"Your Highness, the king is extremely ill. The wound is spreading fast...and...the enemy has based its camp on our border already." One of the soldiers came running towards my chamber while I was running back and forth in my room.

I gave him a small nod as he left. Being the only child and the heir to the throne, I had been always taught to think of the kingdom first and then family. But I wasn't stone hearted from all these learnings, my heart was still shattering much to think straight.

"Princess Hazel, what would you do now? Enemy king would anytime destroy the frontiers of our country" Feril, the one responsible for my security and also my best friend asked nervously.

"I know, we have to choose the last option left, the one which we tried to avoid all along" I didn't realise I was crying when Feril smoothed my back. "I don't know Feril! I think I failed my people" I couldn't hold back my emotions any longer. I was unable to save my kingdom from the enemy since my father fell ill.

"I advise you to think once again. Arrival in King Nefarious's kingdom would strain your relations with your present allies and moreover that infamous king won't help you without a heavy cost. I think he won't help our already lost kingdom at all." Feril sighed. She is one of the best advisors I had, but this time she had to understand that I'm not leaving my people. Royal coins can help me escape, but what about others, all those who believed in their princess. What about their hope?

"Feril, tell the nobles to keep the king safe. We wouldn't declare our arrival, no one would know." I could see confusion on Feril's face. "We would disguise ourselves as locals. You'll be with me so I don't have to worry." I smirked at the thought, I never had the opportunity to see the world with that lens. Working under the sun, providing for the family, a life full of freedom.

Nervousness was spread all over Feril's face. "Your Highness, you must know that if the plan fails, King Nefarious might find more profit in selling us back to the enemy." She kept a hand on my shoulder. "as my closest friend, I must let you know, that life as a local is hard, it would be difficult even to enter the palace..leave alone endure the journey..and as much as I've heard about the kingdom, it's all the negative things."

I hugged Feril in return. She was concerned more about me than herself, it was evident in her teary eyes. "Pack your things, we will leave soon." We stayed like that for sometime, consoling each other. "We will make it Feril, for our people"

"For our people" Feril repeated and left to make arrangements for my father's stay.

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Thank you for reading! This chapter was a bit short but the next one will be a long and interesting read, so keep reading and have a great day guys!