|| Runaway Princess ||

Chapter 4 - Night-Time Strolls

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How could she have been so careless? She thought, replaying the scene over and over again in her head. She backed away to her bed and gripped the veil in her trembling hands. What if someone saw him looking at her?

She shook her head and gritted her teeth. Two people – a maid and her child - had already gone to the Outside because she saw her. She was seven then, but she could still remember everything that happened that day. It was horrible knowing that she had ruined the chance of them living their lives peacefully. Elaine wondered what happened to them – the child would've been about her age now.

Ever since that time she swore to herself that she wouldn't let it happen again, yet there she was...

Elaine fastened her veil on to her head and quickly went back to peek through the curtain. It was already dark but they were still pulling out all of the statues from the palace basement. But there was no sign of the person who looked at her. They must be too far away, Elaine told herself, they couldn't have dragged him away. No.

Unconvinced, Elaine decided to try to find him from the best point possible – the windowsill in the library. She quickly rushed to the door and told Penny - who was the one on duty that night – her alibi: that she wanted to go and find a book in the library.

Penny bowed. "Your father told us not to let you wander around the castle... It's quite late now, actually, Your Royal Highness..."

"-please, Penny. I-I can't sleep. I need a book, please!" said Elaine.

"Your Royal Highness, perhaps I should just go and get a book for you-?" 

"No." said Elaine, tapping her foot. "I don't know which book I want, yet."

"Well," said Penny, looking too tired to argue, "if you're quick, then I guess I can accompany you- "

Gratified and relieved, Elaine rushed past her before she ended her sentence and made her way to the library. She kept her head down and avoided looking at the guards. The halls were cold and she hugged her arms, Penny trailing behind her. She finally arrived at the familiar brass doorknobs and she shoved the doors open.

The scent of books hit her straight away, soothing her. The library was a circular room, hundreds of rows of books stacked in the same fashion, and extended vertically – towards the sky. It wasn't the tallest tower in the palace but it was the best place she could go if she wanted to see something. The other one was situated on the other side of the palace, but she wasn't allowed to go there.

Ladders were placed all around the library and, once again, she started her voyage up to the top where her favourite spot lay. Penny wasn't fond of climbing so she stayed at the bottom, her arms outstretched to catch her if she fell.

She finally reached the top. Her heart was beating fast as she searched for the man but it was of no avail. She could barely recognise anyone from such a high height, and aside from that, her mother's statue, of which he was pulling, was already very far.

Elaine slumped back against the window and sighed. She had failed, once again. What would her mother say about her now? What would her sister say? Margaret always had such high hopes for Elaine...

She looked through the window once more. The last statue was finally out, and they had gathered them all around in one area. But there was something near it too – Elaine squinted her eyes to see. A silver carriage and two horses. Peculiar.

Thinking nothing more of it, she started her journey back down the ladder.

"Found something good, Your Royal Highness?" said Penny, bowing as Elaine stepped off the ladder.