Aria 's POV

After this there was a ball dance where Prince took me on the floor to initiate the Royal dance. I had never danced in my life and I kept stumbling when he whispered "Relax love.. you don't want your prince to be embarrassed. Loosen up your stance and follow my lead". I followed him religiously and soon it was like we danced to the music. There was a loud applause which made me blush and I wanted to move away when Prince bowed down to his audience and I followed his action by bowing and asking people to enjoy. 

Once we were done with the opening dance, young officials with their wives or their betrothed started dancing. The whole atmosphere looked romantic and you know what for a moment I was away from the reality. It looked so great but then I felt a hand clasped around my waist and a whisper "Love, it looks romantic doesn't it?"

I nodded in ascent but his voice jolted me out of the fairy tale which I was feeling I was in uptil now. Everything happened so fast it took long time for my mind to grasp the thing that I now need to escape at the earliest and I need to make my move tonight as all the people are lost in festivity and this would be my only chance to escape this unwanted marriage.

Soon the ball dance came to an end the Prince escorted me to the dining table which was decorated with the kind of dishes which I used to help the cook prepare but never had a chance to taste. Prince made sure to pull a chair for me and when I bend he pushed it so that I sat comfortably and then he sat beside me to the right hand side of the King who sat at the head of table with Queen at left.  As was the tradition King started relating the speech "Ladies and Gentlemen today we have gathered here in order to celebrate the engagement and a forthcoming marriage of my son the Prince Randolph and Miss Aria. I have granted my blessings for this marriage and I wish them a happy and prosperous wedding. Amen!!

Let's toast to the Prince and Princess Aria.... Long live the Prince and Princess !!

All men and women along with the King and Queen shouted the same and congratulated us for our engagement. Everything

Soon everyone started digging in, this was my chance to escape so I feigned I was feeling dizzy and place my hands on my head. He was about to take first bite when he looked at me on his with concerned and asked "Love, what's wrong?"

"I am not feeling good Sir.. Can I be excused" I said feigning to straighten myself but made sure to fall on him again. 

"Sweetheart.. let me escort you back " He said and was about to get up.

I stopped him and said "I.. I will go with aid of the help. Please don't spoil your meal on account of me".

"Nonsense love... nothing is more important to me than you" He said dismissively.

"Sir.... please I will go with help and I will feel very bad if you didn't eat especially on our special day and moreover it is not a good omen to leave your own feast" I said imploringly.

Reluctantly he agreed and soon I was escorted by help to my chamber and made to sleep on the bed. The help was waving the fan for me I ordered her to leave me alone since I feigned to be asleep. The help stayed with me for sometime and when she was sure that I am actually sleeping she withdrew herself from my room. I kept feigning to sleep until I was sure I was alone. Once I was sure I got up from my bed and hurried to plan to inform inform Andrew about this. I knew if I wanted to avoid this unwanted marriage then I would need to speed up the escape plan. There was only problem I could not go out at this time via main door undetected so there has to be some other way. I looked around and found balcony or window would be a good escape but then there was no way I could jump out of it but soon I concocted an idea and found that there were bed sheets and curtains which I can use to form a rope to slide down the window. I made my way down with the help of makeshift rope on the ground safely and all the while my heart was beating a marathon. I knew I could not escape but I would need to do this for me in order to have freedom. I stole my way to gardens undetected since guards were actually not busy checking people who were making entry in the palace due to the celebration. I made it safely to our secret place and wrote a note in our code language for Andrew. I prayed to god that he would get my message and rescue me. 

Now all that was left was for me to make my way back to my room. I could not be strolling in the gardens for Prince will be suspicious and he had already threatened me to harm Andrew and I didn't wanted him or any other man be suffering because of me. I was making my way out of gardens when I heard the noise of behind me. I  stopped to make sure it was not a soldier and soon I found a squirrel jumping out of bushes. I relaxed and started walking towards my destination when suddenly I was pulled into bushes and before I could see who it was, my face was dabbed in a cloth and I went unconscious.

Prince Randolph

After the feast was over I made my way to my love but was interrupted by an official who wanted to discuss about the rebellions. It took us almost 2 hours to discuss and come up with a plan but when it was done I soon made my way to her chamber and when I reached there I found whole of her room was trashed and she was nowhere to be found.

I alerted the soldiers and soon everyone was looking for her. My heart was beating and every time someone comes to me I was expecting the news of her being found. In the wee of morning hours one soldier came and told me he found her. When I ran there I was shocked to see her unconscious and her state was not what I ever wanted to see my woman in, my queen. There she lied naked with only strips of clothes covering her body. I was about to ask when a maid brought in a sheet to cover her. Immediately I pulled her and took her in my chamber and sent for the Royal female physician.

She came and examined her and prescribed some medicines and as she was leaving she uttered the words which I knew but didn't want to believe "Your Highness she has been compromised. I found lot of blood on her lower parts. And as of now she is in trauma and will be unconscious and I would say it is better if everyone treat her as normal till she recovers, she won't be able to handle reality as of now."

I sat near her bed waiting for her to wake up. I heard a knock and not wanting to be disturbed I said "Don't bother me. I don't want to be disturbed". But seems like it didn't bother the person because soon I saw soldier entering the chamber and he said bowing his head "You Highness, King has summoned you else I wouldn't have bothered".

I nodded and seeing that she is not about to wake up I went to King's Private Room.

"Your grace you called me" I said bowing to my father my king.

"Son, it has been brought to my notice that the girl you love was attacked and Not only that she has been compromised" He said.

"Yes Father but I will make sure the person behind it is not spared" I replied controlling my anger.

"Son... this is not why I called you. You know Royal Queens has to be virgins when they are wedded to the King. And since your lover doesn't qualify you will marry Princess Sarah next week as was planned with your lover" He said with a tone which meant no arguments.

"Sir.. I cannot marry any other woman than the woman I love. If you want I will not wed her but know that it also means I will not wed anyone else" I replied firmly.

"Son had I had many sons I would have let you go but since you are the prince and heir to this great Kingdom you have to get married and for sure not to your lover girl. But there can be a solution"

"And what would that be" I asked

"You can marry Princess Sarah and keep your lover girl as your mistress" He replied.

"Father... I can't do that" I said angrily.

"You have to.. I can't have my kingdom go to ruins because of a woman" He said "And if you don't do what I say I will have her executed. So decide yourself".

I knew even if I could take her and escape but then we both will be hunted down and she will be the one to pay the price so I bitterly agreed and said "I will do as you say my King".

The King seemed pleased with my reply and I was about to move out when he said "Son... since you are getting married to the Princess. Keep your distance from your lover for a while".

I nodded and strode off.

Soon the news spread that the Princess Sarah and I are getting engaged. I could do nothing about it and so I was once again seated at the Podium where I got engaged with Aria.

Aria's POV

When I opened my eyes I found myself looking at white ceiling having patterns similar to Prince's room. I was about to get up when a maid came near me to support me.

"How come I ended up here?" I asked.

"Well Miss you were found in the gardens unconscious and I must say in vulnerable state. So Prince brought you here and after Royal Physician examined you she said you were critical" She said looking down.

"What do you mean?" I asked in panic.

"Miss the Royal physician told the prince that you were abused and were left to die in the gardens" she replied.

I tried to recall what happened but I could not remember and I tried to move when she asked me to rest.

"Miss Royal Physician recommended you rest till you heal fully" She said

"Are you sure that's what Royal Physician said" I asked "Because I feel fine".

"Miss you were unconscious since 6 days and you look so much better than the state you were that day. I wish no woman has to go through this" she replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked agitated.

"Miss... I.. can't tell you.. not my place to tell you that" She said looking down. Her expression alarmed me and I caught her wrist and begged her to tell me and she said "Miss, Royal Physician after examining you said that you have been compromised".

Her words sink my heart. I had lost the last thing that I held dear and that too while I could not defend myself. Finally I released all my emotions and I cried. The maid left me be. Soon it was time for her to fetch my medicines and food so she left the room. 

My tears have dried up and I stayed on my bed since the time I was conscious so I got up from my bed and went to balcony and I was surprised to see that the celebration was in full mode. It seemed the decorations were mocking me and I could not bear to look outside. It also made me realize that even after the incident the Prince wanted to go through the wedding. I felt he is not obliged to do that. 

I know I did not choose to marry him but he should not be marrying me now. I didn't wanted him to marry me for pity so I made my way to the doors and stepped out. I half expected the guards to stop me but they made no attempt to do that. This was a surprise or might be now they don't see any reason to do so since I am already a damaged good in their eyes. I was passing the halls when I saw group of maids talking while decorating the hall. I could feel the urgency and one of them seemed so happy. Her happiness made me feel so bad that people of the Kingdom will look at Prince and pity him for marrying me and this fuelled my reasoning that this marriage should stop. I was about to move when I heard them talking.

"Look the hall must be decorated very nicely and now that the Prince is marrying the real princess instead of that maid. I am so happy" One of them said.

Surely I must have heard wrong because I had no idea of what they were talking.

"Lia... don't be rude you know poor thing suffered already and now it would be real heart breaking for her to know that Prince will not be marrying her. All more she is still not conscious. God help her to cope up with the reality" the other maid replied.

"Well that suits her. You know Melisa, the whore all the while acted like an innocent maid and slowly seduced the prince and now that prince came to know that she is a fallen one he is now going to marry the Real Woman my princess" Lia replied.

"Lia... you don't know the truth. So keep your mouth shut" Melisa replied.

The words uttered from their mouths were like knives in my heart. I was thinking that I don't deserve the Prince's love and moreover marriage to him was undesirable. I wanted to keep working and stay out of attention. But now these women made me realise that everyone is aware of my shame. I will be treated as the fallen woman and people will make insolent comments and their forthcoming insults and voices were already ringing in my brain. I could not stand to be in the halls or near the people. I wanted to escape all this misery so I ran to my chamber and tears were rolling out of my eyes. The guards at the front of my door looked at me in shock and soon their look was of pity. I closed my door and leaned on it.

I knew I could not bear to live seeing pity or facing insults, I have to do something about it. Suddenly I saw a knife on the fruit bowl on the table. I felt this was the answer to my miserable state and I went to take it and was about to stab myself when a hand stopped me. I looked at it and found it was none other than the King. I was shocked but then I felt I could not loose the moment to end my misery so I said "Your grace let me die please I can't live like this".

He didn't release his hold while I was struggling to free my hand. When he saw I won't give up he slapped me and then said to the maid who I didn't even notice was there "Leave at once".

I was now sobbing falling on my knees and the next words he said shocked me.

"Get up sweetheart, and tell me why you want to take your life" He asked in his soft voice.  I looked at him and noticed his kind eyes and immediately look down.

"I am no longer a decent woman your highness and even you should not be here" I said with tears falling off my eyes.

"Dear you are meant for things other than being a princess" He said and I looked at him.

His words held suspense and I was confused and thought may be I don't understand what he meant so I asked him "What do you mean sir".

"Time will tell that " He said pulling me to stand up on my legs and made me sit on the bed. I wanted to ask again when he asked me shush. I realised I will not be getting any answers, but I also realised now that Prince is marrying the princess he would need his chambers empty so I started packing up my stuff when he asked me questioning my actions "What are you doing? You must rest".

"Sir... now that I am no longer worthy of associating with the Prince. I should move to my slave quarters" I said looking down "It would be best if I do that before Prince's bride throws me out of this chambers".

"Wait... No need of that. You can rest here and once you are healed you can move to the chamber that is  four rooms away from here and maids will escort you there. That is if you want to. If you don't want then you can stay here and this will be your room. As for the Prince and his bride, Whenever a Royal couple gets married they are moved to new Room and so they have a room already in place for them so don't worry about it. But I want you not to do something foolish like taking your life because if anything happens to you then the guards outside and the maids who I have appointed will be punished and I expect that as Kind hearted you are, you would not want others to suffer because of your mistake. So till then rest and heal" He said.

I wanted to argue but his raised eyebrow told me whether I wanted to defy his orders so I just nodded. He left once he knew I would actually obey him and then he instructed maid to keep a close watch on me. I kept to myself for next four days. Though Prince was not getting married to me I expected Prince to inform me via some means but there was no message from him. Sometime ago I half expected him to visit me. I knew now that I was no longer a decent woman he is not going to come anymore. For once I was glad that I am not getting married to him but it also hurt that though I was able to avoid the unwanted wedding but it came at a price.

I was just sitting when my help asked "Do you need any help from me Miss". She had already informed she is needed somewhere.

I replied "No I don't. but today you seem eager to complete your tasks". I was just trying to make small talk as it has been her who took care of me when I was not in a mood to talk and was avoiding food. She had withstand my tantrums and was friendly.

"Oh yes Miss.. Today our Prince is getting married to Prince Sarah and there is a big feast for that" she replied excitedly.

As soon as she said those words my expression dropped because it reminded me of the fateful night. She noticed and her chirrupy mood disappeared.

"I beg your pardon Miss I ... I forgot that once you were engaged to him" She said.

"No don't be sorry dear. A prince is meant for a princess only not for a common girl like me. I am not sad because he is getting married. I am sad because I have lost something precious and I won't get it again. Please don't stop on my account and enjoy the celebration" I said to her.

She wanted to stay with me but I forced her to go to the celebration so she left and now I was left alone and then I found there was a noise in my balcony. I got up to find what caused it only to be surprised by Andrew.

"Josh... how are you" He asked while he pulled me in a hug. I noticed the concern and worry in his voice and I could no longer control now. My eyes overflowed with tears and When he asked what was wrong I could not stop and told him what all happened.

He was angry and promised me that he will punish whoever wronged me. He held me and then he suddenly said "Josh... come with me. I think this is the right time".

I nodded because it felt if I stayed in palace I would not be able to look in my eyes in the mirror and we escaped from window of my chamber and stealing our way we reached the gardens and soon we were in the forests.

We have been riding the horse since last 6 hours to increase the distance between us and the Kingdom. I felt peace which I missed since my capture.

"Andrew... this forest bring back peace to me" I said breaking the silence.

"I know Josh... though these forest are known to hide wild animals, rogues but still they are peaceful because they provide for anyone that comes to them. They are home to outlaws like us. So yes they are pleasant and peaceful" He said and I could feel him smiling.

I smiled with him and then he said "Josh we would need to stop now. My horse is tired and we should rest for a while".

I nodded and then he helped me get down the horse. He brought me near  a stream and there was a tree which was so thick and I thought we will be taking our rest under it but when Andrew removed the Shrubs and creepers and gestured me to follow. I found that there was a cave so big and there were fruits there for food.

I was surprised and looked at him for answers "Well you see all the time you asked me to come with backup I stayed here. Because we are living almost 4 days away from the our hiding place and I found this cave so that I can get the information of any kind of attack on us. So I stayed here and don't worry I have four of my member who guard this area".

He slowly moved to a corner and there I saw a stone which was like a bed and he covered it with dry grass and created a makeshift bed and asked me to sleep. I moved to it and then asked him where he will sleep. He made another make shift bed and laid on it. For the first time after so many years I felt like I belong here. I was thinking about my past and how I have escaped with Andrew when he said "Josh... don't think about past.. tonight is for rest and so rest".

I nodded and soon I was asleep even though I was feeling painful earlier but his words worked like magic and soon I was in deep sleep.