Ria dashed out through the woods, her satchel of belongings strung across her body in a way that would be inconvenient if she was trying to run away. The bag jogged as she sprinted over the brush, a root nearly tripping her. 

She stumbled, feeling a strange jolt when her leather bag hit her leg. She ran through the trees, hoping to reach the village before dusk. 

Ria slowed her pace once she spotted buildings through the branches and took a deep breath before turning to the path leading her to the village. 

She felt like her mind was racing, thinking of who she wanted to pursue as her husband. He hanks shook from the anxiety. Who knew how fast he would discover her stupid plan? Who knew how long she could ever survive in this world without being sheltered by her wealthy family? A modern-day mind in a historical fantasy sounds like fun until you live it and realize your education and part-time jobs never prepared you for this type of survival. 

All Ria really knew was the overall premise of the world. The rest of the novel was a 19+ rated romance between the saintess heroine and the crown prince. Since the story is more focused on their journey of romance into smut, only a few details of this world are known to the reader - which is the main reason she requested tutoring from her father immediately after waking in this body. However, only having a few months to learn and having perfectly average intelligence crossed with the education of an unknown world meant that only a little progress was made. 

In the few months since she woke, she had a vast assortment of years of social morals to figure out - and it kept her busy from actually planning her escape. The darkness was busily upon her in the forest, and soon, it would be pitch black.

The village was generally close, and Ria took the walk until she reached the outskirts of the village, where many of the houses were already built on the hill slopeside. She turned a corner, running into a group of decorative stone and wooden guards on duty leading to the town. 

They did not bat an eye but simply raised their hands as a sign of respect. She nodded past them and worked her way towards the chapel, whose roof soared above any other building in sight. She took off the bonnet and loosened her hair from the tight bridal braids - sighing in relief from the pressure on her head. 

Ria entered the stone archway separating the church from the streets and made her way into the glowing building. She watched the soup and bread come by and tried her best not to make eye contact with any of the people waiting.

After a few minutes of people coming and going, she was finally inside the prayer room. She straightened herself up, and after one swift inhale of breath, she pushed herself forward towards the esteemed marble statue upon the altar platform guarded by two stone guards with faded features. Once she finished making a quick prayer, she stood up again and went to the priest. 

"Excuse me, your grace, I require dire assistance," Ria whispered to him pleadingly. Surprised, the priest looked at her before nodding and leading her to a corner. 

"My lady, what trouble do you speak of? How can our lord assist you? " he asked her, his old face filled with worry. She reached out and clasped the priest's hand. 

"My father is attempting to marry me off to a man who plans to kill me. He is a psychopath who has gone mad from the war and is attempting to remove my head from my shoulders. This man will follow me to the ends of the earth. I'm frightened, father." Ria pleaded to him in a hushed tone, tears filling her eyes. The priest thought for a moment and nodded, patting her hands gently.

"Follow me, my lady." He guided her hands to his elbow and escorted her through a doorway into a hall filled with men dressed in white and brilliant silver armor. He turned and whispered to her, "Paladins, my lady."

Ria looked at him, pretending to seem confused, "What about them, father?"

"Some of them have been through similar. Abuse, forced marriages, abandonment, atonement - and so on. I believe if you talk with some of our paladins here, you will find one in such a similar circumstance that I will help you both be protected. It may be... unusual, but it is what one must do, for it is what our goddess would do." He smiled sweetly at the lady beside him. "I'll head to my office to get some paperwork ready. You can take your time and speak with whomever you wish. Let me know when you are ready."

She nodded in surprise and watched as the father disappeared out of sight. She glanced around the giant hall of dispersed church knights and paused when she noticed one staring straight at her with overbearing red eyes that seethed with hatred. She blinked in surprise and noticed his eyes were not red but the same steel-grey as his sword. She quickly looked away before meekly looking back. 

He was a paladin with his striking black hair loosely curled and looked quite fluffy to the touch.  He was much taller than the other knights, and his body was slimmer. Even in armor, she could tell immediately he was the most handsome in the room. He was wearing a one-sleeved coat on his left side, the other one covering his sword sheath. His coat was darker than the other paladins, and his shoulders were broad and proud.

Ria nervously walked up to him slowly, looking him finally in the eye.

"Your name," she whispered. He stared at her in a moment of expressionless silence before giving a brilliant smile that curled his eyes like a cat. He dropped into a deep bow.

"Garroth, my lady - but you may call me Roth if you prefer. And the pleasure of your name?" He cooed, gracefully reaching for her hand, clasping it in his and gracing her knuckles with his lips in the most feathery kiss. 

"Ria..." She responded, attempting to keep her face straight. She couldn't let this beautiful man know how easily she was seduced. "Sir Roth, may I ask you for your assistance?"

"Anything for such a lovely maiden," he inclined his head closer to hers, smirking as he looked at her with dimpled cheeks—danger oozed from his every pore. He waved his hand to the side. "Come, let's step into the sunlight."

'No fair...' She whispered to herself at his beauty. She gladly agreed and let him lead her out into the courtyard. As soon as they were out, they breathed the fresh air deeply. He walked her over to the arched tree in the middle with a stone bench below, the brilliant green rustling leaves tickling both their cheeks. 

"How can I be of assistance to you, my lady?" He asked, staring at her with a blank face.

"My father is forcing me into a marriage with a man I have not sanctioned—a man who plans to murder me for no reason but the fact that he can. I fled for my life, but I feared the man would chase me. I am quite frightened and in need of an escape, protection - a shield to stop the advance. The holy priest leads me to the paladins in the hope one of them can be of assistance to me. Do you know of anyone who can help me?" She was pleased, looking up at him with her wide lilac eyes. The setting sun cast a golden glow on the courtyard, setting the area afire in a brilliant display of light. 

Blinded for a moment, Garroth shielded his eyes, glanced at the woman before him, and caught his breath. She looked like a goddess descending from the heavens with the lighting that flowed and enveloped her. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and glanced away. It would be a damn shame if he killed something this lovely purely out of annoyance.