I, The Absurd Princess Wants to Run Away!

Chapter 2 of, I, The Absurd Princess Wants to Runaway: A dance of Shadows and Secrets

–––

Date: 27th Day of Winter's Crescent, Year 1438

Location: Eastern Solerian Forests, Near the Borderlands

The forest seemed to hold its breath as Luna stared at the space where the thief had disappeared. The soft rustle of leaves and the faint creak of branches swaying in the breeze were the only sounds accompanying her racing heartbeat.

Her grip on the dagger remained firm, the hilt digging into her palm. She scanned the trees, searching for movement, for any sign that the thief might return. But the shadows were still.

'What did he mean by "a soft spot for people who defy the empire"?'

Her thoughts churned as she urged the horse forward cautiously, her senses on high alert. Every rustle, every snap of a twig set her nerves on edge. Though the thief had vanished, his warning hung over her like a storm cloud.

"Bandits," she muttered under her breath, glancing at the path ahead. Her stomach twisted at the thought. While she carried a dagger, she knew little about using it beyond the lessons her mother had once insisted she take.

Her heart ached at the memory of Empress Elenora, but Luna forced the thought away. Now wasn't the time to dwell on the past.

The thief reappeared only an hour later, materializing from the shadows as though the forest itself had spit him out.

Luna nearly dropped the reins in surprise. "What now?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.

Shade—though she still didn't know his name—crossed his arms, leaning casually against a tree. His amber eyes glinted with amusement. "Relax, Princess. I'm just here to make sure you don't get yourself killed. Consider me your... reluctant guardian."

"I didn't ask for a guardian."

"And yet here I am," he replied, his tone infuriatingly nonchalant. "You should be grateful. Most people wouldn't bother warning you about the dangers ahead."

Luna narrowed her eyes. "Why are you so interested in what happens to me?"

He paused, tilting his head as if considering her question. "Let's just say I have a debt to repay."

She frowned. "To whom?"

"That's none of your concern," Shade said, pushing off the tree and walking toward her. The ease with which he moved, silent and sure-footed, made her uneasy. "But if you really want to survive out here, you'll need more than just blind determination."

He gestured to her satchel. "Do you even have enough supplies? A map, perhaps?"

"I have what I need," she replied defensively, though her blush betrayed her uncertainty.

Shade smirked. "I thought so. Look, Princess, you can try to do this alone, but it won't end well. You're better off letting me guide you—at least until you've crossed the dangerous territories."

Luna hesitated. She didn't trust him—not entirely—but his confidence was unsettlingly persuasive. And he was right about one thing: she was woefully unprepared for the journey ahead.

"Fine," she said finally, though the word tasted bitter. "But only until I reach the southern provinces."

Shade's grin widened. "Wise choice, Princess."

———

Back at the Imperial Palace: The Emperor's Fury

Date: 27th Day of Winter's Crescent, Year 1438

Location: The Solerian Palace, Capital City of Myrvindale

The grand council chamber was bathed in cold, pale light filtering through the massive stained-glass windows. The vibrant depictions of Solerian victories seemed to mock the tension simmering within the room. Emperor Ezekiel stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back.

Emperor Ezekiel Thyristsa Solerian II stood by the grand window in the council chamber, his hands clasped behind his back. The city stretched out before him, its lights flickering in the growing darkness.

"You're certain?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied a guard, bowing deeply. "The princess's chambers were empty when the maid arrived this morning. Her horse is also missing."

The emperor's jaw tightened. "And no one saw her leave?"

The guard hesitated. "There are rumors among the staff that she left through the gardens. Some claimed to have seen a figure climbing the outer wall, but..."

"But what?"

"The thief was spotted there as well," another guard interjected, his voice hesitant. "The one who's been eluding us for months."

The emperor's eyes narrowed, a storm brewing within them. "Shade."

Archduke Cedric Vanderlyn, who had been standing silently near the chamber's entrance, stepped forward. His silver-blue eyes were as cold as the steel blade at his side. "If the thief has taken her, we must act swiftly. Every second we delay increases the distance between us."

"And what do you propose, Archduke?" asked Marchioness Dementia Caestrella, her voice sharp and mocking. She sat at the long council table, her crimson gown pooling around her like spilled wine.

Cedric didn't look at her. His gaze remained fixed on the emperor. "We deploy scouts to track their movements. If we find Shade, we find the princess."

The emperor's lips pressed into a thin line. "Do it. And bring her back—alive and unharmed."

Cedric nodded curtly, his expression unreadable as he turned to leave.

Dementia's laughter followed him. "So noble, aren't you, Archduke? Tell me, is it loyalty to the crown that drives you? Or something more... personal?" her smirk was taunting but he unfazed, like always.

Cedric stopped but didn't respond. The tension between them crackled like a live wire before he exited the chamber, his steps echoing through the halls.

'No. It's not.. but something about her drives me to do this.' His thoughts focused on finding trail of Luna until she was found, then he'll be at ease.

'It's not about loyalty, it's her.'

Dementia turned back to the emperor, her dark eyes glittering with amusement. "You know as well as I do that she won't return willingly. She's her mother's daughter, after all."

Ezekiel's expression darkened at the mention of Elenora. "She will return, whether she wishes to or not. The empire cannot afford to lose her."

"And if she refuses?" Dementia asked, her voice as smooth as silk.

The emperor's silence was answer enough.

———

At the Borderlands: Uneasy Allies

Date: 29th Day of Winter's Crescent, Year 1438

Location: Edge of the Solerian Ville border

The woman stretches her back as she yawns woken up by the birds chirping. As her eyes dart around the room until it fixed on a vintage clock, it was striking 01:12 pm already which made her orange-gold eyes shot wide.

"ROY! WHY YOU DIDN'T WAKE ME UP IN THE MORNING!?" The woman rushes outside to the backyard of the cozy cabin.

Her short strawberry jem like hair dyed hair was quite messy which made the said man snorts. The said man, Roy. Was around his mid 20s, his Platanium brown and gold eyes, He was quite masculine from doing heavy duties for a decade. Which made him more attractive than the other guys in his village

"Come on, you drank too many wine last night, so I thought a good long sleep would be good for you."

"UNTIL NOON!? Fuck you! You know I have costumers to serve at my tavern!!"

"Then you shouldn't have drank. It's clearly your own fault, Mirella. Anyway since you're here, you can go help rosella with her rose gardens. I've still got my own vegetables to handle. I'll be right after I'm done." Roy smiles knowing that His older sister can't say no to that smile.

Mirella rolled her eyes begrudgingly, she enter the cabin again to change to her casual gardening attire.

She grabs her essentials for gardening, knowing that Rosella only had for herself. Mirella went to the barn to grab her horse since she's too tired to take a walk from the cabin to the rose garden that isn't quite far neither near.

Through the ride, all she thinks about how Rosella suddenly came a month ago out of nowhere, claiming she was their youngest half-sister.

Their mother. Elenora. A mysterious woman who came to borderland 29 years ago. Then fell in love with a poor homeless man, named Kayden Noir. Then she gave him two children and a life of normal happy family. Then when Mirella was only five and Roy was only three, Their mother disappeared out of their life. Because of something in her past that she couldn't bare to let them involved in.

Now 25 years later there's a child claiming to be their sister? How odd. They knew their mother has dark past, but having another child that isn't their father's? It broke her heart how her mother had left them and now she has a new child, and the child want to be included in her life.. was kind of annoying to her.

———

At the Borderlands: Uneasy Allies

Date: 29th Day of Winter's Crescent, Year 1438

Location: Edge of the Solerian Forest

The mist began to lift as the forest thinned, revealing the rolling hills beyond. The air was colder now, the crisp bite of approaching winter seeping through Luna's cloak.

Shade moved through the forest with practiced ease, his steps soundless on the moss-covered ground. Luna followed reluctantly, her horse's hooves crunching against fallen leaves.

"Are you always this irritating?" she asked, breaking the silence.

Shade glanced over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Only when I'm in good company."

Luna rolled her eyes. "Do you even have a name, or should I just keep calling you 'thief'?"

He paused, turning to face her. "Shade," he said simply.

"That's not your real name."

"No, but it's the only one you'll get."

She huffed, brushing past him. "Fine, Shade. If you're going to 'guide' me, then start proving your usefulness."

Shade chuckled, falling into step beside her. "You're surprisingly bossy for someone who's supposed to be on the run."

"And you're surprisingly insufferable for someone who's supposed to be helping me."

His laughter echoed through the trees, and for the first time, Luna felt a faint flicker of amusement.

Through the exhausting walk, Shade keep cracking weird jokes to cheer the mood and all Luna of responses was only a smile or a judging glare.

For once Shade has a person that can keep up to his humour, Luna wasn't very much normal. Instead, covered by beauty she's actually an absolutely absurd girl. At age four she already did some surgery on dead rat.

And at age 10 she stabbed a kid on a open party, and stabbed him right in the eye because of curiosity to see if that kid would turn into a pirate once he lost one eye. The moment this story came out of her mouth shade expression was pure horrified.

It was as if he had seen a ghost but it was from Luna's nonchalantly telling her jokes about weird things she had done at young age.

'this girl is a psycho…' He thought to himself.

Despite himself, Shade found her absurdity… oddly endearing.

As they continued their journey, the forest began to thin, revealing the outline of distant hills. The road ahead was long, and danger lurked in every shadow.

But for the first time since leaving the palace, Luna didn't feel entirely alone. Or at least.

»—————————————————«