Despite her age and calm demeanor, she was a cunning mind walking on two feet.

She began reactivating her old connections with retired servants and drivers who had once helped the palace during times of war and famine.

On her weekly day off, she secretly went to the nearby town where her sister lived. There, she met an old farmer who used to supply vegetables to the palace—his name was Goran.

Goran owed her a long-standing favor; she had once saved his daughter from being fired during a famine.

When she explained the situation to him, he didn't ask many questions—he only said:

"I'll do everything I can… but the safe route won't open for at least another month and a half. Too many soldiers on the roads these days."

Fantine nodded gravely, then replied:

"I'll prepare everything by then. Just don't let me down."

---

During that month, Fantine began stashing away her meager earnings into a small box hidden in her room. She also prepared a bag, concealing it behind one of the walls in the old wine cellar—where no one dared enter.

She pretended she was cleaning there, while secretly packing a small bag for Louisa with old clothes and a forged identity for a peasant woman.

As for Louisa, she began hiding her belly under a loose dress and a small wrap tied around her waist.

Whenever nausea struck, she would miss work, pretending to suffer from a cold or stomach cramps.

The nights passed slowly… and so did the moments of silent weeping, where Louisa would cradle her stomach and whisper:

"I'm sorry, my little one… I'm sorry you were conceived in this hell.

But I'll protect you, don't be afraid… I won't let them touch you like they did me."

Fantine always comforted her:

"No one chooses how they're born… but we can choose how to give them a new life."

---

Then came a day… just a few weeks before the planned escape…

While passing through the back hallway after midnight, Louisa was suddenly stopped by a guard's cold voice:

"The king wants you… immediately."

Louisa froze in place.

She instinctively placed her hand on her belly to make sure it was still hidden.

Then walked with lifeless steps toward the king's wing.

She entered the room. The king stood by the window, sipping wine, his back to the door.

He didn't speak at first, then said in a low voice:

"Come closer."

Louisa stepped forward and stood two paces behind him.

He turned… his eyes scanned her from head to toe.

Then she said quickly:

"I'm on my period right now."

That was her excuse—her last defense, as her belly was starting to show.

The king raised an eyebrow and replied:

"I don't care. Take off your clothes."

She insisted on staying where she was.

The king stepped forward. When he reached out to touch her, she suddenly shouted:

"I've caught the flu… it's spreading among the maids.

I'll pass it to you!"

At that, the king paused and looked at her.

Then said mockingly:

"So… you're starting to fall for me? You're afraid for my health now?"

He laughed briefly, then added:

"Leave."

Louisa turned without thinking. But as she reached the door—

He called after her:

"Louisa… you've been eating well lately, haven't you?"

At that moment, Louisa froze.

Then replied stiffly:

"Good night… Your Majesty."

And quickly left.

---

She ran straight to Fantine's room.

Fantine opened the door, shocked to find Louisa panting, as if she had escaped a nightmare.

She pulled her in quickly and asked:

"Louisa, breathe slowly! Tell me—what happened?"

Louisa told her everything and finished with:

"I think… I think he suspects I'm pregnant.

What do we do now? I can't keep dodging him…"

Fantine covered her mouth, then muttered:

"Oh my God… calm down, Louisa… alright…"

And at that moment, Fantine made her final decision:

"We don't have time.

We have to get you out of here—

before the end of the week."

After few days 

And finally… the night of the escape arrived.

Everything had been prepared with meticulous care.

Louisa's parents had already been quietly moved to the countryside house Fantine had rented in a remote village, far from the eyes of the guards and the world.

Only Louisa remained… and the child growing in her belly, in secret, day by day.

Late that night, Fantine slipped with Louisa through a narrow corridor at the back of the palace, one that led to the storage area.

There, the first cart was waiting.

A wooden cart used to transport fabric and supplies—it looked completely ordinary, nothing suspicious about it.

The driver, a familiar face among the palace workers, had been arranged by Fantine weeks earlier. She trusted him.

There were no guards nearby. Security in that section of the palace was always light at night.

Fantine approached the back door of the cart, opened it quietly, and signaled to Louisa.

Neither of them spoke.

Louisa climbed into the cart and nestled herself between sacks of cloth and crates of provisions, covering herself well with a rough blanket.

Then she looked up at Fantine and whispered:

"Why are you doing this for me?"

Fantine answered simply, warmly:

"Because you needed help… and that alone is reason enough."

Louisa's eyes filled with tears. She reached out from under the covers and hugged Fantine for a brief moment.

"I'll never forget this… ever."

Fantine closed the door gently and tapped it twice with her hand.

The cart began to move toward the rear gate of the palace, the only checkpoint they had to pass.

At the gate, two sleepy guards stood yawning under the glow of oil lanterns.

One of them looked lazily at the cart from a distance, then glanced at the driver and asked:

"Late-night delivery?"

The driver replied in a casual tone:

"Order from the storage—said it had to go out tonight."

They didn't ask any more questions. They didn't even approach to open the doors.

One of them just waved his hand:

"Go ahead."

And just like that… the cart left the palace—with Louisa hidden inside—without anyone suspecting a thing.

---

About an hour later, after traveling along narrow back roads, the cart stopped at the edge of a dense forest, far from any public path.

There… the second cart was waiting.

A simple countryside cart, pulled by two horses. A lantern swung gently from its frame, revealing an elderly man seated at the front, his face kind and wise.

That man… was Joran, the second driver—also arranged by Fantine herself.

The first driver got down, knocked twice on the wooden side, and said:

"We're here."

Louisa emerged cautiously. Her face was pale, and her eyes searched for safety in the darkness.

Joran stepped forward gently and spoke in a soft, calm voice:

"I'm here on Fantine's behalf… don't worry. I'll get you there safely."

He helped her climb into the second cart, wrapped her in a warm shawl, and handed her a small bottle of water and a piece of bread.

Without another word, the cart moved forward.

They had officially left the capital.

Further and further they went…

Until the lights behind them faded completely into the night.

Louisa looked out from the small window, her heart tight with a mix of fear and relief.

She whispered to herself:

"I'm free… even if only for a while."