Princess on the Run

Chapter 2

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

-Abraham Lincoln

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As she stepped outside her room and walked though the hallways, Isabella was greeted by the sight of royal guards bowing respectfully to her. She nodded politely in response and continued on her way to the dining hall.

Upon entering the grand dining hall, she greeted her parents, King Edward and Queen Eleanor, with a graceful curtsey before taking a seat across from them at the table. The dining table, a magnificent 20-foot-long creation, filled almost the entire room. Crafted from pristine white wood and adorned with intricately carved designs. It was large enough to seat at least 20-24 people, perfect for royal banquets.

Her parents sat at the very ends of the table, facing each other, exuding regal presence. She took her customary seat at the corner of the table, positioned between them, just as they always did for their intimate family meals. The table was a feast for the eyes, half-filled with a lavish spread of breakfast delights. Various types of eggs, from delicate poached to fluffy scrambled, lay in gleaming silver dishes. A colorful array of juices—orange, apple, and exotic blends—glistened in crystal decanters, while an assortment of jams and preserves, ranging from sweet strawberry to tangy marmalade, accompanied freshly baked toasts.

As she settled into her seat, one of the attentive servants quickly stepped forward, presenting her with a beautifully arranged plate of breakfast.

Her birthday was only a few weeks away, and the closer the day came, the more anxious she became. The thought of having to see suitors already made her skin crawl.

"Isabella." a few minutes later, the sound of her father's voice echoing through the grand hall brought her attention back to reality. She looked up from her plate to find him staring at her with raised eyebrows.

"Yes Father?" she replied, absently stabbing her fork into a piece of bread.

"You have been playing with your food for the last ten minutes. Is something troubling you?" he asked, his tone gentle but concerned.

Isabella took a deep breath, feeling a surge of courage rising within her. "Father," she began, her voice shaking slightly, "I'm not ready to start seeing suitors yet."

There was a brief moment of silence as her parents exchanged unsatisfied glances. Isabella held her breath, waiting for their response. But to her surprise, they simply grunted in displeasure and went back to eating their breakfast without another word.

Feeling both relieved and embarrassed, Isabella allowed herself a small smile as she dipped her bread into some strawberry jam and savored the sweet taste. Well, it was worth a shot, she thought.

After a rather uneventful breakfast, Isabella quickly took her leave and headed back to her room.

Phone in one hand, she entered the room and shut the door gently behind her. She hastily scrolled through her contact list and gave Mary a call.

"Hey?" came Mary's voice from the line not long after.

"Hey Mary? Can you come to my room right now?" Isabella asked anxiously.

"Sure. Everything okay?" Mary's voice held a mix of confusion and concern.

"Yeah, just come and I'll explain." With that, she hung up the phone and started pacing around her room, her mind buzzing with the new thought that had just hit her during breakfast.

A few minutes later, there was a gentle knock on the door. Isabella said, "Come in!" and Mary walked inside.

Mary, 24 years old, was not just Isabella's maid of honor but also her closest friend. She had light brown hair, always neatly tied back, and warm hazel eyes. Her fair skin, dotted with a few freckles across her nose and cheeks, gave her a youthful and approachable appearance. Slim yet strong from her active lifestyle, she always carried herself with grace and confidence, making her presence both comforting and reassuring.