~ 1725~
During the hail storm, the girl persistently ran through the thick forest gripping her white dress. It was twilight, one could barely see through the mist but for Elle, it was an inevitable mission. Wolve could be heard hauling even in the absence of the full moon and pink shaded sky.
Elle figured that her tears were the only source of warmth that kept her functional through the cold weather. She had to run away. The decision was already made. If not, than she'd be subjected to Marrying a stranger with quite the disturbing reputation, to make matters worse, the man was smitten with another.
She ran through the thick trees hurriedly as if her life depended on it, which it did. By this time they would be looking for her so she wouldnt risk stopping. Elle whimpered, hawled and sobbed for her life. Her life was hers to decide on her future yet she felt betrayed at her parents.
Ironically She remembered her grandmother's last words to her, to which she understood now as the runway bride made way. ' Some people don't deserve to be parents ' Unfortunately she paused for a second to catch a breath, her heart was beating thunderously. Her feet were now bruised and in pain after she threw the heels away. She spotted a large puddle to drink water from, the water wasn't muddy, she kneeled down, further dirtying the dress but before she could take a sip a wavy reflection caught her attention.
Her red wavy hair that was first neatly put into a low bun with diamond pieces was loose, her face looked drained with the eye liner that smudged her cheeks though her physical appearance wasn't what caught her sight but her red swollen eyes. The saying, the eyes are a mirror to one's soul, her soul looked hopeless and broken.
After a few sips she got up only to feel a hard slap on her cheek causing her to fall into the puddle.
"You ungrateful peasant! I fed you, gave you shelter, education even clothed your illegitimate flesh yet this is how you repay me!" Boliverd roared. Just as Elle was about to sit up he slapped her unconscious. The other man on the horses came down to carry her onto one and rode back to the Carrington Mansion.
.....
Ellie's eyes flickered as they locked with the sun rays. The weather felt warmer than before and the world was brighter she thought. She sat up to see herself surrounded by two guards infront of her and one on the side in the moving carriage. The men's expression was indifferent to her awakening.
She had clear recollection of last night as her left thick hurt.
" Where are you taking me?" She asked no one specific in particular, to what came out as a slight sob. She did want to cry. Even more after she got no response.
The wedding shouldn't take place yesterday and she fled an hour before it began to ensure that even if she was caught, it would've been delayed.
The marriage was yet another truce between Hillbrow and Montegue, The East and Western rival kingdoms that had been nememis for seven centuries, though Montegue's was all the four kingdoms antagonist including itself.
Elisha came from a low class family but was chosen by luck by the the emperor of Montegue's counselors secretary's assistants' secretary to marry into the fifth family to the King when a picture of her from the maid stuff year book was sent to the emperor of Hillbrow through haste.
' It was basically a last minute decision ' Ellie sighed. This 9th degree truce required a commoner from Hillbrow to marry the 50th in line to the throne whilst a 1st degree truce was to Wed the heir to the throne, 2nd degree was Third, 3rd degree was 10th and so the list continued.
The Carriage hadn't stopped for six hours until it did at a local bar when one of the guards went out to use the restroom. The guards were given the order by Boliverd, Elisha's dad not to give her any food or water as punishment.
Ellie figured that they'd most probably traveling to the kingdom of Montegue. She had never traveled outside of her kingdom but she did hear the stories about the four neighboring Kingdoms and their characteristics. LeisureFalls was the wealthiest Montegue was the known as the mysterious Kingdom, Hillbrow and Winleld the thirds in ranking, Montegue being the first for it's power.
Just as Elle was about to sleep again due to the hunger and anxiety, she felt the carriage halt once again. It had only been an hour since they were back on the road. The the guards step out and gestured her to step out. Ellie was hesitant now fearful that they were going to harm her or kill her.
When she stepped out she winced in pain as her feet still hurt from the forestry. When she looked up she saw a large, long mental wall with sharp knives on the hight end. The wall continued on until. This must be the barrier between Montegue and Hillbrow. Before she ask anything she felt a hard hit on her head to which she fell unconscious.