In any other circumstance, this would be regarded as madness—or perhaps even a suicidal folly. Yet for Princess Kandice, it was a chance at freedom, a fleeting hope that stirred her heart. She squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to resist the urge to look down into the abyss below.
Indeed, Lisa's daring plan for escape involved the princess scaling down through the narrow window of the tower. Earlier that day, Lisa had presented her with a long, sturdy rope, its rough texture a promise of support and a means of liberation.
As Kandice began her descent, her heart raced in tandem with the rhythm of her breaths. She whispered comforting words to herself, a mantra of courage: "I can do this. I am strong." Each reassuring phrase was punctuated by the biting of her cheek, a small act of defiance against the rising panic threatening to overwhelm her.
The world outside was a blur, the ground far below seeming both distant and menacing. With every inch she lowered herself, adrenaline surged through her veins, igniting a fierce determination within. She could feel the cool breeze against her skin, a reminder of the life that awaited her beyond the confines of her tower.
Luck was on their side when Princess Kandice finally set foot on solid ground. Lisa breathed a sigh of relief, her heart swelling at the sight of her princess safe and sound. Without wasting a moment, she led Kandice toward an opening, and together they slipped into the shadows of a tunnel.
As they entered, Kandice followed Lisa's leaping figure, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and exhilaration. She dreaded the moment she would pass through the arch and into the claustrophobic darkness, where the air was thick with the smell of dampness and decay. The unnaturally loud suck of the canal against the paving stones echoed in her ears, punctuated by the slow drip of water from the low ceiling. Determined, she quickened her pace, and within minutes, the half-moon of light at the end of the tunnel grew larger, welcoming them back into the world.
Kandice sighed in relief, inhaling the fresh air that replaced the dank scent of the tunnel. Never before had she appreciated the aroma of the outdoors so deeply.
"How did you come across this tunnel?" she asked, stepping into the lush embrace of the jungle.
"I have used it many times, without my mother knowing, of course," Lisa replied, leading the way with a sense of purpose.
"Where were you going?" Kandice inquired, curiosity piqued.
"Nowhere in particular, just anywhere that isn't the castle," Lisa answered, her disdain for the oppressive walls evident even after only a few hours of acquaintance.
They moved swiftly through the jungle, but soon the sound of voices reached their ears. Kandice's heart raced as she realized they were close to the guards, patrolling the area.
"Stay low!" Lisa whispered urgently, ducking behind a thick cluster of foliage. Kandice followed suit, her breath catching as they peered through the leaves. A pair of guards strolled past, lanterns in hand, their laughter echoing in the night. Kandice held her breath, her heart pounding as the guards paused, glancing around, seemingly sensing something amiss.
After a tense moment that felt like an eternity, the guards resumed their patrol, moving further down the path. Once they were out of sight, Lisa and Kandice exhaled in unison, relief washing over them.
"Let's move quickly, before we turn into wolf's dinner!" Lisa urged, her voice barely a whisper.
"W...w...wolf?" Princess Kandice stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Lisa merely smirked, continuing to walk, seemingly unfazed by the way the princess had turned pale.
Kandice shook herself from her wild thoughts and scampered to keep pace with Lisa, unwilling to take the lead or linger behind. At that moment, she regretted her decision to follow. It felt as though she were living in a horror story.
She longed for her cozy room, the warmth of the fireplace, and the tranquil nights spent gazing at the stars through her window. Here she was, outside in the jungle—somewhere she had yearned to be—but instead of delighting in her newfound freedom, she was filled with dread.
It was terrifying.
Reflecting on the life she had known for the past seventeen years, she realized it had been a lie—a cruel deception often told in silence.
They walked quietly through the jungle, each step taken with caution, careful not to raise any alarm. Escaping under the cover of night was their only chance; it would afford them precious moments to distance themselves before anyone noticed Princess Kandice's absence.
The sky plunged into an ominous darkness, awakening predatory creatures from their lairs. Kandice jumped at the sound of a distant, bloodcurdling howl that sent chills racing down her spine. She watched anxiously as the forest morphed into a lethal playground, each shadow concealing potential danger.
With every step, panic surged within her, accompanied by an exhilarating rush of adrenaline. Her heart raced, caught in a tense rhythm between fear and excitement as they ventured deeper into the unknown.
After a few minutes of silence, they stumbled into a clearing.
In this open space, they found people—traders journeying to various corners of the kingdom, engaged in the bustling exchange of goods. The lively atmosphere was a stark contrast to the oppressive silence of the jungle, and for a moment, Kandice felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos.
"Why do I need this? They don't know who I am as it is," she asked, adjusting the scarf.
"Have you met yourself? The last thing we need is unnecessary attention," came Lisa's clipped reply, which made the princess bite her cheeks in annoyance.
"Now come on, follow me, and don't make a sound." Kandice nodded, silently obeying as she trailed behind Lisa. They wove through the crowd and snuck behind an enormous cart meant for transporting goods, heavily laden with sacks.
With great effort, Lisa shifted one of the sacks, creating enough space for both of them. Kandice stood by, her eyes wide in disbelief, mouth agape as she watched Lisa climb in and settle between the sacks, motioning for her to follow.
"What on earth are you doing?" Princess Kandice whispered-yelled, her voice tinged with panic.
"It's unlawful!" she continued, but Lisa paid her no mind.
"Are you even listening to me, Lisa?" Kandice pressed, her frustration mounting.
"The cart is transporting these goods far across the kingdom. It's in our best interest to travel this way," Lisa replied, her annoyance evident.
"Get in," she insisted, pointing at the narrow space beside her.
"You have to be kidding! There is no way I'm climbing into that thing. And we can't do this! As I said before, it's illegal. I refuse to abandon my morals for something so reckless! Why can't we just ask that fine gentleman for help?" the princess argued, her voice rising.
Lisa facepalmed, trying to rein in her growing frustration. It was clear she would need far more patience than she had anticipated.
The personalities of the two girls could not have been more different. Lisa was a rebellious spirit, defying the constraints imposed on young maidens. She thrived on challenging authority and breaking the rules, often without a second thought.
In stark contrast, Kandice embodied the ideals of propriety. She behaved as society dictated—speaking gracefully, walking with poise, and maintaining impeccable decorum. Little did she know that her world was about to shift dramatically.
"My Princess, now is not the time to cling to your norms and values. Need I remind you that we are outlaws now?" Lisa said, striving to control her tone but failing miserably.
Seeing Kandice hesitate, Lisa settled herself more comfortably among the sacks. "Suit yourself, then. If the guards don't catch you, the rebels will. You'll make quite a nice profit for them when sold to the brothel." With that, she disappeared beneath the sacks.
The mention of a brothel sent a jolt of fear through Kandice. She didn't even know what it entailed, but the thought of being sold by anyone was enough to push her into the cart.
The cramped space was an understatement. As Lisa placed one of the sacks atop them to conceal their presence, Kandice felt the weight of their situation pressing down on her.
"This is crazy," she whispered, struggling to find a comfortable position, which proved futile given her need to cling to the sack. Thankfully, it was light.
"Life is crazy, my Princess," Lisa replied with a hint of a smirk.
The two maidens fell into an uneasy silence, the tension palpable as they feared being discovered. They could hear the chatter of people outside, mixed with the sounds of carts departing. Soon, the cart they were hidden in began to move, jolting them from side to side as it set off on its journey into the unknown.
The two girls huddled beneath the sacks, doing their best to shield their faces from being squashed.
"How long have you been planning this escape?" Princess Kandice asked, her voice barely audible amid the rustling of goods.
The way everything seemed to flow smoothly—except for the moments when Lisa appeared to know precisely what to do next—intrigued her.
"Since my father passed away," Lisa replied. "Life in the castle has been far from easy. Every day, I had to witness the royals mistreating the maids and the common folk losing their heads. That environment forced a child to grow up too soon, far too soon. I refuse to let my future children endure such a fate. People think life in the castle is better, but I long for a normal life in a village, away from all of this."
Kandice let Lisa's words sink in, her mind racing with questions about how dire the situation truly was. Noticing the uncertainty in her expression, Lisa continued, "Seeing is believing, my princess. You will come to understand what a sham of a life you've been living."
"I didn't say anything," Kandice stated, clearing her throat defensively.
"You don't need to say anything. Just go to sleep. You'll need your strength for when we reach our destination." With that, Lisa closed her eyes, attempting to rest.
"But we don't even have a destination," Kandice muttered, her voice barely a whisper but still audible to Lisa.
"Happiness is a journey, my princess. Not a destination." Lisa's response enveloped them in silence, leaving Kandice to ponder the weight of her words as the cart continued its rumbling journey into the unknown.