Escape

Sophie

I have to do something. I have to do something. You will be caged again. No freedom for you. I chose not to listen to that little voice saying these things to me. I was pacing in my room. One hand, tapping my lower lip with a finger. The other was resting on my back. The wedding dress was on the stand close to the mirror and it was everything mother wanted it to be. Last night it all seemed so easy but when it is time to act I do not know what to do or how to even start my journey of escape.

I named my escape plan as dandaline. It goes wherever it wants to but the wind is the leader. At least it has freedom that I do not. “Your Highness, your mother wants to meet you in her chambers.” Dixy, one of my maid said. She entered the room and opened the door wide for others to enter. They were here for my hair and makeup. Fuck! Fuck! I am so done.

“What if we leave right now?” I asked myself. “Yes, your highness. Your mother wants to give something to you. She said it is very important so you must not delay.” And here I thought, I said it to myself. “Then lets not keep her waiting.” I said and made my way to the door. I turned to look at the dress. “Your Highness, I suggest you at least wear it first.” Dixy tried to make me wear it. Maybe if I wore it, then nobody would force me to get ready quickly. Also, I was short on time.

***

“Can you not tighten it that much?” I asked Dixy. She tightened the back making my clevage to be out and fully on display. The low v neck wasn’t enough for them to show it all. Sometimes I wished I lived at a colder place, to be dressed modestly. I wish I was confident with my body. My hair reached my shoulders just fine. They were straight brunette. “Can we leave now?” I asked Dixy. “I am after you, your highness.” She said. I sighed.

From here it all begins.

I made my way to the last corridor of the palace. If I turn left then I will be making my way to my mother’s chambers. But, my freedom was at the right turn. I made my right turn. “Your highness…” before Dixy could protest, I said, “I never wanted this. Dixy, i never thought they would marry me off to that disrespectful person. Do you even know what he cares about the most? Being the king of my kingdom. That’s all he cares about. I sighed.

I reached the end of the hall and there it stand, in its glory, my grandmother’s painting. The vase was there on the table. “Dixy! Can you please make sure that nobody enters this corridor?” I asked her. She looked few years younger than I was. She always tried to be at a respectful distance with me. She never tried being my friend. How badly I wanted a friend in this palace. She nodded and turned away. I saw her figure disappearing at a distance. I smiled to myself, the opportunity has shown its self. I turned the vase in right direction. The painting slid to the side, revealing the passage to the eastern side of the kingdom. I hope I remembered the direction.

I looked at the light which was on the wall. I quickly took it off and made my way to the inside of the hidden doorway. I placed the brick on the slab which was on the side. The painting started sliding shut.

One part of my escape plan is done.

Let’s move now. With the candle in my hand I lit candles which were shut in the tunnel. A secret tunnel only those who are the inhabitants of this place knows about it. If not for the hide and seek I used to play with mother in my childhood, I would never have discovered it.

I started walking slowly. I wish I did not wear this dress. It is making me walk slowly. Some passages lead to some chambers in the palace and some lead the outside of the palace. I remembered that I pocketed a sheet which had all the passage and there ends. Oh Fuck! Maybe I left it in my chambers. It can not be, can it? I started panicking. “Oh hell no! How can you forget something so important?” I asked myself loudly. “You are an idiot!” I checked my pockets again. My hands came out empty.

I looked around, I made my way to the first section of the tunnel. It had three different passages. Which one should I take? I took a deep breath. If I chose a wrong one and end up stuck here forever? What will I do then? I heard voices coming my way from passage three. I looked there and found three men holding candles.

What? Who are they? How come they have the access to the tunnel of my palace? I started panicking and then my hands started shaking. Fuck! Fuck!

“Who is there?” Someone yelled and then I heard their footsteps fastening. Who are they? I covered my face. I can do nothing but face it. Face them. Fuck it!