The hall was bright with light streaming through the windows. Evelyn, a beautiful woman with brown hair and a smaller build, was looking out the window down at a courtyard where her brother had been sparring with the knights.

“You’ve known that this was inevitable, you have done what you want, tried to embarrass me and your mother. Yet it was all in vain. He has asked for your hand and we’ve accepted, you are to be wed.” Still staring out the window Evelyn raised herself from her seated position.

“You have made your decision as I will make mine, goodbye father, I love you” with the words a silence swept over the room as the princess left the room. Her father was only able to shake his head for a long while.

“Double the guards at the gates and at her door, she will not get away she will marry that prince.”

It was a clear day and everything had been going well. Sparing with the knights had been as fun as always. Looking at himself after the shower he frowns. He’s strong but he’s skinny, something his mother had always commented on. ‘All this training and still you don’t grow! You might as well be my second daughter!’ he shook his head and looked away not wanting to see himself anymore. He gets dressed and walks down the long hallway. Knocking on a door at the end of it. A small woman opens the door, and turns away to speak to someone else.

“Who is it?” a calm voice asks.

“Prince Taras” The woman moves to the side as Taras goes and drapes himself over a couch.

“Dear sister, what are you planning? Don’t play dumb I know you.” Evelyn looks him straight in the eyes.

“Father wants to marry me off so I’m escaping tonight.” His eyes widened.

“I see, is it the prince? He is very handsome, strong.” Evelyn rolled her eyes, she had heard it all before, but not from her brother.

“Brother, you know I am not interested in him!” Tara laughed and shook his head.

“Yes, yes I know! But his sister would be your perfect match! Childhood ‘friends’ and all, I wonder who you are going to go see if you manage to escape?” Taras’s smirk made Evelyn laugh.

“Oh! What would you do dear brother? Run off with one of the knights? You know father wouldn’t want us to leave, let alone mother! She’d have our heads if she ever found out!” Taras couldn’t argue with that. Their mother was very old fashioned, believing men should be manly and marry only a woman. Or that women couldn’t go to war or anything other than rule a kingdom under a king. Their father on the other hand was more welcoming. He believed that women were as or even more powerful than the men who wanted to keep them down, and that people should do what made them happy as long as they followed the law and paid their taxes.

“Oh! That's how you want to play it, fine I won’t tell you who’s on duty tonight.” Taras turns his head away dramatically. Opening his eyes to look at her, raising his eyebrows. Evelyn rolls her eyes.

“Oh my amazing little brother, I beg for your forgiveness!”

“Ok, since you love me and need my help that much! It’s Sir Claus and Sir Fredrico, plus father has doubled the guards outside so be careful, and send me letters!” Evelyn stands up and hugs Taras.

“You're a wonderful brother, you know that? Thank you, and goodbye I’ve packed and will be gone by dinner.” Hugging her back Taras enjoys this moment knowing it will be awhile before he would see her again.