The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 27: Run Away With Me

Chapter 27: Run Away With Me

"Do you wanna run away with me, Princess?" Gideon asked her with a solemn tone, his intense gaze lingered on her face. He extended his right hand before her, waiting for her response.

Meanwhile, Eve was dumbfounded for a moment. She was tempted to accept Gideon’s offer. This was her chance to get her freedom away from the palace’s torment... a golden opportunity to escape from the Queen’s controlling hands.

Eve fell silent, contemplating whether to hold his hand or not. Then Alaric’s face flashed in her mind.

’If I leave now, Alaric will rejoice, getting what he wants– marrying Thalia. I will be branded as a runaway princess... the unfaithful wife of the hero. I will remain a loser in their eyes.’

She was also reminded of the maltreatment, humiliation, and abuses she experienced under the queen and her royal siblings. She subconsciously balled her fingers into fists.

Ever since she found out her true origin, Princess Eve began to think that she shouldn’t let people look down on her, including the members of the royal family. She was also pure royal blood, not a slave. She wanted to be acknowledged as the real princess of Kingdom Averion.

"This is just a one-time offer, Princess." Gideon’s voice disrupted her train of thought.

Eve looked at him, feeling conflicted. She should have said yes right away. But still, she hesitated.

"W-Why? Are you leaving the kingdom?" she asked him curiously.

Gideon nodded. "I’m a hunter, Princess. I’m also an adventurer. I have never stayed in one place for so long. I travel a lot, visiting one kingdom after another. This is my way of living. And this is also called freedom. My freedom."

Hearing those words from Gideon, Eve couldn’t help but feel saddened. She somehow felt envious of him, for he could go to distant lands and travel around the world. Unlike him, she was imprisoned within the strong walls of the palace.

She was like a bird in a cage, yearning for freedom... dreaming to spread her wings and fly in the vast sky.

"Do you want to join me in my journey, Princess? Find your way... and leave everything behind." Gideon asked her again, staring at her expectantly.

Eve’s gaze fell on his hand. Part of her wanted to take his offer but part of her wanted to stay.

After her long silence, Eve finally spoke up. "Thank you, Gideon, for offering me an easy way out. However..." she paused, giving him a faint smile.

"I still have unfinished business here. I can’t just leave everything behind. I have to settle scores with the people who mistreated me. I’d just lost someone special. And I want revenge."

Gideon let out a soft chuckle, amused by her bravery. "You never failed to amuse me, Princess. I misjudged you. I am taking back my words. You are not a fragile little girl. You are a strong-willed woman." He gently patted her head as if he were praising a kid.

Deep inside, Gideon was a little bit disappointed when Eve rejected his offer. But he couldn’t do anything. It was her choice. He won’t force her to come with him.

Besides, he thought Eve had been sheltered in the palace for so long and it might be difficult for her to leave the palace and set for a journey.

"So I guess, it’s a goodbye for us now, Princess. Let’s see each other again in the future," Gideon said, bidding his farewell.

He was about to take his leave but Eve immediately grabbed his arm using both hands. She even dropped the jade necklace to the floor when she reached out for Gideon. She didn’t want him to leave.

"Don’t go," Eve uttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked at him with her pleading eyes.

Gideon froze in his spot upon seeing her sad expression. She was even holding back her tears.

"You said you would teach me how to fight. I thought you would train me. I’m going to pay you." Eve tried her best to make him stay.

"Besides, I haven’t rewarded you yet for saving my life. Please don’t leave just yet. Can you extend your stay here in Kingdom Averion?" Eve was so determined to convince him not to leave.

Eve tightened her grip on his arm, afraid to let him go. "I need you. Please become my ally."

Gideon was at a loss for words. He was the type of person who would avoid unnecessary trouble and hassle, following his mind of reason and not letting him be swayed by fleeting emotions.

However, Eve was a different story. He couldn’t understand why this woman could easily move him.

’Damn it. I’m an infamous hunter, Eve, not a good samaritan.’ Gideon heaved a deep sigh, looking at her helplessly.

"I’m sorry, Princess, but–" Gideon wasn’t able to finish his words because Eve suddenly covered his mouth.

A servant knocked on her door. "Your Highness, I have come to deliver your meal."

"Hide," Eve instructed Gideon in a whisper. "Under the bed!"

Given the urgency of the situation, Gideon had no choice but to heed Eve’s instructions. Without hesitation, he dropped to the floor and concealed himself beneath the bed.

From his spot, he saw Eve approach the door and opened it, letting the servant in. The female servant placed the tray of food on the table.

"Your Highness, I’m Karen, the new attendant assigned to you by Her Majesty. I’m the replacement for Annie." The young servant introduced herself.

Eve used her quill pen and pad to communicate with Karen. Gideon noticed her odd behavior.

’Huh? Why is she not talking to her? Is she pretending to be mute? What a clever girl.’ Gideon smirked at that thought. Eve continued to intrigue him.

Gideon quietly observed the exchanges of conversation between Eve and her new personal attendant. After a few minutes, the servant stepped out of Eve’s chamber.

Gideon heaved a sigh of relief. He could finally leave his hiding spot. As he crawled out from beneath the bed, his eyes caught sight of the jade necklace Eve had dropped on the floor earlier.

A hint of recognition flickered in his eyes as he stared at the object. With an indescribable expression on his face, Gideon’s hand instinctively picked up the necklace. ’This jade necklace... why is it here?’

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