The Young Lady Whose Engagement Was Annulled Decided to Observe What Would Become of the Kingdom thereafter - Chapter 19

I somehow managed to escape.

Fleeing from that cold, dark prison, I finally felt a deep sense of relief as I sat inside a carriage speeding away with the royal capital’s walls behind us. If I had remained trapped in that suffocating cell, I would have surely been led to the execution platform at that man’s command. The thought of my beautiful neck displayed on a crude scaffold made me sick to my stomach.

“Milady, are you feeling unwell?”

Liese, my loyal maid seated across from me, asked with concern. She had played a key role in my escape plan.

“I’m fine, Liese. Just a bit tired, that’s all.”

I pulled out a small silver hand mirror to check my face. Even after just a few days in prison, my porcelain skin had lost some of its luster, and my crimson hair had dulled. Still, my beauty remained intact.

“You brought the cosmetics, right?”
“Yes, I prepared an emergency kit.”

Liese handed me a small wooden box containing face powder, rouge, scented oil—just the essentials. Not much, but it would have to do. I immediately began fixing my face with the mirror in hand. No matter the situation, beauty is essential. It is both my weapon and my pride.

“Who would’ve thought the king had such a short temper?”

Zain turned out to be far more volatile than he appeared. Once, he whispered passionate words of love to me, even breaking off his engagement to Florence just to be with me. And now, he wanted to execute me over a single affair.

“Amaryllis, what will we do now? Are we returning to your family estate?”

The man who had escaped with me—my lover—turned to ask. His face showed exhaustion and worry.

“I can’t go back there.”

I said it firmly.

“My father only used me as a tool to gain favor with King Zain. If I returned, he’d just hand me over again. I’d be at risk of execution once more.”

My father might even be furious now that I’ve angered the king. The Crimson family’s reputation would be in shambles. But I’ve sacrificed enough for them. From now on, I’ll live for myself.

“Then where will we go?”
“We’ll cross the border into the Kingdom of Granzwei. Staying here is too dangerous.”

I was confident. As long as I had this beauty, I would never be at a loss. Even now, there were brave men willing to protect me with their lives, enchanted by my charms.

“Lady Amaryllis!”

A man riding alongside the carriage leaned toward the window. He had been a royal guard and had helped orchestrate my escape. He obtained the key to the prison—one of the heroes of this jailbreak.

“To think someone so delicate could be sentenced to death… That king is mad. I won’t allow it. I’ll protect you from every danger, no matter the cost.”
“Thank you. I’m counting on you.”

I gave him a slight upward glance and a gentle smile. Men always melted at that expression. As expected, his cheeks flushed red, and he spurred his horse forward with renewed vigor.

Inside the carriage, I began planning my next move. I would rebuild my life in another country, using my beauty as my weapon. And someday, I would get my revenge on King Zain. To think he would try to execute someone as beautiful as me—unforgivable.

As I dreamed of such a future, the carriage suddenly came to a halt. I braced myself against the window frame to prevent my makeup from smudging.

“What’s going on?”

The men assisting us looked flustered.

“There are soldiers waiting up ahead!”
“What!? Already!? They’ve caught up!?”

A chill ran down my spine. I hadn’t expected the pursuit to be so swift. Would I be captured again? No, anything but that.

“No… I don’t think they’re pursuers. I believe they’re soldiers of House Vermilion.”
“What? House Vermilion? What are they doing here?”
“We don’t know. Their crest is flying on the banners. Why would nobles from the north be near the capital…?”

The men were desperately trying to make sense of the situation. I overheard them and knew immediately—this was bad. House Vermilion was Florence’s family. The very woman whose fiancé I stole. This was very bad.

“House Vermilion doesn’t side with Zain. If we ask for protection…”

One of the men suggested. It was true—they opposed King Zain. But…

“No!”

I rejected the idea at once.

“Wh-Why not, Lady Amaryllis? If they protected us, we might have a chance…”
“That’s Florence Vermilion’s family. I stole her fiancé. She must hate me—full of jealousy and resentment. If I asked for help, they’d only punish me. No… worse. Her jealousy and desire for revenge might lead her to do something unspeakable…”

Just imagining it terrified me. The men listened and quickly changed the plan.

“Understood. We’ll avoid them and take a detour.”
“Yes, quickly.”

The carriage turned onto a narrow animal trail in the forest. Branches scratched at the carriage, and my heart pounded. Please don’t let us be seen. I escaped once—I won’t let them catch me now.

“Lady Amaryllis!”

Suddenly, a shout rang out. Soldiers appeared in front of us—and from the side, too! On horseback, they quickly surrounded us.

“Surrender! Resist, and we show no mercy!”

House Vermilion’s soldiers blocked the path and shouted commands.

“Damn it! Then we’ll fight!”

The men drew their swords. Desperate to protect me, they charged at the soldiers.

“Lady Amaryllis, please remain in the carriage. We’ll protect you!”

They rushed into battle, but it was obvious—the enemy soldiers were better trained and more numerous. My protectors were brave, but they stood no chance.

I made a quick decision. I had to escape into the forest while the soldiers were distracted.

“Liese, bring the makeup!”

Dragging my maid along, I slipped out the opposite door of the carriage. No one saw us. Amid the chaos, we disappeared into the underbrush.

“Milady… are we just leaving them behind?”

Liese asked anxiously.

“We have no choice. They’re doing their duty—protecting me. And I have to protect myself.”

I hurried deeper into the forest. Liese followed silently, though sadness clouded her face. Foolish girl. There’s no time for sentiment.

“Stop!”

A voice rang out from behind. I turned. One of the soldiers had spotted us and was chasing after us.

“Run, Liese!”

I grabbed her hand and ran, weaving between trees. My breath grew ragged. My fine dress tore on the branches, but I couldn’t stop.

“Ah!”

Liese fell—her ankle caught on a root.

“Lady Amaryllis… help me…”

She looked up at me in pain, but the soldier was closing in.

“I’m sorry, Liese.”

I shook her hand off and ran ahead alone. I caught a glimpse of her stunned face, but I didn’t look back. Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary to survive.

I ran as fast as I could. Branches tore at my hair and scratched my face. Still, I had to keep going. I didn’t want to die.

And then—suddenly—the ground disappeared beneath me.

“Aaaahhh!!”

My scream echoed through the forest as I tumbled over a cliff. My body slammed into rocks and trees, pain searing through me.

And then—everything went black.