Glancing in annoyance over my shoulder. I glare heatedly at the guards flanking me from all sides. My eyebrow twitching in irritation. I understand dad is worried. Especially after what happened to mom, but this is ridiculous.

“Sasha? Something wrong?” I scoff. Rolling my eyes at Conner’s stupid question. Of course, somethings wrong. I have 100 guards surrounding me. I can barely walk without tripping.

Rather than answer. I merely glance pointedly at the guards, wearing blue and gold military uniforms, brushing against my arm. Before raising an eyebrow at Conner. Following my gaze. I see the moment understanding crosses his eyes. Then it’s a battle not to smile. Deepening my scowl.

“It’s not funny.” I growl. Sea blues flashing in anger. My attempt to look frightening fails as Conner bust up laughing. Tears of mirth pricking the corners of his eyes. I pout at this. I know I look about as threatening as a kitten, but he could at least humor me.

“Sorry. Sorry. I’m done.” He gasps. Wiping a finger across his hazel eyes.

“You know he is just worried right? He just doesn’t want what happened to yo…”

“WE DON’T TALK ABOUT HER HERE!” I snap. Pain warring with anger in my eyes. Raising his honey brown hands up in surrenders. A frown of apology on his face. He swiftly changes the subject.

“Your dad just wants to keep you safe Sasha. Which he can’t do if you keep trying to sneak away from us. Every chance you get.” Conner amends. Running a hand through his chestnut brown curls.

“I know, but how am I supposed to react. When I can’t even go to the bathroom with out a female guard poking her head in every few minutes. There aren’t even any windows in the bathroom.” I huff. Crossing my arms over my chest. A scowl pulling at my baby pink lips.

“Well at least you know your safe.” He weakly tries. Giving him a flat look. I calmly raise an eyebrow. Waiting for him to see my point. After a moment he does with a sigh of defeat.

“Ok fine. So, your dad is a little paranoid but….”

“Sasha!” Conner spins around. Pushing me protectively behind him. Shoulder length curls bouncing as he turns. His handgun cocked and ready in his hand within seconds. The other guards swiftly following their captain’s lead. Forming a tightknit circle. Blocking me from view of the potential threat.

Sighing in frustration at the overreaction. I peek over corners blue clothed shoulder. Curious of who the “threat” is. I forgot how tall Conner is. I end up standing on tip toe just to see. My auburn curls swaying as I place my hands on Conners shoulder pads. Leaning against his back in an attempt to steady myself.

“Sasha!” I smile in delight upon seeing Aaron racing toward me. His emerald eyes wide in… nervous panic? Hmm. Why’s he… Oh of course. Rolling my eyes at my fiancé’s antics. A soft smile on my face. I lower myself back down to the flats of my feet. Waiting patiently as the guards lower their weapons. Realizing the same the I did. It’s only my goofy prince.

Well, most of the guards anyway. If anything, Conner upon seeing who it is. Tensed up even more. A growl of warning leaving his lips. The arm not holding a gun held out in front of me. Keeping me in behind him.

“Conner?” I ask. Confusion and slight concern marring my voice. Placing a gentle hand on his tense shoulder. I wait for him to snap out of what ever spell is holding him hostage. After a moment of thought he does, but reluctantly. I frown in confusion upon hearing him grumbling under his breath. Stowing his gun back in its holster around his waist. A glare still aimed at my fiancé. Now what has gotten into him today?

“Sasha my beautiful fiancé. How are you this fine day.” Turning back to my dorky betrothed. I smile in amusement at his nervous smile.

“You ditched the council meeting again didn’t you.” I huff in amusement.

“Who me? Never.” He denies unconvincingly. Glancing behind him. I smirk at the orange haired young man. Racing toward us.

“Oh? Than I suppose that’s not your manservant coming to drag you back?” If possible, his alabaster skin turns a shade whiter. Terror flashing through his emeralds.

“Crap he found me.” He hisses. Pushing past me and booking it to the garden entrance. His midnight waves flying across his head like a hurricane.

“AARON FRANDISON. GET YOUR SKRAWNY BUTT BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!” Rowan shouts. His freckles standing out starkly on his Ivory skin. His cat eyes narrowed in frustration. Skidding to a halt in front of me. He quickly bows a greeting before returning to his chase.

“Pardon me princess.” I giggle in mirth watching my future husband’s manservant acting like a predator stalking its prey. Sometimes I wish my own relationship with my maid servant Hildegard was as close. I huff shaking away such a silly thought. The world would have to end before that rule focused woman. Would even entertain the thought of speaking to me that way. I can’t even get her to call me by my name. Oh well. I am sure I will wear her down eventually.                                                               

“Why not?” I totally did not whine. My cheeks puffed out in frustration.

“You know why.” The king sighs in exasperation. Scrubbing a hand done his Sunkissed face. Blue eyes exhausted.

“Dad that happened 2 weeks ago.” Ok this time I will admit. I did in fact whine. Who cares if I am almost 20 years old? Sometimes a girls got to whine.

“I don’t care if it happened a million years ago. The answer is still no. Besides. You have already tried ten different stores now and still haven’t found the right dress. It will be easier and safer if you just let me hire a tailor to make you a custom-made dress.”

“No. Absolutely not. I am not wasting the people’s tax money on a dress that cost half our kingdom. It’s a lot cheaper to buy one from the shops in town.” I huff.

“Sometimes I wish you weren’t so much like your mother.” I pause at this. It’s been a long time since any one in our family brought up the queen. Not that we didn’t love her, but it was too painful to think about.

“Look Sasha. I understand you are worried about the people, but it’s just not safe to go into town right now. Especially when you keep ditching your security unit.”

“What if I promise not to do that this time.” He scoffs at this. Rolling his eyes as he raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah, that will happen when pigs bark like dogs.” I pout at this. Not that he isn’t right, but still.

“I love you, but I can’t bare to lose you too. So, the answer is no. I will have the tailor stop by tomorrow morning to measure you for a dress.” With that he turned. Exiting the throne room without a backwards glance. Deflating at this. I slowly head back to my room. Feeling suddenly exhausted and trapped in my own home.

Closing the wooden door behind me. I intend to head straight to bed, but than I see a little robin twittering out my window as it flies by. In that moment, a mischievous smirk lights up my face. A terrible yet brilliant idea hitting me. Making sure my door is securely locked. I rush to my closet. Gathering an arm full of clothes and tossing them on the floor. Kneeling beside the colorful pile. I make swift work of tying them together. Checking the strength every few moments. Until finally I have my rope.

Hurrying to my bed. I wrap one end of the clothes rope to the white bed post. Tugging on the slack to verify it won’t come loose on me. Once satisfied that its “safe.” I hurry to the window. Pushing open the glass and throwing the other end out. Watching it cascade to the ground far below. I gulp at the distance. I had forgotten how high up the 4th floor was.

For a moment. I am tempted to back out, but then I remember these last two weeks. All though I know my dad means well. Who enjoys feeling like a caged bird? So, taking a deep breath, and climbing onto the windowsill. I carefully slide my way out the window. Holding onto the rope in a death grip. The moment my feet no longer feel ground beneath them. Of course, is the moment the wind decides to come say hello. I yelp in alarm as the rope sways in the breeze. My hands feeling like butter as sweat pools on my palms.

Whimpering but determined not to admit defeat. I slowly inch my way down the tower. Praying that I don’t slip and end up as a Sasha pancake on the ground. Finally, after an eternity. I made it. My feet once more feel ground beneath their soles. Sinking to my knees. I sigh in relief. Wiping away the sweat that had beaded on my clammy forehead.

“Ok. Off to the store.” Getting to my feet. I am about to head toward the entrance gate. When a firm hand on my shoulder. Freezes me in place. I pale in alarm. Has the stalker found me? Did he somehow find a way into the castle? Am I about to be kidnapped? Taking a deep breath. I slowly turn to face my attacker. Only to groan in frustration at the smirking face of my older brother.

“Fredrick!” I groan. Glaring at his annoying mousy face.

“Hello Sasha, dear. Now what are you up to hmm?”

“Oh, cut the act Freddy. Dad sent you didn’t he.” I sigh. Deflating in exhaustion as his smirk grew.

“Maybe. Maybe not. Who’s to say.” He shrugs. Grinning like a cat who got the cream.

“Yeah. Yeah whatever. Well, you can tell dad that I am heading back to my room.” I grumble. Turning to head back inside. Only for his hand to tighten on my shoulder.

“Now where do you think your going baby sis?” Oh, I so do not like that tone. He’s up to something. Warily. I slowly glance over my shoulder as I reply.

“Going inside?”

“Oh, but you can’t go back through the entrance. That’s no fun.”

“How else do you expect me to return to my room?” I demand. Begging silently that I am wrong, and he isn’t implying what I think he is implying.

“Why up the tower of course.” He answers. Snatching up the rope still dangling from my window and tying it around my waist.

“You can’t be serious! What if I fall!” I sputter. Eyes wide in horror.

“You did just fine coming down. I am sure you will do just as well going up.” He chuckles ruffling my curls before stepping out of my way. Gesturing toward the tower. Gulping and glancing pleading one last time at him. I slowly begin my climb to my brother’s cackles. Grunting with each step up the stone base. Finally, I crawl through my window. Collapsing on the floor and closing my eyes in exhaustion.

“Mom. I think Fredrick is trying to kill me.” I groan to the picture sitting on my nightstand to my right. Relaxing my sore muscles. I allow myself to drift off into a dreamless sleep.