Princess Kyrah ran as fast as her long slender legs could carry her, adrenaline was rushing through her blood, her heart pounded and sweat dripped from her perfectly arched brows.

Her magnificent blue eyes, which once twinkled with delight, were filled with fear now; fear of that young man who wanted to kidnap her. She had cleverly kicked him on his leg, as she had no choice of escape. Unfortunately, she didn't know how to fight.

The forest seemed endless. She had no idea where she was going. She just wanted to be safe, to sleep on her mother, Queen Lilah's, lap. To hear her father, King Marsel, sing sweetly. She reminisced the once happy memories.

She wished things would be better between them. She loved them and they loved her equally. Why were they forcing her to get married to Prince Judewin of the neighboring kingdom? She had never seen him, even though her parents asked her to go on a "royal date" repeatedly.

"I am just a girl, I don't want to marry now. Surely, I would find my love someday," she had argued back just minutes ago.

"Why did I have to leave my room? How will I get back now?" she scolded herself.

"Oh God! Please help me," she prayed fervently.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she fell flat on her face, her body hugging the damp soil below. She had hurt her right leg, blood trickled from her delicate calf.

"My leg!" she howled in pain. Her royal blue silk gown tore from the impact, leaving her leg exposed till the knees.

"Oh no! My favorite gown!"

Her parents had gifted it to her, a couple of days back, for her 21st birthday.

Her heart ached. Not just for the gown, not just that someone wanted to kidnap her, not even that she was hurt. She felt sorrowful as she was separated from her parents.

Yeah, they had pampered her as she was an only daughter, but she wasn't haughty. She didn't even want the title of Princess. It made her feel uncomfortable. She just wished to be called by her name.

She was shaken from her reverie when she heard distant shouts. She hoped it was someone from her family, or some henchman.

"Princess Kyrah, where are you? Are you there?" someone called repeatedly. To her joy, she realised that it was her beloved uncle, Hiram, calling her. She wiped her teary eyes and started to go in the direction of the voice.

"The princess might not be here, let's check somewhere else," said a voice.

"No! I am he--"

Before she could complete her sentence, a hand clamped her mouth, and another caught her by her waist. She was dragged backwards away from the voices calling her.

She flailed her arms wildly, struggling to get out of the firm hold. She kicked her legs, tried to scream, but to no avail.

At last, she grew exhausted and gave up her vain efforts to fight. She was dragged into the deeper part of the forest. Her leg hurt terribly, sending shocks of pain with each movement.

"Mmm," she struggled to speak. The young man felt something wet his hand. He paused to look at the girl he had dragged with him.

"What do you want?" he asked harshly.

"Who are you?" she asked between uneven breaths while sobbing. "Where are you taking me?"

"None of your business, princess, just tag along peacefully, or else," he warned.

"My name is Kyrah, what's yours?" she pressed.

The young man muttered something incoherently under his breath. He clamped her mouth once again, shutting her up.

"This is going to be hard. Of all the people, he wanted me to kidnap her," he mumbled angrily.

They reached the deeper part of the forest. It was the darkest region, Kyrah had ever seen. A chill ran through her spine. Not that the darkness scared her, she was scared of the unknown man, her "sweet" kidnapper.

They stopped near a small cottage. Kyrah was released inside, and the door was bolted securely. She sat in a corner of the living room, hugging her knees to her chest. The man turned around, revealing his face to her.

"You-You, uh," Kyrah stuttered, and fell unconscious.

***

Who is the young man? Why did he kidnap Kyrah? Well he-ahem! Did you really think I would tell you? Naah! (Grins wickedly)

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