When father discovered that I was sneaking out. He made sure to hire someone to tail us.

If we had the time. Terrence took me outside in the afternoon, we manage to lose them at the market when I shouted that they were the princess. Since they were wearing hoods similar to ours.

In an instant people flocked to him and we got away. For the time being, we hid at the pub. There I had my first taste of alcohol and also my first time getting drunk.

Terrence carried me over to an inn. When I woke up it was already nighttime.

"You sure have a low tolerance to alcohol." [Terrence]

"S-sorry..." [Elaine]

I tried to walk, but my head was spinning. When I tripped, Terrence caught me in his arms.

"You still need to rest." [Terrence]

We waited for it to subside and then left.

"Hey wanna see something?" [Terrence]

"See what?" [Elaine]

"It's a secret..." [Terrence]

So I followed him and we went into the forest outside the city. The path was quite dense but decent enough to go through with some effort.

"We're here." [Terrence]

I was speechless, what I saw was a beautiful sight. Even though my feet hurts from walking, it suddenly went away as I saw this marvel.

We were at the royal grave site because the normal route was guarded. Terrence showed me a secret path through the forest.

"Did you know that migration lilies bloom only at the end of each month?" [Terrence]

"No... I didn't..." [Elaine]

As the migration lilies bloom, they release a faint blue light that was carried off by the wind. Filling the whole field with light.

"It is said that the lilies got their name from this event, where the souls of the departed would be guided by the light of the lilies into the afterlife." [Terrence]

"It's so beautiful Terrence. Thank you..." [Elaine]

I wish that I could stay here forever and enjoy this rare sight.

I glanced at Terrence. When he noticed, he also glanced at me. As our eyes locked, I slowly moved my face closer to his.

He isn't moving away. "Is it alright?" I thought.

"It's okay..." [Terrence]

I blinked twice. I forgot about my telepathy... as I heard of his assurance we kiss under the field lit by blooming migration lilies...

When we got back to the castle, it was already midnight. Terrence escorted me to my room.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Would you like to stay for the night?" [Elaine]

"E-eh?" [Terrence]

"I was joking-joking~" [Elaine]

His face lit red and I bid him good night. That was the start of our secret relationship.

A few months after. Father, returned from his trip from another kingdom and I was eating breakfast with him.

"Ahh, speaking of which I've met this prince. He has good humor and was very talented." [King Alex]

"What are you saying, father?" [Elaine]

"You've now reached the rightful age to marry and we have already arranged for your wedding." [King Alex]

"That's?! Did he agree to it?!" [Elaine]

"Yes, you might not remember it, but you've already met him once at a party, but due to circumstances. He wasn't able to stay for too long." [King Alex]

"I don't want to marry someone who I didn't like." [Elaine]

"If you are talking about facial features. I can say that he is handsome, he also holds great influence." [King Alex]

"Neither of that interests me. I'd just rather marry a commoner!" [Elaine]

"Stop being so selfish! All these years I've let you do what you want and because of that I had nearly lost you, but my single request you wouldn't even grant it?!!" [King Alex]

Everyone in the dining room stopped. They were all shaken by father's voice, even I...

I stood up and looked him straight in the eye, then left soon after.

I locked myself inside my room. I've lost count of how many days it has been. I only let Martha and the other maids tend the room and bring me food.

It was then that I heard that my marriage was nearing, from one of the maids gossiping outside the door and Terrence was training to be the next knight captain. So... that's why he wasn't able to come...

Five days left... until my wedding...

Then there was a knock on my door. It was father...

"Elaine open this door at once!" [King Alex]

"No!" [Elaine]

"If you don't, we'll break this door down!!" [King Alex]

"Try it! My spell is at the ready!!" [Elaine]

"Terrence?" [King Alex]

I heard father say his name.

"Hah... alright, you go talk her out of it, but if she still persists..." [King Alex]

Multiple footsteps retreated from the hall. Then came a knock.

"Prin... Elaine." [Terrence]

I unlocked the door, looked out to check, and let him in. Then I sat on my bed, he took the chair and sat in front.

"Maybe you should agree to it." [Terrence]

"You are the last person that I want to hear that from..." [Elaine]

"..." [Terrence]

"What about us? Us! Terrence?!" [Elaine]

"What is it do you really want?" [Terrence]

"What I want is..." [Elaine]

"I'm just a knight with no royal background, are you sure that you're fine with me?" [Terrence]

"Didn't you know that father was once an adventurer? When he got married to my mother." [Elaine]

"That is different from now, for what we know is if he wanted you to marry the prince. Then... he may not have any expectations from me and when he realizes that his daughter had a relationship with a commoner..." [Terrence]

"Still, we can say it to him." [Elaine]

"Did you know what will happen if this comes out? The prince would be enraged and may choose to take over your kingdom. Also... if a scandal like this were to be heard by the populace." [Terrence]

"So... you were just thinking about yourself, after all this time?" [Elaine]

"It's not tha-" [Terrence]

"Out..." [Elaine]

"Elai-" [Terrence]

"I SAID GET OUT!!" [Elaine]

He left without saying a word. I locked it and then leaned my back against the door as I cried.

Fourth day... I got out and had breakfast with father. My eyes were still red from my crying the whole night. We ate and finished silently. After, father talked about how the ceremony would start and who will be the guests for the wedding. I don't want to hear it... it went into one ear and out of the other...

The third day... I steeled myself... no matter how much I prepare it was still painful... every night I cried. By the balcony I heard a chirp, there was a gryphon. I quickly pulled out my knife and assumed a defensive stance to invoke a spell.

Then, I noticed that there was something tied around its neck. I slowly moved nearer, yet it doesn't seem to be aggressive. I pat its head and it rubbed its face on mine.

I undid what was fastened and the gryphon flew off. It's a parchment, slightly crumpled and the drawing was what I can say is hideous, but I easily understood that the writing is from Terrence.

It was a series of plans, on what route we should avoid, and places to stay over. Almost everything is off-road, but there was no destination...

At the end, there was a note... It says... "Sorry if you thought that I was inconsiderate... the truth is I didn't know what to do. This plan is set for tomorrow, we only have one shot at this and everything is all set. If you are still willing to be with someone like me I'd risk it all just to be with you..." -Terrence.

After reading it I hugged the letter close to my heart...