence.

"I missed you," Ian whispered, his voice barely more than a breath against my ear.

"I missed you too," I replied, my voice filled with longing. "But I couldn't stay away any longer. I had to see you."

"My dear, something seems to be bothering you. Is it the arranged marriages? You can tell me, my love," Ian said with concern.

My voice trembled as I tried to explain, "I know we promised forever, but my parents found a suitable princess for me to marry. It's just...it's my duty as a prince." The words caught in my throat, and tears threatened to spill from my eyes. "I don't want to lose you, but I have no choice." My heart felt torn in two, between duty and love.

Ian's eyes narrowed into slits of fury as he took a step back, his hands balling into tight fists at his sides. "That's it?" he seethed, the anger simmering just below the surface of his voice. "After everything we've been through, that's all you have to say? It's over?" He spat out the words like venom, his body trembling with raw emotion.

The bitter taste of regret filled my mouth as I struggled to find the right words.My mouth was dry and my throat felt tight, like I had swallowed a lump of sorrow.

Ian's words cut through me like a knife, the pain of his anger searing into my heart. I reached out to him, desperate to explain, to make him understand. "No, Ian, please, it's not like that," I pleaded, tears streaming down my face. "I love you more than anything, but my duty—"

"Your duty?" Ian's voice rose with disbelief, his eyes flashing with betrayal. "Do you think duty will keep you warm at night? Do you think duty will fill the void in your soul that only love can?" His words echoed in the small treehouse, each one a painful reminder of the choice I was being forced to make.

I felt the weight of his words crushing me, the realization of what I was losing hitting me like a tidal wave. The love we had shared felt like a distant memory now, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. "I'm sorry," I whispered hoarsely, my voice breaking with sadness.

I clutched Ian's hands tightly in mine, desperation and love pouring out of every word I whispered to him. "Ian," I gasped, tears streaming down my face, "I love you more than anything in this world. I'm lost without you."

As my mind spun with conflicting thoughts, I blurted out, "My love, I have an idea..." My heart raced with excitement and fear as I waited for their response. Would they embrace my idea or reject it completely? I wasn't sure which outcome I wanted more, but the uncertainty was driving me insane. "Here's the idea..."