I quickly made my way out of my palace, doing my best to move quietly as I know that once my guards awaken, I will not be allowed to flee as I'd hoped.
As a princess, it is my duty to uphold the standards of graceful woman and to accept any potential husband my father gives my hand to.
However, I can no longer be the daughter who accepts all that comes her way and gracefully puts her head down without a fight or thought of her own.
I've finally found love. I know father would not allow it since he is from the neighboring country but he isn't at all as the rumors said.
I've heard stories of a powerful sorceress who's abilities awaken when her heart is tried. Her power, unlike any other, is awakened, and she is given strength to rule not just nations but worlds.
I passed a portrait of the myth hanging on the wall ever so neatly as I tiptoed closer to the exit.
Surely, a heart that's tried has to be brave in order to do so, right?
In my carelessness, I bumped a vase proudly displayed in the hall and quickly used my magic to hold it midair.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps and realized JD taken so long that the guards were patrolling once again.
Damn it!
I dropped the vase and used my magic to throw myself out the door in record time.
They'll know someone did this but it isn't likely they'll realize it was Princess Mue.
I continued using my magic to move plants and any other things blocking my path as I ran to meet him.
When my sights fell on him, I felt my heart calm and race all at once as I leapt into his arms. Our embrace was brief before we continued on to his kingdom.
Stopping on a high embankment, he pointed out his palace.
"You'll be my princess and we can rule this land together. I'm sure one day, your own parents will also wish to see your land." He looked at me with gentle eyes. "That being said..." He knelt in front of me before using his own magic to bring together am engagement ring that looked as though it were carved out of the midnight sky.
I held my breath as he slowly slipped the ring on my finger and kissed it. "My princess, will you marry me?"
Unable to hide my excitement any longer, I leapt at him once again but he managed to stand and catch me in time, holding me in an embrace I wanted to last forever.
I laid my head against his chest before letting out a calming sigh that cut the silence. "I love you so much."
As the silenced still stretched, I felt something wet fall on my head and pulled back in confusion. My prince was frozen in pain, eyes wide and mouth dripping blood from and unseen wound. "Run." He spoke hoarsely before a sudden power ripped him from my arms and into the trees.
I began to panic.
I had heard there was an evil power in these woods but why would it attack without being provoked?
I felt my blood burn and screamed. "Give him back!" I chased after the sound of him being pulled further and further away until my body then froze, lifting lightly off the ground and moving until I hovered over the ground like I was laying on a bed of air.
"A princess! My my." The words of a woman cut through the air but I couldn't move. "How lovely that you've decided to run away because of," she spoke the last word as though she was gagging, "love." I was able to turn my eyes to look at her directly, a woman dressed completely in ghostly white, clothing that only barely hid her naked body beneath. I opened my mouth, "Where is he?"
The witch smiled. "You mean this handsome man?" The air shifted and I looked beside myself to see him laying on the ground, eyes open, blood still stuck on the sides of his mouth.
My blood felt hotter than before and I felt an unknown emotion I'd never faced before. "You killed him. Why?"
I was able to ask calmly and the witch simply shrugged. "I was bored." She let out a fake yawn.
I felt as though something inside of me changed. Something I didn't feel before.
She opened her mouth to mock me once again, except realized she couldn't move. Our places had switched and now she was the one hanging midair and unable to fight or anything.
I watched her eyes change from one of confusion and then fear.
I couldn't cry.
I couldn't feel anger.
I could see my own new reflection in her eyes. My red hair turned black as tar. My veins were much more apparent. My nails grew into absurdly long claws.
It didn't matter.
"What are you doing?!" She stuttered. "Why are you doing this?!"
I approached her floating form and came close to her fear filled eyes. "Because," my lips stretched into an unfeeling smile, "I'm bored."
With that, I used the roots of the trees to spring up and stab her through before ripping her apart like paper.
Was I always this violent?
I looked down at the body of the man close by. Dressed as some prince.
I turned away and headed off without a word.