Night had fallen over the palace, shrouding the towers in darkness and casting long shadows across the marble halls. Sky's victory in the duel hung over the palace like a heavy cloud, yet in Noha's heart, determination flickered like a hidden flame.
She sat quietly in her room, staring at the moonlight spilling through the window. Her wedding dress lay neatly folded—a symbol of the chains she refused to wear willingly. Every tick of the clock reminded her that time was running out; soon, she would be bound by duty, trapped in a life she had not chosen.
A soft knock echoed at her door. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Noha… it's me," whispered a familiar voice.
She turned, and there he was—Arion, leaning carefully against the doorframe, his golden eyes shining in the dim light, his presence bringing warmth to the cold room.
"Arion!" she breathed, rushing to him. "You shouldn't be here… if they find you—"
"I don't care," he interrupted softly but firmly. "I couldn't wait any longer. You can't face this alone."
Noha's eyes filled with tears, part relief, part fear. "But Sky… he won. Everything is under his control now. How… how can we escape?"
Arion took her hands in his. "We will find a way. I've been planning quietly, watching the guards, knowing the timing. Tonight, under the cover of darkness, we can slip past everyone."
She looked into his eyes, searching for certainty, and found it there. Courage, patience, and love burned brightly in him. "Tonight… we leave?" she whispered.
"Yes," he said, voice low, almost a vow. "Tonight, we choose our own destiny. We leave the chains behind and take the path we were meant to walk together."
For the next hour, they whispered through plans, timing, and routes, memorizing every shadow, every guard's position, every weak point in the palace. The stakes were higher than ever, but so was their resolve. Every glance, every touch, every heartbeat reminded them why they had to risk everything.
As the first stars appeared in the night sky, Noha felt a rush of excitement and fear. The wedding bells, the golden halls, and Sky's power were all behind her. Ahead lay freedom—and Arion's hand, steady and strong, leading her into the unknown.
Tonight, the palace would not hold her. Tonight, she would reclaim her heart, her life, and her love. And no matter the danger, they would face it together.
The night was dark, and the air in the palace corridors was cold. Everything was still, except for Noha's heart, beating faster than ever. She wore simple clothes, ready for the escape, her short black hair brushing lightly as she moved cautiously.
Arion stood beside her, watching every corner, every shadow, every movement of the guards. "Are you ready?" he whispered, his golden eyes glowing with concern and love.
Noha looked at him, feeling both fear and excitement. "Yes… we won't turn back now."
They slipped through the dark hallways, every step carefully measured. The sounds of the guards were distant, but every breeze and creaking floorboard made her heart leap.
They reached the back courtyard, where the stars sparkled in the sky and the moon illuminated the path to freedom. Arion took her hand and said, "No matter what happens, don't let go of my hand."
Noha smiled, fearful but confident, and they stepped toward the small gate Arion had prepared in advance. Suddenly, the sound of fast footsteps echoed behind them… her heart skipped a beat.
But Arion was quicker, pushing her behind him and raising his old sword, ready for any threat. The moment paused, and then they realized the guard had turned away.
They crossed the gate, the cold air filling their lungs with a freedom they hadn't known in years. Noha felt liberation seep into her heart and looked at Arion, smiling.
"We did it…" she whispered.
Arion smiled, patting her hand. "Yes… this is just the beginning. Every step from now on is our life, filled with freedom and love."
They walked together into the darkness, far from gold, far from the palace, toward the unknown that held both freedom and adventure.
But as Noha and Arion moved cautiously through the shadows, they noticed someone in the distance—a figure waiting, eyes glinting in the darkness, silently watching them.
The two exchanged tense glances, each step now more careful than the last. Freedom lay ahead, but it seemed the challenges were far from over.
To be continued…