Both princesses finally arrived at the three paths and immediately headed towards the left path. "Do you think father will come to get us if he finds out that we are in the North?" Albertina asked. She disliked living in the castle. She hated the fact that she couldn't live freely. The fact that she was supposed to live by etiquettes made her angry. She just wanted to be like other girls who could live their life without anyone controlling them.
"No one would identify us as the king's daughters in the north. It is a hideout for us. Even if words got out about the missing princesses, the northerners won't care because they are not allies with the south," Lysandra answered Albertina. Deep down, she hoped no one would find out about them. She wanted her speculation to be true about the north.
By nightfall, they arrived at a bustling town filled with people throttling about. Children running in all directions, traders selling their goods and the rich aroma of food filled the air. Houses and shops were made of wood with bright burning touches on each of them. The breeze was colder than usual yet the people didn't seem to care as they moved around freely.
"I bet this is our cue to trade these nice horses for coins," Lysandra said and jumped down from her horse. She didn't want to touch any jewelry her mother had left in her care. It might raise suspicion if anyone gets to know what she was carrying. She has planned to put them into good use.
Albertina followed suit with a grin. "I can smell freshly baked bread Sandra," she said as her mouth watered.
Seeing the happiness on her sister's face, Lysandra's heart felt full. Tina deserved to be happy. "Here," she placed give gold coins on Tina's palm. "Get some bread and meat."
"Alright," Albertina grinned widely and walked away like a curious child. The princesses were never allowed to leave the castle walls except when there was an important soiree to attend.
Lysandra pulled the two horses towards the carriage park.
"Everia," she asked randomly.
"Here, young lady." A coachman who looked thirty said from amongst the men.p
Lysandra forced a smile which didn't reach her eyes. "Two persons and some sacks. What is the cost?" She asked.
"Everia is a one day ride from here. That will cost you fifteen gold coins," the man replied eagerly. He has been sitting idle for the past three hours without a passenger heading to Everia.
Lysandra looked around her before her eyes fell on the coachman again. "Where can I sell these horses?" She asked.
On the other hand, Albertina bought five breads and some meat that were rolled in flour and fried in hot oil, then coated with tasty spices. "Thank you," she said to the man who waved her off. Just as she was about to make her way towards her sister, Lysandra suddenly appeared in her vision and pulled her towards a shop.
"What is going on?" She asked in curiosity. Grasping the basket of breads and meat, she looked behind her to catch a glimpse of the king's royal guards.
"Father's men. I spotted them heading towards this town," she replied in worry. Lysandra pulled the shop open and stepped inside with Albertina.
"Welcome to Henrietta's fashion home. How may I be of help, young ladies?" A short plump woman beamed with her hands spread out.
"We are going to Everia to visit our Aunt who just put to bed. We need some clothes for commoners," Lysandra answered politely with a sweet grin on her face.
Albertina shook her head internally. Lysandra was so good at keeping her cool even in times of trouble. She was a quick thinker. "Of course ma'am, we need something to shield ourselves from the cold too," she chirped in.
"Ahh, you girls must be going to Everia for the first time. Please come with me," she beckoned them to follow her into the anteroom.
The moment Lysandra's red hair disappeared into the room, one of the king's guards peered his face through the open window of the cloth shop.
"They are not here either," another king's guard shouted from the other side.
Cyprian on the other hand was getting tired and impatient of the futile search. Where could two dumb princesses who had never stepped out of Asta disappear to?
He thought he had sighted a red haired girl from afar. To his surprise, it was another girl, a commoner and not the princess. "Let's head back and make camp for the night. Tomorrow, we will continue our search until we find those cunts," he growled to his men and angrily left the town.
After purchasing a few clothes for themselves, both girls stepped out of the shop and swiftly made their way towards the waiting carriage.
"Those men," the coachman looked suspiciously at them. "They were looking for both of you, right?" He asked. "They had come to ask me if I had seen any red haired girl," he added with a sigh. "I almost peed myself."
"Did you tell them?" Lysandra questioned as she drew closer to the man like a predator. Her eyes held him without blinking. Albertina swallowed and instantly took a look around but she couldn't spot any of the guards.
The man stepped back and raised his hands in the air, "take it easy. I pointed to another red haired whore. You girls are quite lucky," he replied and shrugged. "Get in the carriage. We have to leave now." And with that, the sisters stepped into the carriage and made sure everything was intact.
"That was so close," Albertina whispered as the carriage started moving. "I think I like this outfit," she smiled. They had changed into brown pants and white tunic, topped with a brown fur coat which reached their knees. A rope was used to tie the part below the breasts to enhance the fitting, and then paired with sturdy brown winter boots. She pulled the hood over her head and brought out two pieces of bread and meat. "I'm famished," she said to Lysandra.
"Everia, here we come," Lysandra whispered with a smile.
***
Queen Remi stared at herself in the mirror with a blank expression on her face as her maidservant removed the pins from her hair. After the bloody night when Lady Victoria, Catelyn and Caspian were brutally executed by the king, she found it hard to believe everything had happened.
Her personal maidservant, Cara, had also brought news to her concerning the missing princesses. "Have there been any words about the girls?"
"There has been none, Your Grace. The king is still furious and has extended the search into the East," Cara answered dutifully. "It has been a day since they escaped."
The Queen inhaled sharply and gritted her teeth. She never thought that the man she married could be so cruel. "What about the traitor, Caspian? Why was he executed?" She asked. Cara was her eyes and ears in the castle yet, no one saw the deaths coming. Queen Remi fears that if the girls are not found before the Eastern prince arrives, Pandora or Riona would be given out as a bride to him.
"He colluded with Lady Victoria and helped her daughter escape. It seems the former king's hand didn't like the fact that the girl, Lysandra, was going to be the Eastern prince's bride." Cara replied in skepticism. She wasn't sure if that was the main reason why the King was acting strange.
Remi's back straightened at Cara's words. "No one wants to get married to a lunatic," she said more to herself than to Cara. "Get me Pandora. She will be staying in my room for now." She didn't want the same fate of the missing girls to befall her daughter.
"I will see to it Your Grace. I shall take my leave," Cara bowed and scurried out of the room without waiting for the Queen's dismissal.
***
1825, March 25th, Everia
"There has been a commotion in the south. I caught news about King Owen Flynn's missing daughters," a young lady in a deep blue gown and white fur jacket said as she poured tea into a ceramic teacup. A smile formed on her lips as she took the cup and walked towards the balcony where a tall figure stood.
The lady's silver hair danced to the gentle breeze coming from outside. It was cold as usual in Everia. Winter has come and it will start snowing in a day or two.
She pressed her body seductively against the tall ma's who was staring into nothingness. Her doe green eyes were beautiful yet filled with malice. Her small nose and red painted lips were enough to bring a man to his knees.
"Why are you quiet?" She asked with a pout. The young lady was about to speak when the man interrupted her.
"That will be all, Gladys. Take the teapot while leaving," his cold unnerving voice dismissed her without hesitation.
Gladys internally flinched at his response and quietly left his side to gather the tray she brought. Taking a look at the man over her shoulder, she left the room without a word.
After the bugging lady left, the man brought out a piece of crumpled paper from his pocket. Unfolding it, he read quietly.
Caspian is dead.
The three words kept ringing in his head like a bell at noon. Last week, Caspian contacted him. Seeking help for an urgent uprising issue. His family had arrived at Everia three days ago and took shelter at the Dawson's Manor.
A huge sigh escaped from his pale lips and his shoulder sagged. Caspian was a good man.
Another man suddenly emerged from the shadows behind the balcony door. His hair, white as snow and sharp as moonlight. "Should I find the girls?" He asked with a malicious grin on his face. His green eyes looked onto the tall man with excitement.
"No," was the single word he received from the man.
The silver haired man sighed and leaned his slender frame against the balcony railing. "I will tell my men to keep watch then. We can't have southerners running in our land," he puffed.
The tall man instantly turned to glare at him from the pit of his hollow eyes. "My kingdom is open to all and sundry." Giving the piece of paper to the silver haired, he said, "make sure this reaches the Dawson's. Also, it would be a relief if your sister put a distance between us. I won't hesitate to snap her neck if I get tired of her," he added begrudgingly before walking away. A cold daring aura emanates from him as he steps out of the room.
"Always the grumpy one," the silver haired man jeered at the man who just left before his gaze fell on the paper. "What a pity," he said and drastically blended into the night, disappearing from the balcony as if he wasn't there a few seconds ago.
Then it started to snow.🏔️❄️