The Runaway Princess

~Chapter 1~

I hurry up the grand staircase of the palace and into my room after dinner. I quickly look around then dart into my room. I grab my jeans and grey shirt form my hidden cupboard then head to the door of my wardrobe. On the back of the door there is a hidden compartment I placed there a year ago. I slip out my beloved sword and its sheath then attach it to my belt. I close the compartment door then the wardrobe door itself. I walk through the cupboard and whisp past the dresses. I place my tiara on a shelf near the window then do the usual routine. I raise the window up then climb up onto the sill. I flop my legs over the side then turn over. I start the descent down.

A few metres down and I slip on one of the steps. I hold my breathe as I hear guards below. As they make their rounds I stay there dangling. When I finally get a grip on the stone I continue down. I go as quietly as possible then skip the last few steps by jumping down. Obvious mistake. I landed on gravel and it made a loud noise. I mutter under my breathe as the guards turn to face me. "Intruder! " They shout. At least they didn't recognise me.

I take off and run through the grounds of the gardens. I go into the hedge maze. I am one of the only people who can escape this without help. They have no chance of catching me. I continue to run til I reach the woods. I run and run until I reach my practising ground. A cut down tree is placed upwards as a person that I have used for a few years now. I take my sword out of its sheath then take it into my hands. The familiar feel to it shoots electricity up my arms as I start my rountine.

I continuously strike the trunk and make various spins and dodges as if there was a real person. I hear rustling in the bushes so I quickly place my sword away then run. I look back to see if anyone is there when I hit something. The winds gets knocked out of me as I fall on the cool ground of the musky woods. I groan as I rub my head. When I open my eyes I see someone there. The other person gets up then offers their hand. I take it then stand. "Sorry I didn't see where I was going." I say.

"It's fine. You look really familiar but I can't tell since its night." They say in a deep voice, so it was a boy. "How old are you?" I ask. "Sixteen." He replies. I take my hand from his then rub my palms on my jeans. "So am I." I say.

"Are you lost?" He asks in a concerned tone. "I just need to know where the town is." I say. I have never gone this deep into the woods.

As we walk I can tell he is still trying to figure out who I am. As we near the town a few lights are on so he looks at me more clearly.

He bows and keeps his head lowered. "Princess Alexia, please excuse me for not recognising you and for knocking you over."

"You didn't knock me over. I did. Thank you for taking me here but I need to get back to the palace." He nods then I walk away.

I hear footsteps coming towards me just as I near the palace gates.

"Princess Alexia?" I turn around to face the boy. "You left your sword near the woods." My eyes widen then I run, pulling him along with me.

"Its near my house your majesty." He says. From then on he leads the way.

We near a small cabin on the edge of the woods when we stop. "Wait here your majesty." I try to protest but he runs into the trees. The door behind me opens and a middle aged woman steps out.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" She asks in a stern tone.

How am I going to get out of this?

"I was in the woods when_" Running steps interupt my sentence.

"Here's your sword Princess." He bows then hands it to me. "Thank you. What is your name?" I ask.

"Shane Brione your majesty." He replies. The woman curtsies to me when she realises. "Please forgive me milady. I am used to seeing royalty in gowns and suits." She explains solemnly.

"Its alright. I wear this so I don't get recognised. Shane is this your mother?" He nods.

I put my hand out. "Alexia Stone." She shakes my hand with a shocked look on her face. "Lilian Brione."

She looks at Shane. "Look how pretty she is." She exclaims to him. He turns away looking embarrased.

"Thank you for helping me tonight. I am willong to pay you for your deeds and for you to not mention this to anyone." I tale out a bag of gold coins from my pocket then hand it to Shane.

"Your majesty we cannot accept this. It is too much." His mother says.

"Nonsense. I can see you need it so take it. I am afraid I need to go now."

"Thank you milady. This will help us more than you know." I nod then head back through town then to the palace gates.

(A.N: Probably not the best chapter but I promise the following chapters will be much better. I just wanted to introduce the characters.)