An orc

I made a soft landing onto the ground, my heart beating fast against my chest. Adrenaline coursed through my blood as I heard the entire palace erupt into chaos. Everything was happening so fast, but my sense of focus was sharper than usual. Whatever happened, I had to leave this place. I couldn't live surrounded by the walls of another country, secluded and guarded for the rest of my life. And what's worse was being tied down to a man I barely even knew.

I gathered myself, ready to move on to the next step of my plan.

"Your Highness! Look here!" a kid's voice called out to me.

Ah, there he is.

Running toward me was the boy who worked at the royal stables, pulling a white mare by the reins.

Ethan thrust a silk cloak at me and I quickly put it on. I wasted no second to climb up my horse, yanking my hood closer to my face to cover it.

The boy waved a hand at me as I tossed him a pouch of gold as thanks. "Be careful, Princess."