Anger was radiating from besides me as we walked through the long halls of the palace. We were already into the early hours of morning. Probably just a few minutes after midnight. Moonlight seeped through the walls around us and our shoes clicked on the floor with tension too much to handle.
"How many a times have I told you Amber? A young lady doesn't reject or leave a dance abruptly. And that is exactly what you did today. Might I ask you why do you continue to go against me?" The Queen scolded.
"The Duke refused to pay respects to my status. He called me by my first name repeatedly and asked me inappropriate questions time and time again. He continued to disrespect me so I refused to pay any care to his. I am a Princess, after all." I noted.
The Queen eyes darkened with rage as she started to practically howl at me. "You should honestly be very grateful that you were named a Princess by the insistance of the King. It it was in my hand, you wouldn't have been awarded with this advantage at your birth alongside my other much more worthy progenies."
"You displease me with your words, Your Majesty." I stated as I took a tep away from her. "Even if you feel this way, I do carry royal blood in my veins and am so very similar to my siblings."
"But not with the same dignity at all. Perhaps, you should be reminded that the title of Crown Princess is Ruby's, not yours. So I demand you to stop acting like it. Do you know the possible chit-chatter that would now happen behind my back, 'look how the Queen raised her daughter. Shamefully leaving the Duke's hand!'.
And that will not come to pass by me. Henceforth, you are to do whatever I order you to."
"But-"
"You should be glad that the Duke still wants a woman of your age. Ladies of your age are best fit to be mis-" and she stopped mid sentence. It was clear, what she had wanted to say. It was rather easy to decipher. She didn't complete the sentence and left it at that.
The doors to my bedchamber jarred open. I continued to feel nothing from within the depths of me, it was like everything had gone to a blur. A string of tears crept into my eyes as I angrily unclothed myself until I was left only in my chemise. I stood infront of the looking glass, all hopes let down and demotivated.
"Ladies your age are best fit to be a mistress."
Interactions like these were not new to my person, I had grown up with these words and sentences. But I had never realised that it could get so cutting and hurtful as this was. I was so terribly alone at this moment for Clara had retired already. I could call her back to get me ready for bed. Although, my mind had started stirring other plans for the night. One that could help me leave these despicable thoughts behind. Those breeches had to make an appearance again. Perhaps in another way.
———
The breeches were a different colour this time. I had a whole private collection of varied colours for my practice and 'venturing' purposes. time. Along with that, I attired myself in a linen shirt covered with a waistcoat. My neck was dressed with the neckcloth and all the other necessary stuff was arrayed.
The pillows were perfectly postioned under the bed covers that acted as a perfect disguise for someone who would be fast asleep. I had a satchel with me which held some basic stuff. I locked the door to my bedchamber which had a warded lock so no one could enter, not even Clara. If I didn't make in time until the morning, she would just assume that I would sleep in until later.
There was a window in my bedchamber from which I could easily get out. But I had to be very careful, since my chamber was located at a good height from the ground I had to traverse like an assasin tonight.
The window creaked open with its customary sigh- a soft, comforting sound that signaled the start of yet another venture outside. I pushed it open wide and stepped onto the ledge without hesitation, smoothing my tailcoat in one hand so they wouldn't catch on the stone. Air of the night enveloped me like an old friend- crisp, smelling faintly of lavender and samp earth.
Under my boots, the chilly stone was rock steady. I had been wearing these specific half-boots for exactly this reason- soft soled, broken in, and completely silent. No pesky satin slippers on this night. I was a princess, but I was no fool.
The trellis was next to me, climbing and winding the ivy that had thickened over the years, its iron framework almost invisible beneath the leaves. I reached for it with ease, fingers brushing into the grooves I alredy knew by heart. This was not my first time down. Nor my tenth.
With effortless practice, I started descending. My steps were smooth, deliberate. The boots held fast as I moved from ledge to vine, vine to metal. The palace was still- no footfalls, no speech. Everyone fast asleep inside their bedchambers, so blissfully unaware of the treason being committed outside their windows.
I crossed the ornate cornice that rimmed the floor below- an intricately carved stone garnish I once considered lovely, now merely another milestone on the journey. My fingers trailing on the cold stone, I stabilised myself and proceeded down.
My boots landed on the ground with a gentle thud. I knelt, took the impact, and stood up straight. The grass was moist at my feet, dew soaking into the leather, but I didn't care. The air was pure and still. Over me the palace towered, silently raged at my gallant escape. My eyes travelled to my window which was left open, the curtain rustled by a breeze.
I swept the ivy off my coat, and entered the shaded pathway behind the hedge. My heart wasn't pounding. My hands weren't trembling. I was precisely where I wanted to be.
The palace town wasn't going to be my refuge for the night, it was multiple miles away. Faraway from the outskirts where I have got be away from the noble arrogance every time I seeked. It was quite easy for me to navigate through the blue blood houses considering that they slept like there was no tomorrow. Even their streets gave off the glamour and beauty. Their buildings make of delicate designs and doors adorned with flowers and vines. They housed the Dukes, Viscounts, Earls and Ladies of imaculate breeding during the time duration of the social season. I had never walked through these paths in broad daylight, only during the dead of the night when not a soul was about. Everything was closed for the night, silent, all the merchants and vendors and salons retired for the night after several hours of relentless slavery for a few handful.
I stalked further, exiting the palacetown making as less of noise as possible. And soon enough, the neat and seemingly dust free roads changed with those of wet, dirt and murk spread all around. Portholes of water lay submerged with small bugs hovering around. Smell of filth raked through the small alleys I passed. This marked the end of even the outskirts of the town. It was the village of Evendon I was heading to, almost half a mile away from the outskirts. Asnovitch housed many villages like these but they were too far away from the palace to visit.
And soon enough, I was there. And the sight of it made my heart instantly feel better. My run slowed down to a walk. The village came alive under the moonlight, it's cottages alit with the flicker of fires and lanterns. Night had fallen hours ago, but Evendon was yet wild awake.
The lanterns created golden halos on the cobbled streets, as if the stars had come down to walk among people. The tavern in the square was filled with laughter and the cheerful clatter of mugs. Its signboard swung gently in the cold breeze of the night. Music played, a lively fiddle tune, along with occasional bursts of singing and the sound of dancing boots on the worn oak floor. A few faces recognised me and called out to me.
"Hey there, Ambre! Come join us!" It was Pete, one of my male acquaintances. It was quite bizzare at times, being called against my gender whenever I was here. But a woman venturing out at this late was really not acceptable anywhere. So I introduced myself as Ambre, a man of slightly higher rank [not much] who simply loved Evendon. My attire did help push forward the choice as such so no one suspected much.
"I will! But I must meet our old folks first." I said in a deep, male-like voice.
"Alright." Pete replied.
I laughed and headed towards one of the cottages around the square.
Vendors stayed out way past closing time, softly calling to the passersby with trays of snacks and stuff to sell. Their faces were flushed from heat and joy. Children, free from their mothers' watch, dashed between doorways playing chase as this late hour. Dogs lounged lazily beneath carts, tails wagging. The air still held the comforting scent of wood smoke and baking bread.
Although no fancy carriages rolled by and no grand names were mentioned, Evendon thrived with a quiet joy. It came from familiarity, harvested crops and well known neighbors. This liveliness was simple but genuine. I loved it whenever I came here. Everytime was a new experience but gave me repeated lessons. That one being grounded and have feet on earth. It told me that no matter who we are, what power we hold, all of us breathe the same air, walk on the same soil. They don't change as per rank of society do they?
It was the biggest cottage that was present near the sqaure. I walked near it and patted the dog seated near the entrance as if guarding the residence.
"Hey, llyla. How are you doing?" She wagged her tail upon seeing me.
"Ambre? You're here after a long time!" The owner of the cottage, Mr and Mrs. Reed stepped out to greet.
"Mrs. Reed." I replied and hugged her as I took in the homely environment.
The small stone walls of the cottage soaked up the sunshine and ivy crawled up the walls. The roof was amde of old straw, soft and golden. Smoke whiffled from the chimney and surrounded the house, smelling of burning wood and something sweet coming from the kitchen.
The wooden door, montion to age, was painted blue and had a small iron door handle. Nearby, tiny windows let the sunlight into the room, and the glass was slight wavy.
The inside of the cottage was innocent and nestled inside itself. The floor creaked and the fire crackled. A soft chair sat near the hearth, a blanket knitted, draped over the arm of the chair. Teacups, jars of jam, dried bunches of herbs adorned the shelves, and everything appeared used, garnish, colours inward. It was the most beautiful setting.
We had food, chatted around the night. It was special, delightful and rare. Mr. Reed was a soldier in the Asnovitch Army and Mrs. Reed sold beautiful scented soaps. They made a decent living for themselves and they shared selfless love for everyone.
"Boy, I am hoping to see you come with your wife one day." Mrs. Reed said to me.
"Yes. That makes yet another person on the list to ask me about my marriage." I laughed. Indeed a lot of people have enquired of my marriage even here and have started to guess when I will bring in wife. Here or amongst blue-bloods, marriage is always a stopper for me. Even if I change my gender.
"C'mon, hasn't your father got you a beautiful young lady yet? Your lonliness would perish with a loving partner" Mr. Reed said.
"Careful what you say. What if he doesn't return to meet us at all?"
I laughed. "Don't you worry, Mrs. Reed. I can never forget you. You are the family that replaced the one who couldn't live up to the term."
"Why, is everything alright at home?"
A part of me wanted to tell them everything I felt. Another part of me felt that they didn't need any additonal concern. And then again, no one much knew who I really was.
"Nothing much. It's just that they have to be themselves all the time. Takes a toll." I murmured and tossed a biscuit into my mouth. The Queen would absolutely lose it if she would see me eat something so sugary. But I liked breaking rules.
"Anyway-"
"Mr. Reed!" An urgent voice interrupted as it neared. It was Pete, the guy that had been dancing in the square just some time ago. He was taking long shallow breaths and was covered with soot completely. "Bandits! They've attacked again. I've gathered all the soliders. We need your help!"
"They're here again. Lock the doors, darling." Mr. Reed sprung into action immediately and he turned to me. "Let's get them, Ambre."
The spare sword catching dust was removed from Mr. Reed's cupboard. It was time to put all the combat practice finally into some use.
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