"What have you done? Why did you ruin everything? Our story was a fairytale dream come true."
She kept thrashing her arms on the door with full force, only for her pleas to fall on deaf ears. Her wedding bangles broke and fell, her wrists bled and h...
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“Damn, I am thirsty.”
She peeped out through the curtains. “Where are we? How far are we from our destination?”
“What happened, your highness?” The man guarding the palanquin asked her.
“I am thirsty. Can we get down somewhere and fetch some water?” She took the handmade paper mache fan and fanned some air on her face. It was too hot and humid, and the heavy jewellery and attire added to the discomfort.
“Your highness, I will make some arrangements. Please don't worry.”
It was getting dark as the sun was slowly setting. They needed to make it to their destination before the night completely set in.
She heard the howling of wolves and strange noises. It was a silent, haunting road with no vehicles or even passers by in sight.
The palanquin of her husband was far ahead of her. He was the Prince of the royal province, guarded securely by his soldiers. But only two men had been stationed at her side to keep vigil.
Even if something were to happen, she was at God's mercy. He would have no clue about her whereabouts.
She had heard tales of robbery and kidnapping which were frequent in the hilly roads. It was a dense forest region but there was no other alternative path. They had to go through the road less traveled.
Just then, she heard some faint screaming and the screeching sound of a blade. It felt like a tear made from fresh metal.
Someone had been hit by a sword. She could not mistake that sound; having seen her father and grandfather practice sword fighting at their own arena.
She quickly got down from her palanquin, and looked around, trying to stay as vigilant as possible.
“Whoever you are! Reveal yourself. I'm not scared of you. You're a frightened fool who dares to attack in the dark. Be brave and face me.”
She took out the small dagger on her waist she had kept for her aid and safety.
A hand reached out to her and twisted her arm, making her lose control of her dagger. Her grip loosened and the dagger fell from her grip. She heard a footstep behind her, stepping on the dagger so that she couldn't retrieve it.
“Where are you going? I told you, I will be back for you.” He said, as he pulled her aside. “Stop attacking me. I'm your own.”
“Huh?” She tried to look at the face of the man. It glowed under the moonlight, and she saw his deep brown eyes, looking fiercely and intensely at her.
He had a youthful and handsome face, as if he was from a royal lineage. But looking at his clothes, she could understand that he was not. His clothes were shabby and tattered, unlike royal silk robes.
