Chapter 62

The royal woodlands were typically used as hunting grounds for the royal family. Nobody really ventured there unless personally invited by a royal so the fact that we stood before it with the consent of the owners was unthinkable. The trees were all evidently ancient as they towered above us, probably centuries old as the large roots could be traced on the ground.

"They truly want us to venture into that jungle wearing our dresses and jewellery?" I heard a lady complain as I took a step forward towards the crowd of trees.

I stumbled immediately and cursed under my breath, someone grabbed onto my arm to steady me. I turned to thank them and my breath hitched at the sight of Lady Willow.

"Thank you" I stammered and tried to regain my footing.

"It's no worries, but do be careful" She advised and Lady Raya came up behind her, tapping her shoulder warmly.

"Lets go Charlotte" She called and Lady Willow smiled at her as they set off.

"Lady Raya, let me join you!" Lady montgomery chased after the two and I sighed. Crystal had gone ahead as well, saying she'd rather do this alone.

I stared at the forest in comtemplation.

I didn't want to be queen, but I couldn't forfeit. That would mean embarrassing the whole Colter family and even potential execution, but just as I found the will to step forward i felt someone staring at me and turned around slowly, unassuming.

I wasn't even surprised to see him standing a few metres away atop a horse as dark as his hair. His uniform princely and his hair was brushed back to reveal his face which I found myself mesmerised by. He didn't look like the man who sat on my guest bed when he was on his steed. He didn't smile at me, instead he nodded as if to say 'Go on now'. I took a deep breath and nodded back.

"This may work in my favour" I reassured myself and stepped into the the woodland, the scent of pine immediately hitting me. I hated how I opted for heels whenever I could, just for my height, because today it was a terrible decision. My heels ofted slided across an odd branch making me stumble. It was so unbearable I took them off and cringed at the sight of my now dirty socks. "One or the other" I groaned.

I had been walking for what felt like an hour and I couldn't help but find it eerie how void of human touch the woodlands seemed at that moment, the sound of leaves and twigs crunching beneath my feet. The sound of leaves swishing in the trees followed by the chirping of birds. It was beautiful and I may have continued to enjoy it had I not heard the sound of a whimper.

I followed it, hoping a poor fox was injured and I could return already, but It wasn't what I expected at all when I caught sight of it.

I might've passed a whimpering animal without a care, but this was no animal, before me was a girl- a queen candidate- bruised up and her clothes ripped in tears. Her face was bleeding and one of her ankles was a painful black colour.

"Oh my god- Are you okay?" I rushed over, reaching to touch her and she violently flinched away.

"Stay- Stay away from me!" I recognised her voice as the daughter of Baron Selvius. A man known to most as wicked and a rather evil fellow for his popular casinos that had resulted in fallen families.

"Lady Selvius its me- Madeline Colter!" I wasn't sure why I expected her recognise my name, but she did. She stopped pushing away and looked up at me in surprise.

"Miss Colter..." She stopped and then with a flash of fear appearing on her face she quickly thrashed away from me, "You need to run away! Why did you stop to help me?" She began pushing me away roughly and I fell a few metres away from her, confused out of my mind.

"You don't seem well…" I frowned and then looking at the state of her decided she needed help. I stood up, reaching to help her up and then I heard the sound of people approaching from behind me. I turned around to see men dressed up in black from head to toe. They wore masks and evidently weren't too friendly from the way they wielded weapons. "Shit... who the hell are you guys?- This is the royal property!"

"It's no use..." Lady Selvius groaned behind me, "You've been set-up Lady Colter".

I glanced over to her in shock, but no matter how I looked at her she was truly beaten and bruised.

"Did someone do that to you to lure me here?" I asked, eyes still glued to the approaching men. All three of them were taller and evidently had training and all I had was a flimsy dagger, which I now clutched for my dear life. "Who would...?" That was a stupid question, because it couldn't matter less right now.

I had very little combat skill. Very little was actually equivalent to none. Infact my only memory is Rodrigo telling me how to throw a punch. That was it. I knew a bit of self-defense but would that help in a fight like this? I could defend against one, but three was out of the question.

Then there was the fact that there was an injured girl behind me who clearly couldn't stand, meaning I couldn't run my way out of this.

I stepped back in caution.

What was I going to do?