The White Haired Princess

chapter 4

"At times, I am a mystery to myself."

Yui

I didn't know which was worse. The fact that the prince had caught me escaping my own palace or that I was having second thoughts on leaving. Marrying him wouldn't be that bad, right?

"Greetings." He presented a short bow. "Where do you think you're running off to with those short legs, Amira?"

I took back what I said, immediately.

Amira? It sounded like a name in a different language.

"The only short thing here-" I stopped my mouth before the words came out. He let out a quiet snort, as if he knew he could prove me wrong.

I stared directly into his olive eyes, wondering whether he found this amusing or just a way to get on my father's good side. If he caught me in the act and gives me in, I'm sure father would think he's trust-worthy and will compromise exceedingly.

Then, I remembered the dagger laying behind my back, placed underneath a fragment piece on my dress. The bag containing my items was getting heavier by the moment.

He didn't have any guards with him so that must've meant he'd snuck out as well. That was surprising, considering how strict security is. Without hesitation, I treaded slowly, but enough to catch his interest without putting up his defenses. I walked till we were inches apart and his slow breaths were warm on my face, and although he was very much taller than me, I managed to get on my tip-toes. The smell of wine was evident.

"What are you doing?" His lips formed into a mischievous smile- the type of smile I was really used to getting from all the suitors and endless father suck-ups.

I offered a seductive smile. "What do you think?"

Quickly snatching my dagger, I swung it until it hit contact with the fair skin of his neck. With a gust of wind blowing back and forth, unflinchingly, he stumbled closer, causing the knife to seep a few drops of blood onto the sharp carver.

Although I was at an advantage, one would think he was from the smug look of his face.

"You think that's gonna scare me, love? I've seen worse, Amira. Try again next time, though."

"I'm not trying to scare you. I'm trying to threaten you. Get me out of here- at least to the capital town, and your throat stays clean and well... unslit. If anyone sees us, we tell them we're taking a walk as two royal betrotheds."

I could very much kill a man if I wanted to. I'd already poisoned a few to death, this is no different.

"Alright."

I stared at him with a moment of shock slapping me in the face. It couldn't have been that easy, could it? Or did I hear him wrong? Were my own ears tricking me?

"Alright? What do you mean alright? How are you agreeing so willingly-" then I remembered the dagger I was pressing against his throat. Also, he seemed a bit intoxicated.

"Yes, I'm not dumb enough to take on someone unarmed- lady or not." He said with a little slur in his speech, pushing my shoulders back enough to get rid of my honed dagger. Sparing his life might be of help, so I didn't struggle. "Also, considering the fact that I'm also unwilling of this marriage, I suppose I'll help you run off for the both of us."

I snorted at the 'lady' part. lady? I wasn't even married to him yet- pft.

Wiping the blood on his throat with a handkerchief from his jacket pocket, he walked next to me and offered me an arm. "Shall we, Amira?"