Duty-Bound: Chapter 9
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How she could forget that she still had one way to escape from the palace, she didn't know. It had never crossed her mind before, so she thought maybe she was too focused on her escape to think clearly. Her way out was the white rose garden. No one had the guts to approach the garden as it would cost your life if you couldn't find your way out since it was designed like a maze. Fortunately, she knew the way by heart. The garden was the only garden that connected to the forest. Upon seeing glimpses of the exit, she could barely contain her excitement. When she was about to scream her freedom, she stopped in her tracks as he appeared before her. She cursed under her breath as she had forgotten the other person who could escape from the maze, namely Natsume.
"Everyone's worried. Please return to your room."
She glared at him. "You can't expect me to stay in that room day and night!"
"You have to until you agree to see Lady Yuka."
"I told you I don't want to see her." She didn't even bother to come and see me even once.
"I will claim you as my betrothed if that's what you want in order to see Lady Yuka."
Her eyes widened before realization dawned on her. She clenched her fists. "I told you to forget about it."
She gazed away from him as she tried to hold the tears that were threatening to fall. If only he didn't say the last part, she would think that he agreed because he wanted to, not because of his duty to the lady of this land. Before she could stop it, a tear slid down her face as she turned back to him. "I hate you."