In the days following our family dinner, I had been deep in thought. After hearing what my father had to say, I knew I would never get his permission to return to the palace. Caius had been acting strangely, as if he wanted to help but knew he couldn't without deliberately disobeying our father. I didn't blame him. He was eternally loyal to our father, and I would never want to pressure him otherwise. Although he was the one to help change my mindset, I did not expect him to take part in whatever I had to do next. Pushing me to understand what I really wanted was more than enough from him.

The question now was, could I really do this on my own? Did I plan to run away one night, slipping past our secure guards and somehow find my way through the many paths in the forest and along the roads until I magically end up at the palace? I may be naive sometimes, but I was not so naive to believe that I could pull that off without fail.

I spent hours pacing in my room, staring out the window at the estate grounds, my mind racing with possibilities. I had to be smarter than that. I needed a plan, a real plan, something that wouldn't just get me caught and dragged back home before I even got close to the palace.

One afternoon, as I sat under my familiar tree, I realized the first step was finding a way out of the estate without alerting anyone. The guards knew me too well; they would notice if I tried to sneak past them. I needed a distraction, something that would draw their attention away long enough for me to slip away unnoticed.

The festival in the nearby town was coming up, and our family always attended. It was one of the few times the estate was left somewhat unguarded. The guards would be focused on protecting my father and the rest of the family in the crowd. It was my best chance.

Once I got past the estate grounds, I would need supplies—food, water, money. My stepmother often left her purse in the sitting room, and while I hated the idea of stealing from her, I saw no other option. I could slip a few coins without her noticing.

I also needed to consider how to travel. Walking the entire way was impractical. I would have to find a horse, maybe even take one from the stables. The stable master, old and kind, might turn a blind eye if I explained enough to hint at my intentions without revealing too much.

The risks were immense, but I felt a surge of determination. If I could reach the palace, if I could speak to Malachi, maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to make things right. To reclaim my purpose and the connection we once had.

Days ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as I prepared in secret. I gathered supplies, mapped out my route, and waited for the festival. My heart pounded with a mixture of fear and excitement at the thought of what lay ahead.

Could I really do this on my own? It was a daunting thought, but as I looked around at the life I had here, the life that felt increasingly like a cage, I knew I had to try. This was my chance to reclaim my destiny, and I wasn't going to let it slip away.

The day had come. The day of the festival. My family would be gone, showing a united front and pretending all is well in front of their subjects. I made a flimsy excuse to stay back at the house and was not questioned, although I caught an approving look from Caius. I wondered if he has caught on to what I was up to. No matter. All the pieces were set, and I had to take my leave.

I will admit that my plan was haphazard at best. I am no navigation expert, but I had spent the past days studying maps, trying to find the best route to the palace. I had also identified some inns that would be safe to stay in along the way. However, I did need a horse, and I got immensely lucky. The horsekeeper obtained permission to attend the festival as well, leaving the stables unattended. As long as I could slip past the guards, everything should work out.

I entered the stables with my satchel of supplies and see Nelly, the horse I learned to ride on. She is smart, quick, and gentle—perfect for my journey. As I began to retrieve her, I heard the sound of crunching hay and abruptly turned around, my heart pounding, fearing I had been caught.

"And where might you be going?" It was Leif. My heart sank. We had once been so close, but how could I possibly tell him that I was going back to the palace after what happened to him? And I couldn't lie to him. He deserved to know, and perhaps I could beg for his forgiveness as well. He has already told me there was nothing to forgive for the situation he got into before, but going back to the man who orchestrated his pain is undoubtedly a betrayal.

"Leif..." I began, my voice trembling. He looked much better now, fully recovered. "I, well... you see... um, the thing is..." I stuttered, the words tangling in my throat as I struggled to explain myself.

I stood there, speechless, my mind racing. What could I possibly say? Leif had dedicated his life to protecting my family at any cost. There was no way he would let me walk into the dangerous unknown, my destination being the warlord who conquered our nation. The turmoil within me must have been plain on my face, and Leif's sigh broke through my tangled thoughts.

"Well, if we want to find a place to camp by nightfall, we better get going now," he said, his voice calm and matter-of-fact.

I blinked, trying to process his words. What did he mean? Did he know I was planning to leave? Then I noticed the bag slung over his shoulder, packed and ready.

"Leif..." I started, my voice faltering. I wanted to ask how he knew, what was happening.

"Caius told me," he said simply, cutting through my confusion.

So Caius did know my plan. The knowing looks he had given me since our talks, his silent understanding as I spent hours in the map room, even the random pieces of helpful information he had dropped during casual conversations—all of it made sense now. He was a good brother, helping in his own quiet way. But Leif, how could he support me in this? He had always been a good friend, but this was another level.

"Leif, why would you help me?" I asked, my voice a mix of gratitude and confusion.

He looked at me with a blend of determination and warmth. "Elara, I will always help you. You aren't happy here. And as much as I hate what Malachi did, I can see how much this means to you. I can't let you go alone."

"But after everything..." I trailed off, unable to articulate the depth of my guilt and fear.

"I've healed," he said softly. "Physically and emotionally. And I've come to terms with what happened. This isn't about Malachi for me. It's about you. If you need to do this, then I need to help you do it safely."

His words sank in, a wave of relief washing over me. I didn't have to face this alone. Leif was offering me his unwavering support, even in the face of our shared past.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Let's get going before anyone else realizes what's happening."

With newfound determination, I mounted Nelly, and Leif took his place beside me on his horse, ready to embark on this uncertain journey together. As we left the stables, the weight of my decision felt lighter with Leif by my side. This was the beginning of something new, something that could change everything. I was not just leaving my home, but my family. Everything I have done in the past, I had done with my family in mind. While I still wished to protect my family, I made the decision to leave for me. I was finally putting myself first, and it felt incredible.

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter; I am getting back into the swing of things!