Escaping Destiny

EVIE

The night was dark as the clouds covered the stars in the sky. But it wasn't obvious as it felt like it was still day in Edin with its lights that were as bright as the sun.

Still, it will not stop Evie from proceeding with her plan of escape.

She waited until the nobles have left the Palace and the only noise that could be heard in the Palace was the snores of the sleeping servants.

Evie held on to the door of their chamber and gave a quick glance at Joyce, who was sleeping soundly in her bed.

The duke of Athesus told her that she slept in their chamber from the early evening as she accidentally took a strong wine.

As she watched her snoring, she recalled their conversation where she asked her if she would like to stay in Edin, and she answered her with a resounding yes.

'Besides, she might cause this plan to fail. I better do it alone,' Evie resolved to herself.

Fortunately, the servants who were supposed to be guarding their door were also sleeping soundly that they were not awakened as she get out of the room in her white loose nightgown.

She crept her way out of the hallways and into the exit when she encountered roaming royal guards, making her step back and hid behind a wall.

Evie clutched her heart as if she could cover its loud beats and reveal to the royal guards where she is.

Seeing her situation, she wondered if it would be better if she would just be sleeping with Joyce and waking up as Hyouka, making her cringe at the thought.

She just couldn't allow herself to be trapped in their so-called destiny.

'I will not experience the same fate as Mom,' she drew in a deep breath.

Hearing that the footsteps of the royal guards were already becoming distant, Evie pushed on with her plan.

She was able to pass through the hallways and into the exits of the Palace where the Ornises are.

'I was right. This area will be unguarded by 3 am,' she nodded her head as her eyes shone like diamonds in a dark mine.

A while ago, she was not really having a fresh breath of air while she was on the terrace. She was observing the rotation of the royal guards.

Every two hours, they shifted location. And as they did so, one area seemed to be left unguarded.

She took advantage of it and sneak in.

However, it isn't part of her calculations that Acyon will notice her. He made a sound with his throat, freezing Evie.

Fortunately, it isn't loud enough to disturb anyone. They might probably think that Acyon was just dreaming, so no one came around, giving Evie the time to move.

"I wish I could take you home as a pet. But you're too large," she touched Acyon and bid him farewell before going to the Ornis that the duchess told her about.

She said she will give it an instruction to take her to one of the Gates out of Edin, which seemed to be true as it immediately flew as soon as she climbed it up.

It probably wasn't an accident that she learned to ride Acyon, the King's personal Ornis. 'This is a piece of cake,' she muttered as she allowed the bird to take her to the outskirts of Edin.

As she did so, she looked down and observed Edin in all its glory.

Indeed, no city or country could compare with it. It wouldn't be so bad to be its Queen.

But just thinking about the responsibility that comes with it makes Evie shudder. She didn't even want to be a manager of a small team!

Aside from that, what she didn't want about the whole scenario was not the idea of being queen itself but being trapped because of its 'fate'. Or 'destiny'.

'Whatever they call it, this is my life. And I will make my own choice,' she resolved to herself while holding on to the reins tightly, her eyes set on her destination.

This is not the first time that she has escaped from troublesome men. Maybe is just the same with those guards.

It seemed like they were already nearing the exit, as the place seemed to get darker and darker.

One of Evie's hands flew to her pocket, checking if the potion that the duchess gave to her is still there.

She breathed out a sigh of relief as she felt their smooth textures in her hand and wondered at the same time how dangerous the guards might be that such potions are needed to pass through them.

The duchess said that they are so potent that they could blind anyone with just a small size.

'Use it sparingly,' she warned. Indeed, they were only small bottles. Perhaps she could use it for only three guards.

Swing!

To Evie's surprise, someone was shooting an arrow at her!

Fortunately, Evie was able to duck immediately. 'It must probably be the guards that the duchess was talking about!'

She stayed hidden. But her head was peeking out slightly so she could see how she could maneuver the bird.

It seemed like the guards were targeting it this time since they can't see her.

As luck would have it, Evie seemed to be able to escape the guards' arrows as she used the tricks that she knew in flying a plane.

However, since it was her first time, one of them hit the bird's wings, making it fall down at a fast rate.

Evie tried to manipulate the bird. But it seemed like it lost its balance as it allowed itself to be pulled by gravity downward.

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Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.