Chapter 3: Gardens of Henria

"As you know, I do not wish to marry you," Caroline says seriously. "Even though you are handsome, I'm in love with another." Even though we had a mutual understanding already, it still kind of hurt. I can't marry anyone else, so she was really my only chance at love. Even if we had to build it ourselves. With her mother pressuring her even more now, I thought she would've come to terms with it by now.

"I understand. I wish to call off the wedding but my father, the King will never allow it," I say sadly. If I hadn't made that deal with him, none of this would be happening. he sure does know how to blackmail me into doing whatever he wants. He was never much of a father. Being a King always came first. When it came to spending his downtime with his children or his 'friends' or whores as I like to call them, he picked them every time. My poor mother stayed with us always trying to keep our minds away from it.

"I understand. That is why I need your help with something. I'm running away with my lover. I want you to tell everyone that I went to the human world when really, I won't. That way they will never find me, and we won't marry," she says seriously. Even though I selfishly want to go with her plan, I also don't want to risk both our lives. My father is ruthless. There's no telling how he'll take this. I also want to find true love; this may be my only chance at it. I never would've thought she would have the guts to do this. Is marrying me really that unbearable? Or is her lover so special that's she's willing to risk her life for his?

"But our duty to our people," I say thinking like my father would. This repulses me and causes me to say, "fine. I'll help you to seeking your hidden love." I agree to help her. "If you leave tonight. I want to get this over with," I say making one rule. It hurt to let her go through with this but there's no point in me stopping her. Why let us both be miserable when one of us can be happy? I want what's best for her at the end of the day and I know this is the only way I can. I have to suck it up and go with it.

"Agreed. Thank you," she says before kissing me on the cheek and hurrying off to her secret betrothed. One day I'll have a hidden love or a love at all. One that I'll do anything for. One day, hopefully. I know there's someone out there for me. Someone I don't have to force to love me.

I wait about ten minutes for her to leave and make sure she's on her way safely without being caught. After the coast was clear, I decide to get it over with and tell my father. I didn't want to wait too long and psych myself out. I need to do this now while I have the energy. The worst that could happen is he knows the truth and kills me. The best that could happen is he understands and lets me find someone else to be with. Knowing him, that's never going to happen. He couldn't be that kind even if he desperately wanted to be.

"Father! Father!" I yell acting like I was worried. Maybe this will get him to believe me. I'm not the best liar and he might kill me if he finds out the truth.

"Axton what is it?" He asks worriedly.

"Princess Caroline. She's gone," I say while handing him a note that was in my hand. I had made her write a note saying she was leaving to the human world so everyone would believe it. Hopefully that will buy some time until they discover the truth.

"Go after her son! We need this alliance. Plus, we made a deal," he says sternly. I look at him with confusion before nodding my head once his nose started to turn up.

"Yes father," I obey. I didn't know I would have to follow her. I should have guessed he would make me do this. It's going to be a long travel. I can't say I'm not excited. I've always wanted to go to the human world and because she's not actually there, I get a long ass vacation. Maybe I'll find a love of my own. It seems like Caroline just made both our dreams come true without even knowing it.

I pack my bags and make sure I have enough stuff with me to survive. Money is the main thing. Humans love it even though real gold is better. Once all my bags are packed, I head to my brothers' room to let him know. When I walk in, mother is talking to him. "Is it true?" She asks standing up. She was sitting at the edge of his bed.

I hug her gently and when I let go, I hold her hands tightly. "I don't know where she is, but it's my job to find her. Father is sending me to the human world. I can't disappoint him," I say while kissing her hands. She gasps as my brother gets up and stands next to me.

"How long will you be gone?" I look at him and shrug my shoulders. I never thought about how long this journey was going to be because I know she's not really there. Maybe I'll get away and never come back. Maybe they'll find her and send me back by tomorrow. I don't know what I've really gotten myself into and I'm a little nervous. We all say our goodbyes. My father nods me off with a stern look onto his face as I face the tunnel that leads to the human world. I stare ahead before going through and facing a new freedom.