An Attempted Escape
Chapter 1
The Problem
"I don't understand!" shouted Clair. "How could I have been so foolish? I knew he liked me, but I didn't want to see it. Now that my father knows, he will be killed! Just because a stable boy likes a princess, doesn't mean he has to be killed! How did my father find out anyway?" she finished in a tirade.
"He saw Jeremy looking at you every time you went to the stables for a ridding lesson. Also, when you were on your horse just ridding around, he would follow you, so finally one of your escorts reported him as stalking you or something like that. Then, Jeremy decided to go see your cousin Jacob, and asked him if he could escort you to the ball instead of Jake!" squealed Natalie, Clair's lady in waiting and best friend, with shock and excitement.
You see, in the country of Trinadell, it is considered treason for anyone not of royal or noble blood to have thoughts of emotion about anyone who is. It is even worse if they try to pursue that person at the cost of his or her life! Now, most people wouldn't try to pursue anyone who is not in their social ranking. Some people have gotten away with it, but not many, especially since it is not very common. But as I said, most people wouldn't try.
In frustration, Clair tried to figure out what to do. "What if I get him out of the dungeons? Then he could escape and not be killed! But then he would probably try and get me to go with him. Or, I could try and talk to father and get his sentence reduced to life in prison or banishment! But then father would think that I love Jeremy when I do not! What am I going to do? Natalie, help me think of something!" So in desperation, the two girls stayed up most of the night thinking of ways to keep Jeremy from his date with the guillotine the next week. Finally, Clair came up with a plan.
"It's not the smartest thing I can come up with, but it's the best we've got."
"Are you not going to tell me?" squealed Natalie in excitement.
"No, because I can't risk one of the guards at my door to over hear. But you will know what it is when it happens. And don't worry, I won't get hurt." promised Clair.
So the next day, Clair set out to see a childhood friend out in the city, where he was visiting a sick uncle.
"Nicholas, I need you to do me a favor."
"Well hello there Princess! What can I do for you?" said her friend Nicholas-the son of the Lord Matthew of one of the providences in Trinadell-sweeping an elegant bow.
"Hey! Whatever happened to you acting normal around me? Has it been so long that we are not as close of friends that you cannot call me by just my name anymore?" ranted Clair, obviously upset with her friend.
"Whoa! I was teasing you!" Nicholas said raising his hands up in defense to her words.
"Oh, anyways, you see, one of my friends is in trouble with my father, and..."
"You want me to help you get Jeremy out of your father's dungeons right?" interrupted Nicholas. "I know what happened. The whole city knows! What do you need me to do? You know I will help you with anything." he told her smiling sweetly.