castle runaway. ˡᵉᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵍʰʸᵘᶜᵏ

TEN

Monique's POV

The days passed by, also did the week and the celebration for the Royal Knights would be tomorrow. Everyone in the palace were busy with their own duties and schedules.

I visited the practice room but I only saw Jisung trying to practice sword fighting without Mark. "You okay?" He jumped and looked at me. "At least knock, princess. And yes, I'm okay. Mark would make me a knight when I defeat him.

"I didn't become a knight." I said, making him pout. "Because you are a princess." He replied. I walked towards him and let him hold the hilt properly. "It's like that." I said. He thanked me and continued.

I watched him and he was actually good at it. "Mark should invite you for tomorrow's celebration," I grabbed a sword. "But first, defeat me." I smirked and pointed my sword at him.

"Gladly, princess." He smiled and we started to fight each other with our swords. Jisung was even better in sword fighting than in fencing, although he practiced the latter first.

I almost dropped my sword and Jisung cursed for not totally removing it from my hand. Sweat trickled down on both of our temples as the fight continued on. I was too focused on defeating him that I didn't realize I was losing focus.

I gasped as Jisung slashed my sword away. He cheered and ran around. "I finally defeated the princess!!" He exclaimed joyfully. I laughed at Jisung and nodded. "I let myself lose because you would cry when you wouldn't make it to the celebration."

He stuck out his tongue. "No, I won fair and square!" He suddenly hugged me. "But thank you for letting me fight with a she-knight." He pulled away and grinned. "No problem, Jisung. I hope you make it tomorrow."

"You won't go, right?" He asked and I shook my head. "One, my parents told me so and two, escape is tomorrow night, while you and Mark are in the celebration."

He suddenly looked worried. "Would you really be okay, princess?" I nodded and smiled at him. "I assure you, Jisung. I'll be fine. I would start a new life in the woods without no one controlling me and no one to tell who I must be."

He smiled. "I trust you with your promise, princess. Mark also told me that we mustn't write to each other. The guard knights might find out." I slowly nodded. "It's gonna be a bit hard but I'm sure I can manage."

"You would, princess," He said and took my sword that fell on the ground. "At least I got to beat you before you leave." I laughed and our heads turned to the door to see Mark, hair disheveled from all the advisors asking him questions.

And may I mention some female advisors flirted with him?

"Well, how was their flirting?" Jisung cackled in the corner and Mark chuckled. "Not bad, but I already have someone." I nodded. "Well, she's lucky." He shook his head and ruffled his hair, walking past me. "Not really."

I immediately looked away as he started to take off his shirt. I walked to Mark's corner where the plan was on top of the wooden table. I examined the plan and made up scenarios in my head as I read it. I can't make the drawings move because Mark can only do it.

"Forgot the plan?" I looked up and saw Mark, shirtless, walking up beside me. "No. I might be panicky tomorrow and might forget this." I said. He touched the end of the paper and the part where I'm going to escape moved.

"My drawing version looks prettier, why is that?" We both chuckled and I sat down on a chair tucked under the table. "I really hope it would be successful, Mark." I glanced at him and he was looming over me.

I diverted my eyes to Jisung and he raised his brows then winked. I scoffed and giggled at his attitude. I pushed myself up and I regretted that because I hit my back on Mark's body.