Were they really doing this? Alfred still had his doubts about the plan. Doubts that he'd clearly voiced, but that no one had listened to. Edward was still weak and he was so afraid the other wouldn't make the escape. Since Victoria had told them her plan he was getting visions of Edward bleeding out on the ground, while he was screaming at him to hold on, that someone would come to heal him. But in every dream, Edward died.

He wouldn't be able to live with himself if that happened and so he'd tried to convince Edward to wait, at least until he was properly healed. But Alfred's efforts had been in vain and now they were waiting for the plan to start.

The plan itself wasn't that complicated. Victoria had done well to keep it as simple as possible. The Queen had ordered them to make sure everything they needed was packed. In a few minutes, a carriage would arrive. Alfred and Edward were to hide their faces for the driver who would take them just out of the city. There they'd have to wait for another carriage that would take them all the way to Scotland where a house would be waiting for them.

It seemed too good to be true, but it was real and though Alfred still wished they'd wait until Edward was stronger, he was so happy they would be able to live a real life together. Their stay in Scotland had been magical and he was hoping the same for their future. The thought of them even having a future together excited him. This was really happening.

Hope and worry and happiness and melancholy, it all went through Alfred's head in just a few minutes. His emotions were a mess, but that didn't matter at the moment. What did matter was—

A knock on the door erased every thought he'd had that evening and replaced it with anticipation and nervousness.

He walked to the window and looked through the glass. "The carriage is here!" he called to Edward, who rested in a chair close to the door.

Alfred placed his hat on his head, made sure the shadow hid his face and opened the door. The driver greeted him. Alfred nodded and already sent the man to the carriage, telling him that he and his companion would come in a minute. He helped Edward stand up and with one arm around him and the other holding a suitcase, Alfred left the house behind. They both cast it one more glance before they got into the carriage and told the driver they were ready to leave.