The following day I set out of the palace to go the royal cemetery, where all royal family members were buried. It was located just outside the city. I was going to see my mother's grave. I often visited my mother's grave, at least once a week. Upon arriving at the cemetery, I went to my mother grave and placed the flowers I had brought by it. There were already a large bunch of flowers placed next to it. I knew they were from my father who also often visited.
It was a large ornately designed and decorated, to be expected from a royal grave.
I then sat down by the grave as I contemplated. If the following day my escape plan was successful, this was going to be the last time I visited my mother's grave. I didn't know when I would return or if I would.
"Mother, I want to do what's right," I started as I sat by the stool. "I'm not sure if my plan will work once I leave, but I have to try."
I hoped she would approve of my plan, I hoped she would be proud of me. I've always wondered what my mother would have done had she not fallen sick. She was clearly against my father's methods and openly expressed her disdain to him. Despite my father's affection for my mother, he wasn't going to listen to her. Would she have eventually retaliated? I don't know…
I stayed by my mother's grave for several hours, "talking" to my mother. Once I was done, I stood up from the grave, left the cemetery and returned to the castle.
The following night I confirmed my father, and the army were leaving. They were currently in the courtyard having a final briefing before they headed out. I put on a simple dress I then put my bag over my shoulder. Inside were all my research books, a map, a few ointments and medicines, a water bottle and some cloths materials to make a makeshift sleeping bed.
After spreading the ointment all over my body I then switched off the lamp in my room to make it look like I had gone to sleep. I then went to the window of my room I then climbed onto the sill and looked down. Extending my claws, I was going to climb down hoping the dark of the night would camouflage me.
I was doing this…I was really doing this I thought to myself as I looked outside the window I was about to jump out. Just as I was about to jump out suddenly, I heard the door open, and someone speak.
"Your Highness! What are you doing?!" I heard a familiar voice ask. My body froze at the sound of it, immediately recognizing who it was.
"No," I whispered to myself in disbelief. What was she doing here? Why now?
A part of me just wanted to jump and ignore the person but I knew I wouldn't get far before they reported me and I was caught.
"Your Highness get down from there!?" she said in a panic.
I retracted my claws and got down. "Maya," I said as I turned around slowly and I winced. I hadn't even left the window and my entire plan had already crumbled
"Your Highness what were doing?" she asked as she nervously looked at my bag and my clothing go.
"Don't tell me you were planning on leaving the castle again like you did that time when you were 12?" she asked me.
I didn't answer as I looked at her contemplating what I should do.
"You know I knew you were up to something lately, I had a gut feeling but I couldn't quite put my finger it. So I started watching you more closely. To think you were planning to leave the castle…are you planning to
I got down from the window and turned to face the person. "Maya, I need you to listen to me. I have to leave the kingdom. I want to put a stop to my father. I tried to explain to her.
Her eyes widened in shock and her mouth opened wide.
"Your Highness are you listening to yourself!? I understand you can't stand the actions of your father, but you have to face the reality there's nothing you can do. No one can stop your father Please stay in the castle live you won't be able to survive out there!" she tried to deter me.
"I know I'm a sole woman and a sheltered princess but that's all the more reason why I feel I have to do this. The luxury I've lived all my life, I never deserved it. I don't feel comfortable going on like this whilst countless innocent people die for me to live like this. I need to try to stop this and make this right. Don't you despise my father as well? After what he did to your family?
I trusted Maya with my life. She was family to me, I hoped she would understand my reasons. Maya looked at me for a moment before she let out an exhausted sigh.
"If that's the case then at least let me come with you," she told me with a determined look on her face.
"What?" I asked her in surprise.
"I've been afraid for a long time that your desire to help the slaves and stop your father would result in something like this. I knew I would never be able to stop you if you did. If I stop you today you will surely try again. So, it's better if I let you go but take me with you."
"But Maya you can't come with me it's dangerous out there," I said worried. She was an elderly woman I didn't want to put her at risk out there. Not to mention the risky uncertain plan I had
"What do you think will happen to me with you gone?" she asked me.
"As long as you leave and pretend you never saw me my father will only blame the guards for allowing me to escape. He will let you continue to serve in the castle normally," I assured her. The last time I ran away only I and the guards the kept watch outside my room got in trouble.
I didn't mind the guards getting in trouble for me escaping because many of them abused the slaves and violated them.