All Chapters of Surviving the World to Escape Him: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

HELENA I stared at the old man in disbelief. For a moment I wondered if I heard him correctly. He said I was ungrateful, yet I wasn’t asking for charity or a loan. I was asking to be paid what was due to me, for the land they had been using, for free. How was that being ungrateful?“Chief,” I said keeping my voice calm despite the anger burning inside me. threatening to spill out at any moment. “You have just admitted that the village has been using my grandmother’s land all these years without paying for it.” he nodded without hesitation.“You also said she allowed it?” he nodded once again. “Yes, she did.” he said with so much conviction. “Did she you could use it forever?” his eyebrows knitted together. “Did she stand before witnesses and declared the land now belonged to the village? If so, why didn’t she give you the deed?”Silence followed. “Did she give up ownership of the land?” I was getting angrier the more I thought about it. by now some villagers had gathered, am sure b

JULIANThe stag burst through the trees, its hooves pounding against the damp earth. I smiled as I urged my horse forward, refusing to let the animal escape. The thrill of the chase had always been my favourite part. Not the kill itself, but the moment prey realized there was no where left to run. I drew my bow and released an arrow, it flew past the stag’s neck, missing it by inches. The animal veered sharply in the opposite direction, but another arrow stuck true, piercing its chest and bringing it down before it hand taken three more strides. I froze; there was only one person I knew who could make a shot like that. “You are losing your touch, your highness.” One of my companions laughed. I ignored him. my eyes searched the trees, waiting for the hunter to reveal themselves. Moments later, the sound of approaching hooves echoes through the forest. “I wonder who among these villagers can hunt better that His highness.” another man mocked. “Whoever it is must be a legend to outshoo

HELENA The moment I got the silver; Zane and I hurried back to our village without looking back. None of us had to talk to know what the other was thinking. Julian was a prince and we didn’t know. I thought back to how I had been talking to him, the attitude, the challenge in my voice every time. How I mocked him sometimes.“He will forgive me for the sake of me saving his life before, right?” I asked Zane looking at him expectantly. “Does he look like he remembers you or what you did for him back then? The prince doesn’t recognize you just like you didn’t recognize him.” my heart sank. Recognition was not what terrified me.It was what would happen if he ever did remember. I had insulted him, challenged him, even laughed at him. royals didn’t forget disrespect, they punished it. that thought sent a shiver running down my spine despite the afternoon heat.We were now laying on our backs on the hill at the back of his house. I couldn’t go home; scared Julian would come looking for me.

JULIANTwo weeks passed in a blur; I was busy helping with the disaster relief and hardly slept. During the day I kept myself busy with work but at night my mind drifted off to her. I couldn’t see her before I left. I looked for her in all the places she usually hung out with Zane at, but I didn’t find her.I left with a heavy heart. Father didn’t want me staying in the village anymore, afraid I would not listen to him and insist on marrying Helena. But I went back with him the next day without a word of complaint. I knew I had to give a little to get something out of him.That was why I had given my all in the disaster relief.The minister of works I had been working with in rebuilding the dam was so pleased with me that he kept praising me in court. father seemed pleased as well. But I had an issue. The envoy arrived as father said. The marriage alliance was formed. I didn’t object but asked father to hold on in setting the date.The princess was left at the palace living in the quee

HELENAI stayed like that for a while, until silence was the only thing I could hear. My heart beat calmed as I stood with determination. I had one thought in mind, get home, pack a bag, take the silver and run. I could wait till morning, that was a risk I was not willing to take. I walked to the gate got inside.I hurried into my room and packed only what I needed. Clothes, important documents and every piece of silver I owned. Everything fit into one bundle. My gaze wandered around the room. every corner held a memory. The wooden cabinet grandma insisted on polishing every week despite its faded colour.The little stool where I had sat as a child while she braided my hair. Th cracked teapot she refused to throw away because grandpa had made it for her with his own hands. Now of it was valuable to anyone else, yet every piece carried a part of my life.My fingers brushed over the edge of the table as I walked past it. countless meals have been shared there. countless evenings spent l