One • Runaway Bride

•Heather• 

A small smile stretched my lips as I silently studied the beautiful butterfly in front of me. It had large, bright colored wings that were attached to a small body. I wondered what kind of breed it was and where it was from since my parents made sure that there weren’t many butterflies in the manor because of my older sister’s weird fear of them. 

Tilting my head to the side, I lightly shaded the picture that I had been drawing for a while now. I had somewhere else to be but after having an encounter with such a captivating creature, I couldn’t miss drawing it for anything. Having my journal on me, I figured that it had to be a sign. 

The Harlow’s manor was a spectacular building that, in my opinion, had the most beautiful garden in all of Reechidre. It was wise not to take my word for it though because I didn’t move around often.

“Heather!” My mother’s voice screamed in horror that I flinched, making my pencil scratch through the page.

I looked at my surroundings to see if there was anything dangerous near me and after not seeing any, I looked at my mother in confusion. 

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be tending to Diane?” She asked angrily and I blinked in surprise. 

“What?” I asked. Is this what all the fuss was about? 

“How disobedient! I told you to tend to her and you’re here lazing around.” She reached out and snatched my book from my hands before examining it. A look of disappointment fell over her features and she said, "You and your useless hobbies."

I clenched my teeth in irritation. "My hobbies are not useless, Mother." 

"Whatever." She put the book under her armpit. "Diane is getting married in two hours time, don’t you understand how urgent things are?” 

How was that my job though? We had so many servants and talented maids to make her look outstanding yet here I was, being scolded for not playing a role that wasn't even mine. 

Not wanting to argue, I stood up and said, “Forgive me.” I looked at my book. “May you please return that?” 

She shook her head. “I will give it to you after you get Diane ready. You’re too invested in these useless things! A woman your age should be more concerned about getting a good husband and settling down. In two more years, no man will want to marry you!” 

I dropped my hand, giving up on getting my book, while I tried to keep my facial expression neutral. Giving a light bow, I walked away to tend to my sister and I could still hear my mother grumbling about how lightly I take important things. 

She was so annoying! A woman should do this. A woman should do that. Men this. Men that. I didn’t care! If anything, I would love to be single forever and preferably become the greatest artist in the world.

But that was a farfetched dream and I knew that better than anyone.

I looked through the windows as a sigh escaped me. How I longed to leave this wretched place and every memory that I had here. When I reached Diane’s room, I knocked lightly before walking in. 

“You’re finally here,” Diane said as she looked over her shoulder with a bright smile. “You kept me waiting.” 

“I apologize," I mumbled and she frowned.

"Are you okay?” 

I huffed and stood behind her before starting to work on her beautiful hair. We were both blonde but her hair seemed to radiate something that mine couldn’t. 

Diane was my older sister and the other daughter of this household. She was also the lucky woman who was going to marry the future king. It was an arranged marriage that was decided two years ago and today was finally the big day.

Diane was the pride and joy of the family. An attractive, slender woman with the brightest blue eyes around. She was the ideal woman in my mother’s eyes and being engaged to the prince promoted her to goddess. 

She was so lucky though. I couldn’t help but shamefully admit that I was slightly envious of how people accepted her decisions while mine were constantly criticized.

“Did Mother say something again?” She asked, breaking the silence, and our eyes met through the mirror. I pursed my lips in annoyance and she sighed. “You’re an adult now, Heather. I can’t be reading your mind all the time.” 

“It’s been working all these years,” I answered quietly. “What difference will it make if you continue for a few more?” 

“What a brat. I can’t do that forever.” She giggled. “Your thoughts aren’t as predictable now.” 

I gathered her hair in a bun and put a golden pin to hold it in place. “You’re also getting married so, we might not spend as much time together anymore. Read my mind one more time.” 

Her smile faltered and it caught my attention more than I expected. "Are you happy?" I suddenly blurted before instantly regretting it. "Forgive me. You don’t have to answer that."

"It’s okay," Diane replied, "I am happy but I’m nervous. I will be ruling the kingdom soon yet I’m not as intelligent or good with numbers as you."

I laughed bitterly. “Compared to me, you are better off being yourself.” 

She hummed. “I admire you sometimes. You’re always brave and following your heart. You are more true to yourself than me.” 

My hands froze. “What do you mean?” 

She laughed lightly and waved her hand about dismissively. “Forget that. Anyway, is this all?” 

I examined her from the light makeup on her face to the jewels that graced her body. My parents made sure to bestow the best jewelry on her for this special day and it suited her very well. “You look perfect. Let me fetch Mother. She will be moved to tears by how beautiful you look.” 

“Wait!” She said before I could take another step away from her. 

“What is it?” 

“I…. I can’t put on my dress by myself.” 

I smiled. “I know. I will send maids to help you with that.” 

She hesitated before nodding. “I’ll get ready then.” 

“Don’t be so nervous, Diane. Everything will be fine.” 

I walked out of the room in search of our mother. Despite ending the topic there, I couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable weight that settled at the of my stomach. Was Diane having second thoughts? 

I shook my head. Of course not. She is a responsible woman who willingly agreed to marry the prince. At first, I felt a little sorry for her because of the rumors concerning him but since she didn’t seem disturbed by them, I decided to be nonchalant as well. 

I slowed my steps when I caught sight of my mother with three maids. Telling by her expression, she was probably giving instructions concerning the wedding. If being nitpicky was a person, it would definitely be my mother.

Her eyes suddenly looked up to meet mine and she frowned. “Slacking once again?” 

“No. Diane is ready and needs help with her dress.” 

“I see.” She looked at the woman on her right and the maid nodded before walking to Diane’s room. “I hope that she looks more wonderful than usual.” 

“I did my best.” 

She scoffed. “I don’t know if that should be comforting. Let’s get going.” 

I nodded and followed her to Diane’s room. Reaching our destination, we entered the room and found the maid, who Mother had sent earlier, standing next to an empty chair. 

“Where is the bride?” Mom asked with furrowed brows. “She’s not supposed to leave the room.” 

“I didn’t find her when I arrived so, I figured that she might have gone to the bathroom.” 

“What do you mean? All our bedrooms are self-contained.” 

A heavy silence filled the room and without words being exchanged, we all scattered to look for her. 

“Calm down,” I told my racing heart. “Where could she possibly go? Don’t jump into conclusions.” 

I couldn’t help but think about what Diane was saying earlier. Did she not want to get married? Was she silently suffering because of this arrangement? 

But she couldn’t run away! The royal family would kill us and literally so. 

After a while of searching, we all met back in the bedroom and each shook our heads to show that we didn’t find her. Mother dropped her gaze and turned pale, her hands shaking lightly. 

Swallowing my fear, I voiced the question that everybody else couldn't. “Has she run away?” 

Mother’s eyes snapped up with a fury that I have seen often but this time, there was a hatred that was new to me. She slapped me hard across my face, making the maids gasp in shock. 

I stared at her with wide eyes. I would have liked to pretend that it didn’t happen but the hot sting on my cheek was all too real. 

“Are you trying to jinx us!?” She yelled furiously. 

I dropped my gaze as my body began to tremble in fear. “I-I apologize.” 

She narrowed her eyes at me. “What did you tell her?” 

“I didn’t tell her anything.” 

“Was it one of your self-righteous speeches? Did you make her uncomfortable?” 

“I didn’t tell her anything, I swear,” I muttered, trying my best to hold back the tears that welled up in my eyes.

Before she could say anything else, another maid rushed into the room and bowed. “Apologies for not knocking, My lady, but I’ve received feedback from the guards.” 

“What have they said?” Mother asked as she turned to completely face her. 

“They have searched the entire manor and Madam Diane is no where to be found.” She swallowed nervously. “I’m afraid that the young miss is missing together with a horse from the stables.”

Mother staggered backwards as her legs gave away and the maids rushed to her before helping her sit down. Her voice came out in a ghostly whisper but we all heard it loud and clear. 

“W-we’re going to be hanged.”