Chp 2

Pearl

I had prepared everything and I was all ready to run toward freedom.

I know what you're thinking!, that I'm such an ungrateful kid for leaving my aunt, the woman who did so much for me but I'm not leaving her. I’ll definitely come back.

I just need to prove to myself that I’m capable of doing things on my own that I’m not dependent on anyone.

I tried to explain this to my aunt so many times, but she never listened. She kept scaring me with stories about people being executed. That fear kept me trapped in this place but not anymore. I’m not scared now.

I’ve made my decision, and when I return, I’ll show her that even as a girl, I can survive in this world on my own.

I need to make my parents proud.

I’m sure they’re watching from above and I have their blessings with me!

I have already packed my clothes in a small white cloth, along with the coins I’d earned. Cecil looked confused and she couldn’t understand what was happening.

She placed the tray on the table, closed the door behind her, and rushed toward me with concern written all over her face.

Her eyes scanned me from head to toe as she walked over.

She grabbed my hands, her grip tight. "Why are you dressed like this, my lady? Are you going somewhere? Lady May strictly forbade you from leaving! So where are you going this late at night, and why have you packed your things?" she asked, the questions coming in a panicked rush.

“I can’t stay here anymore, Cecil,” I whispered. “I need to actually live my life, not just hide behind these walls. I have to do something for my parents—I owe them that.” I squeezed her hands as the tears finally started to spill over.

“I know how important this is for you but…”

“I need to leave now, Cecil,” I interrupted, gripping her hand tighter.

“No, my lady, I won’t let you go! You cannot leave like this! Please understand…your life will be in danger every single day!” she cried, holding on to me, her tears falling freely.

I wiped her tears. I know she was right, I would be scared every day, always hiding the truth that I’m a girl but it was too late to back out now. I had already made up my mind.

I smiled and cupped her cheek. “I’ll be safe, I promise, Cecil. My aunt needs you here. And I know that once I leave, you’ll be able to handle things. I’ll write to you every day. You’re not my maid, you’re my friend. And I need you to understand what I’m going through.”

Her grip loosened.

She lowered her head, staring at the floor in silence.

I waited for her response.

After a minute, which felt like an hour she looked up at me and smiled, gently taking my hand again.

“I understand, my lady. Go live your dream. But please… be safe.”

I hugged her tightly and I knew she’d understand, she always did.

“I have to leave now, Cecil, before my aunt comes to check on me,” I said, rushing to grab the white cloth bundle.

“Hurry, my lady your aunt could be here any moment! If she finds out you're trying to leave, she’ll never let you out of this room again. She’ll appoint maids to watch your every move,” Cecil warned as she helped me gather my things.

I rushed to the window. I had always been good at sneaking out at night.

I kissed Cecil on the cheek.

“Goodbye,” I whispered.

And I left.

I swung my legs over the window ledge, clutching the rope tightly. My heart raced as I lowered myself down, and slowly landed on the ground with the help of a rope. I quickly pulled the rope back up and stuffed it into my backpack.

It was freezing outside. As I began walking through the streets, I rubbed my palms together to keep myself warm.

The moon shone brightly above me as I kept walking, searching for a place to stay. The streets were empty, as it was late at night, around 12 a.m.—a perfect time for me to sneak out of my room.

I had already done a lot of research; a few miles away, there was a small inn where I could hide out until I registered at the University.

I needed somewhere warm, at least for tonight.

Shivering, I kept rubbing my arms as I walked.

"Oh God, I’m going to freeze to death before I even reach the famous inn," I muttered to myself.

I suddenly froze in place.

Ahead of me, I noticed a man who looked oddly familiar and he wasn't alone.

There were soldiers behind him.

Quickly, I ducked behind a wall and secretly watched them.

Shit.

I know who that man is he’s one of my aunt’s trusted men.

Oh right, I haven’t told you about my aunt yet.

She’s super rich because of our family business, and she’s close to the Gamma.

The Gamma favors her a lot and... he even has feelings for her.

But my aunt never married him because of me, she always said I needed someone to stay with me, and if she married the Gamma, she would have to live with him, leaving me behind.

She didn’t want me to feel abandoned or become anyone’s burden.

I feel bad for her. She never got to live her own life.

That’s why I decided that once I turned eighteen, I would leave, so my aunt could finally live her life freely and beautifully.

I stayed hidden, waiting for them to leave, but they kept investigating the area.

I wondered what they were looking for while I secretly watched.

That's when I noticed another soldier running toward the Gamma, breathing heavily.

"Did you find her?" the Gamma asked in a serious tone.

"No, sir. We couldn’t find any trace of her. I think she’s already left," the soldier replied, trying to catch his breath.

My heart dropped.

I placed my hand over my mouth to stop myself from gasping.

Shit.

They were looking for me.

My aunt must have already discovered that I had disappeared.

I pressed myself tighter against the wall, every instinct screaming at me to run but I couldn't move.

If I made a sound, they'd catch me and If I stayed too long, they'd find me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing my racing heart to calm.

Focus, Pearl, you need to Focus, i reminded myself

The soldiers were speaking in hushed voices, planning their next move. I caught fragments of their conversation searching nearby inns, guarding the city exits.

Panic clawed at my chest.

I had to move.

Now.

Taking a deep breath, I waited until their backs were turned, then slipped into the shadows, my footsteps as silent as a whisper. I darted down narrow alleys, ducking behind crates and slipping through doorways.

There was a wall ahead, and once I crossed it, escaping would be much easier. By the time they reached the other side, I would already be gone.

I climbed up and swung my legs over, but as I tried to land safely, my hand slipped. I lost my balance and fell.

A loud thud echoed through the night.

My eyes squeezed shut. Oh no, please don't let me be injured.

But then...

Instead of cold ground, I felt something firm and warm, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me.

I slowly cracked my eyes open and froze.

I hadn't fallen to the ground.

I had fallen onto someone.

He was staring at me with sharp, furious eyes, and before I could even react, his grip tightened around my waist, making it hard to breathe. His scent hit me, it was fresh pine mixed with something wild, something dangerous. My heart hammered against my ribs as I struggled to pull away, but his hold was unyielding.

I blinked, my heart hammering in my chest as I stared at him.

The man beneath me was nothing like I had ever seen before. His features were sharp, chiseled like a sculpture a strong jawline, high cheekbones, and lips set in a hard, angry line. His skin was sun-kissed, the kind you earned from living under the open sky, and a faint scar ran along his left eyebrow, giving him a dangerously rugged edge.

But it was his eyes that truly stole my breath, a piercing, golden hue, burning with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. eyes so sharp I felt they might cut me if I stared too long.They weren't just looking at me; they were seeing through me, peeling away my every secret.

His hair was a wild kind of beautiful, long enough to brush past his shoulders, part of it tied back loosely while the rest cascaded freely around his face. Stray strands clung to his sharp cheekbones, stirred by the cold night breeze, making him look like something untamed... and noble, like a warrior born from the forest itself.

And then his arms, oh god!!!...his grip around my waist tightened, like iron bands, as if daring me to even think about escaping. I could hardly breathe under the force of it.

Panic spiked through me.

What have I gotten myself into?