Alex.

The long-awaited bouquet of pink peonies was the agreed-upon signal from Sebastian that everything was ready and I should be prepared. I never thought my hands would start shaking when I read Sebastian's card. I had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom, explaining to Lisa that I was feeling embarrassed and the letters had become too personal. In reality, I couldn't contain the tremor. I had been waiting for this for so long, planning it for over three months, and now, finally, everything was ready.

Sebastian wrote:

"Everything is ready, little Guardian. Come to the stables on Monday at 6am, my man will meet you there. It's a gift for your lovely head, with a little bonus. Use it wisely and take only what is necessary.

Speaking of the journey, comfort will be questionable, but I believe in you, my little duchess.

And don't worry, the horses won't trample you."

See you soon. Sincerely yours, S.

My heart raced in my chest as I reread those lines again and again. Each word from Sebastian filled me with hope and excitement. Finally, the moment had come when I could fulfill my dream. I was ready to endure the inconveniences of the journey because freedom was the most important thing. Sebastian gave me strength and confidence, and I was determined to seize this opportunity with intelligence and caution.

With mixed feelings in my heart and a smile on my face, I reassured Lisa that everything was fine and hid my emotions behind the bathroom door. The thought of the upcoming escape filled me with joy and hope for a new life, free from the constricting limitations of the boarding school. Soon, everything would change, and I would see Sebastian. The excitement of imminent freedom was complemented by a mix of anticipation and nerves about the upcoming meeting with "my secret admirer."

Examining the comb that Sebastian had given me along with the bouquet, I discovered an embedded spatial pocket artifact. This inconspicuous little item turned an ordinary women's handbag into a fully functional suitcase. It must have cost a fortune; at home, we had never used such things, even though we lived comfortably. My father considered such expenses extravagant.

It seemed that the prince spared no expense. Intrigued, I attached the artifact to my handbag. While Lisa chatted with the girls outside the door, I managed to gather my Guardian uniform and weapons, which I had brought with me and hid at the bottom of the trunk. I also decided to take a couple of simple and comfortable dresses. That would be enough for my journey. I needed to wear something practical for the road. I didn't want to draw attention with my uniform, but an equestrian outfit would be perfect. It would be subtle, practical, and wouldn't restrict my movements.

Friday morning. Alex.

Friday morning arrived, along with the long-awaited moment of escape. I had to leave the premises at the same time as the horse transports that were departing from the boarding house. Each transport consisted of two horses and a carriage for the stablehand, who was supposed to be in the nearby village and oversee the well-being of the animals for a week.

Sebastian's plan turned out to be ingeniously simple. I was offered the opportunity to leave the boarding house by hiding inside one of the trunks containing the stablehand's belongings. The person sent by Sebastian was to introduce himself as the owner of the local blacksmith shop and personally assess the condition of the horses.

My heart raced as a tall man approached me near the stables from an empty stall and gestured towards the trunk standing in front of him.

Ally: (whispering) "Do not worry, my lady. I have made small air holes. We won't be traveling for long, just half an hour from the boarding house, and reliable people will be waiting for us there. Hurry up before anyone notices us." - The stranger bowed slightly and quickly went to distract the stablehand and workers who were busy loading the horses.

Assessing the size of the trunk and taking a deep breath, I climbed inside, covering myself with the fur jacket that was lying on the lid. Within a minute, I heard the lid close and the lock click.

If this isn't Sebastian's person, it will not be easy for me to get out of here.

Everyone around me was occupied with their tasks, unaware that inside the trunk was a young Guardian, running away from her fate or towards it, who could tell.

The surroundings were filled with the sounds of loud conversations, the snorting of horses, and the creaking of wagons. I felt a sense of danger, but at the same time, I experienced a genuine thrill. Everything was going according to plan, and I could only hope that everything would go smoothly and unnoticed.

Finally, the departure time came. My heart pounded as I heard the familiar sound of the stable doors closing, and the carriage began to move.

We had been riding for some time, and every minute felt like an eternity to me. It was cramped and stuffy inside the trunk, but I knew that this temporary discomfort was worth my freedom.

In the darkness of the trunk, I clenched my hands, trying to cope with the anxiety that kept growing. The noise and bustle outside the trunk indicated that Sebastian's person was distracting the stablehand and workers with conversations.

Every gust of wind made me shrink even more, fearing that someone would hear the rustling from my narrow hiding place. I felt time stretch into eternity, and my thoughts became tangled in a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Suddenly, the carriage came to a stop, and I heard the crack and the sound of a gruff voice belonging to the stablehand, who, as I understood, had jumped off the carriage and moved away. The uncertainty caused panic to rise within me.

My hands clenched into fists, and I dug my nails into my palm so hard that I felt pain. I was afraid to even breathe, as if every breath could reveal my presence. Suddenly, the trunk shifted, and I felt it being lifted off the carriage and transferred to another one. Panic was escalating; nobody had warned me that there would be another carriage. The second carriage started moving, and I took a deep breath. It was difficult for me to breathe calmly due to excitement.

My condition was becoming dire – it felt like the air was diminishing, my head was spinning, and specks danced before my eyes.

"No! I can't lose consciousness, not now, pull yourself together, Alex," I mentally shouted at myself, searching for a way to regain composure. After today's journey, I would definitely be afraid of confined spaces, but first, I needed to get out of here.

About 20 minutes passed, and the second carriage came to a stop. I heard footsteps near the trunk, and I froze in anticipation. My heart beat faster, and thoughts of possible consequences swirled in my mind. I hoped that the person approaching the trunk would be an ally, but I couldn't be sure.

The key clicked in the lock, and the lid opened slowly. Apprehensively, I pushed aside the jacket that concealed me, realizing that it was no longer necessary, no matter who stood there. I attempted to sit up, but after the journey, my entire body was stiff from the uncomfortable position.

Unintentionally, I let out a groan of pain in all my muscles.

From the side, I heard a slightly hoarse male laughter and a pleasant voice: "Usually, I hear such sounds from ladies under slightly different circumstances."

At first, the meaning of his words didn't immediately register with me, but then I understood and lifted my eyes with a hint of surprise. Standing in front of the carriage was a young man with a dazzling smile. He was examining me, tilting his head slightly, and his smile never wavered.

I snorted in annoyance and tried to stand again, nearly toppling over along with the trunk from the carriage. Still smiling, my rescuer approached the carriage.

The man barely held back his laughter. "Allow me to help you, Lady de Savoyar. Sebastian would not be pleased if you were to suffer from a treacherous trunk during our rescue mission under my guidance." With the same smile, he climbed onto the carriage, extended his hand to me, and helped me out.

Afterward, he jumped off the carriage and scooped me up in his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. From the unexpected closeness, I felt my heart beat even faster as Rainn held me in his arms.

I forced a smile, more like a grimace, trying to hide my embarrassment. "It seems this rescue mission is certainly not part of the standard program when it's executed like this. Perhaps you should put me down and introduce yourself, or do you usually carry all the ladies first and then get acquainted?"

My savior raised an eyebrow questioningly and smiled. "Of course, I apologize, Lady de Savoyar." He gently placed me on the ground and bowed slightly. "Allow me to introduce myself, Daniel Rainn, an ancient and most reliable comrade of Prince Sebastian. I am your companion and savior, milady. Please." Rainn gestured with his hand towards a small grove where a black carriage stood.

Slightly swaying, I walked in the indicated direction. Rainn offered me his hand, but after having been in his arms, I just shook my head; I needed more space.

Daniel Rainn was a water mage, a tall brunette with black eyes and a playful sparkle in his eyes. He might not possess the same overwhelming beauty as Sebastian, but his charm and zest for life made him quite attractive. He was the complete opposite of Sebastian in character and appearance.

Daniel had shoulder-length hair tied in a ponytail, and he preferred to wear the naval uniform of the Kingdom. He was in charge of a company that transported goods to the islands and the Kingdom of Drow. His appearance reflected his connection to the sea—sun-kissed skin and a dazzling smile complemented his perceptiveness and business acumen in matters related to trade and sailing. If he were to remove his uniform and let his hair loose, one could easily mistake him for a pirate.

Unlike Sebastian, who was cold and calculating, Daniel gave the impression of warmth and attentiveness. He possessed a responsive yet resilient character and was always ready to help his friends. His ability to joke and smile created an atmosphere of joy and carefreeness. In Daniel's presence, even the most serious person couldn't help but smile.

Daniel and I settled into the carriage, which was pulled by four horses. Before continuing our journey, Daniel suggested that I take a walk and stretch my muscles since prolonged confinement in the carriage, despite its comfort, could cause some tension.

I agreed to his suggestion, and we decided to take a stroll. In the fresh air, I felt the fatigue and stiffness leaving my body. Daniel ran his hand through his long hair and smiled at me, as if knowing how important it was to relax a little before continuing our journey.

We walked along the grove, enjoying the tranquility and the surrounding nature. Daniel told me about himself and his story of how he met Prince Sebastian.

After a short walk, we returned to the carriage, feeling more refreshed and ready to continue our journey.

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Inside the carriage, I couldn't hold back the question that was troubling me: "Daniel, tell me, will I meet Sebastian on the road, or will he continue to communicate with me through correspondence?" Reason told me that openly showing interest in Sebastian was not advisable, but it seemed that reason had given way to a new and as yet undefined feeling that clouded all the arguments of my mind.

Rainn smiled slightly and looked at me with an understanding expression in his eyes. "Sebastian couldn't meet you, milady. His involvement in this operation must remain secret. If he were to appear on the territory of the Kingdom of Seas on the day of your escape, it would surely attract attention. I am confident that he will meet you in the village." I didn't know Daniel well enough to judge his sincerity, but for a moment, it seemed like his smile expressed sympathy.

What was that about? Perhaps now Daniel believes that I'm just one of those foolishly infatuated ladies who are taken with the prince, destined for disappointment. I, Alessandra de Savoyar, will not allow myself to be considered weak and foolish, and I certainly won't run after a prince. Daniel seemed to be looking out the window, but I felt that he was observing me and my thoughts after the question about Sebastian. I had spent over a year at the Boarding House for a reason. Lifting my chin and wearing a mask of indifference, I turned away toward the window, and we continued the journey in silence.

It seemed to me that Rainn didn't believe my facade of indifference, and after giving me a quick look, he smiled and shook his head.