I'm finally free.
I still can't believe how easy it was to escape from that hell of a palace.
I'm holding onto Leon's waist so that I don't fall. He's riding the horse like a mad man.
I don't know about many things in the world but Leon is the kindest person I've ever met.
I wouldn't even mind him having my first kiss.
" Am I riding too fast for your comfort, my sweetest? "
" No " I lie even though I'm feeling nauseous. I don't want him to slow down a bit. I want us to get as far away from the kingdom as possible and that too in the least time possible.
" If at all you grow uncomfortable along the journey feel free to tell me and I'll be sure to keep your interests in mind as I ride. "
He is ever so considerate and sweet too. At times I want to…
The commoner's clothes that Leon gave to me feel more comfortable than the royal outfits I'm used to wearing.
It feels as if I belong here. As if I was destined to end up here the day I was born.
I doubt if I would have been able to make it past the walls of the castle without Leon's aid.
My face flushes red when I recall that moment.
He'd asked me what he should do to let him kiss me. I told him I needed to get out of the palace.
Well here we are today. He sure found a way to make it happen.
I guess I owe him a kiss then.
The thought fills my tummy with butterflies. I can't wait to see how my first kiss will feel.
I'm now getting worried. I've realized that I had not actually planned on the next direction after escaping from the palace.
Where am I even going to live?
I'm not even sure if I will ever get to meet Leon again after this day.
" I'm going to miss you a lot " I find myself saying it out loud.
" We have not yet parted and you're missing me already? Well I'll be missing you like a mad man "
His words bring me back to attention. That is when I realize that I've been hugging him from behind all this while.
I let him go while smiling sheepishly.
Thank heavens he is not staring at me to see how flushed I am.
The pestering thought of where I'm supposed to live comes back to me.
I could request Leon to shelter me for the time being but I don't want to be a burden to him.
For the first time ever since escaping I stop and wonder if I had made a mistake. Perhaps I would have been better off behind the safety of the mighty walls of the castle.
I decide not to trouble Leon. He has already done far too much for me. There's no need to add more to his worries.
I'm sure I'll figure out a way to make things work. After all, I'm going to my mother's people. I'm sure they will take care of me and shower me with so much love and affection that I may drown in it.
And Leon… well I'll figure out a way to reach out to him.
I don't think I'll be able to get along with any other guy as I do with Leon. Matilda once said that I may be having a crush on him but I'm not sure about that.
All I know is that I feel sad at the thought of getting separated from him.
Leon suddenly stops and we unmount the horse.
" We have made it to the borders. A few metres from here and you'll be in Draiwen territory. This is the farthest I can go with the horse without getting into trouble.
No need to worry though. I don't plan on leaving you to your devices. I will escort you into the Kingdom and only leave once I'm sure that you have settled "
His warm words melt my heart. I can't help it anymore. I feel my eyes get watery. I embrace Leon and hold on to him tightly. I don't want to ever let him go.
He won't be leaving me until I'm settled. I hope I got the address of my apparent grandparents right.
We are walking towards Draiwen territory when Leon stops and holds my hand. He is wearing a pained expression.
" So what next after this. You kiss me, tell me goodbye and how you wish that we may meet again soon? "
" I guess that's it "
" But I want more than that "
" Like what? " I ask even though I'm not sure if I want to hear his answer.
At the back of my mind I'm silently praying that he doesn't ruin the good image I have of him.
He pulls me towards him and holds my waist. Our eyes meet for a second before I look away flustered.
" I'm going to kiss you now "
I don't respond.
Leon leans towards me. Our faces are so close. I can feel his warm breath on my skin.
Then our lips touch. It's sensational. I've never felt anything like it before. Not even in my best dreams.
I don't want the moment to end. I want him to kiss me for eternity. I move my inexperienced lips to kiss him back but he pulls away.
I gasp.
He is wearing a mischievous smirk on his face. He knows that I enjoyed it.
He caresses my face gently. I like the touch of his hands on my skin.
He caresses my neck. His hands move lower. He brushes my young breasts through the fabric.
Then he holds them and gives them a squeeze. I shudder at the thought.
He moves his hands to my belly and lifts the shirt. His hands are on my skin without hindrance from the fabric.
He moves them and cups my bear breasts before pinching my erect nipples. The pleasure is more than I can bear.
A soft moan escapes my lips. That is when I realize that he is taking things too far.
I pull away from his hold.
" I'm not ready for this " I say while walking away. I'm taking fast strides.
Leon chases after me and pulls me roughly towards him. His eyes look hurt.
He has never done such a thing before. He has always been gentle and considerate of me.
I wonder which sort of demons have possessed him.
" I didn't risk my life this far only for a kiss " he is no longer wearing the warm smile I had grown used to.
" But a kiss is what we agreed on "
His left hand grabbed my waist as he held my chin firmly with the other.
" You really are naive and pure, princess but the world out here is cruel. No one keeps their word outside the walls of the castle "
" I thought you were a good man "
He chuckled at my words.
" All the good men are dead my dearest "
" What do you want? "
" Ain't it obvious my loveliest. I want to lie with you. I want to see you naked. I want your naked body dancing below me.
I've been waiting for this day all my life and now that I have you here I'm not going to let that opportunity pass. You'll have to pleasure me today.
Your body is mine to play with. I own you today "
I realize that he is not cute as I had thought him to be. He is a monster.
I feel tears on my cheeks. I'm crying from his words.
" Stop crying now, my sweetest. You can't deny that you were enjoying what I was doing to you a few minutes ago.
Why are you playing holy mary all of a sudden ? "
" What if I don't want to give you what you desire? "
" I'll be taking it from you either way "
" But I thought you loved me "
This time he laughs out loud.
" For how long do you plan on being naive, my dear princess? Any man who wants to get laid would obviously say that he loves you. Now let's get over this chatting. It's time to get to action.
Actually coming to think of it I think it would be best if you remained in my possession because I don't see you surviving in this cruel world while being so naive "
Now I'm regretting ever wishing to escape from the palace. Despite all the taunts at least I was safe there.
Even though my father intended to get me married, that is still tenfold better than this.
I curse my father, my sisters , brothers and the queen. I curse Leon the most. Then breaking free from his hold I break into a run.
He is momentarily shocked but he recovers in no time and starts chasing after me.
He's on my heels in no time. I can't dream of outpacing him but I can't let him have his way with me without putting up a fight.
The adrenaline in my blood lets me push past my limits before I trip and fall.
Leon lands on me immediately.
I can't believe that all my efforts were in vain.
I shout my mother's name in fear.