The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 51. Golden goose on the run.

Chapter 51: 51. Golden goose on the run.

"My Lady, please think about this again. Now that I think about it. This is not safe. What if you get caught? If someone inquires something of you and you do not respond they might notice something is wrong and hold you down. Please just think about it again."

"Aria,"

"Worse! What if you get attacked on your way? I do not think I can send you off alone like this." Aria panicked.

"AriaI am more concerned about what will happen to you if you are caught here in my stead." Neriah held onto her hand. "You will be in big trouble if they come to find me and meet you instead."

"Do not think about me, My Lady. All my life all I ever wanted was to see you happy. This marriage obviously will not make you happy. And I am willing to sacrifice everything I can for you to obtain that happiness." Aria said. It was evident that her loyalty to Neriah was beyond that of a maid to her mistress. It was sisterly.

And Neriah knew she owed Aria a lot. And she knew deep down that she was putting Aria in a lot of trouble by doing this. But she was too selfish to not escape now that a chance was being given to her.

"Thank you, Aria. For always being here for me." She hugged her. "I must do this. I must get away from here." She said as she broke the hug.

"Alright." Aria nodded. "Now My Lady, we do not have time. Lady Bretton will be here any moment now. You remember everything right? Believing that you make it to the castle gates undetected, you head straight to the port. Remember the road to the port?" Aria asked.

"Yes Aria. I remember the road to the port. I snuck out only one time, but you know I never forget a path." She said.

"Good. When you get there, you find the boat heading to where?"

"To Bilgota. Your hometown. Then I shall enter a carriage heading to the Rilat home, and I shall tell them I have been sent by you and I shall dwell there till My Love comes for me. I remember everything we have discussed Aria. Fret not. I will be fine. The goddess is with me." She reassured her and Aria breathed out a wary sigh. She just didn’t want to let her go alone.

But there was no other way. Someone had to wait behind to distract them from chasing after her.

"I will surely meet with your love in the temple tomorrow and tell him everything. He will come find you in that Bilgota. I promise." Riri assured her and Neriah was so grateful to the goddess that she had such people in her life. People who would willingly do these sorts of things for her. Unlike her parents who would scold her over trivial matters.

"Alright, let us get on with it." Neriah said. She was already dressed in maids clothing and had tied her hair up in a tight bun. She was ready.

"Hold your hands." Riri said as she moved in between both their faces. "Bring your head closer." She ordered and they did. She placed one hand on Neriah’s forehead and the other on Aria’s forehead.

She closed her eyes and began to say some chants. Her entire body began to glow like she was covered in sparkling fireflies. As her chant increased Neriah and Aria closed their eyes impulsively.

Riri chanted and chanted until Neriah could not hear her voice again, neither could she feel her tiny hand in her head so she opened her eyes and realized that the little fairy was no longer floating in the middle of herself and Aria.

"Riri!" She gasped as she saw the little fairly laying in the bed almost lifeless. "What is wrong, why are—"

"Fret not My Lady, I am only exhausted. I will be fine. But see it worked. You do not have much time so go." Riri said and closed her eyes. Aria reached for the little fairy and took her out of Neriah’s hand.

"Go My Lady. Your time has begun." Aria spoke and Neriah finally noticed that she was staring at her face. Wow, it really worked. But at what expense? Riri looked like she was about to die.

"Aria, Riri is—"

"She will be fine, Myady. I will see to her. Now leave. Go! You do not have time! Run My Lady. Run to your happiness." Aria said. And Neriah wanted to cry but she held back her tears.

They were sacrificing themselves for her sake. They were her true family. So she believed.

She wore her cloak over her head and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you." She said as she ran toward the door. She looked at Aria and then Riri one last time before opening the door.

"My Lady has sent me on an errand. I will be back shortly. Do not let anyone disturb her. She wishes to rest." Neriah said and Aria watched her figure disappear from sight as the door closed behind her.

"She will be fine." Aria said to herself. She prayed she had made the right decision.

...

Sometimes she ran, sometimes she walked. She had fifteen minutes to get to the castle gates. Well that was when she left her room. Right now she probably had less than five minutes. She was almost there. She had almost run into Lady Bretton but was quick enough to avoid passing the same path.

She wondered how things were going for Aria. She hoped she was alright.

Almost there. Almost there. She consoled herself with those words as she ran and walked at the same time towards the gate. She could already see it. So close. But then...

"Dear goddess!" She gasped as she saw him. He wasn’t looking toward her and she prayed it remained that way. But he was walking toward her side. He and his father and some other people. What was he doing walking into the main castle like he owned the place? She had no time to worry about that. She just prayed he did not see her.

Lords help her; she could feel the magic slowly wearing off.

Oh goddess!! Dear goddess! Mother of all have mercy. She gasped as his eyes met hers and she held her breath. She held it with all her strength as he walked past her and she dashed past him.

Dear goddess, I made it! Dear goddess, I made it! I made it out!!! She screamed in her head. She was out of the castle gates.

...

Since the wedding was happening without any delay, Barak and Bashan were going to meet with the King and Queen to discuss the dowry of the bride and pay it before the wedding.

"What do you think they would require as dowry?" Bashan asked as they entered the gates of the castle.

"For one, I do not think they even require one, seeing that they have said nothing about it." He shrugged and his gaze shifted for a split second to a maid walking toward their direction, then he looked at his father again and continued, "But even though they do not require one because of her actions, she is to be my wife so I would like to fulfill all righteousness upon her head." He said.

"As expected. You are too diligent for your own good son. You know you can still take it back, you do not have to marry her because you marked her. If you do not wish to marry her then—"

"Father, I want to. I shall not change my—" His lips paused as she walked past him. The maid with a familiar gait and body. With the most remarkable and vulnerable green eyes. Eyes that screamed fear, eyes that were wary... Wary of him. And a smirk crawled upon his lips as he paused and turned, and watched her scurry out of the gates.

"Little witch." He muttered to himself. If she was going to disguise herself and run, then she should not have chosen that same maid uniform she wore the night he first saw her. He’d recognize her in that thing anytime. Be it day or night.

"What is it?" Bashan asked.

"I shall have her for wife, father." He suddenly said with a crazy grin on his face. "I want no one but her." He added.

"But for now, I shall have to leave you to meet the King and Queen alone."

"What? Why?"

"Nothing much. I just saw a golden goose on the run. I have to bring it back. Please sort out the dowry for me. I might take some time. But I shall return right before sunset." Barak smirked and Bashan just stared at him with confusion as he calmly trotted away.

And the man wondered to himself, "What is a golden goose doing in this part of the castle?"

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