[Music Recommendation: Penetrates Coldly Pain ~ Nam Hye Seung, Jeon Jong Hyuk & Soap]

Oriana tried to wriggle herself out of Adric’s grip, "Let me go," she pulled, but it was all in vain. As she struggled, her eyes fell on Adric’s small nephew, and Oriana felt her eyes sting. She was hurt not because she was caught, but she had just realized that nobody was going to be there for her as long as Avon was concerned. She was just another person, and Adric had the final say. She had nobody to defend her or even be on her side.

"Take Kai back to his room," Adric ordered Rowan, who bowed and led the young prince away. Turning to Oriana, Adric finally let go of her.

"Run," he motioned for her to go ahead. "Fly away little bird."

Oriana touched her wrist, which Adric was holding earlier, and she looked back and forth.

"Go on," Adric waved his hand, "Run as much as you like, it’ll help you lose some weight so your gown will fit better tomorrow. I saw you eating so much during dinner; you need to burn it. Now run."

Oriana gritted her teeth with anger, "Am I a joke to you? Is ruining my life funny to you?"

Adric hummed, "Ruining your life?" He tilted his head to the side, "I wouldn’t say that, but yes, you’re funny."

"Please, just let me go! Like..." Oriana paused and inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself down. "I just want to go away. I promise I won’t appear in front of you or try to do anything stupid. Please," she gripped her gown tightly. Seeing that Adric wasn’t talking, Oriana got on her knees.

"Please, Your Highness. Please let me go," Oriana begged.

Adric stared at her blankly, then he walked forward, sitting on his heels in front of Oriana. He reached for her hair and touched the silky golden locks, moving them away from her face as the wind had blown them out of place.

"You should get some sleep for tomorrow," were his only words. Then he stood up and left.

Oriana closed her eyes and sobbed softly. She sat down on the grassy floor, pulling her knees to her chest, and cried.

"I don’t want any of this,"

Soon four maids arrived and held Oriana by the hand, helping her to stand up before taking her back to her room.

Oriana sat on her bed, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand. She noticed that the maids who had dragged her inside were still standing there. Obviously, they would watch her in case she attempted to escape again.

Tired and exhausted, Oriana curled herself up on the bed, counting numbers as she tried to force herself to sleep. Then she sat up.

"I am Oriana," she muttered to herself. This wasn’t her. Giving up so easily? She wouldn’t let Adric get his way so easily. She would continue to try, and since there was nobody on her side, she would use just anyone to make sure she escaped fine. Oriana tried to think of who she would use. The maids?

No, she shook her head. She needed someone else. Someone who wasn’t aware of her real intentions, someone kind who would believe her stories easily.

"Axilla," Oriana muttered. She felt sorry for the girl. She was about to lie, but she needed to leave this place. And the girl was too innocent. All she needed to do was bring up a very pitiful story. Oriana nodded to herself. Lying back on her bed, she planned how to attempt another escape tomorrow. If she gave up, then Adric would win.

Oriana slept peacefully to the surprise of the maids who were expecting her to throw tantrums. She waited for morning to arrive very fast, and it did.

Dawn in Avon arrived with a bright morning sun that pierced through the curtain in Oriana’s room, waking the princess up. Oriana stretched herself on the bed and turned around. When she sat up, she smiled brightly at the maids who had stayed up overnight in her room.

"Good morning," she waved at them, humming a song that was familiar to just her. She walked straight to the bathroom.

The maids exchanged looks between themselves, wondering if the princess had finally lost it.

"What are you doing? Quick, draw me a bath. One so refreshing," Oriana moved her fingers mindlessly in the air. When she was done bathing, her dress was brought forward, and the maids started fixing her hair and makeup.

Oriana stopped them, "Can you touch up my face, make it look a little dull," she requested. The maid in charge of her makeup stopped. It was an odd request, but she went ahead with it. Oriana was almost ready when the door opened, and she saw Axilla walk inside her room. She quickly changed her expression to a sad one.

"Leave us," she waved at the maids, who didn’t want to leave her all alone, but seeing that there was someone else. They bowed and left. Oriana waited for the girl to come closer, then she tried to bring out tears from her eyes.

"What is it?" Axilla asked worriedly.

Oriana sniffled. She inhaled deeply. She was about to lie terribly. It was bad, but there was nothing else she could do. She couldn’t let Adric have his way, so she started with the story she had cooked up last night to touch Axilla’s emotions. "My sister was here last night." She held her dress tightly.

Axilla’s eyes widened, "She was? Did she now agree to marry the Crown Prince?" she asked.

Oriana shook her head. Though if given the opportunity, Sophie wouldn’t hesitate to take up the bride title, Adric wasn’t having it. Oriana continued, seeing that the girl was believing her words. "The initial plan was for me to marry the Crown Prince until my sister is caught, then we can swap because we look very much alike. That was my father’s promise and the only reason I’ve been hopeful. But she came last night, and she..." Oriana paused. Even her lies sounded unbelievable in her own ears. But she was surprised when the girl rushed to get a handkerchief for her. Drying her eyes with it, Oriana felt bad lying to someone so good.

"It’s okay; what can I do to help?"

When Oriana heard this, she smiled happily. Holding Axilla’s hand, she begged, "Help me escape, please. Adric’s eyes are everywhere, and he knows what I want to do, but he won’t suspect you. Get me out of here."

Oriana waited anxiously to hear the girl’s reply. If she could get her out, then she would apologize and tell her the whole truth.

"I know it’s hard, but I can’t help you escape. I will think of another plan, but helping you escape is like digging a grave for two. You heard the Crown Prince last night." Axilla said with a small voice.

Oriana sighed. She thought as much. "I guess it’s the end for me then. I will be the Queen of Avon after now, forced to marry the man I know nothing about. Do you know I tried to escape last night and Adric caught me? I don’t even know how he found out." She said, looking at the mirror, to see Axilla’s sad face.

"If I’m going to get married, then I might as well use my favorite flower. That way, I will feel comforted while walking down the aisle to my slaughterhouse." That was Oriana’s last resort.

"Tell me what flower? I can go to pluck it in the garden for you." The young girl suggested, now looking happy.

Oriana sighed, resting her back on the chair, "It’s not in the garden; I’ve checked, but I saw it on my way here. At the market in the village, if it’s not too much, can you help me get it?"

Axilla nodded, "Sure, why not; write down their names for me; I will go get it before the wedding starts."

Oriana inhaled softly. The girl took the bait. "That’s great! I can get married with my favorite flower, and you will bring them to me." She took an inkstone and started writing. She was going to write flowers she was sure wouldn’t be found in the garden, but then she paused. She was about to betray the girl; the least she could do was also apologize with the flowers. Oriana inscribed on parchment. Done with writing, she gave it to the young girl. As she read it, Oriana feared that maybe she would understand the meaning, but the girl smiled.

"I will come back with all these. Take care of yourself before then." She ran out of the room.

Oriana stood up from her chair immediately, "I’m so sorry, Axilla. I hope you forgive me one day," she removed her gown and threw some out of the window. Then she walked towards the door. The maids were not there. Oriana packed most of her jewels and threw them outside the room to look like she had escaped, then she hid inside the closet. When everyone was outside looking for her, she would find a way to escape. It was always better to hide in plain sight where everyone least expected.