DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
MacabreOfWriting
HTML https://macabreofwriting.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Story Lines.
*****************************************************
#Post#: 411177--------------------------------------------------
An Arranged Escape
By: bethmichellesant Date: September 24, 2020, 7:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
"Stop that pouting, you will earn yourself ghastly wrinkles!"
"Yes, mother."
"And stand up straight, do you wish your back to hump forever?"
"No, mother."
"And put a smile on that gaunt face of yours, heaven knows we
cannot have you making it more difficult for the Prince to find
you attractive!"
"Of course, mother."
The barrage of orders lasted for what felt like hours, but
Aurelia had only really been stood for barely a few minutes. She
was nervous enough without her mother's harsh words, there was
no need for it to be made worse. Allowing herself a soft sigh,
the young princess stared dead ahead at the closed door before
her. On the other side of that slab of heavy, gold-leaf
decorated oak, stood the man she was expected to marry in just 3
short days. Today, she would meet him for the first time.
"But mother, what if I don't like him?" She had questioned when
she first heard about the arrangement. Such a question had
earned her a slap, leaving a mark that had needed to be covered
by makeup for several days. It was not about whether she liked
him, but if he thought she was an acceptable bride. Which in
turn, would provide their families with the important bond that
would unite their countries. She would be shipped off to live in
his castle, bear his children, of which there were sure to be
many, then left to teach them all how to behave well and
continue the Royal cycle of arranged marriages. It broke her
heart to even imagine it.
With a snap, the door was unlocked and Aurelia was pulled back
to the present moment. Her fingers twiddled in the ends of her
white lace gloves and she took as deep a breath as she could
manage in her tightly pulled corset, her eyes watching the door
slowly turn. A steward stood in the archway, his chest bursting
at the buttons as he stood proudly tall.
"Presenting, Prince Richard." His voice boomed, though it were
only for Aurelia, her mother and the handmaiden, Libby, who
would remain as chaperone so that they were not alone. Aurelia
glanced across at her friend, for that was what she had come to
known Libby as truly, hoping to find a returning smile of
solace. Libby, however, had her head bowed as was to be expected
as the Prince himself appeared in the doorway. Straight away,
Aurelia knew she did not like him. Not one bit. His hair was
perfectly quaffed, his skin was flawless, his clothing was
garish and drenched in show-off jewels and his smarmy smile gave
her a bad feeling. No, this was not a man she would like to
marry. All hope that resided in her mind now sunk out of the
bottom of her feet until it rested 6 feet below. She struggled
to hold back a tear, though no one seemed to notice.
"Good morning," Prince Richard beamed, his voice as greasy as
his smile. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my
darling." Every word from his lips sent a shiver through her,
which was only intensified as he roughly took her hand to his
lips to press a kiss upon her knuckles.
"Thank you, Prince Richard." Aurelia spoke softly, daring not to
bring her voice much louder than a whisper lest it should crack
and give her true emotions away.
"Speak up, girl!" Her mother snapped, though did not wait for
her to repeat herself. "Well, there is no need for extra
company. We shall make ourselves scarce." She gestured to the
steward who offered her his arm to lean on, the two of them
exiting hastily. Aurelia swallowed hard and tried to catch
Libby's eye again. This time, she found a sympathetic face
looking towards her. At least she wasn't alone with this
weasel...
#Post#: 411217--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Arranged Escape
By: bethmichellesant Date: September 25, 2020, 4:53 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
"So," the Prince smiled, brushing past Aurelia and sitting on a
grand armchair by the fireplace. This left her with the wooden
stool usually used to hold the bucket of coal. Not wanting to
dirty her dress, Aurelia chose to stand. "So, so, so." The
Prince repeated, studying his bride-to-be scrutinizingly. "We
are to be wed in three short days, my cherub. Are you as excited
as I am?" He leaned back, his fingers pressed together at his
chin.
"Yes, Prince Richard." Aurelia bowed her head, being careful of
her manners. Mother would not stand for it if she were to cause
any reason for him to complain about her. "I am truly honoured
your mother believes me to be-"
"Yes, yes, yes," he waved his hand dismissively "I am sure. Now,
how are you with travelling? I shan't have any travel sickness
in my carriage when we leave. And I shan't stand for it once you
are with child either, so be warned now, if you suffer it you
shall be kept at the far end of the castle until my child is
born." Before she could answer, he had sprung up out of his
chair and approached her. He grasped her by the shoulders to
turn her this way and that, then ran his hands around her waist
and hips. "Hmm, yes. A fine mother you shall make, good birthing
hips."
Aurelia stared, her mouth agape. She felt like cattle being eyed
up for breeding... This was the brute she was to spend her life
with? She hoped now that it was a short one... A tear welled
dangerously in the corner of her eye, but she dared not reach to
wipe it while he was watching her.
"Excuse me, your Highness," Libby spoke quickly from the corner,
snapping his attention for long enough that Aurelia could run
her hand across her eye. "But I don't think that sort of contact
is appropriate before you are-"
"Hush, girl!" He barked, but Aurelia cast her a small smile. She
was glad even moreso now, that Libby had been chosen as
chaperone instead of her mother. "Well, I think that will do,
your handmaiden has disturbed my mood. I shall retire to my
room. You will come to me in the morning and I will pick out a
wedding dress for you so that we have time to adjust what I have
brought to fit your size. Goodnight, my pet." With that, he
strode to the door without so much as a backwards glance.
The second he was gone, Aurelia fell to her knees and Libby
rushed to her side, scooping the sobbing princess into her arms
and rocking back and forth.
"I cannot stay," Aurelia hiccuped, burying her face into her
friend's busom. "That ghastly man, he is no Prince! He is a
beast, a horrid creature who intends to use me and throw me
away!" Libby tried to hush her, stroking her hair, but Aurelia
had made up her mind. "I will leave..." she sat up, her cheeks
soaked but her eyes full of determination. "I would rather die
tomorrow at the castle gates than marry that man - help me pack
a bag!"
Hurriedy, the two women scrambled around the room, grabbing only
necessary items. Several expensive jewels made their way into
the luggage, at Libby's advisement, should she need money to pay
for anything. When they were done, Aurelia threw one of Libby's
black shawls around her shoulders and hugged her friend as tight
as she could.
"Thank you..." Aurelia kissed her on the forehead and grasped
her arms tightly. "For everything. I will write when I have
found somewhere stable to stay, you can come and join me then.
For now, pretend that you have tucked me in for the night and
return to your quarters. Alert the guards after daybreak, I
should be gone by then." They shared one last hug, before
Aurelia slipped out into the hallway which now grew dark as the
sun began to set. Her heart pounded furiously - was she a fool?
The image of that smarmy smile came to mind and she knew - no,
this was not a mistake, it was a beginning.
#Post#: 411254--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Arranged Escape
By: Caroline Date: September 27, 2020, 4:21 am
---------------------------------------------------------
They were a long way from home and travelling with no rest took
its toll on Cecile’s body. She imagined Christopher felt the
same bone-crushing fatigue but they weren’t far from their
destination and the young princess was determined to make it
before nightfall. As they make their way through the forest, the
horse beneath her protests with a grunt. It seemed Ace had had
enough too. She flings herself over, the soles of her feet
sinking into the mud as her greyhounds bark tiredly, probably
for treats but she dismissed them, grabbing the reigns of her
horse to walk alongside him.
“Princ-!”
Christoper insisted but she raised her hand and silenced him. He
was her advisor but she refused to tire her horse anymore than
what was necessary.
“I can see it, look,” she pointed over the horizon to the castle
before turning back to the middle aged man, his scruffy beard
suited him and his eyes were deeply hooded as he stared back
before jumping off of his horse also. Not that he wanted to, but
it was an act of respect to the princess. She took heavy steps
through the mud, the muscles in her thighs contracting before
her head whips to the right.
A rustle shook the earth as her eyebrows furrow, watching the
man take a protective stance before her as she too reached for
her own sword, rested in its hilt at her waist.
“Who goes there?”
Christopher’s voice echoed through the space among them but
nothing. It was no animal, and as her eyes squint she makes out
the figure of someone just a little smaller than her in height,
though the cloak around their figure didn’t give anything else
away. They seemed to freeze, unable to move. As Christopher
tries to advance forward she wraps her fingers around his elbow
and pulls him back, putting a finger to her lips and shaking her
head.
This person, whoever they were, wasn’t a threat. Not to them,
anyway, that much was evident. She walks past her guard, the
greyhounds following in her stead and reaches forward to firmly
grab their shoulder, twisting them in the process. As they turn,
a harsh wind forces the hood off their head, revealing
underneath, not a peasant, but a beautiful girl with blond locks
that went as fast as the eye could see.
Cecile was even more confused, because the more she stared,
rather impolitely, the more she seemed to notice her features
and how similar they were to the king of the land. It was like
looking at his copy. It dawned on her that their was a political
marriage to be celebrated, which is why she had travelled so
far, to represent her own lands, as her father was too busy;
death had taken her mother too soon, and her brother wasn’t much
for diplomacy. She swallowed the questions bubbling on her
tongue, and opted for one that didn’t seem threatening.
“Where are you headed to?”
#Post#: 411255--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Arranged Escape
By: bethmichellesant Date: September 27, 2020, 8:32 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Heart pounding out of her chest, wind racing past her face, feet
aching in shoes that were far more appropriate for pathed
floors, Aurelia ran. She dared not look back, even now as she
clambered over the garden wall and fell over the other side, she
held her breath so as not to make a sound. To run from the
castle was bad enough, but to run from her marriage... she could
face serious punishment. Why, it was practically treason!
Shoving bushes and branches out of her way, she scrambled
through the forest hoping she would find a path that wasn't the
main road, if she was found by the guards... it didn't bear
thinking about. She grabbed the hem of her skirt and pulled it
up to give her legs more freedom to run, but this meant she only
had one arm for pushing branches and soon she was scratched and
scraped in the face and arms by trees that seemed to want to
grab her and pull her back.
Noises to her left caused her to stop. Voices... hooves... had
she found the path? Her eyes strained in the darkness as she
struggled to see, but the moon was hidden behind clouds and she
could barely see her own hand in front of her face. Slowly she
tried to turn away from whoever was there as silently as
possible, pulling her shawl tighter around her until suddenly
the voice called to her. She dared not answer, her heart
pounding so loudly she could hear it over the panting of her
breath. [I]No![/i] She couldn't have been found already, she
thought she would have made it so much further... Feet frozen to
the ground, she begged them to move on, to not see her, let the
darkness envelop her and make her invisible.
It was not to be, as she felt the sudden pull on her shoulder.
Almost losing her footing in the mud, she spun around and found
herself staring at not a guard, but a woman. She almost didn't
hear the question put to her as her mind raced. Who was this?
Would they take her back? Could she pass herself off as a simple
peasant? Definitely not now that her shawl had fallen, the
golden embellishments around her head and shoulders would be
sure to give that away. Maybe a castle aid? Some of the higher
staff had expensive wages... Aurelia parted her lips to try to
answer with any of these desperate thoughts but the words failed
her. Instead, a soft squeak came forth and she shook her head.
Behind her, a horn bellowed in the distance and a bell began to
call. [I]They'd noticed she was gone![/i] Desperately, she
grasped at the woman's forearm, her eyes wide with pure fear.
"Please!" Her voice was filled with panic as voices shouted in
the distance, guards calling the alarm to search the grounds. "I
cannot go back!" Tears began to swell in her eyes. She had made
it so far, she couldn't fail now! Her only hope now was that
this stranger would help her, without even a single piece of
information. Aurelia's fate lay in her hands...
#Post#: 411441--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Arranged Escape
By: Caroline Date: October 1, 2020, 9:36 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The bells tolled loud and clear, shaking the kingdom with veiled
threats to find someone important and of high value to them or
else. Cecile looked at the skies above, praying silently to the
gods who looked back before looking at the princess once more.
She had inherited her fathers good looks, and the resemblance
was uncanny, she couldn’t deny that much.
What had gotten her worked up so? Was it the marriage? Was it
her family?
No matter what it is, you can’t leave her here, Cecile.
Christopher coughed in defiance to her silent thoughts, he knew
that it was in her nature to help people, especially such a
young girl, who was practically shaking with fear, tears
gathering in her eyes as her orbs begged for reprieve.
Nodding, she took the girls hand and walked back to her horse
who waited diligently, helping the girl up first and then
hoisting herself up behind her. Her arms locked around the
princess and grabbed the reigns, pulling on them harshly and
commanding the beast forward.
They soared through the lands, in the opposite direction to the
castle and through hidden passages that Christoper had become
accustomed to on his many visits to the kingdom. She wanted to
stay out of sight for as long as possible and the hounds behind
her did a great job of smearing the horses imprint in the
ground. Perhaps it would distract the soldiers long enough so
they could get out of these foreign lands and back to where she
felt safe.
“Princess?”
She stops and can’t help but notice that they both turn around
to face Christopher, her suspicions only proven right.
“Perhaps we should take shelter for the night. There’s a passage
just to the left to some caves. The horses need rest, the hounds
too, no doubt.”
“You’re right.”
She nods and they go uphill to find the caves, sure enough. They
were discreet and looked like they were part of the mountain
itself, hidden in plain sight. Cecile jumps off the horse first
to lend the younger princess a helping hand. After they had set
up tent, she ushers the princess inside the cave; her eyes had
become accustomed to the dark, navigating her way around easily.
Taking a seat on the ground opposite Christoper, her brown eyes
settle on the princess, many questions swirling in her
coffee-filled gaze.
“You said you couldn’t go back. . .” she started off easy,
“why?”
#Post#: 411446--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Arranged Escape
By: bethmichellesant Date: October 1, 2020, 10:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Aurelia stumbled along behind the stranger and although she was
weary of which direction she would be taken, she allowed herself
to be helped onto the horse. Drawing the shawl around herself
once more, she prayed they would turn away from the castle and
almost sobbed in relief as they began their journey. The arms
around her felt secure and for once, she felt safe. She had
ridden horses many times before but to be sharing the saddle was
different, she thought it would feel strange not to be in
control but... she never really had been in control of anything,
truly.
"Princess?" The call she thought was to her, startled her, she
knew she had given herself away now. Yet neither of them changed
course with this realisation? It also told her that the woman
was also a princess from another kingdom, no doubt here for the
royal wedding. A thought crossed her mind that maybe they were
planning to steal her away and hold her ransom, but she decided
even that fate would be worse than what awaited her at home. If
she could even call it home anymore, that is.
When they stopped, Aurelia accepted the help down from the horse
and looked closer upon her aid and watched as they set up their
things. Upon being ushered inside, she looked to the patch of
ground waiting for her, laid out her shawl to sit on and
gracefully sank down, pulling her knees to her chest. Her face,
no longer flush from running, was a mess. Her tear stained
cheeks were pale, her hair was bedraggled and still held onto a
few leaves and her porcelain skin was imperfected by faint
scratches from her run through the bushes. It took her a moment
before her thoughts collected as the realisation that she didn't
know where to go from here finally sunk in.
"I-" She paused, wondering how much she should disclose. With a
heavy sigh, she nodded and began her story. "I am sure you have
come to the realisation by now that I am my father's daughter.
You are both here for the wedding, yes?" She glanced at them
both and waited for their confirmation before continuing. "The
man I am supposed to marry, he is a... well, no man at all." Her
brow furrowed and she seemed to struggle for a monent to bring
more words forth.
"There are things that a woman must do for her kingdom, you know
this as well as I do. But if you ever have the imponderable
displeasure of meeting that... that cretin, you would know
exactly why I cannot go back. I do not wish to spend the rest of
my days locked away like a doll there for his pleasure to give
him-" She stopped, she could explain no further. Tears
threatened her cheeks once again but now she drew her hand
across her eyes. She had cried enough tonight. Now she was in
the real world, she had to learn to grow up. No time for tears
anymore.
"I should thank you, both of you." A firm look crossed her face
as she looked up at the princess and to her companion. "How can
I repay you? I do not have much and I certainly have no money
anymore, but I cannot let this debt go unpaid. You have saved my
life, for I know if you had returned me, I could not have gone
on living." Her eyes fixated on the princess, no longer wild and
panicked but truly grateful.
*****************************************************