When Lily returned to the room, the quiet she had left behind was beginning to stir.

The soft rustle of sheets, the faint shift of movement....small signs that Rosaline was waking.

Lily paused by the door for a moment, watching her.

Rosaline lay half-curled beneath the covers, her white hair spread loosely across the pillow, strands catching the dim light that filtered through the drawn curtains. Her expression was still clouded with sleep, her lashes fluttering slightly as though she hovered between dreams and reality.

For a brief second, Lily hesitated.

Then her resolve hardened.

There was no more time to think.

"My lady," she said softly at first, stepping closer.

Rosaline stirred, her brows knitting faintly before her eyes opened slowly. Confusion lingered in them, heavy with the grogginess of interrupted rest.

"...Lily?" she murmured, her voice quiet and unfocused.

But before she could say anything else, Lily had already moved.

She went straight to the small wardrobe, pulling it open with urgency that contrasted sharply with the calm she tried to maintain.

Clothes were taken out quickly.

Folded and packed.

Rosaline blinked, pushing herself up slightly on her elbows, her gaze following Lily’s movements with growing confusion.

"Lily... what are you doing?"

No answer.

Only the continued rustling of fabric, the swift gathering of essentials, the unmistakable rhythm of someone preparing to leave.

"Lily."

This time, Rosaline’s voice carried more clarity.

More insistence.

Lily turned.

Her expression was serious.....far more serious than Rosaline had ever seen it.

"We need to leave," she said.

Rosaline stilled.

"Leave...?"

"Yes." Lily stepped closer, lowering her voice instinctively. "You are not marrying the Duke. We are leaving the palace."

The words took a moment to settle.

When they did.....

Rosaline sat up fully, her heart beginning to race.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, her tone caught between disbelief and alarm. "Lily, do you even understand what you’re saying? This is—"

"Do you trust me?"

The question cut through her words.

Cleanly.

Directly.

Rosaline stopped.

Lily held her gaze, unwavering.

"If you trust me," she continued, softer now but no less firm, "then come with me. Just this once."

Silence stretched between them.

Rosaline’s thoughts tangled.....fear, confusion, uncertainty.....but beneath it all, there was something else.

Trust.

Always trust.

Slowly, she exhaled.

"...This is dangerous," she whispered.

"I know."

"We could be caught."

"I won’t let that happen."

"You can’t promise that."

Lily stepped closer, her voice steady. "I can promise that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."

Rosaline searched her face.

And then....

She nodded.

"Alright."

They moved quickly after that.

Rosaline dressed in simpler clothes while Lily gathered what little they could carry without drawing attention. There was no room for hesitation now.....only action.

As they prepared, Lily’s mind worked relentlessly.

The safest place... is the least expected one.

Which meant....

Not the back gates.

Not the hidden passages.

But the front.

They would leave through the front of the palace.

In plain sight.

The idea itself felt absurd.

Which was exactly why it might work.

They slipped out carefully and made their way through quieter corridors until they reached an unused guest wing.....a section of the palace rarely occupied unless there were visiting dignitaries.

The room they chose was dim and untouched.

A scent lingered faintly in the air, and the curtains remained drawn, casting the space into a muted twilight.

Neither of them moved to open them.

Secrecy mattered more than comfort.

Rosaline sat at the edge of the bed, her hands clasped together tightly as she watched Lily pace.

"So... what is the plan?" she asked quietly.

Lily stopped.

Then turned.

"We wait until evening," she began, her tone measured. "By then, preparations for dinner will draw most of the attention inside. Guards will be stationed, but their focus will be divided."

Rosaline listened carefully.

"There will be guest carriages arriving and leaving," Lily continued. "We blend in. We enter one—quietly—and leave before anyone notices."

Rosaline swallowed.

"And if we’re seen?"

"We won’t be."

The certainty in Lily’s voice was both reassuring—and terrifying.

Time passed slowly.

Too slowly.

Eventually, Rosaline spoke again.

"...Lily."

"Yes?"

"What is really going on?"

Lily hesitated.

Then sighed.

"I overheard something," she said finally, lowering herself beside Rosaline.

"What?"

Lily’s expression darkened.

"The Prince was arguing with the Queen."

Rosaline’s posture stiffened slightly.

"And?"

"...He said something," Lily continued carefully. "Something about previous truce marriages."

Rosaline’s fingers tightened.

"What about them?"

Lily met her eyes.

"He said the princesses who were sent before... all died."

Silence.

Heavy.

Cold.

"...Died?" Rosaline repeated faintly.

Lily nodded.

"They said it was sickness. But... the way he spoke...it didn’t sound like that was the truth."

A chill settled over the room.

"The Dagon Empire..." Lily whispered, her voice lowering instinctively, "...is said to be... strange. People talk about it. Quietly. About things that don’t make sense. About nobles who fall ill without reason... about disappearances..."

Rosaline’s breath slowed.

Uneven.

"And the Queen?" she asked.

Lily’s jaw tightened.

"She said it was necessary. That sacrifices must be made... for the good of the kingdom."

The words hung in the air like a curse.

"And that sacrifice," Lily said softly, "is you."

Rosaline swallowed hard.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she looked away, her gaze unfocused as the reality of it settled in.

"...I see."

Lily crouched beside her immediately, reaching for her hands.

"We’re leaving," she said firmly. "You won’t become that."

Rosaline closed her eyes briefly.

Then nodded.

"...Thank you."

By the time the light outside had dimmed, they were ready.

Both dressed in maid uniforms.

Blending in.

Invisible.

Or at least.....

That was the hope.

They stepped out of the room carefully, moving with practiced quiet through the corridors, their heads lowered, their movements controlled.

Minutes after they left.....

The same door opened again.

Seth stepped inside.

He paused, scanning the room briefly before lowering his head respectfully.

"My lord."

From the shadows, a figure emerged.

Xandros.

"I trust you saw them leave," he said.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Xandros’ gaze shifted slightly toward the doorway.

"Follow them."

Seth blinked.

"...Follow them?"

"Ensure her safety," Xandros said calmly. "But do not interfere."

Seth frowned slightly.

"And may I ask... what exactly is happening?"

Xandros’ expression remained unreadable.

"She is running away."

Seth’s brows lifted.

"...That is bold."

"She is not alone," Xandros added. "Her maid is leading this."

Seth nodded slowly.

"I understand."

He bowed.

"I will see to it."

And then he left.

Outside....

Rosaline and Lily reached the outer corridors where carriages lined up for evening movement.

Their steps slowed slightly.

Careful.

Measured.

"There," Lily whispered, nodding subtly toward a carriage positioned near the side passage.

It was unattended. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Perfect.

They moved quickly.

Quietly.

Slipping behind it before climbing into the back.

The space was cramped, dark, but hidden.

They settled in, their breaths shallow, their bodies tense.

For a moment.....

Nothing happened.

Then.....

The carriage shifted.

Moved.

Rosaline’s heart leapt.

"It’s working..." she whispered.

Lily allowed herself a small breath of relief.

But it didn’t last

The carriage slowed.

Stopped.

Voices.

Close.

Too close.

Then.....

A voice they both recognized.

Smooth, controlled and dangerous.

The Queen.

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

Lily turned toward her.

Panic reflected in both their gazes in the cramped space.

And outside.....

The Queen spoke.