"You're getting married, Your Highness."

Princess Cecilia's hand stopped mid-air the moment her father, King Heinrich De Saint-Germain Aldrich, blurted out those words. It's already ten in the evening when her father summoned her to say something important to her.

She didn't expect that he would be talking about marriage—her marriage.

She didn't know what to feel at that moment. It felt like her father dropped a bombshell on her. Although she felt conflicted and about to burst out, she took a deep breath to maintain her composure as she put the teacup on the table. "Your Majesty . . ."

"You're going to marry Duke Rowan Credieu of Ginerisey," King Heinrich added, sipping the tea the palace maids prepared for them. It was the Vintage Narcissus tea. It's an oolong tea produced in the Wuyi Mountains. It features yellow gold tea buds and a layered flavor that is unlike any other. The tea derived its name from the Greek hunter Narcissus who found beauty in everything, even in himself. She loved its aroma and flavor and the servants knew she wanted to take a sip of it.

But she couldn't even enjoy drinking the tea. Not because it was not prepared properly, no. It's because of the fact that the King immediately decided about her marriage when they're not even done with the selection. Although she did expect that sooner or later, her father will definitely decide about the matters about her lovelife but she didn't think it'll be this early. Not just that... he'll let her marry to someone she barely knew, except for the fact that she could see the man's face through a picture that her father put on the table infront of her.

The man looked decent wearing his black tuxedo, with his slightly permed blonde hair slicked back. She wouldn't deny that the guy is indeed good-looking.

But she didn't know anything about this duke. She didn't even interacted with him in person. She didn't know him. He's a total stranger.

Not just that, she's not ready to get married yet. Not yet.

Not until she could finally have her freedom, not yet. She will not get married yet.

Princess Cecilia then took a deep breath then sported a gentle smile towards the King. "Dad, Your Majesty . . . I . . . I understand that you're worried about my life, especially in my relationship but, isn't it a bit early for that, Your Majesty? We-we could have so much time to think about it."

King Heinrich's brows creased the moment he heard her response. "What early? You're already an adult, my princess, and you're my sole heir to the throne, so you need a rightful partner to rule the nation. And the only person that I could think of that suits you is no other than Duke Rowan Credieu of Ginerisey. You're going to marry him."

"Your Majesty . . ."

"I will be settling the date of your engagement after meeting up with the duke. Then, we'll settle the date of your marriage after. Everything should be settled, prepared, and ready," he told her, sipping his tea once again.

"But, Dad . . ."

"No buts, Cecilia. You will be the next queen of Eshasea. Getting married to Duke Rowan Credieu of Ginerisey will be your security and greatness in leading the nation. You shouldn't hesitate."

***

"Childe, sooner or later, I might actually faint from dizziness. My eyes have been following you as you pace back and forth. Calm down, will you?"

Seated on her bed, Princess Cecilia watched as Childe stopped in his tracks, his brows tightly knit. His piercing electric blue eyes locked onto her, frustration evident in his gaze.

"Are you really so upset with His Majesty that you decided to book a flight OUT of Eshasea, Princess?!" he demanded, his voice slightly rising.

Cecilia sighed. She had expected this reaction. Earlier, she had noticed Childe's anxious demeanor when they spoke outside, so she decided to return to the palace with him for a private discussion. But now, as he paced relentlessly in her spacious, grand, private bedroom, she couldn't help but feel exasperated.

"I'm not," she said, shrugging nonchalantly. "I mean, I may not like the idea of marrying someone I barely know, but that doesn't mean I'll back out."

She rose gracefully and walked toward the grand glass window. As her fingers traced the cool surface, her voice softened. "I am the Crown Princess of this nation—the sole heir to the throne. My fate is sealed; I will be Eshasea's next queen, and I will marry that duke. But . . . just this once, I want to escape. Before I tie myself to a future I didn't choose, I want to be free. To go somewhere far away . . . somewhere I am not a princess, where no one bows or whispers my name in reverence."

Childe exhaled sharply, his voice laced with concern. "Your Highness, I won't stop you from wanting something for yourself. I understand, truly, and I support you. But you don't know the dangers beyond these palace walls. There is no certainty that you'll be safe once you step out of Eshasea. A foreign land, unfamiliar customs, unknown threats—have you considered what could happen?"

Cecilia turned toward him, catching the glimmer of worry in his electric blue eyes. She stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"I know you're worried, Childe, but you don't have to be. I've trained with you my whole life, learned self-defense, and studied everything you taught me. I am not a flimsy, naïve, and panic-stricken princess. I am not a fragile porcelain doll that shatters at the slightest hardship. I can take care of myself."

Childe shook his head, his expression unreadable. "It's not just about your safety, Cecilia. Have you thought about what this means for the kingdom? For your people? You are the Crown Princess. Your duty is not just to yourself but to Eshasea. Every decision you make carries weight. His Majesty—the entire nation—depends on you. You swore to uphold your responsibilities, to serve your country with loyalty and love."

He took a step closer, his voice firm yet pleading. "You say you want freedom, but have you considered what true freedom means? Freedom is not running away from responsibility, Cecilia. It is finding the strength to stand firm despite the burdens you carry. You have always been strong, but strength is not just in knowing how to fight or defend yourself. Strength is in staying, in facing what you fear, in protecting what is yours."

She fell silent. The weight of his words pressed heavily on her. Of course, she had thought about it. She loved her country, and cherished her people.

But did that mean she had to lose herself completely?

Seeing the flicker of conflict in her eyes, Childe softened his tone. "If you leave, even for a little while, what message will that send? Running away doesn't erase your fate, Cecilia. It only complicates it. Imagine the rumors, the unrest it could cause. Your people need a leader they can trust, someone they can look up to. And whether you like it or not, that person is you."

She bit her lip, turning her gaze to the floor. She wanted to argue, to insist that she deserved this brief respite, but Childe's words made it difficult. He was right, and deep down, she knew it.

"You love this country, don't you?" Childe asked gently.

Cecilia nodded. "More than anything."

"Then prove it," he urged. "Not by running away, but by staying. By standing tall. By showing everyone, including His Majesty, that you are ready for what's ahead."

Cecilia looked up at him, then reached for his collar, adjusting it gently. A small smile graced her lips—a silent acknowledgment of his words, of his unwavering presence in her life. But then, as she took a step back, the hesitation in her eyes faded, replaced with something resolute, something unshakable.

"No, Childe," she murmured, her voice firm.

Childe's brows twitched. "What...?"

"For once, I will do what I want. I will not abandon my duty, nor will I turn my back on Eshasea. But before I become the queen they expect me to be, before I wed a man I hardly know, I will claim this one moment for myself. I will not run away, but I will choose my own path—even if just for a little while."

She turned to the window, her reflection staring back at her as if challenging her decision. "This is not rebellion. This is not a weakness. This is me, Cecilia, not just a crown, not just an obligation, but a person who deserves to breathe before she is caged forever."

She faced Childe again, determination burning in her eyes. "And I am going."

***

"You look excited," Childe said. Princess Cecilia turned to him who's standing beside her door, bowing at her. He returned his gaze at her and she grinned.

She was wearing a mid-length dress, the white and black under the sea cotton poplin. Then, paired it with pearls beret in black veil technical fabric and white glass pearls from Dior. Her black lacy short gloves matched her black cannage lambskin bag from Dior too. She spun around, showcasing her elegant appearance to her bodyguard.

"You dyed your hair . . ."

Touching her newly dyed black hair, she smiled. She got worried that people might recognize her because of her copper ginger hair, so she changed it to black. "Yeah, I did."

Childe stared at her. This is the very first time he saw Princess Cecilia's hair in such color—except those times when he saw her wearing ridiculous wigs when she sneaks out of the palace just to stroll as a disguise and yet she's still an eye-catcher.

She's always been an eye-catcher.

The princess then looked at hhim "Does it look weird on me?"

"No." He smiled as he gently touched her hair. "You look beautiful."

Hearing such a compliment from him, Princess Cecilia grinned. "I know. I always looked beautiful to you."

Childe stared at her for a second or two before he sighed and spoke once again. "I know that even if I ask to go with you, you'll definitely disagree. Of course, this is the only time you have for yourself. You finally managed to have the freedom you always wanted. But still, I just want you to know that if you ever need me, I am just one roaming call away. I will definitely travel seven seas just for you."

Princess Cecilia chuckled. "You're exaggerating, Childe."

"I will definitely do it for you, Ceci. I will follow you if you need me."

Caressing his cheek gently, Princess Cecilia stared at her bodyguard and childhood friend before tapping his shoulder. "I'll be fine, Childe. Don't worry that much. But if I do need your help, I will definitely count on you."

With that, Childe smiled. "I'm always at your service, Your Highness."

They both turned their heads when they saw that the Crown Princess's private driver was walking towards them. The princess didn't like to catch anyone's attention the moment she left Eshasea so they decided to keep her departure in private so no one, not even the paparazzi, royal reporters—or just anyone would know.

The driver bowed at them as a greeting and then he spoke. "Your Highness, your car is ready."

"It's time," Princess Cecilia muttered and she looked at Childe.

"Take care, Your Highness."

She nodded. "I will."

Princess Cecilia was about to walk out of her room when she felt Childe's hand holding her wrist. Childe's hand was warm and she could feel how he held her tight, as if he didn't want to let go. She turned her head towards him, meeting his gaze. She knew that her bodyguard wanted to say something but he chose to remain silent.

She smiled. Even if Childe didn't say it, she knew what he really felt.

"Take care, Your Highness," Childe repeated what he just said to her earlier.

"I will."

After their conversation, the two of them finally went downstairs. Princess Cecilia then took a deep breath and turned her head towards the palace's second floor. She could see the Kimg, her father, watching her. She smiled and she didn't expect that her father will respond a subtle smile. That somehow made her happy at that moment.

She waved her hand at him before she left the palace's doors and her luxurious life as the Crown Princess of Eshasea.

For a month.

***

"Mga binibini, ginang, at ginoo, kalalapag lang po natin sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport at tayo ay patungo na sa Senteñial Terminal 2. Maligayang pagdating dito sa Manila. Mangyari lamang na manatiling nakaupo at nakakabit ang seatbelt. 'Wag po munang kunin ang gamit hanggang ang ating eroplano ay hindi pa ganap na nakahinto. Sa ngalan ng Philippine Airlines, kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagtangkilik sa amin. Inaasahan po namin ang muli nating pagkikita. Maraming salamat po."

"Ladies and gentlemen, we just landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Cebu Pacific Air welcomes you to Manila. On behalf of your flight crew, headed by Captain Estrosas, First Officer Quiapo, and the rest of the team, we thank you for choosing Cebu Pacific as your airline of choice. Maligayang pagdating."

After hearing the landing announcement of the said airline, Cecilia took a deep breath as she held onto her bag tightly. She fished out her sunglasses and wore them on before getting out of the aircraft.

The moment she got out of the airport, she couldn't help but feel such astonishment as she roamed and looked around. She even forgot that she's standing at the exit door when she was caught off guard when someone bumped into her. It impacted so much that her sunglasses fell off her.

"Sorry!" the stranger exclaimed and in a hurry, she picked up Cecilia's sunglasses. "Ikaw kasi, haharang-harang ka pa sa may pintuan. Sino ba naman kasing matinong taong haharang-harang sa pintuan? Jusko naman."

Cecilia's eyes widened the moment the woman looked at her as soon as the latter handed her sunglasses over.

She felt the nervousness creeping into her whole system the moment the woman stared at her.

Oh. My. Gosh. Did she just recognize me?

The woman sighed and stood up properly. "Ah, kaya naman pala hindi ka makasagot sa mga pinagsasasabi ko kasi foreigner ka pala. You're a foreigner. No wonder you didn't understand me. Next time, don't stand near the door, okay?"

Cecilia blinked and slowly nodded. "O-okay."

She didn't recognize me! What a relief!

"Looks like it's your first time here." The woman smiled at her. "Welcome to the Philippines, Miss."

Cecilia couldn't help but flaunt a wide smile at the woman and nodded at her excitedly. "Sa-salamat!"

"Oh, that's impressive. Hahaha. Enjoy your stay," said the woman and she finally left.

Cecilia's smile didn't wear off that moment as she looked at the people around her.

This is it, this is the freedom I've always been dreaming of.

"Your journey starts here, in this place, Ceci."