Where Thorn Blooms

VIGHEDEN

nd beneath us. The trees I passed by blurred in my vision like ghosts, and in those moments, I felt a flicker of doubt-un

porarily forget my trauma. As long as I was still inside this forest, I was no

Wanda i

d earlier flashed once more in my mind-the people who he

ashb

of relief. Instead of heading toward the restroom, I wen

s there since all the servants

allway, Your Highness. I've prepared

n to me earlier before I pr

ant's uniform so I wouldn't attract attention, especially f

to make sure no one had seen me. Once I was certain there w

even half the size of my bathroom. In one corner stood a wooden double-deck bed. The lower bunk h

und again, searching for a ba

spots, but was still being used. Atop it were stacked washbasins and small plastic tubs. Bes

g wrong with her room, but it would've been better if it were made more com

ed it with a white apron that had ruffles on the shoulder straps. After dressing, I tied my hair into a bun so

nly wore this when there were gatherings in our palace. It

settled, but seeing my discarded

hide this?" I

e, or Wanda would be in dange

at shou

find a trash bin nearby to dispose of it. It was

n in front of me-her back turned-wearing the same clothes I had

upon seeing who

I'll take care of your gown," sh

eply letter for Prince Maedric earli

r and smiled. "Th

ace, Your Highness. Prince Cosux is

ash bin she was carrying and walked away down the

I waited five minutes before

of the palace. Many royal guards were station

oing something. There was even a time when one of them called out to me and as

pered to myself as I walked through the brightly

ung lady? Don't you know you

e. It was like being splashed with cold water, and my breathing n

" I wh

to see me like this, why did it have t

oing, Aurette?"

s tightly. I'm

alking. This time, I walked faster

d my hands to make me face him. "What th

e eyes. "You don't understa

t know you-yourself were involved in it. I thought... I thought this was just an

I also smelled the scent of

e trying to stop me from escaping-sorry, but I'll forget that we're friends,"

I know how pure your heart is. I know you so well, and I know how much this situation is hurting you. But wh

ally softened a

if he's my friend, I knew how loyal he was to the Kingdom of Ruilux.

ry..." I

't want you to think about anything else

e western wing of the palace. Whenever we encountered royal guards, h

orse stables. This was where they locked up and left old horses to die,

e? Where will you go once you've

palace and go far away. If I have to go to another kingdom, then I will.

eply, as if contemplati

ever need help, don't hesitate to let me know. And if

d. "I w

d stable, I saw three figures in the sh

's him..."

Prince Maedric, walking toward us with the woman w

ss Sevesan Darkwolf..." Prince

k. "It's been a wh

here, Prince Maedric. He recognized

d time. Calla is holding the important belongings your personal servant prepared for you." Calla-the woman with ash

ra? Aurette

san. I got this

of fla