The Commoner's Princess

9

From the moment Miranda woke up. She knew it was going to be the longest day of her life. She tried to convince Ben again to run away together but he was right, she would have never forgiven herself if she let her family and country down plus her family's life depended on this.

She stood before the altar dressed in a huge white wedding gown. Her hair was in a low bun and her tiara was set nicely on top, she was the picture of regency elegance.

As the vows were exchanged, Miranda's voice trembled ever so slightly as she uttered the words "I do," her gaze fixed resolutely ahead, her facade unwavering. She fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill over, to keep her composure intact even as her heart cried out in silent anguish.

The ceremony drew to a close, and amidst the swell of applause and congratulations, Miranda felt a hollow ache gnawing at her soul. This was not the marriage she had dreamed of, not the love story she had longed for. This was all wrong. Completely and utterly wrong.

The coronation ceremony followed soon after, a grand affair befitting the ascension of a new queen and king. Miranda sat upon the throne, her regal demeanor hiding the turmoil she felt. The weight of the crown rested uneasily upon her head, a constant reminder of being stuck

And then, amidst the sea of faces gathered in the grand hall, Miranda's eyes met familiar beautiful brown eyes. Of course, it was Ben, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with her, a silent understanding passing between them.

At that moment, Miranda felt a surge of emotion threatening to overwhelm her. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, her heart aching with longing. Ben watched as her face scrunched and she turned her eyes up towards the ceiling. He knew she was about to break down and cry.

Shaking his head to tell her to stop. He then
blinked at her not once, not twice, but three times in quick succession.

Miranda nodded her head and sucked up her tears. She blinked at him three times before quickly wiping her eyes, however, this action didn't go unnoticed by Tucker.

After the feast, Tucker pulled one of his men aside. "You see that man right there. Find out who he is and be discreet."

"Yes sir," he said walking off.

Miranda was depressed. Her wedding night and entire honeymoon had been hell. She missed Ben more than anything but during the honeymoon period you were supposed to be cooped up in your bedroom chambers with your husband and everyone was supposed to give you privacy for a whole week. Tucker and she mostly argued and shared their distaste for one another. So Miranda spent the time lonely in bed reading. She saw her parents off and now she was completely alone in the castle.

When the honeymoon period came to an end. She wanted to immediately leave but there was no way in hell a queen could escape the castle and she didn't have her dad to cover for her anymore.

Laying in bed after saying goodnight to everyone. She decided it would be the perfect chance now to leave. It was late, dark and no one disturbed her once down for the night. She could be gone and come back before the rooster crowed.

Getting to the library she through on a dark cloak, not worried about changing into the commoner's gown.

When she made it through the tunnel. She closed the door and walked a little way into the woods.

"Hey buddy," Miranda whispered to her horse.

Ben had a stable built in the middle of the woods. So she wouldn't have to walk so far. He had someone tend to it daily. She was so blessed that he thought of it.

Mounting her horse, she took off towards Ben's house. She couldn't help but cry now as everything from the previous week finally came to the surface.

There were no lights when she made it, so she knew he was to be sleeping. She tied her horse up with his and walked up to his porch.