The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband
Chapter 390: The escape

Chapter 390: The escape

The carriage continued towards the bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Ivana and Nicholas prayed silently to cross the bridge. That was the first checkpoint.

An inconspicuous carriage, looking no different from a transport carriage, continued on the road. The couch driver is calm and composed with a lady who seems like the hard worker’s wife.

Behind their carriage, several barrels stood, swaying slightly from the rocking motion of the wheels on the rough roads. No one could guess people as dignified as the Duke and Duchess of Darkhaven were in them. It seemed like the perfect escape.

A group of knights rode past them, going in the direction of one of the Darkhaven’s residents. "Hurry, they had escaped the main residence." The commander’s voice echoed. The lady in the carriage tensed a bit but was still keeping up the concerned facade.

The knights had found out about their master’s escape. The Darkhavens didn’t know what was happening outside the carriage except for the thunderous sounds of several hooves striking the road, causing tremors.

"It’s a busy day," the couch driver said, continuing his path.

The barrels rocked slightly as the carriage rolled along the muddy road. Inside one barrel, the Duchess of Darkhaven held her breath, cramped between linen sacks soaked in her own sweat. It was getting hard to breathe in here, blue; they had to endure.

Ivana’s heart thundered in her chest. The second barrel, only inches away, held the Duke his face pale, jaw clenched, as if silence alone could shield them from death. He was a man of high position being reduced to a common criminal. His plan was simple. Get to the port the escape the kingdom. He plans on taking refuge secretly in his daughter’s family

The knights’ horses faded up the distance and once again just the stable horse continued

Outside, the steady rhythm of horse hooves hitting the wet ground echoed through the forest. The rain started to fall but the carriage didn’t stop

The skies were still dark, the road slippery, and it wasn’t a heavy shower. The two servants driving the carriage, Galen, Nicholas’ aide and Helen, his actual wife, were loyal to the bone and had served the couple from the day they got married. The kind of loyalty that didn’t waver even in the face of treason.

"We’re close," Galen muttered, his eyes locked on the metal gate ahead. It marked the bridge that connected the inner island of Vitalis to the mainland. The first gate out of the capital. Helen hugged her scarf the cold was starting to bite in. "I hope the children are safe," Helen muttered, thinking of her children who live in a far land west of Darconia. Ashton didn’t say a thing.

The carriage slowed down at the gate. "Good morning, good sir", Helen said in a weak voice. The knights gave them a sceptical look.

A line of imperial soldiers stood at the checkpoint. Steel armour glinted beneath damp cloaks, and their eyes were sharper than usual this morning.

Every knight in the capital had heard the rumours; the Darkhaven family were a traitor. They were on the lookout, the crown prince’s order was to search every carriage thoroughly. A rebellion had happened, and the rebels were now being hunted.

Their actions caused the deaths of so many soldiers at the border. The Darkhaven family was influential and produced some of the weapons used by the army. They were selling weapons to the enemy along with information that wasn’t meant to be public.

The Duke and Duchess had barely escaped their estate hours before the imperial troops arrived. Now, hidden inside barrels like cargo, they hoped to slip away unnoticed. The horse caught the knight’s anxious eyes. More people were stationed here.

"Easy," Galen whispered, guiding the horses as they moved to the side for the soldiers to search. Galen was confident knowing how the soldiers tend to slack off. Helen started shivering invoking the feeling of pity. The knights felt for the couple that had to move in this weather but they had a job to do.

Helen was nervous, her hands secretly twitching, as they discovered quickly the masters had snuck away. They weren’t meant to be this many soldiers stationed here.

A tall soldier stepped forward, raising his hand. "Halt! What are you carrying?" he asked, circling the carriage.

"Barrels of flour and dried fruit for delivery on the other side," Helen replied, keeping her voice calm. Her voice trembled a bit.

"It is cold. You shouldn’t travel in this weather." The soldier suggested. He had a mother who worked hard until death took her away.

"We have to get to the port before the ship departs," Helen answered. It was a fair answer. Water splashed as his feet stepped on the water puddles. "To port." Another soldier muttered. Helen got alarmed sensing the shift

The soldier narrowed his eyes. Observing the ordinary barrels. "From which merchant?" he asked Galen.

Galen reached behind him and pulled out a folded parchment. "House Brenwick," he lied, naming a small, known supplier. One not associated with the Darkhaven. The same family that ran the tavern "They’ve got trade stalls near Lakeport. The ship leaves before noon."

The soldier studied the document, then waved two others forward. There was nothing wrong with it but he could never be certain. "Search the carriage," he instructed. It seemed he was the one in charge of the post.

Inside the barrels, both nobles froze. Nicholas heard the command clearly. Why were they searching the barrels in the rain?

"The water will damage the goods. We can’t afford to pay for the damage." Galen beckoned to the soldiers

"I am sorry but I have to carry out the command. " The first soldier said, his eyes filled with pity.

The Duchess squeezed her eyes shut, praying. Ivana didn’t know when she last prayed to Nyxoria but hoped the goddess heard her pleas

The Duke silently pressed his hand against the side of the barrel, as if to brace for the worst.

One soldier climbed up and lifted the canvas. He began tapping the barrels, checking for hollow sounds. Nothing seemed off. Galen was calm. The barrels the Darkhavens were hiding in were mixed up with the others.

"This one’s heavy," he said, knocking the side of the Duchess’s barrel. Ivana’s heart skipped a beat. She covered her mouth tightly so as not to scream.

"They’re all sealed tight," Helen said quickly, controlling her panic. "We had to pack them full. The merchants requested tight shipments, fewer shifts in transport." It was a perfect excuse.

The soldiers didn’t look convinced. The one with the parchment stepped forward. "Open the top of that one." the leader suggested. He could read that something was off.

Galen and Helen shared a look, silent but urgent. Then Galen whispered, "Forgive me but we can’t, " and slapped the reins hard. Helen pressed her eyes tightly saying a silent prayer. The worst has happened.

"Hyahh!"

The soldiers’ eyes went wide in surprise. "Draw the bridge." One called out urgently.

The horses neighed and surged forward, the cart jerking with sudden force. The soldiers shouted, stumbling as the carriage sped off.

"Stop them! They’re fleeing!" The bridge didn’t go up on time, and they slipped through.

Arrows whizzed through the air as the carriage thundered toward the bridge. The barrels slammed against each other inside the cart, and the nobles inside were barely able to stay upright. Ivana was crying at this point. She knew it was over.

"Faster, Galen!" Helen yelled, standing and whipping the reins again. The horses galloped wildly, hooves pounding the wooden planks of the bridge.

Behind them, alarm horns rang out through the forest.

The Duchess screamed as a bolt struck the cart’s side, piercing one of the barrels but not hers. The Duke grunted but didn’t cry out.

"We just need to make it to the other side!" Galen shouted, his voice raw.

Another arrow flew past Galen’s head, grazing his cheek. Blood ran down his face, but he didn’t slow down.

The carriage lost control, and some of the barrels fell off. Helen panicked hoping their masters hadn’t fallen off.

The wheels hit stone again. They had crossed on the rough path leading to the main city.

Ahead, a thick patch of forest loomed. If they made it in, they’d be out of immediate sight.

Galen yanked the reins left, steering the cart into the woods, just as the final bolts flew past them.

Behind them, the gate guards tried to rally horses to give chase but they were minutes too late.

Inside the barrels, the Duke finally exhaled. The Duchess wept silently, hands trembling.

They had escaped, so they thought, until ice started to form on their wheels, and the temperature dropped drastically. "Why is there snow in the spring?" Helen muttered, confused, watching the snowflakes falling on them. The flakes touched the carriage, freezing what they touched. Then they realised it was magic, obviously.

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