Chapter 9

After that incident, Fredrik threatened to tell my father about me and Sebastian if I didn't comply with him. He's also doing his best to keep us apart, either interrupting or assigning a maid to my side. I haven't seen Sebastian much at all since that moment. It's now 2 days till the wedding.

Today I'm in another wedding preparation meeting with my parents, Fredrik and various people hired to put on the event, it is one I'm required to be at but not give an opinion on.

They've decided on holding the ceremony in a corner of the gardens since I've been deemed a flight risk. The ceremony will happen at noon, close family and friends only

They then start talking about tablecloths or something, at this point I've fully tuned them out.

'2 more days...What do I do? How do I escape this?' My eyes were puffy from tears I had cried the previous night. Despite Fredrik's threats, I managed to stay in a separate room from him at least.

Looking down I twiddled my fingers, 'maybe I can get a rope? Security wouldn't let me leave without my father's approval...Distract them somehow? Bribe them?' my thoughts ran on.

"Your tea, miss" My head snapped up at the familiar voice, Sebastian was serving tea, his plaster smile softened as our eyes met. He set down the tea in front of me, Earl Gray, of course. I couldn't help but smile at finally seeing him near me for the first time in days. He discreetly patted me on the back before moving on to pass out the rest of the tea. I could feel Fredrik's glare from across the table, but I managed to keep my eyes on my tea.

I raised the cup to take a sip, the bitter tea flooded my mouth, giving me an almost nostalgic feeling 'It smells like him..' I set the cup back on the saucer and noticed a piece of paper under the saucer. Making sure Fredrik was no longer focused on me, I took it out and unfolded the piece of paper

"Meet me tonight, the rose garden at 1 am"

I looked up to Sebastian, he looked at me expectantly and I nodded.

That night, I snuck out of my room and down the dark hallways till I reached a back door leading into the gardens. Using only the moonlight I walked through the garden until I reached the secluded corner where the roses grew. Looking around, I didn't see Sebastian yet. As soon as I started to really worry though, two hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against a solid chest.

I yelped in surprise until I turned and saw it was just the man I was looking for.

"Don't worry, It's just me, love"

I whipped around to throw my arms around his neck, "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you as well."

We stood there for several moments in each other's arms before reluctantly pulling away.

"What are we gonna do? I keep trying to think of a way out, but there's Fredrik, security, my family- and where would we even go? I can't think of a solution at all...But I can't let this happen either..." I felt tears begin to well up again.

"Don't worry, I do have a solution, you trust me don't you? Let me handle this."

"Really? That's so like you" I giggled a bit, "I'll trust you with it then" I went back to holding him closer, unwilling to let go of his comforting warmth. "If worse comes to worst, I'll just punch him on the alter"

It was his turn to chuckle at me, "There is that" he lifted a hand to rest on my head. "All you need to do is play along, for now, I'll sort the rest."

"Alright, let me know what I can do to help too, ok?"

"You can do one thing..." he took his hand off my head and used it to lift my face to meet his eyes, "keep your chin up, I will get us out of here, so there's no reason to cry so much," my eyes widened a fraction, I had tried to hide the redness with concealer, "Or do you not believe me?" He gave me his best devilish smile with that playful threat.

"N-no!" I said quickly, "I trust you! It's just...I can't help but worry, and on top of that I haven't seen you in a few days...I'm too used to being near you, I guess..." I felt my face heat up as I gave that confession.

"Who said I wanted you to be used to being away from me? You are mine aren't you?"

"Stop teasing me..." I shook off his hand and hid my burning face in his chest.

"Is that a no?" despite the fake hurt, I could hear the smile in his voice.

"...I'm yours"

"Good girl" he laughed and pat my head.

We sat there till nearly 4 am talking about the last few days, he refused to reveal his escape plan though. Eventually, we had to sneak back inside so we wouldn't get caught.

I went to sleep and woke up all too quickly, the next several hours passed in a blur while final preparations were being made. Finally, it was the night before my wedding.

I sat at the dinner table with Fredrik, and his and my parents. Ignoring my unfortunate circumstance, they talked almost happily about how our marriage would benefit both families' businesses.

I picked at my salad, spreading it around on the plate to make it look like I ate more than I did. "If you'll excuse me, I'm a bit tired" I got up and began to leave the room.

"I am as well, I'll escort you back" Fredrik hopped to his feet and over to me, placing a hand on my lower back. My body went rigid and I walked a little faster.

Once we were out in the hall I jumped away from him, "don't touch me, haven't I made that clear?"

"Oh my, that's no way to treat your dear fiancé. What's so special about that butler of yours anyway? Listen, after we're married you can fool around with the help as much as you like, but don't blame me if they find themselves in a difficult position because of you." He backed me against the wall, "is this what you like? I bet I can make you mine much better than he could."

"Don't hold your breath creep" I ducked under his arm and sped walked down the hallway to my room, locking the door. Leaning against it, I slid down to sit on the floor.

'It's already tomorrow...Sebastian hurry'

The next morning went by just as quickly, I was dragged out of bed by a dozen different people, bathed, rushed through breakfast, then they proceeded to dress me up to their liking.

I haven't seen Sebastian since that night in the gardens, 'where is he? It's almost time..' I stared out the window into the garden area blocked off and set up for the ceremony, I glanced to the opposite side of the garden where the roses were 'maybe if I can get there I can give them the slip..?' though that was far fetched, they had a guard waiting by me as I sat waiting to be paraded out.

My whole body was shaking, then suddenly a knock at the door jolted me still. Another security guard opened the door, "Fredrik wants a look at the bride, take her to the rose garden."

My heart leaped into my throat, 'this is it right...?' I got to my feet and followed the guard away from the ceremony area and to the roses.

The guard stopped just outside the rose area and instructed me to go inside. I practically ran inside.

When I got to the center I looked around for Sebastian, only to feel my heart drop seeing Fredrik standing there instead. My shoulders slumped, "Don't you know it's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony?"

He laughed, "luck or no, this is a sure thing so you might as well get used to it. I just wanted to see your defeated face for myself once before the ceremony. Don't be late now, darling~" He left laughing.

Shaking from anger, I forced my palms into my face to keep from crying. There was a rustling sound behind me, "what do you want now?"

"What did I say about crying, my dear?"

I whipped around to see Sebastian, finally.

My frustration evaporated and I smiled, moving over to him "are we going now?" I asked, bouncing on my heels.

"Yes, just follow me"

'Don't have to ask me twice!"

Sebastian took my hand and lead me through the opposite side of the rose garden from where I came from to avoid the guards waiting for me to come out. Cutting through the garden we reached the house, My heels clicked on the floor tiles, we entered the laundry room and Sebastian made sure the hallway was clear of staff before we ran through towards another door on the end of the hall.

Inside the room was a staff room, Sebastian closed the door behind us and locked it before going to the window, swinging the panes open, outside was the car park. Sebastian helped me and my ridiculous dress out the window before jumping out himself.

Just then we heard loud yelling from behind the staff room door; "she's gone! Search everywhere, we have to find her!" accompanied by many frantic footsteps.

"Oops" I can't help but laugh as we make our way to the cars. Sebastian takes us over to the one with the "Just Married" sign on the back, "really?" I ask "just trust me" he says.

Sebastian gets into the driver's seat while I get into the passenger side, as I'm gathering up the fluff on my dress to drag it into the car, I see people running towards us, one of them being my father.

"GET BACK HERE!"

I slam the door shut, "drive!"

Sebastian starters the car and drives past the crowd easily, heading for the gate. To my surprise, it opens for us without prompting. I give Sebastian a quizzical look, "did you bribe them to let us go?"

"No, but this is a perk of driving the newlywed car"

I burst out laughing as we pass the gate, my family and Fredrik running after us spitting profanities, yelling at security to close the gates.

Sebastian gets on the highway and we drive for hours, eventually, I fall asleep.

My body shaking wakes me, I look around in a daze till I focus on Sebastian's face. I smile as I slowly recall the events of today. "Hey" it comes out soft.

"Hey" he grins, holding out a hand to me.

I take it and step out of the car, only for him to sweep my legs off the ground to carry me as I give a surprised yelp.

"Welcome home, love"

I finally look around to see where we are, a cabin by a lake reflecting the moonlight stands in front of us. I can't help the grin on my face as I cling to him, "it's lovely"

He smiles and carries me into the cabin, flicking on the lights before setting me down.

"How did you get this set up? This is amazing!"

"I am simply one hell of a boyfriend" we laugh together.

"This is amazing, I'm so happy, we can be together now!" I wrap my arms around his waist and look up into his eyes, and he does the same, moving in so closes our noses brush together, sparking a blush on my face, which he seems pleased with.

"Does that mean you'll stay with me?"

"Forever and always."

Sorry this took 7 years to finish this it's so cringy I could barely look at it lmao, I want to stress I was 13 when I wrote this

shout out to Maya & Spooky for peer pressuring me into finishing this I hate love yall hope u enjoy this trainwreck

Thanks for reading!