81: The third attempt to flee

The third attempt to flee

Loud bells pealed from the centre of the kingdom, and upon hearing them, the other towers swiftly pulled their ropes, ringing their bells in response, calling for attention. The echoes of the bells reverberated throughout the area, putting everyone on high alert. 

"Is the kingdom under attack?!" questioned one of the men rushing through the streets, making haste towards his house. "What's happening?" 

"Something bad must have happened!" 

As one of the men turned his gaze towards the kingdom's entrance, he shouted, "The gates are not being closed! Maybe it isn't an attack!" But the people who turned to look in that direction noticed the guards assuming defensive positions as if to block the path. 

"I wonder what happened," a woman questioned her fellow citizens before dragging her children away from the streets, taking them to safety. While most of the folks scurried off the roads to take shelter, a few curious individuals remained standing outside, wanting to know what was happening. 

Prince Dante and Prince Aiden were returning from the base camp on their horses when the resonating sound of the tower bells reached their ears. They rode to the front of the kingdom's gates, but Dante couldn't see any sign of attack. Not far from them, they caught sight of the Vizier riding on his horse from the main palace, making his way towards them. 

"What is going on, Zion?" Dante demanded with a frown.

"Prince Dante. Prince Aiden," the Vizier offered his bows from where he sat on his horse. He informed, "There has been an escape from the palace. The princess's maid has fled from the palace with a male servant."

Prince Aiden sighed in relief and said, "I thought our kingdom was under attack, and the enemy had breached our defences with the way all the bells were ringing. Isn't that right, Brother Dante?" He turned to look at his elder brother, whose jaws were clenched. It took him a moment before he realised that it was Anastasia who had fled from the palace. But with a man? 

"When was the last time they saw the maid and the male servant?" Dante questioned the Vizier, who was quick to respond, 

"It was an hour ago, My Prince," the Vizier answered, adding, "The princess didn't realise it at first. The maid wasn't by her side. Both the servants' clothes and other belongings have been cleared from their rooms."

Aiden couldn't believe Anastasia had escaped in broad daylight instead of choosing nighttime when people were sleeping. He asked the Vizier, "And no guard caught them?" 

The Vizier answered, "Unfortunately, no. But orders have been sent out to capture the servants and bring them to the king. King Maxwell has ordered that their legs be severed for breaking the laws of the palace and to set an example for the other servants to not even think about attempting the same in the future." He said, "I will embark on a scouting mission and bring them back to the king."

"You search inside the kingdom. Aiden and I will search for the servants outside the walls and bring them back," Dante replied, deciding to look for her himself. "Aiden," he called his brother, who quickly nodded.

As Dante headed out of the kingdom gates with Aiden, his eyes narrowed, and his blood simmered at the thought that Anastasia had failed to follow his advice. 

A few hours earlier…

Anastasia was sitting on the floor, having breakfast with Theresa on her left and Gabriel on her right. The other servants sat on the floor as well, eating their fill before they resumed their duties in the palace. 

"Have you decided, Anna?" Gabriel asked in a low voice, while his head faced the plate he ate from. 

Anastasia turned to look at him and heard Theresa ask her, "Is it today?" 

"It is tomorrow," Gabriel replied, as no one sat beside him. He said, "I think it would be better to do it in daylight rather than in darkness. Bustling streets, crowds everywhere, with the market so close towards the entrance and exit of the walls."

Anastasia had held onto a flicker of hope that something would come up concerning her sister's and the king's murder, but it was as if the ministers and the others had forgotten that it had even happened. Instead, they focused on managing the kingdom and advancing their positions in the royal court.

She had been counting the days since Gabriel had told her his plan to escape, and tomorrow was the day. She knew that waiting for her sister's murderer was akin to relying on luck, which she was short of. Every hour of the day and night, she struggled to decide what to do. 

When Gabriel turned to look at her, she shook her head. He said, "There's still a few hours for you to make a decision." 

After washing their utensils, Gabriel pulled Anastasia to the side and said, "I can tell that you are planning to stay for your sister, but you should understand that your sister is no longer here."

That is what he thought, Anastasia said to herself. Ever since she saw her sister's apparition in the corridor, it would be a lie if she said she didn't go there every day in hopes of catching a glimpse of her sister's ghost. 

"I know," Anastasia whispered, with no one there to hear her. "Will it be safe tomorrow at noon?" 

Gabriel nodded affirmatively and conveyed, "I have been observing and studying the patterns of the bigger traders and their movements. There are also human traders who try to trade outside the kingdom, reaching other kingdoms or countries. We could blend in among them before parting ways. Just leave it to me," he assured her. 

Anastasia had only known Gabriel for a few days, and it was a big leap of faith for her to trust him blindly. She knew that there were chances of things going haywire, but the man was experienced, and she had more chances of surviving with him compared to escaping alone from this kingdom. 

"What about the ship?" Anastasia asked him with a frown. They would need to board a ship, for without one, there was no way they could travel anywhere. Remembering the flaws in her escape plan that Dante had listed for her, she wanted to ensure every aspect was covered. 

"I have already sent out a word to a man I know. The ship is scheduled to depart tomorrow," Gabriel assured her as he placed a comforting hand on Anastasia's shoulder and said, "I will talk to you about further details later, but for now, don't act suspicious. Make sure you plan your end by pretending you are feeling sick and need rest. This way, no one will come to check on you until we are safely aboard the ship."

This was her third attempt at escaping from the palace, and Anastasia hoped their plan would go smoothly. There was a trickle of fear in her chest. She realised that every time she failed to leave the palace, her courage waned a little more, as if keeping her captive. 

Upon returning to Princess Emily's side, the princess offered her a wide smile and asked, "Did you eat well, Anna?" 

Anastasia nodded in response. She then moved her hands to ask, 'What would you like to do today, Princess?'

"We will be paying a visit to Lady Evin because Grandmother told me I should maintain a relationship with her, which I find to be strange as I don't see her visiting the lady at all," Princess Emily murmured with a frown. "Nevertheless, we shall worry about it later. I have asked Norrix to schedule an appointment with the tailor for you and me."

'I don't need anything,' Anastasia quickly shook her head in refusal. 

Princess Emily leaned towards Anastasia and whispered, "Actually, I was talking with Grandmother and proposed that I take a little trip to my uncle and aunt's place. You will be coming with me, of course, and you will be able to dress up with me. Wouldn't that be fun?" The princess appeared to be excited about it. 

Hearing the princess's kind words, Anastasia felt a sharp prick in her chest. It was because she had planned to escape from here without telling anyone. As kind as Princess Emily was, Anastasia could tell that the first princess had taken after her eldest brother when it came to following rules and making sure not to break them. 

'Where do they live?' Anastasia moved her hands and did not speak. 

"They live up in the North. With lots of trees and with favourable weather, so I don't have to worry about thunderstorms," Princess Emily awkwardly laughed. "But with you there, it will make for good company."

Anastasia smiled when Princess Emily turned to look at her as they walked in the corridor. But when the princess redirected her attention forward, continuing to chatter about the celebration Queen Maya was hosting in the palace, her sense of guilt intensified. Even though she knew she wasn't planning to betray the princess, she couldn't shake the sensation that she was about to break the princess's trust.

When they came to where Lady Evin was sleeping, Anastasia was told to stand outside as no servants except those appointed by Queen Maya were allowed entry. 

"Anna," Princess Emily called her and said, "Can you go fetch my grandmother? Lady Ruby wants to talk to her. You will find her in her room, or maybe the drawing room." 

Anastasia offered a bow and went in search of the Mother Queen. 

Walking up to the Mother Queen's room, Anastasia wondered if she should knock on the door, but upon seeing the door already ajar, she carefully pushed it open when her eyes fell on a maid. The maid stood before the bedside table with her back hunched over. There was a soft rummaging sound, and when the door creaked, the maid abruptly turned to look at her. 

"What do you think you are doing peeping inside the room without announcing yourself?" The maid demanded with narrowed eyes. 

Anastasia moved her hands to let the maid know she was looking for the Mother Queen. The maid stared at her before saying, "I don't get anything you are saying. I don't know why the princess keeps a mute maid beside her. Mother Queen asked me to sort her things as she wasn't able to find a hairpin of hers. I am done with my work here."

The maid straightened her back, and as she walked past Anastasia, the maid's shoulder hit her shoulder, as if deliberately. 

She should have looked in the drawing room first, Anastasia thought to herself. Stepping out of the room, she caught sight of the same maid, who seemed to have slipped something into her pocket. 

Anastasia's eyebrows furrowed at the sight. She was mildly curious, and she stood there until one of the senior maids came up and questioned her, 

"What are you doing standing there, Anna?"

Anastasia moved her hands, asking, 'Where is the Mother Queen?'

"She's on the balcony of the central room at the front of the palace," the senior maid responded before walking away from there. 

Not letting her curiosity get the best of her, Anastasia went to the Mother Queen and let the woman know she was being summoned by Lady Evin's mother. But misunderstanding like the rest of them, the Mother Queen asked, 

"Who is dead?" 

It was because Anastasia had closed her eyes to convey to the older woman that it pertained to Lady Evin. She quickly shook her head and demonstrated a blooming flower, and then mimicked the action of being pricked. 

"Sleeping Evin?" The Mother Queen asked, and Anastasia smiled in success. "What do they want? I was told not to visit and now I am invited back?" She softly harrumphed, and while doing so, the older woman stared at the maid. She said, 

"Tell me, why is it that I feel that I have seen someone like you before, but I have been unable to put my finger on it, hm? My memory cannot betray me." Anastasia shook her head as if she didn't know, telling herself she had to escape quickly. Maybe today wasn't a bad day, she thought to herself, while accompanying the woman out of there. 

While making their way to Princess Emily, Anastasia caught the sound of footsteps far behind her as she followed the Mother Queen. When she turned briefly, she noticed Princess Niyasa, who looked down at her, even though the princess was an inch or two shorter than her. 

But then Anastasia's attention was drawn to the maid who accompanied Princess Niyasa. Serving the princess was the very same maid whom she had seen earlier in the Mother Queen's room. 

Anastasia turned back to look ahead of her, thankfully before she could crash into the Mother Queen, as the older woman had paused her footsteps when they approached the entrance to Lady Evin's room. She wondered if Princess Niyasa was orchestrating something to frame the older woman through her maid. 

"Yaretzi," Princess Niyasa called her maid, a hint of arrogance twisting her lips, and she ordered, "The goldsmith will be arriving shortly. Make yourself useful by bringing the box down and ensuring it is ready for his arrival. Handle it with care."  1

Anastasia watched the maid bow and walk away in response to the princess's command. Before Princess Niyasa entered Lady Evin's room, she snapped at Anna, "What are you staring at? Don't you know a maid's eyes should always be cast down and not up?" 

Anna bowed at the princess with her eyes fixed on the ground, sensing the princess scowl at her in disapproval before her feet disappeared inside Lady Evin's room. On the upside, she wouldn't have to deal with Princess Niyasa's glares and remarks anymore, Anastasia reassured herself. 

Anastasia wanted to know the exact time she and Gabriel would be leaving tomorrow. She also needed to understand in depth what the plan was so that she could contribute if required, even though she wasn't experienced in such matters. 

Princess Niyasa didn't linger in the room for more than five minutes before she departed. Around half an hour later, one of the servants rushed into the corridor with a look of distress on his face, quickly glancing around. 

Next, Mr. Gilbert appeared in the corridor, scanning his surroundings before walking towards Lady Evin's room. He then began to speak, 

"Mother Queen, there's something you need to know." 

The Mother Queen stepped out of the room and so did Princess Emily, following her grandmother. The older woman inquired, 

"What is it, Norrix?"

Mr. Gilbert tried to speak as quietly as possible, but Anastasia heard his words nonetheless, "Milady, two servants have fled from the palace. They have also stolen Princess Niyasa's necklace, which was gifted to her by the late king." 

No… Anastasia whispered in her mind, not believing her luck. 

Anastasia's eyes widened on hearing this information. She quickly racked her brain to recollect that Gabriel had told her tomorrow and not today. With her eyes cast to the ground, she heard the Mother Queen ask, 

"How did this happen?" 

Mr. Gilbert was speechless, as he hadn't expected it to happen. He could feel the burning gaze of the Mother Queen, and he said, "I—I am not sure, but the news has been relayed to King Maxwell and Queen Maya. Necessary measures have been taken to find them and bring them back. The Vizier is taking care of it."

Princess Emily asked the man, "Which servants were they?"

Mr. Gilbert answered, "One of them is Princess Niyasa's maid—"

"Yaretzi?" The Mother Queen grimaced and remarked, "Looks like Niyasa is always picking up unsuitable maids. Where is everyone?" 

"The king is in the royal court, milady," Mr. Gilbert answered, and continued, "Queen Maya and Princess Niyasa are at the servants' quarters, conducting an interrogation. They have ordered all servants to assemble there." 

"Have them gathered then, because the current reign is weak with servants escaping. Make sure to question each and every one. See to it that no one is encouraged by this," the Mother Queen commented, and before she began to walk, she turned to her granddaughter and said, "Come, Emily. Let us observe how the situation is being handled in the court." 

Anastasia couldn't believe that there was someone else who had escaped before her and Gabriel. And Gabriel was still here, wasn't he? A hint of doubt came to settle in her mind. She wanted to follow Princess Emily, wanting to hear what was planned to capture the escapees, but with the other servants following Mr. Gilbert, she had no choice but to follow him to the servants' quarters. 

When Anastasia arrived at the servants' quarters, the servants at the back whispered amongst themselves, while the ones at the front waited for Queen Maya and Princess Niyasa to question them. Her eyes searched through the servants, hoping to spot Gabriel, before they fell on Theresa, but he was nowhere to be found. 

Princess Niyasa's face flushed with anger while Queen Maya spoke to Mr. Gilbert. Anastasia walked to where Theresa was, who leaned in and whispered, 

"My heart has been pounding since I heard that a princess's maid escaped the palace with a valuable necklace." 

"Hey," Gabriel came from behind, and Anastasia felt relieved to see him. "This is the last thing I expected to happen," he muttered. 

Anastasia responded, 'I can't believe that a person fled today.' Out of all days, the servants had chosen to do it a day before them. 'Why have they gathered us here?'

"I don't know," Theresa responded before adding, "It remains to be seen. They haven't told us yet."

Anastasia looked at the two royal family members, who continued to talk to Mr. Gilbert before they finally turned to look at the servants…

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