My nerves were on edge, preventing me from getting a full night's sleep.

But I couldn't afford to rest any longer, not when the fate of the kingdom was at stake.

Determination fueled my actions as I tightly pulled my hair back into a ponytail and slipped on my waterproof boots.

Every detail mattered - even the color of my clothing. I made sure to wear all black, blending into the shadows like a stealthy predator.

A long sleeve shirt, secretly borrowed from my sister's closet while she showered, helped mask my scent with her own.

Being the princess had its advantages; I knew every secret passageway and hidden tunnel in the castle, including the emergency exits that could lead me to safety.

Carefully, I tiptoed through the halls of the kingdom, constantly scanning for any sign of movement or sound.

My heart raced with adrenaline as I avoided being seen by anyone, even the servants who were normally too preoccupied to notice me.

At last, I reached the entrance to the secret tunnel. With trembling hands, I retrieved a flashlight from my bag and stepped into the damp and musty air.

It felt like a heavy wool blanket draped over the land, suffocating and oppressive. The scent clung to everything and seemed to seep into my bones with every breath I took.

As I made my way deeper into the tunnel, an eerie feeling crept over me. The cold walls and eerie silence reminded me of a haunted crypt, sending shivers down my spine.

But I couldn't let fear stop me now - I needed to gain an advantage before they discovered I was missing.

The sudden sound of a dark, deep voice startles me and I spin around, heart racing. But there is no one in sight.

Panic rises within me as I frantically search for the source of the voice.

"Where do you think you are going, young lady?" The voice echoes again, causing fear to grip my chest.

I try to come up with an explanation, but the unknown man seems to have already figured it out.

"Running away, is what it looks like," he says with a knowing tone.

I plead with him not to take me back to my father, knowing he will never understand. But the stranger can't see my face as I cannot see his.

"So, you are one of the princesses? Why are you running, I wonder?" He asks, his curiosity piqued by my desperate pleas.

I hesitate before telling him the whole story, hoping to avoid it altogether. But he insists on seeing for himself.

"How?" I ask nervously.

"You don't need to know the details. Just grab my hand and I will see your memories," he explains calmly.

Uncertain about this strange request, I hesitantly take his hand. Immediately, a rush of pressure fills my mind and then vanishes just as quickly as it came.

"I see...a warrior at heart," the man remarks, surprising me with his insight into my thoughts and feelings.

Shaken and bewildered by this encounter, I try to process what just happened. How did this man know about my inner struggles?

"Go ahead, be careful once you exit," he advises before falling silent once more. "But there is no one else down here in these tunnels. Your secret is safe with me."

I shake off the strange encounter and focus on my goal - escape. My flashlight flickers on and off as I make my way through the dark tunnels, determined to gain as much ground as possible before my father's men inevitably find me.

Emerging from the dark tunnels, I am greeted by the open expanse of land before me. Turning to look behind, I see the distant glow of the Kingdom's lights beckoning me back. But there is no time for rest or hesitation.

With determined strides, I make my way through the dense woods, careful not to tire myself too quickly.

The damp earth beneath my feet gives a satisfying squelch as I trudge on. A small creek appears ahead and without hesitation, I wade in with my waterproof boots.

The sound of rushing water fills my ears as I continue walking for miles, using the creek as a guide to mask my scent. Every little advantage counts in this game and I will take any that come my way.

The full moon casts a soft glow over the forest, providing just enough light for me to see without a flashlight. Though my heart is heavy at leaving my family behind, I know this is something I must do.

Suddenly, after what feels like hours of walking north in the creek, I realize it has curved in the wrong direction. With a sigh, I return to solid ground and continue on, knowing that the castle and its shining lights are now far behind me.

The burning ache in my leg muscles is a constant reminder of the urgency driving me forward. Despite the pain, I know I must keep pushing before resting.

The moonlight illuminates my path as I journey through the night, offering glimpses of nocturnal animals in their natural habitat: raccoons playfully scurrying in the distance, deer gracefully prancing by the edge of the woods, and owls hooting softly from their perch in the trees.

As my body begins to tire, I become lost in the beauty of the surrounding wilderness. But reality soon pulls me back, bringing with it the searing sensation in my muscles. I pause and take off my backpack, rummaging inside for the small watch I grabbed from my nightstand before fleeing on this journey.

With relief, I see that it is only 4 am. My father's inferior methods of keeping us cooped up in the castle have inadvertently worked in my favor.

All those hours spent mindlessly jogging on the treadmill have prepared me for this moment - I can walk four miles an hour. Doing some quick calculations, I realize that gives me a head start of sixteen miles.

Setting an alarm on the watch for six am, giving myself two hours to rest and recharge before setting out again. No one ever enters my room until eight, so I should be safe until then.

Surveying my surroundings for a place to rest, the darkness brings about fears of what could lurk in its depths.

But then I spot a tall oak tree nearby - its thick branches offering a perfect hiding spot. With practiced movements, I use smaller branches to climb up with my backpack still strapped on.

I find a sturdy branch just high enough to conceal me from direct eyesight but not too high as to risk falling.

The air is cool and crisp, providing some comfort as I settle onto the branch with my blanket spread evenly beneath me. Using a rope that was tied to my backpack, I secure myself to the trunk of the tree, grateful for the skills I picked up from watching the warriors practice.

Closing my eyes and taking deep breaths, I allow myself to relax and lean back against the tree.

In the peacefulness of the night, with only the sound of crickets lulling me to sleep, darkness quickly descends and envelopes me in its embrace.