"Princess? It's Martha. I've come to tell you that your father wants to see you." She was shaking me.

"Do you know what he wants me for?" I ask nervously.

"He just said it was important," Was her response.

"Oh, no. It's probably him scolding me for not dancing with Franco more." I sighed.

I walked slowly to the throne room. I was slow for one because I wanted to take as long as possible to get there. I was also slow because I was wearing a floor length dress, and it was really hard not to trip on it.

When I reached the grand hallway, I was surprised to find my whole family there. My step mom, my dad, Ashley, even Sarah. They were all staring expectantly at me. I wonder what they could want.

"Honey, we need to talk," my father said.

"Yes we do," my step mom added.

"Oh, oh, can I talk to her first?" Ashley asked.

"Shh dear, don't upset mummy and daddy," Sarah told her.

"It's about Franco. We have decided you are old enough to be married. After all, your father was 20 when he was married." Lillian said.

"WHAT?!" I screamed, "YOU WANT ME TO GET MARRIED TO FRANCO?!" I mean I knew it was coming, but now?! NO!

"Yes honey." My father answered calmly.

"I don't like him! I like his assistant!" I yell. Even as I say it, I know I shouldn't have done that.

"What did you just say?" Dad asked, dangerously quietly.

"I- I said nothing," I stutter.

"Oh yes you did. What did you say?" my step-mom asked.

"I said NOTHING!" I screamed, and ran for the door.

"Stop her John," Lillian ordered quietly.

     The beefy guard John quickly grabbed me as I was running out the door. He took hold of my arms so I couldn't fight back. I screamed, but he covered my mouth. I tried to kick him, but he twisted out of the way.

"Why are you doing this? I hate you!" I screamed, after I had bitten his hand.

"It's for your own good," dad replied, "You can't marry a pauper."

"I hate you, and you have always hated me! I am leaving!"

"Let her leave," my step-mom said spitefully.

 I marched out the door. My dress was torn, my crown was broken. My perfect, previously painfully tight hair was ruined. I looked a mess as I trudged into my room. Sarah was waiting for me.

"You really like Franco's assistant?" she asked incredulously. I didn't even wonder how she knew. The walls had ears, and really fast feet. 

"Yes," I say flatly, "There's no chance he is still here is there?" I asked.

"I don't think they are leaving until tomorrow," was the reply.

"I'm going to go tell him," I sigh.

"This way," Sarah guided me gently.

We walked through a passage I had never seen before. I just followed Sarah numbly. We finally got out of the passage next to the stables. I walked in, to see William.

"Princess, what are you doing here?" he asked politely.

"It's over. My parents found out. I'm leaving, in case you want to know," I say dully.

"What? You mean, you can't see me anymore? It's over?" he asked, not quite comprehending.

"I'm sorry. I am running away with my sister tomorrow. They were going to make me marry Franco. I couldn't stand it," I explained.

"I'm coming with you," he announced.

"You shouldn't. I don't know what my sister will say. She might not want you along," I said skeptically.

"You mean your sister Ashley? She won't mind," he said.

"No, I mean my twin sister, Leila. Or my other sister," I say.

"You have a twin?" he asked

"Yeah, we were separated at birth. She lives in the village," I tell him casually. I am past the point of caring what people think of anything I say ever. 

"Oh. What about your other sister?" he asked

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you," I say sadly, knowing I have said too much. Me and my blabber mouth. "I'm going to go pack."

I walked back to Sarah. She led me to my room without a sound. When we got there, I flopped down and didn't move. All the maids left. I started to pack.

 When I had finished, Sarah came in to say it was dinner time. I went in, ate and went out as fast as I could. I wanted to get a good night's sleep so I could take off in the morning.

"Shh, wake up. It's me, William," the comforting voice said.

"Go away. I'm sleeping," I say.

"It's time to go," he responded. Waking up slightly, I went into my walk-in closet, dressed, and grabbed the pack.

"Ready," I told him. I'm not even gonna stop you. 

"So where does your sister live?" he asked.