The Escape

A dim light faintly illuminated the room. It was decorated in a princess style, but instead of the usual pink, everything was gold. The air felt soft—yet gloomy, reflecting the mood of the girl sitting on the plush bed.

A gentle knock sounded on the door, followed by a small voice.

“Miss, it is time for dinner.”

The tone carried caution, as if afraid of provoking her.

The girl stood up and walked to the door, pulling it open.

The maid on the other side looked visibly shocked to see her come out on her own, but quickly bowed.

The girl showed no reaction as she walked through the brightly lit hall, her heels clicking softly against the floor.

The moment she stepped into the dining hall, the man seated at the table paused.

He looked at her in disbelief. “You came out without being forced?”

The girl pulled out a chair and sat down calmly. Picking up her cutlery, she replied,

“It’s tiring to throw tantrums every day. It’s not getting me what I want.”

The man still couldn’t believe it, but she began eating quietly. Soon, she was done.

She stood up to leave.

“Where are you going?” he asked quickly.

“To the garden,” she replied simply.

“You’re being unbelievably calm today,” he finally said, voicing his thoughts.

Throwing tantrums, refusing to eat, smashing valuable items, scolding people over minor things—that had been her routine. So this sudden calmness was suspicious.

She paused midway.

“Maybe I’ve accepted my fate, Papa,” she said softly, her voice empty of emotion.

He studied her for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“Good,” he said with a faint smile.

So it’s good that I’ve accepted being caged, she thought as she walked out.

Stepping into the garden, her fingers brushed over flowers now asleep under the night sky. It was quiet—lonely, as always.

The moon followed her steps, her only companion.

Her name was Arya.

Her mother had died giving birth to her, leaving her to be raised solely by her father. In all her eighteen years of life, she had never seen the world beyond this mansion.

Or rather—

This cage.

As a child, she believed there was nothing outside these walls. She was content.

But as she grew older, she began to notice things.

Like the butterfly that flew out of the garden—

And never came back.

Curiosity took root. Then longing.

She tried everything.

Acting cute. Throwing tantrums. Refusing to eat.

Nothing worked.

Her father never wavered.

“You are not safe outside,” he always said.

Arya stopped and looked up at the sky.

“It ends tonight,” she whispered.

The longing. The tears. The frustration.

All of it—

Would end tonight.

Because tonight, she would escape.

She glanced around carefully.

When she was sure no one was watching, she turned a sharp corner.

There it was—

A small hole in the wall. Just big enough for someone to squeeze through.

Her escape route.

She had found it the previous day while exploring.

Without hesitation, she pushed her head through and began twisting her body to fit.

It hurt.

But she didn’t stop.

Minutes passed before she finally managed to get halfway through.

Then—

She saw a pair of legs.

Without thinking, she grabbed them and used them as support to pull herself out.

When she finally tumbled free, she was still clutching the stranger’s leg.

Arya burst into laughter. Her ribs ached, and a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

She was free.

Finally—free.

She was about to look around—

When a calm voice sounded above her.

“Looking for death?”

The voice was low, almost quiet—yet it sent chills down her spine.

She slowly looked up.

And froze.

A pair of piercing eyes stared down at her, as if they could see straight into her soul.

But then—

She truly saw him.

And her breath caught.

He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen.

Sharp jawline. Defined features. Pale skin. Dark hair falling over his forehead.

Arya was completely speechless.

He crouched down to her level, a wave of strong scent of sandal wood brushed her nose. Suddenly his hand wrapped around her neck.

His gaze turned cold.

Deadly.

As if he could end her life at any moment.

But instead of fear—

Arya smiled.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him up close.

And without hesitation, she said—

“Be my boyfriend.”

A flash of lightning split the sky.

Thunder roared.

And the rain began to fall.