24 Dreams Of You And Me

22) The Time We Eloped

"They weren't friends. They were strangers with memories."

***

"This is a joke." Levi laughed and paced around his room. "A sick, sick joke."

"I.. I don't-"

"Never mind, Gavin. I'm not speaking to you. I'm thinking."

"Uh, do you need anything else?" Gavin asked uncertainly. William was behaving unnaturally.

"Yes." Levi smiled wide. "Freedom. Can you get it?" Gavin frowned. "No?" Levi continued, "then go away!"

"Uh, of course.. your.. grace.." Gavin bowed and left the chamber.

"Don't call me that! I have no grace!" Levi yelled after him.

...

Alyssa spent the evening in her room.

Levi did the same.

As the sun went down, Levi looked out his window. This was the night they were going to cast the summoning spell, but here he is, sulking in his room.

It ain't exactly how the play was. William had saved Arabella quite easily. He most definitely wasn't imprisoned. This is not how 11 year olds get told how life can be like.

Gavin came back later that night with his dinner. "I'll be outside if you need anything."

"Gavin!" Levi stopped him. "What is father planning? What's happening out there?"

Gavin looked around with a feared expression. "I'm not in a position to-"

"I'll pay you gold."

Gavin's eyes snapped up. "Are you bribing me?"

"Desperate times." Levi shrugged.

After some more time of persuasion, Gavin finally revealed that the royal wedding was day after tomorrow. The invitations were already sent and the King would attend the event without William. He's set to leave for Whiteland early morning.

"But your grace," Gavin concluded, "you shouldn't try anything. It's too late."

Levi held his head and groaned. "I'm so done.." He complained.

Gavin stood still.

Levi reached over and picked up a velvet bag from his nightstand and handed it to Gavin. "Gold, as I promised. Now, go."

The next morning at 4:30AM and a whole night's restless planning, Levi went out of his room with an excuse to meet his father before he left.

He asked to meet him in isolation. When he reached the turn for the King's chamber, he heard his grumpy voice, "..be a laughing stock. Get me more wine!"

Levi immediately leaned against the wall to hide himself and listen.

"Yes, my lord." Came a fearful voice.

Levi's mind went to planning mode. The King's servant is gone, King is in his room and has more than two hours before he leaves, so that makes Levi free for some time before anyone notices he's missing.

He quickly went in the opposite direction, where he at least thought was the exit of this fortress.

Once he made his way to the stable, he noticed the stable man fast asleep. It wasn't unexpected, it was too early for anyone to be awake.

Praying that he won't wake up, Levi went inside the stable house and found the man's spare clothes.

Okay, he thought, I've done this once in her castle. I can do it again.