A caravan moved steadily down the rough dirt road, the wooden wheels creaking with each turn. A line of strong wagons rolled forward, pulled by sturdy horses. The drivers, wrapped in thick cloaks, sat atop their seats, guiding the teams with steady hands.
Two guards on horseback rode alongside, their eyes sharp and watchful. Each carried a sword at his side. Their dark cloaks fluttered slightly in the warm evening breeze, and their horses moved smoothly, well-trained for long journeys.
A grander carriage followed behind, its polished wood glinting in the golden light of the setting sun. The sound of pages flipping in a book could be heard from time to time.
Now and then, faint rustling came from the thickets beyond, but nothing could be seen. The guards exchanged looks but kept quiet, their hands resting near their weapons.
"We will not be traveling at night today. Tell the drivers to stop at the entrance of the small village. We will continue our journey in the morning," a calm voice spoke from inside the fine carriage. The voice was low and cracked. One could not tell if it belonged to a man or a woman.
The guards riding alongside acknowledged the order and went to deliver the message to the coachman ahead. The group continued until they reached the entrance of a village.
The wagons came to a stop, and the men prepared to camp. Two servants and a guard went into the village to buy supplies, returning shortly afterward.
"Sir," one of the guards stood in front of the grand carriage and called out.
"Come in," the same voice from earlier answered from inside.
The man climbed into the carriage after receiving permission.
"Sir... we have heard news that checkpoints are being set up all over the kingdom. Her Highness, Princess Anastasia, is said to have been kidnapped," the man said.
The other man turned and looked at the guard. "Where did you hear this?" he asked.
"The whole village is talking about it. It seems the spies from Gube are responsible for the kidnapping," the guard said.
"So the royal family is looking for her?" the man asked.
"Yes. Is there still a need to continue disguising?" the guard asked. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel•fire.net
The young man paused, seeming to be deep in thought. "Are you sure the royal family is the only one looking for her?" he asked.
The guard frowned. Indeed, he could not be sure that the royal family was the only one searching for her. He looked at the man and could not hide his admiration.
"Even if we meet men from the royal family later, we will continue to disguise ourselves until we reach the camp of the soldiers in the fourth region," the young man said.
The guard bowed feeling impressed once more, the princess was very intelligent and knew how to look at the whole situation.
This young man was none other than Anastasia. After she had the nightmare, she had no real plans of stepping into the water. Although the commander disagreed, she used her status as a princess to make her decision.
Flashback: Six Days Ago
"Your Highness, your plan is dangerous," the commander said. She was a member of the royal family, so he could not simply make decisions for her.
"My decision is final, and no one is permitted to know about it. I will hold you responsible and brand you a traitor if you tell anyone else," Anastasia said.
So while everyone was getting ready to continue the journey, she took advantage of the busy time to enter the village with the two guards from earlier. Because the village was close to the sea, different businesses thrived there. She went to a place where slaves were being sold. Anastasia was looking for a lady with the same body type as herself.
She did not know if God was showing her favor, but as soon as she entered the village, she came across a commotion.
A young girl was being dragged by two men. At first, Anastasia did not want to involve herself in other people’s business, but seeing the girl struggle so desperately, she felt the urge to help.
Just as she was thinking of what to do, the girl managed to break free from the men and ran toward Anastasia.
Anastasia was never one to dress extravagantly, but anyone with eyes could tell she was a daughter of a wealthy family, judging by the material of her dress. Besides, the young girl noticed that the two men walking beside Anastasia were guards. So she ran toward her.
Seeing her approaching, one of the guards stepped forward to protect Anastasia.
The young girl stopped in front of Anastasia and knelt down. "Kind lady, please save me. I will be happy to serve you for the rest of my life," she pleaded.
Anastasia, seeing the girl’s desperate expression, raised her brows.
The two men from earlier also walked over.
"You stupid girl," one of them raised his hand to strike her, but Anastasia spoke. "Stop." Of course, the man would not have listened to Anastasia, but her guards were faster, stopping him before his hand could land on the girl.
"Mind your own business," the other man said angrily upon seeing someone meddling.
"Young lady, how do you want me to help you?" Anastasia ignored the rude man.
"My parents owe money to their boss. My father was sick six months ago. At that time, it was not yet harvest season. My mother was worried and went to their boss, who is known to lend money to farmers. He would usually send someone to inspect the fields. If he was convinced he could get his money back, he would lend the money.
My mother got the money. My father saw a physician, but he never got better. We spent so much, but he remained sick. My mother kept borrowing money and searching for other physicians to treat my father. I am the oldest in my family. I have two younger brothers, aged seven and five.
My mother thought the kind man was still willing to lend money because we could afford to pay after harvesting the crops. But after the harvest a few days ago, they took all the crops in our field. It was not enough to cover the debt and the interest. My father is beginning to recover from his sickness, but these men came to collect the remaining balance of their boss’s money. We do not have it.
So they took me. I have heard rumors that, given the amount my family owes, I cannot be sold as a servant but will be thrown into an inn to become a prostitute. Lady, please save me," the girl spoke quickly, telling Anastasia everything.