In the kingdom of Clovendale, Princess Isadora is suffocated by the weight of royal expectations and a future sealed by an arranged marriage. Desperate for freedom, she regularly escapes to a nearby village, this is where she meets Gabriel-a commone...
Everyone knows that to be treated as ordinary,you have to be 'normal'.
To be ROYALTY is to be anything but 'normal'.
Before stepping into the bustling town, I pause at a long-forgotten house hidden deep within the forest. The trees around it stand tall and dense, casting shadows that seem to swallow the worn structure whole. Its wooden beams creak as I push the door open, the familiar scent of earth and age greeting me. Inside, the dim light filters through cracks in the walls, illuminating dust particles dancing in the air. I head straight for the small chest tucked beneath a rickety table. From it, I gather my essentials: a well-worn cloak, its fabric frayed at the edges but still offering warmth; my trusty sword, the hilt cool against my fingers; and a sack of shillings, jingling faintly as I sling it over my shoulder—just in case something at the village catches my eye. With everything in hand, I take one last glance around the forgotten home before heading out into the village.
As I step into the bustling town, a wave of energy washes over me. People dance joyously in the streets, their laughter ringing like music. The delightful smell of fresh bread and pastries fills the air, making my stomach rumble. I can't help but skip along the cobblestone path, my heart soaring with the excitement of the day.
"What a wonderful celebration! I can't believe I finally made it out," I smile.
I pause in front of a quaint little shop, its window brimming with trinkets and sweet treats. An old woman runs the store, her warm smile inviting. I rummage through my pocket and buy a few pastries, slipping her a bit of extra shillings. Her eyes widen in surprise.
"Thank you, dear! You're so kind!" The old woman squeals.
With a skip in my step, I join the throng of townsfolk, fully embracing the festivities of the Day of Masks. It's a time when anyone can wear a mask and be whoever they want—my favourite holiday.
A child hands me a mask, "thank you!" I grin. "I thought it would match you miss, you look like a fairy!" the child's eyes twinkle. I can't help but laugh,"you're too kind little one. Here,go ahead and buy something with these," I hand some shillings to the child. Soon after, I dance with the children in the town square, their laughter mingling with the lively music. The world around me feels alive, vibrant. Just as I'm lost in the joy, a group of knights strides in, their armor gleaming.
"Whoever finds the princess first will be rewarded 500,000 shillings!" Captain Thorne yells out.
The crowd gasps, and a chill runs down my spine. I instinctively tug my cloak tighter, but the wind catches it, whipping it back and revealing my golden hair. Eyes widen all around me.
"It's the princess!" The townsfolk murmur.
My hand slaps my forehead. Why is it that the royal family are the ones with golden hair?
A little boy stares at me, mouth agape. My eye does a wink. With a playful smile, I toss some coins into the crowd.
"Go on,keep dancing" I whisper to the kid which held my hand gently. "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!" I yell out. With that, I dash away, giggling as I blend into the celebration.
As I run, I suddenly hear the shouts of the knights behind me. "Princess Isadora, come back here!" Panic surges through me, and I turn to run. In my haste, I collide with a stranger.
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"Oh, um, sorry!" I exclaim, stepping back to regain my balance.
"What's your problem?" he retorts, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
I blink, taken aback. Does he not know I'm the princess? The thought makes me bristle. "My current problem are your manners! Like what? You weren't taught any?" I scoff out.
Before he can respond, the knights' voices echo from around the corner. "Stay right there, princess!" Their urgency makes my heart race. In a moment of instinct, I grab the stranger's hand, pulling him with me as I dash away.
"Wait, what are you doing?" he protests, but I don't stop to explain.
We run through the bustling street, and he suddenly yanks me toward a small bakery tucked between two shops. "What are you, getting chased by bandits or something?" He then yanks my hand away from his. I can't respond,all the running has made the art of my breath take a whole new spin. I smile.
"What are you smiling for? I should've known you were bad news when I bumped into you," he frustratedly yells out.
I catch my breath, glancing around as we step inside. The warm scent of fresh bread envelops us, and for a moment, I feel a sense of safety. But I can't shake the feeling that this encounter is about to become even more complicated.
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