Once In A Lifetime || Hwang Minhyun

Chapter 20

Date: June 29th 1887

We finally decided to stop and rest then continue our journey when we regained our energy. Edlyn sat down on a big rock and I stood by her as I pulled my pocket watch out to see the time. It was 4:12 p.m, we were walking for hours but we didn't notice. "There's a village near here. It's about fifteen minutes away. Let's go to the market to buy food." I told Edlyn. She smiled up at me and stood up. "Love, I'm sorry because I really didn't expect all this to happen. I really thought everything would go well." She shook her head and said "I'm so happy. I loved that for the passed hours we kept each other company without being scared that someone might see us." She said happily which made my heart skip a beat or two.

I hugged her and patted her head after I pulled away from the hug. We made our way towards the village talking about anything just keeping each other company. "Did you hear that guards are looking for the princess because she went missing?" I heard two woman gossiping as they walked passed us. I knew that the news would fly around the city in no time so I wasn't shocked at all. "Whatever happens don't reveal your real identity." I whispered to her as we were still walking through the market. I saw her nod her head with the corner of my eyes.

From far away I saw royal guards and I felt like my heart was about to burst out of my chest but I tried my best to control it. We kept walking and they walked passed us without noticing who we were. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until I released it. We bought whatever we neeeded and left the village in a hurry. "If we hurry we'll make it out of Budapest in thirty minutes." I said as I was trying to catch my breath.

As we were walking I heard two other woman talking but their conversation was loud enough for us to hear them clearly. "There are rumors that the princess' bodyguard kidnapped her. I heard that if it's true he'll be executed if he gets caught." Edlyn was about to stop but I grabbed her by the wrist and whispered "Keep walking." She listened to me and kept walking. We stayed quiet the entire way towards our destination which was the city Pest.

"We made it. It's late now, I think we should rest for a few hours then continue our journey. We'll make it, love. We accomplished the hard part now it's just the easy part that is left. We can do it darling." I said smiling weakly but she didn't think that much about my words because she asked "How come this is the first time in my entire life I've ever heard that what we are doing is a high treason?" I sat down next to her and answered "It's because no one would dare to do something like this and as you know no princess or prince was ever kidnapped because no one would dare to do so that's why it's not in the book of laws but if it ever happened what do you think the punishment should be? It's obvious isn't it?" I asked quietly.

"I decided to leave. You didn't kidnap me!" She shot up. I looked up at her as she continued speaking "It wasn't against my will. I was the one who told you that I want to leave everything behind and live a normal life with you. There is no other way, I couldn't just do nothing and let us both suffer being apart from each other." "My princess, no one would believe that the future queen doesn't want her title and wants to live a normal life with the person she loves who doesn't rule a country. They'll think no- I mean they already think that I kidnapped you." I explained the situation to her calmly.

"Why are you so calm about this? Did you know about this before?" She asked frustratedly. "Darling it's obvious. Maybe it didn't cross your mind but I don't mind because we won't get caught anyways." I said as I was smiling weakly. I stood up and patted her head. "Don't you worry. I'll protect us. We're already together now that's the point of worrying right?"

She sighed heavily "But what if-" I cut her off mid sentence by saying "Don't think too much about it love. Just be patient for a few more days and you'll feel at ease forever." She exhaled deeply then said "I trust you." "Now rest for a while love we have a long journey ahead of us." I told her.

Deep down I wasn't sure if we would be able to leave the country safe, I had hope and still did but I didn't think too much about getting out because I was delighted being with her by my side. Both of us were happy and I was even happier that I picked up the courage and left without thinking too much about it. I never regretted a decision in my life especially the decision of leaving everything behind and leaving with someone who meant the world to me.