Hazel's POV
His brows knit together as he studied me, and I found myself doing the same. My lips parted, but no words came. I hoped he would drop the question, yet he lingered, waiting. Finally, I forced myself to answer.
"Nothing… I just need to rest," I murmured, turning my gaze aside.
"Alright, you should do that," he said, stepping back.
My head snapped up. "Why? You're not staying here?" The thought worried me. After everything, how could he leave in the middle of the night? We had barely escaped the Kingdom—we both needed rest.
"I have to return," he explained evenly. "If I remain here, Liam will suspect my involvement. This way, it looks less obvious."
I shook my head quickly. "You need rest too. Can't you go tomorrow before sunrise?"
"That would only draw more suspicion," he countered. "This isn't just about escaping the kingdom—it's about keeping you hidden. If I stay, Liam will connect the dots. I'll visit once things calm down. But first—your room."
Before I could argue again, he led me down the corridor and opened a door.
"This one is larger than the last. The maid prepared it before our arrival."
The room was painted in soft blue and dusky pink, warm and inviting.
"I hope you like it," he said from behind me.
I stepped inside, nodding slowly. It wasn't as luxurious as the one in the palace, but it carried something the old room never had—comfort.
"I love it," I admitted softly.
His sigh reached my ears. I glanced back. "Are you leaving now?" I asked, hoping—just for a moment—that he'd change his mind.
"Yes. I'm glad you like the room. Rest well." With that, he closed the door behind him.
I sank onto the bed, my thoughts drifting to our escape and how starkly different he was from his brother. With a sigh, I rose, bathed, and changed before finally collapsing into the sheets.
By the time I awoke, sunlight filtered through a crack in the curtains. I dressed and made my way to the dining room, where my eyes widened. A lavish spread of fruits and dishes covered the table. My stomach growled, and I eagerly dug in, groaning in satisfaction when I'd eaten my fill.
Later, I wandered outside. The villa's surroundings were breathtaking—clear skies, birds gliding freely above. For a moment, I envied them. How I longed to soar like that, unchained, with no fear of being hunted.
But the thought of hunters made me shiver. I had always been prey—Liam's prey. Fear had been my only companion. The birds, even with danger lurking, still tasted freedom. I never had that chance. My family had stolen everything from me, even the right to choose my own path.
I wished things were different. I wished for friends—real ones. But after Skyler's betrayal, even that hope had dimmed.
I drifted to the backyard. The garden bloomed in colors, flowers spilling across the grounds. Too beautiful to resist, I wandered deeper until I reached the edge of the forest.
A rustle froze me. Something moved in the shadows. I should have gone back, yet curiosity tugged me forward.
"Who's there?" I called. My breath eased when I saw it was only a deer.
But as I turned to leave, I froze. Skyler's men stood before me. Their shock quickly shifted to calculation.
"Your Grace?" one addressed me—the leader, no doubt. He lifted a hand, halting his men when they tried to advance.
"You must come with us. For your own good, please comply." His tone was careful, but the hatred in his eyes betrayed him. I knew exactly what awaited me if I obeyed.
My gaze darted around, searching for an escape. As I edged back, his sharp glare warned me not to try.
But I did. Spinning, I bolted into the forest.
Shouts rang out. Footsteps thundered after me. My lungs burned, my heart slammed against my ribs, but I kept running. Roots clawed at my feet, branches whipped at my skin, yet I couldn't stop.
I risked a glance over my shoulder—they had split, taking different routes to cut me off. Panic clawed at me. My body screamed for rest, but fear drove me on.
At last, I dove behind a wide tree, gasping for breath. I peeked out—too late. They were still searching, closing in.
I slipped toward another tree, but a shadow moved ahead. Cornered, I darted to the next cover. Every step was a gamble.
A snap echoed underfoot. My stomach dropped—I'd stepped on a branch.
"She's over there!" the leader roared. "After her!"
Their cries chased me as I tore through the forest, legs trembling, lungs aching. My hair flew wildly as I pushed faster, knowing the moment they caught me, Liam's wrath would be merciless.
Then it happened—my foot struck a root. I stumbled, crashing to the ground.
"Catch her! Don'
t let her escape!" the leader shouted, and their pounding steps closed in.