As Free as a Captive

His face stood still, hardened, and he stared at me with great intensity.

I put my book down to face him completely.

"Rina..."

"Damond."

"You won't have to worry. I will be coming with you." He said. "I will stay with you the whole time as well. No harm will come to you. I promise."

Oh, how he cared for me. I must really be grateful for all the amazing people surrounding me.

"I know you'll protect me Damond. You always do. Even from myself.." A small smile came to my face as I said this.

He wasn't smiling though. His face looked pained and exhausted.

Damond finally sat down on my bed and took a deep breath.

"You should eat Rina." He eyed the breakfast tray on my bed stand and reached for a piece of bread.

"I should eat, but you're already eating my food?" I questioned as he stuffed the bread in his mouth.

That's better. It's much more bearable when he isn't carrying around such a brooding look. He's adorable now.

With the mood much lighter now, Damond and I talked and shared a breakfast.

The days seemed to go by like this. Reading, eating, sleeping... It was shocking really, that whole week flew by so fast.

***

"Are you well prepared Your Highness? The Royal Carriage is ready now." Daniella poked her head out from my room door.

How did it reach this point already? Staring at myself in the long mirror now, I observed myself wearing a long extravagant dress not native to our Kingdom. It was a cream coloured non-shouldered dress with eccentric hims and a faux flower at the waist.

I didn't like it. I would normally never wear this.

However, since I would be marrying into the Shoubet Kingdom, I must dress like them now as well. Soon, I will have to act like them and play their silly little games too. They were known to be a very power hungry family, even competing among themselves for public favour.

"You look beautiful Your Highness...! Did Penelope dress you?"

Oh. I had forgotten Daniella was still standing there. I was too absorbed in myself.

" Thank you, but...no actually. I did it all by myself." I said.

Self sufficiency is important. Relying on my maids would just make me more spoiled than I already am.

She had a perplexed look on her face.

"Your Highness, you have to get used others getting dressed for you now. I heard the Shoubets' are very flagrant with their maid and butler services."

" You also look very beautiful Daniella."

As per the occasion, even the maids would wear a simple dress to another family's Kingdom.

The brightest smile shone on her face after my compliment.

I could not return the smile. My heart was too heavy.

"God help me I don't run away when the wedding comes." I whispered to myself. She hadn't caught that right?

Soon after, Daniella and I made our way downstairs to the Grand Entrance of the castle.

The carriage to my end is waiting just outside.

Deep breaths.

As the two guards opened the grand door, a roar of cheers suddenly erupted from outside.

Banners, flags, and packs of gifts flooded the scene.

And people. Lots of people. People that I have never even seen in my life.

This was not what I was expecting... Who knew people would even come out here to see me off??

I stepped forward, spotting my parents hand in hand looking back at me with a smile.

"Come now, don't be slow." My mother said reaching for my hands.

"And close your mouth too."

Huh? Had my mouth been open from the shock all this time?

The cheers kept going. People from all walks of life were here.

Doctors, merchants, play writers. And they all seemed to be happy?

Father rose his arm up high and the crowd fell dead silent. He started to speak in his commanding voice.

"Today, our Princess and daughter will be fulfilling her duty to renew our Kingdom pride and will soon wed the Prince of Shoubet!"

Once again the crowd roared with excitement and joy.

Come to think of it, are they really happy at my doom??

Father and mother looked at me at the same time and pulled me into a warm embrace.

"Be good, don't be scared ok?" Mother said.

"And write to us often ok?" Dad added.

The hatred I felt for them just last week had dissipated.

"Ok Mum. Ok Dad." Was my voice breaking? When would I ever see them again?

After hugging them back, Damond took my hand and led me down into the carriage.

Inside were only me and Damond. The second carriage was for Daniella and Penelope. The third was for our things and the people's gifts. (Yes, it's a lot.)

The crowd didn't stop and continued to congratulate me.

"Congrats Your Highness!" "Please stay healthy your Highness!" "Bear us a Little Highness soon Princess!"

Weren't these the same people who looked at me with disgust when I was useless to them? Now they surround me like they love me.

It would be wrong to blame them though.

I would dislike myself too in their position. They just need help.... My help. It didn't make me feel better about the situation, but a least now I have a goal to achieve in that wretched place.

I need to help my people.

The horses roared and the carriage soon took off.

For the last time, I looked back at my parents, my castle and my people neither of which I will see again for a long time.

The journey began and we were soon on our way to seal my fate.