Escape

The night passed more peacefully than she had expected. Surprisingly, she slept on the soft pink mattress like a baby, even though she was in his lair.

The morning arrived, the same day the king was finally leaving as he had mentioned during dinner. Once he was out of the kingdom, it would be Dalia's moment to act.

As long as the king was not here, he would not be able to catch her. All she needed to do was come up with a good plan, and then she could escape from the palace.

She could go somewhere in the village; it didn't matter if her father would not accept her back because she had brought disgrace upon herself by leaving her husband's house. Then she would roam the streets and find a better place to stay, which would be better than living in this palace.

"How often is the king away?" Dalia asked the head maiden that day after the king left.

The maiden looked not any older than her mother; her name was Adum, as she had said. She was currently tending to Dalia's dress, pinning the satin to her waist in place.

"He rarely stays in the palace, my queen," she bowed her head then looked up at Dalia, a smile creasing her face. "But perhaps he would cease to travel often since he is now married."

Dalia's brows knitted; that would disrupt her plan for escaping. Besides, she would have to face him often. She would have to look at a man with a mask on, a reminder that he was a killer. No, it would be better if he did not cease his travel.

However, she just nodded at Adum; she didn't have to know what was running in her mind, for Dalia did not think anyone would be taking her side.

"When will he likely return?" It was better to know so her plan could work effectively.

However, why would a man who just got a new wife think of other things instead of staying home with her? It was not right. That only showed the kind of man he was, what kind of character he exhibited.

The gods did not approve of this; a man was supposed to treat his wife well, especially on the first day of marriage. But then, he wasn't even a man to start with.

"He usually takes longer, perhaps a moon cycle at times, but I doubt it would be the same now that he is married. I am so sure," she finished pinning Dalia's dress then squeezed her shoulder.

When she smiled at her, it was so warm Dalia almost felt at home, that there was someone here who cared for her. "Do not worry, my dear," she said so softly as if talking to her own daughter, "he will return before then."

Dalia wondered if she could tell her. She stared at Adum; her eyes were so warm and generous. Could she rely on her? Could she confide in her? Would she be able to understand? But then, she couldn't even begin to trust her, for she had stayed in the palace despite knowing who he was and was absolutely fine with it, except she was a slave and had no other choice. But then, she still could not begin to trust her, not with her escape at least.

After Adum was done dressing her, since the palace tended to just dress her without any occasion, she stepped back and stared at her, giving her that warm smile again.

"What is the duty of the queen?" Dalia asked, trying to say anything while she thought of her plan.

"Well.. I do think the king will inform you of that since I do not know much," she replied.

Dalia nodded, still thinking of her plan. It didn't take long before a good plan finally crossed her mind. "Am i allowed to go out?" Yes, finding a way out was a first step towards her goal; she must leave this place by all means.

"Yes," she nodded. "You can go visit any place of interest but would be escorted by the guards."

"Oh, that is, that is no problem at all," Dalia bit hard on her lip, wondering why they had to follow her everywhere. "I should like to step out."

Adum nods, "Very well, I shall inform the head guard," and with that, she walked out of the door in haste.

Dalia watched the empty door for a while before her gaze traveled toward the window; the pink curtains were swaying from the evening breeze. Good. This was a perfect time, for the night was approaching, and it would be a perfect time to escape.

The plan went just as she had imagined. The guards allowed her to step out, but only if they came along, which was expected. Yet, it didn't matter because this was her moment to escape. She'd secured a sharp dagger from the kitchen, now concealed on her waist.

Looking out from the palanquin, which is larger than usual with wheels, Dalia sees that she won't need to be carried by men but pushed by a horse in front.

They've just departed from the palace; it's too early to make a move, so Dalia would have to ride for a while.

When she mentioned she needed a moment outside, everyone obeyed without a word, simply following her lead.

As night falls and tiny stars twinkle above, they draw nearer to a dense forest. It's already getting late, providing the ideal opportunity for her escape. Once she escapes into this forest, she'll be well-hidden and difficult to track down.

"Here," she tapped on the palanquin, causing it to come to a sudden halt. One of the stoic guards she had met at the palace during dinner approached the window.

"My queen," his head was bowed, never raising it until she instructed him to do so.

"I need to relieve myself," she informed him, gesturing towards the dense forest.

The guard's eyes widened, revealing the first hint of emotion she had seen on his face. His gaze shifted to the forest behind him before returning to her. "My queen, it's not safe. We should return to the palace."

"I am feeling urgent and cannot hold it any longer. I cannot wait," she said firmly. If she does not act now, she will remain trapped in that palace forever, wailing endlessly. She must escape, no matter what.

With much reluctance, the guard finally opened the door and let her out. Dalia stood in front of the forest, her gaze fixed on the mighty trees looming over her. It was very dark now, but with the help of the moonlight, she would be able to find her way. She had no idea where this place was, but it seemed to be the best location to escape to where no one would be able to find her.

As she began walking, one of the guards followed behind her. She halted and turned to face him with a frown. "Do you intend to invade my privacy? How dare you?" Her voice surprisingly confident, perhaps because she was leaving and didn't want to take any chances.

The man looked away apologetically, "I am sorry, my queen, but I cannot simply watch you enter this forest. It is dangerous."

"Ah!" she shook her head, mouth open in disbelief. "I am not a child; I am seventeen and married. I can protect myself. Keep your distance, I command you," she raised her hands in the air, hoping the man would comply.

Surprisingly, he shifted back and bowed. "Very well, my queen, as you wish."

She almost laughed at how foolish and ignorant he was to let her go. Sadly, she tilted her head one way to watch him, knowing it would be the last time she saw him.

She smiled widely as she turned around and walked into the forest.

The forest was so dense and creepy; she could hear owls hooting in the distance, wolves howling, their sounds echoing and reverberating from all ends. She had ventured deeper in.

'I will be fine, I know I will,' she reassured herself.

She tried to navigate her way through the darkness, wondering if there might be a hunter somewhere nearby. Ah! Her people were skilled at hunting in the forest at night. Why was it so different here?

Her eyes scanned the surroundings, then she whispered to herself, "It is going to be fine."

However, it didn't take long before she heard a rustle behind her. She froze in place, her eyes widening with fear. Slowly, she turned to locate the source of the rustle.

The moment she did, her legs wobbled, and she fell to the ground. Before her stood a large wolf looming over her, its teeth gnarling, its murderous eyes fixed on her.