Author's Notes: Okay, here's chapter one
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Hidden - Chapter 2 (PG13) By: Hell's Huntress
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" Now Serena, listen to me. You are going to marry Alfred no matter what you say. It's for the good of our family, " Serena's mother stated firmly while tightly pulling Serena's wedding dress backwards so that it clung to her waist like a second skin.
" For the good of our land but not me! I'm not being selfish mother, but I believe that I should have the freedom to do what I want as a princess, " Serena choked out as the fabric was tightened around her small body. " Besides, who said this is our land? Try telling me what really happened and then I'll believe you.....maybe then I'll stop resisting - "
" You'll stop now, " she finished off for her daughter before she could say another word.
Serena frowned at her mother who stepped back to view the whole wedding gown. Her older eyes roamed across the white fabric all the way up to Serena's face. The girl could only cringe. She didn't like it when her mother looked at her the way she was looking at her now. It was as if she was admiring her daughter while disapproving of her at the same time.
" Hopeless, " she sighed. " Your waist is too small.....Juanito, " she called out.
The young man who was suppose to be Juanito walked through the door and bowed down. " Ano ho, Serenity? "
" Kunin mo yung isang damit ni Serena. Masyadong maliit ito. "
Serena knitted her brows together in confusion while watching Juanito walk away and return with a different wedding gown in his hands. Her mother always seemed to be an expert at speaking their language, but up to now she still found herself clueless about it.
" Salamat, " her mother smiled at the boy and turned to face Serena.
Junaito smiled back and walked away, leaving the two alone.
" I asked him to get you a different wedding gown I prepared just in case this one doesn't fit. It's a good thing I did. You need to eat more. "
Serena rolled her eyes. " Just because my waist is small it doesn't mean I need to eat more than I already do. My body's just like this. That's how I am, so what? "
" So what? So you need to make it bigger. Anyway, I must go now. I need to take care of a few things with your father. Here put this on. I'm pretty sure it will fit, " she handed the gown to her daughter before walking away.
Serena raised her brows in disbelief while looking at the gown. Make it bigger? Good lord, what did her mother think she is. A doll? Why in the world does she say such stupid things? If that's how here body's really built then she can't do anything. Explaining to her mother that it was natural would be useless. It wouldn't get through to her anyway.
Sighing inwardly, Serena slipped the gown she was presently wearing off her body. Taking the other gown, she stepped inside the soft silk and easily slid it up to her shoulders where the straps slid off. Her waist was perfectly embraced. It was actually very elegant, but sophisticated enough to show royalty. Then again.....she didn't need a complicated gown anyway.
Picking up the vail beside her, she carefully tucked it in her hair which was carefully weaved with white lines. (Imagine women in the days of King Arthur) It showed her royalty the way a crown would. Looking at herself in the mirror, a small moan escaped her lips. She looked beautiful, but what's beauty when she'll be marrying a beast? Alfred was ugly, but in Serena's eyes, she might as well be marrying a donkey.
Frowning, she stepped outside the room and walked downstairs where her mother and father were waiting. Both of them looked at her as if she were a cute China doll.
" Oh, look at you. You're such a beautiful young woman, " Serena's father smiled while taking his daughter's hand in his.
" Yes, you are an angel. Now start walking, you'll be following behind us. "
At that, both Serena's parents took their places in front of her as the heavy church doors opened, revealing an ocean of people. White roses poured out like waterfalls almost everywhere. The priest stood in front while two chairs stood proudly behind him, waiting for Serena's parents to sit in them. Alfred stood close by, watching Serena with an irritating smile.
Serena sucked in her breath as she slowly began to follow her parents towards the altar. She felt as if she was slowly sliding towards her death. Her eyes roamed nervously among the audience, but avoided locking her gaze with Alfred's for fear of what she might do. Her stomach twisted itself inside her, while her mind seemed to run rapidly inside her head in search of some kind of escape.
Unfortunately, all the doors were guarded by heavy security. Serena almost gave up hope upon seeing this.....almost. She had to live up to her reputation as "The island's naughty princess," as her parents would often say. She was almost at the altar and she had to do something. She knew what to do, but doubt held her back.
Finally, right when she was a few feet away from the altar, what she has been avoiding happened. Her eyes landed upon Alfred which was actually a good thing. She did do something. Almost as soon as she saw him, her hands shot up to her mouth as she loudly began to cough.
Almost everyone stood up in alarm and watched the princess double over in "pain" while embracing her stomach as if to prevent herself from barfing. Her parents instantly rushed to her side, regardless of the small grin on their daughter's lips.
" Serena....what's wrong? "
" I can't......breathe, " Serena choked out before falling to the ground completely.
Coughing one last time, Serena closed her eyes with a satisfied smirk running around inside her mind.
-----
" Mina will take care of her. "
" Where is she? "
Serena listened carefully to her parents' soft voices.
" I'm right here. I'll take care of Serena, " Mina's familiar voice entered.
Serena kept her eyes closed despite the uncomfortable position of being laid on the bed instead of lying down herself.
" And what about the wedding? "
" We'll just have to call it off for now.....until Serena gets better. "
Serena nearly smiled upon hearing this.
" And what about Alfred? "
" The poor man will just have to wait. He went home already to get some sleep. It's already dark and I suggest we do the same. Will you be alright here Mina? "
" Yes father. I'll be fine. "
Serena listened as her parents silently walked out of the room, trying desperately not to laugh. The sound of the door closing rang through her ears. Silence followed.
" Alright, you can stop pretending now. I know you're not sick, " Mina stated in a low yet sarcastic voice.
Serena opened her eyes and grinned. " I can't believe they fell for it. "
" Well I know my sister more than they probably do. They probably suspect something already. Too bad the wedding's going to be called off for now.....I know that's what you wanted. "
" Of course, " Serena smikred while sitting up in bed.
" Wait.....don't sit up. They might come back and what then? "
Serena frowned inwardly and laid back down, this time settling in a more comfortable position.
" I have one question for you, " Mina continued once she was settled down.
" What? "
" I know you heard mother and father talking about holding off the wedding until you're better. I can only wonder when you actually will get better, " she replied while emphasizing 'get better'. " I mean, how long do you plan to act sick? "
" Until now. "
" What? What do you mean? Why did you go through the whole thing then if you were only planning to cancel the wedding for a few minutes? "
" That's exactly it, Mina. There won't be a wedding. "
Mina cocked a brow at her in doubt. " Pardon? "
Serena leaned forward a bit so that she could lower her voice. " After dark, I'm leaving. Tell mother and father that I want to be left along for tonight because I feel bad. No one will blame you as long as you tell them that I requested it personally. "
" Leaving? What do you mean leaving? Are you telling me that you're going to escape? "
" Yes. "
" And how do you plan to do that, " Mina questioned with sarcasm dripping from her voice.
" Windows. "
" You plan to escape through the windows? You know....there's a word for what you're planning to do. "
" Suicide, I know, but I won't be killing myself. "
" Yes you will! You'll be going somewhere without anyone knowing it....without any security-"
" Keep it down. "
Mina frowned at her sister in confusion. " Exactly where do you plan to go anyway? "
" I heard mother and father talking about a ship yesterday. They mentioned something about Eduardo getting married and making a new life out of this island. They said that it will be leaving sometime tomorrow early in the morning. I heard that it's heading for England. If I leave tonight I might be able to hide in that ship and go to England. "
" What?! England? Do you know how far that is? You're an idiot if you really plan to do that. "
" Then perhaps I am, " she grinned. " Mina please.....I really want this. I'll won't be gone for long.....just long enough for me to take in the outside world and perhaps bring a man home with me. "
" A man? "
" Yes. I'll tell him to come home with me here. I'll marry him. That way I won't have to marry Alfred. "
Mina looked at Serena with a worried expression before turning to look out the window. The sky was turning dark blue and the first few stars were showing. " Then you better leave now. It's almost dark. If you leave later you might have trouble finding your way. "
Serena smiled almost instantly and wrapped her arms around Mina. " Thank you. "
" You're welcome, " Mina embraced her with a worried smile. " I can't believe I'm helping you. Hurry and lie down. Mother and father are going to sleep any moment now. They might check on you. "
As if on que, the door opened softly as Serena's mother stepped inside with a small candle in her hand. " Is she still sleeping, " she questioned upon seeing Serena stretched out on the bed.
" Yes. She woke up a few minutes ago and told me that she was sorry she had to get sick. She said she's been feeling strange since this morning and she wanted to be left alone for tonight. "
" I know. I heard some voices coming from here. "
" Oh.... "
" Alright then. Come with me and I'll help you clean up before you sleep. Your father's already sleeping so be quiet. "
At that moment, Mina flashed Serena one last glance and silently closed the door behind her.
Serena listened quietly as their footsteps slowly faded away. Waiting for a few more minutes, she remained frozen in bed to make sure that she could finally go. Only the darkness settled within the house and the crickets were the only noises that could be heard.
Once she heard nothing else, she quickly stood up and silently ran towards the door. Opening it slowly, Serena cringed upon hearing the wood creak. It wasn't until now that she realized how noisy it could be.
Sucking in her breath, she quietly opened the door a bit more so that she had enough room to slip out. The faint glow of her mother's candle cast a small shadow of her body on the wall. Afraid that would give her away, she bent down and silently crawled out of the room while heading for her father's room.
Swiftly gliding across the wooden floor, Serena tried desperately to make her actions quick but silent. Mina's room was nearby and both she and their mother were in it. She had to get what she needed before her mother would walk out.
Praying that Mina could distract her long enough, Serena placed one hand on her father's door which was slightly open. Pushing it open a bit more, she slipped through the small space with relief written all over her face. The door didn't creak.
Standing up, Serena quickly walked towards her father's drawers. The man was snoring so she wasn't afraid that he would hear her. Pulling his drawer open, she pulled out a pair of pants, a hat, a loose shirt, and a jacket complete with a pair of boots she had stolen from the group of shoes that lined the walls.
With the clothes in her hand, she silently closed the drawer and slipped out through the door. This time, it creaked.
Serena's heart seemed to jump to her throat. Sucking in her breath, she froze in place while hoping her father wouldn't wake up. The man never did sleep deeply. The drop of a few pins could wake him up. Luckily, he only snorted a few times and turned around before starting to snore again.
Serena's breath was rapid. Getting back on her knees, she crawled across and hall and back into her room. Silently gripping the door knob, she closed the door as silently as she could and scrambled into her bed with the clothes hidden under the covers.
Almost as soon as she settled down, her mother opened the door to check on her. The door's noise must have alerted her, but luckily, she seemed to forget about it. Closing the door, she walked towards her husband's room and closed that door silently behind her.
A small smirk flashed across her lips. Serena stood up beside her bed and slipped into her father's clothes which hung like bed sheets. Luckily, she had picked out his old shoes which were too small for him. They fit her even though they were a little too big. With the moonlight to give her some kind of sight, she looked at herself in the mirror and made out what she could.
Ripping a piece of cloth, she wrapped it tightly around her breasts so that they weren't so obvious. Grabbing a band, she pulled her hair and tied it while covering it with the hat. Feeling satisfied, she grabbed the wedding gown and shoved it under her bed while putting on the jacket. Looking at herself one last time in the mirror, a small smirk rose to her lips. She saw a man....well a really young man. Without a beard, she looked like she was two years younger than her real age. As a woman, she looked her age. As a man, she looked...........well, different.
Grinning inwardly, she placed one leg out her window and jumped out, landing in the bushes below. Her room was on the second floor of her mansion so the fall didn't hurt that much.
Groaning silently, she stood up and ran towards the trees which blocked the ship from her view......for now. She would be on it the moment she sees it. She would be carried to her freedom.
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Author's Notes: What do you think? Thanks for the votes once again and please tell me what you think of this so far.
New word: "Salamat" = tagalog/filipino word for "thank you"
Juanito or any of the names that have "J" as the first letter that I will be mentioning will be pronounced as "Huanito". The j is pronounced as an h.
P.S. Pardon the typos
