A/N: Many thanks to those who story alerted, favourited, reviewed or just read my story! They never fail to bring a smile to my face!

I'm going to suggest something if you get confused later on. You may have to look at past chapters - mostly chapter one – to remind yourselves of things you may have forgotten. I'm not expecting you all to remember everything that happened on Joy's first runaway. It could help prevent getting confused. And I'm too slow at updating...

Joy's Unhappiness

Chapter 5

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Here I am, alone in my room. Lying on my bed. Early in the morning. Feeling sorry for myself.

I did not get any sleep last night. My own harsh words kept echoing in my head.

"Mother is gone! Dead! It's about time you move on!"

I knew... What I said to Father was really crossing the line. The words came out before I could fully think it through. I could not reach out and grab them back...

I really don't know how to face Father now. I won't apologise because what I said was true. He needed to get over Mother's death. Even I have.

But, Mother herself helped me with that. Unlike me, Father had no support. Maybe I should have been more sympathetic...

I got up from my bed and went to the table that the snowdrop sat on, in it's little glass vase. I stroked the petals.

"Tell me little snowdrop. What shall I do?"

Then someone tried the door. When that didn't work (because I locked it) they banged on the door very loudly. "Open up!" a male voice ordered.

I began to worry. That voice did not belong to anyone that I know. "Who is there?"

The person ignored my question and continued to bang on the door. Just what is going on?

Then I heard two other voices behind the door. They were discussing something. I overheard something along the lines of 'pick the lock' or 'break down the door'. My face paled.

I need to get out of here!

In an occasion of an emergency, I have rope stashed under my bed. I took that out and took the cloak of many furs as well. I put it on over the top of my gold dress. I will need a disguise after all. Everyone recognises me in this castle. And obviously the intruders would too. It was a pity that I didn't have any soot.

I grabbed a magic nut-shell and stuffed a plain cotton dress in it. After a moment of consideration, I put the snowdrop in as well.

I tied the rope on one of my bedposts and tested it. Seeing that it was secure enough, I put the nutshell in my mouth. I needed both hands to climb the rope.

I threw the rope down the window (A/N: It's basically a hole in the wall). It reached the ground. Good. Now to make the climb...

First things first, I should get up to the window. It wasn't like I had never done this before. This was the same method used to get out the first time...

I heard the lock being fiddled with and someone swearing behind the door. I need to hurry!

Just being on the ledge of the window took a lot of my courage. I tried not to look down and began climbing. The best thing to do is focus on climbing and not think about anything else...

Before I knew it, I felt my feet come in contact with the ground. I resisted the urge to cheer.

"WHAT! SHE'S GONE!"

And that is my cue to take my leave as quickly as possible...

Underneath my window was a large maze, made up of red rose hedges. I knew my way around like the back of my hand.

As I continued to navigate the maze, I started wondering about what to do next. But I found myself stumped for ideas.

When I left my bedroom, it was a case of urgency and I had no plan whatsoever. I now have no idea which direction I should take.

There is no way I can go back to the castle now. The intruders are still there and who knows what kind alibi they might have conjured up for themselves. That has happened before, in the past. Plus, I don't have any evidence against them. People don't raid castles successfully without detailed plans. I know that.

But the problem still stands. I don't know where I should go. I can't possibly trouble the village. Or the nice huntsman from that time. Above all, I get homesick too easily...

I heard heavy footsteps coming closer behind me. How could that be? This maze was specifically designed to deter thieves. The only people who know how to get out are the gardeners and I! And the gardeners never work at night!

Ah, but there is no time to think about that now. I have to get away, fast!

I ran through the maze as fast as my legs could carry me. The exit is near now! I know it! I have confidence in my mental map of the maze!

When I got out of the maze I bumped into somebody. I lost my balance and almost fell over if it weren't for the stranger's help. He grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

"Ah, sorry about that." he apologised.

I was about to push him away – as I ended up in his arms – until I heard his voice. This was no stranger! This person is Darwin!

"Damn it! How can she run so fast?" I looked behind me. They were still in the maze but the intruders are coming closer!

The panic must have shown in the way I was acting because Darwin took me to a large tree and hid with me behind it.

I looked up at him in confusion for a moment before remembering that I probably shouldn't show my face to him. Not at the moment. I don't think I should get him involved in this. It's a good thing that the cloak came with a hood too.

When they passed us, Darwin questioned me. "I know it that it isn't any of my business to ask you but why were they chasing you?"

I was about to reply and say that I didn't know, but I still had the nut-shell in my mouth and I had forgotten to take it it out because I was in such a panic. Instead, I opted to shake my head.

I tried to get away but his hold was too firm. Oh, Darwin. Your concern is too much today... First Father and now this...

xxxxx Darwin's POV xxxxx

"...Are you a mute?" That could be why she was so quiet.

The girl in the long fur cloak shook her head. So that wasn't the reason? Maybe she's just too scared to speak. Poor girl...

She didn't seem like a bad person. The men who were chasing her looked more like the bad people. I couldn't help but feel pity for her.

I want to help this girl somehow.

"Do you have anywhere to go?" Again, she shook her head.

"Hmm, I think it's best if you come with me to my kingdom." I felt the girl freeze up. "Don't worry, you won't be a bother to me." I reassured her.

I led the girl away from the tree and to my carriage. I helped her inside. "Stay here, all right?"

While on my way to the stables, I ran into Caelan. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, that did not feel reassuring at all.

"I'm sorry that you had to experience that." He may sound sympathetic, but I knew it was there. That slight tone of ridicule in his voice.

I brushed his hand off. It wasn't funny that I fell in love for the first time, only to find out that the relationship couldn't go any further than friends. It really crushed my heart.

Joy is already a married queen. What was I thinking? Just because she was my age, she had to be a princess? What a joke. That was just my own assumption.

Caelan and his fiancée, Lilah, told me that Joy wasn't happy married to her father. Upon hearing that, I felt sorry for the girl. She's being cooped up in this castle because her father was being selfish.

Caelan left shortly and I continued to the stables. I took my horses by their reins and went back to the carriage, where the girl in the fur cloak was hopefully still waiting.

xxxxx Joy's POV xxxxx

This is a troubling situation that I am in.

I had long ago spat out the nut-shell and it is in my hand. Soggy and disgusting, but thankfully still in one piece.

Anyway, back to my current dilemma, I cannot just tell Darwin that I can't go. 'I' have no reason to stay here. After all, I am being chased by bad people and I have no other place to go to. Why would 'I' stay?

I sighed. It will much safer to go to Fairadore with Darwin. I would just have to hope that my homesickness won't get too bad...

I waited a while and wondered what I might be in for in Fairadore. From the rumours, I heard that it was mostly market based and had many foreigners walking about in it...

Come to think of it, where is Fairadore? I wasn't sure. It was certainly not a neighbouring kingdom, otherwise I would have known plenty about it.

All of a sudden, I felt a surge of excitement. I should probably be more terrified but Clarence told me to try not to be afraid of what I don't know, or else I won't learn a thing. Thus, one of the reasons why I was a very hyperactive child who was curious about everything and caused much trouble. I chuckled to myself at the memory.

The door to the carriage opened and I flinched on reflex. It was Darwin. Has the preparations already finished? So quickly?

His face was apologising. "Sorry. I got the horses but I'm going to have to look for my coach and the soldiers that accompanied me. They seem to have wandered off. Would you mind waiting a little longer?"

I shook my head and the door was closed again after a 'thank you' from Darwin. I suppose this could be my chance to get changed out of this expensive gold dress.

I listened for any footsteps and got out of the carriage. I saw a forestry area nearby and ran behind a tree.

Nobody was around and the cloak was big enough to cover my entire body while getting changed. I would feel really uncomfortable being stark naked outside after all... It still is uncomfortable though...

I put the dress away in the nutshell and wore the plain clothes. Then I placed the nutshell in my pocket - it was certainly useful to have a pocket!

I ran back to the carriage without any trouble. I released a sigh of relief. That was a little more scarier than first I thought it was! With the fear of getting caught...

Now what shall I occupy my time with?

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The door was opened again and it was no stranger. Darwin came in and sat on the other side of the carriage. "I'm finished with the preparations. We're ready to leave now." I nodded.

He sat there staring at me while I shifted in my spot awkwardly. My eyes were fixed on the hands on my lap.

When he spoke up, he sounded friendly. "I should introduce myself. I am Prince Darwin Nercessian of Fairadore. What might be your name?"

I responded with the only other name that I was familiar with. "...Cat-skin."

"You finally talked!" I looked up from my hands to see Darwin smiling at me brightly. "I'm glad you're feeling better." At this point, the carriage started moving. In my position, I felt like I was moving backwards.

I slowly nodded and Darwin's smile seemed to falter for a moment. And then there was more awkward silence.

I turned my head to the window and watched my home get smaller and smaller... oh! I think I'm going to be sick... I quickly averted my eyes from it.

The gentle rocking of the carriage seemed to help a tiny bit. I found myself leaning on my own shoulder and falling asleep. The events today seemed to have tired me out...

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When I woke up, it wasn't pleasant at all. The carriage came to a sudden halt and I was jerked forward. I only woke up at that very moment.

Good thing that Darwin managed to catch me before I got hurt.

"Phew, that was close." He let me stand up. "I wonder what's going on. We're not there yet."

Cautiously, with one hand on his sword, he started to opened the carriage door. But stopped when he heard a rude voice shout:

"Hand over all your valuables! We know you've got a lot of 'em!"

Darwin sighed. "It's them again..." Who is he talking about? From the sounds of it, they are most probably bandits.

A second voice yelled out: "You nobles! Get out of the carriage and bring your money and jewellery with you! We've got knives dripping with poison and we are not afraid to use them!"

Poison? Darwin started to turn the handle. I grabbed the back of his suit fearfully.

He turned to me with a questioning look on his face and I shook my head at him.

"You'll get yourself killed." I whispered.

He grinned at me again. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine! I've trained myself to be the best after all. These guys will be easy! Trust me on this!"

He took off his suit jacket, carelessly tossing it on the carriage seat and opening the carriage door completely. I peered after him uneasily.

One of the front bandits, who appeared to be the leader of the group, gasped when he caught sight of Darwin. Then he growled angrily. "YOU! You were the one who made fun of us yesterday! You are going to pay!"

He let out a battle cry before charging and the others followed after him. Darwin unsheathed his sword.

At that moment, I realised something. Where are the soldiers that were supposed to be with him?