Prolouge
Gwendolyn's heart raced as she crept away from the hollow halls of her family's estate. The moonlit night welcomed her like a secret lover, comforting her torn heart and making promises of freedom and escape. Her slippers brushed along dew-laced grass, guiding her toward the hidden clearing deep within the woods surrounding the estate.
The dense foliage parted to reveal a small, secluded meadow bathed in soft moonlight. Gwendolyn's own personal sanctuary. She shed the weight of expectations and allowed herself to be embraced by rustling leaves and a symphony of crickets.
Gwendolyn began to move after a quick glance over her shoulder, ensuring no prying eyes witnessed her escape from the prison she called home. Her body was filled with an outcry of emotion, the deep desires she could never express in the suffocating environment of the noble world. Her feet traced intricate patterns upon the ground, flowing with the path of the wind as she spun.
As Gwendolyn danced, her mind transported her to grand ballrooms and vast theaters. In her wake, she could hear the thunderous applause and see the adoring faces of an audience there just for her. She yearned for a world where the barriers of rank and duty melted away, leaving only the pure essence of expression.
But the reality of Gwendolyn's existence came crashing back like a cold wave. She was not merely a girl who could embrace a life of performance. She was the Marquis' daughter, destined to be wed and carry on her family's pride. Her fate had been sealed since birth, and her dreams were considered mere trifles to be discarded.
Gwendolyn's heart clenched as she thought of the crown prince, her betrothed. While she respected him as an individual, the notion of being merely his wife felt like a cage closing in on her spirit. She longed for a love that ignited her soul, one that understood her deepest desires and celebrated her unquenchable thirst for artistic expression.
The moment of fleeting freedom passed, and Gwendolyn began to hurry back to the estate, begging no one would see her sneak back in. Her heart ached at the thought of waking up as the Mariquis' daughter once more, but her body betrayed her, and she drifted to sleep.