Chapter 1 of, I, The Absurd Princess Wants to Runaway: The road beyong the crescent moon
The night was still, its silence broken only by the distant rustle of leaves and the steady rhythm of hooves striking the dirt road. The crescent moon hung low in the sky, casting its pale light over the darkened landscape. The imperial palace was now a distant silhouette behind her, its towering spires fading into the horizon.
For the first time in her life, Princess Luna Estella Thyristsa—no, just Luna now—was truly alone.
The stolen horse beneath her shifted uneasily, sensing her nervous energy. She tightened her grip on the reins, whispering soothing words to calm the beast. "It's all right. We're free now," she murmured, though the words felt foreign on her tongue.
Free.
The word had always seemed impossible, an unattainable dream. Yet here she was, riding into the unknown with nothing but a satchel of coins, a dagger, and a locket. The heavy cloak she wore to conceal her identity was stifling, but she dared not remove it. Even this far from the palace, she couldn't risk being recognized.
Her mind drifted back to the thief she had seen in the gardens the night before. Amber eyes burned in her memory, their intensity refusing to fade. Who were they? Why had they been there? And why did she feel as though they had awakened something within her—a desire of something they had that she couldn't yet name?
She shook her head, focusing on the road ahead. There was no time for distractions. She had a plan, albeit a fragile one: to reach the southern provinces, where she hoped to disappear among the common folk. The bustling markets and crowded streets would provide the perfect cover.
But first, she needed to put as much distance as possible between herself and the palace before dawn.
---
The road stretched on, winding through dense forests and open plains. Hours passed, and the exhaustion of the journey began to weigh on her. Luna's hands ached from gripping the reins, and her legs felt numb from the unrelenting pace.
Just as she was considering stopping to rest, a faint light appeared in the distance. Her heart leapt at the sight of it—a small inn, nestled at the edge of the woods.
The inn was modest, its wooden structure weathered by time, but it exuded a warmth that called to her. Smoke curled from the chimney, carrying the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread. Luna's stomach growled in response, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since the previous morning.
She dismounted carefully, leading the horse to the stable behind the inn. A stablehand, a boy no older than twelve, greeted her with a gap-toothed smile.
"Evenin', miss," he said, his voice cheerful despite the late hour with a southerneast accent. "Shall I take your horse?"
"Yes, please," Luna replied, keeping her hood low to conceal her face. She handed the boy a silver coin, more than enough to ensure his silence.
The boy's eyes widened at the sight of the coin, but he pocketed it quickly, nodding his thanks. "She'll be safe with me, miss. You have my word." The boy gave a small wave at her, to which she smiles slightly.
With a grateful nod, Luna turned toward the inn's entrance.
---
The interior of the inn was cozy, lit by a roaring fire and several lanterns hanging from the low ceiling. A handful of patrons sat scattered around the room, their conversations a low hum of voices. Luna kept her head down as she approached the counter, where the innkeeper—a stout man with a kind face—was polishing a mug.
"Room for the night?" he asked, eyeing her cloak with mild curiosity. The man has rough southeast accent unlike the boy, but there's no hint of malice in it.
"Yes, and some food, if you have it," Luna replied, placing a few coins on the counter.
The innkeeper nodded, sweeping the coins into his hand. "We've got stew and fresh bread. I'll have it brought to your room."
"Thank you."
He handed her a key and gestured toward the stairs at the back of the room. Luna climbed them quickly, relieved to find her room was small but clean, with a single bed and a basin of water for washing. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her breath coming in shaky gasps.
She had done it. She had escaped.
But as the adrenaline began to fade, a new emotion crept in: fear. What if someone recognized her? What if the emperor's guards were already searching for her? She shook her head, trying to banish the thoughts. There was no turning back now.
A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Luna tensed, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at her waist.
"It's your supper, miss," came the muffled voice of a serving young teen girl.
Luna exhaled in relief, opening the door just enough to take the tray. "Thank you."
The girl curtsied and hurried away, leaving Luna alone once more. She set the tray on the small table by the window and ate in silence, savoring the simple meal.
When she finally lay down on the bed, exhaustion claimed her almost immediately.
---
Luna awoke to the sound of voices outside her window. Her heart leapt in panic, but as she listened more closely, she realized it was only a group of travelers preparing to depart. The first rays of dawn were breaking over the horizon, bathing the landscape in soft gold.
She dressed quickly, pulling her hood low once more, and made her way downstairs. The innkeeper greeted her with a nod as she left, and the stablehand had her horse ready and waiting.
"Safe travels, miss," the boy said, handing her the reins.
"Thank you," Luna replied, her voice soft.
She mounted the horse and urged it forward, the inn fading into the distance behind her.
---
The day passed in a blur of motion. Luna kept to the less-traveled roads, avoiding towns and villages whenever possible. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, though she saw no sign of pursuit.
As evening fell, she found herself riding through a dense forest. The trees loomed overhead, their branches forming a canopy that blocked out the fading light. The air was cool and heavy with the scent of moss and earth.
Suddenly, the horse stopped, its ears twitching. Luna frowned, patting its neck. "What is it?"
A rustle in the underbrush answered her question. Her hand went to her dagger as a figure emerged from the shadows.
It was the thief.
Luna's breath caught as their amber eyes locked onto hers, the same intensity as before. They wore the same dark clothing, their hood pulled low to obscure their face and black cloth to cover their face but now its just hanging around their neck.
"You've been following me," Luna said, her voice steadier than she felt.
The thief tilted their head, as if amused. "You're not very subtle, Princess."
Her blood ran cold. "How do you—"
"You practically announced your escape to the whole palace," the thief interrupted, their tone dry. "Did you really think no one would notice?"
Luna's grip on the dagger tightened. "What do you want?"
The thief shrugged, stepping closer. "Maybe I'm curious. A runaway princess is a rare sight, after all. Or maybe I'm here to make sure you don't get yourself killed before you even reach the southern provinces."
"I don't need your help."
"Clearly," the thief said, their tone laced with sarcasm. "That's why you've been riding in circles for the past two hours."
Luna glared at them, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I know where I'm going."
"Of course you do." The thief's lips curved into a smirk, barely visible beneath their hood. "But let me give you some advice: the roads aren't as safe as you think. Bandits would love to get their hands on a pretty little thing like you."
Luna bristled at the condescension but said nothing.
The thief stepped back, their amber eyes glinting in the dim light. "You're lucky I found you first. Consider it a favor."
"Why would you help me?" Luna asked, suspicion lacing her words.
The thief's smirk widened. "Let's just say I have a soft spot for people who defy the empire."
Before she could respond, they turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving Luna alone once more.
But their words lingered in her mind, a warning she couldn't ignore.. who was this mysterious thief stranger? Will she truly able to trust them? All she wants is freedom, but it seems like there's too many obstacles for her to cross first.