{MIHO'S POV}
Wilant Castle is eerily silent at night. I'm used to silence, but this is different. The sound of life—of people moving around and doing their jobs, which fills the halls during the day—is gone.

I'm dressed head to toe in black clothes. My strawberry pink hair is pulled up in a ponytail for convenience; I wouldn't want to trip over it and faceplant in the middle of my grand escape.

I can imagine what people would call me after that. The incompetent princess who couldn't even run away. Then I really would be labeled useless. And so, the hair goes up and safely out of the way.

I've already memorized the guard's schedules. I also know all of the secret passages where even someone as eye-catching as me can move about unseen. Just a couple bad habits I inherited from Dad.

Right on time, two guards round the corner and pass in front of my bedroom door. It'll be 30 minutes before they round again. I wait for them to get a fair distance away, then open my door and tip-toe out.

I press myself against the wall and slowly make my way through the castle. Occasionally, I have to hide from the guards. I know when they're coming so it's kind of fun, like a game of hide and seek.

I reach the garden at midnight. It's rather cold, so I shiver. But I'm outside and I think I'm home free.

Someone behind me says, "Miho-sama?"

It's so jarring—so out of place in the silent night—that I almost yelp.

I compose myself before calmly turning to face Mitsuhide. He's a knight who's been Dad's aide for a long time. He's known me since I was born.

He's also one of very few people who doesn't judge me when my parents or siblings are out of earshot. I'm comfortable enough to say a few words.

"Mitsuhide-san." My voice is soft and inflectionless. I could be angry or worried or scared or surprised or bored. This is one of the few times when I'm grateful for my poker face.

I nod in greeting, acting casual. I'm just taking a walk. He definitely didn't catch me sneaking out.

"It's late. What are you doing up?" Mitsuhide asks, his voice curious rather than accusatory. It doesn't seem like he's caught on to me yet.

I point out to the garden. "Walking. Can't... sleep."

"Shall I accompany you?" Mitsuhide smiles kindly. I briefly wonder if maybe I haven't tricked him after all. My dad did try to sneak out a lot.

Eventually, I decide that he's just being nice. I shake my head and point to myself. "Bother."

"You're never bothering me, Miho." Mitsuhide says firmly, crossing his arms. This is another instance where I wish I could smile to show my gratitude.

I will be able to smile at the people I care about, someday. But first, I have to run away tonight. If I wait, I might lose my motivation and decide to stay where it's safe and familiar.

"Be... fine." I insist.

But Mitsuhide persists. I end up wandering around the garden for the next half hour, trying to nonchalantly ditch him and failing miserably.

It's cold and I'm underdressed. I've never ran away before so I didn't know how much to wear. Mitsuhide places his white cloak around my shoulders.

"Are you ready to go inside?" He asks.

I have no choice but to nod and allow Mitsuhide to escort me back into the confines of the palace.

Mitsuhide offers to walk me back to my room, so I agree. We part ways at my door and I immediately backtrack. This time, I take care to ensure that no uninvited guests sneak up on me again.

I'm grateful for his white cloak as a shield against the cold night air. I wrap it around my core, slipping past the guards and out of the front gate.

I look back at the mostly dark Wilant castle, burning the image into my head. I grew up behind these walls. There's a light on in Dad's office. I picture him working at his desk and feel ashamed.

Dad already works so hard, but he probably won't get much rest after I'm declared missing. I'll return someday. This isn't good-bye forever.

I shiver and pull Mitsuhide's cloak closer. I know, deep down, that everything will be different when I return. I shake my head to clear it, pushing all of the negative thoughts out, lest I get cold feet.

I have to get as far away from the castle as possible. Wolkitra is also quiet at night. The hustle and bustle of the city is asleep. I trot through the empty streets, pulling the hood of the cloak over my head to hide my distinctive hair color.

I'm tired and a little hungry. Eventually, my body decides that sleep is most important. My eyes are droopy and I stumble into the nearest alley.

It's littered with trash bags, all full of scraps from the restaurants on either side. I wrinkle my nose, settling beside the trash bags.

I don't think I can be seen from the streets. I lay down and curl into the fetal position, using Mitsuhide's cloak as a blanket. The stone ground is rough and freezing. The alley stinks of rotting food.

For the first time in almost a decade, a tear streaks down my face.

I reach up and wipe it away, feeling a tiny glimmer of hope. This is progress. I can do this. I can change myself. I close my eyes and succumb to numbness.