DUNCNEY WEEK 2023: DAY 7
(9.16) Day 7: Situations
*9.16.07 was the official date Duncney became canon for the 1st time!*
Duncan and Courtney risk everything to be together.
Strong fingers helped Courtney tie up her corset as she slipped the puff sleeves of her dress back up her arms. She sighed as the brush of soft lips tickled her shoulders. Those same fingers turned her head to look back; blue eyes darkened under the faint light of the night.
"Same time tomorrow, Princess?"
Duncan's voice constantly stirred something in her, and if she lacked self-control, Courtney would have jumped back on him. The two had been risking everything to be with each other for a long time. They both knew the consequences should anyone, her parents to be exact, find out.
Courtney wasn't just any ordinary girl running off into the night with some guy. No, her pet name stemmed from much more than a pretty face and nice clothes. Courtney was the Princess of Las Flores, a Kingdom her family had run for centuries. And Duncan? Duncan was not some orphaned stable boy like he once had been. Today, he was the family's loyal guard. The Captain of the Knight's army. He had sworn to protect Princess Courtney ever since they turned of age– but that had quickly turned into something serious.
To make matters worse, Courtney was forced to meet with Princes of different countries; the Kingdom needed a strong alliance, which meant Courtney was a prize amongst many.
The duo scrambled for their belongings before standing up. Courtney fixed the skirts of her dress, dusting away strands of hay here and there as Duncan secured his sword in place. She waited by the archway as Duncan stepped onto the open field and only moved when she heard a familiar whistle in the distance.
By the time Courtney was back in her quarters, it was past midnight. She smiled to herself for securely getting away for the night again. At first, she was petrified, but the more she snuck around, the easier it became– and the thrill excited her to no end.
"Did you have fun tonight?"
Courtney stopped dead in her tracks. She was sure her parents were asleep before running down the shared common space.
"I couldn't sleep." She turned to face her Papá, "I went to the library–"
"¡No me mientas!" His voice echoed around the room. He laughed as he approached her, "You think I don't know?"
Courtney winced as her Papá yanked her by the arm, dragging her across the hallway and down the massive staircase. She tried to pull out of his grip, but that only angered him more. The King only let go when he shoved her onto the ground; the new room filled with his most ruthless guards, and as she scanned the area, she saw him. Duncan was being held, his arms firmly against his back and two daggers on either side of his neck. She felt her world was falling apart as her Papá stalked toward Duncan. He was going to kill him and her next. Quickly, she crawled to him.
Seeing his daughter covered in dirt and next to this glorified stable boy made his stomach sick. The King held his hand up, and Duncan was instantly released. He fell to the ground and pulled Courtney against him. She swore she could feel their heartbeats sync together from how tightly they held each other.
"I never want to lay eyes on you ever again." The King sneered, "Get out."
Without a second thought, Duncan was on his feet. He helped Courtney up as they ran toward the entrance of the palace. If this is what it took to be together, so be it. The two had talked extensively about running away together should her Papá make a solid marriage arrangement.
Once they were out of sight, the King turned to his men, "Kill them, and make it quick."
Duncan and Courtney made it past the main gates when they heard running and shouts from the King's men. They zig-zagged through the forest, trying to get them off their trail, but nothing worked. Duncan then pulled them behind a large boulder to catch their breaths, if only for seconds. He peaked over and cursed, seeing a swarm of men heading toward their hiding spot. Duncan knew what he needed to do. He looked at Courtney and squeezed her hand one last time. She knew what was coming and shook her head.
"Princess, it's going to be okay."
Tears streamed down her face, "No. Please, we can outrun them."
Duncan palmed her cheek, wiping the tears away. This is how it had to be; if their love was strong enough, they would make it.
"Meet me at the stables, and whatever you do, don't look back."
Duncan kissed her forehead before jumping into the line of view, leaving Courtney no time to protest. The sounds of swords and curses were the last thing Courtney heard before sprinting in the opposite direction. The whole time she ran, she prayed to the old gods that Duncan would be okay.
Her shoes were muddy when she reached the stables, and her dress was torn in multiple places. But she was alive. Quickly, Courtney hid behind the thick planks and waited for Duncan. He would be there at any moment; he just had to.
Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes seemed to stretch. Rain started pouring down, making it hard to distinguish objects outside. Courtney's heart felt like it was sinking when she heard running footsteps approaching. She held her breath, staying hidden in case it was one of the Kingdom's guards. The running stopped, and all she could hear was the sound of each stable door being pushed in. Lucky for her, she was on the far end of the lot.
It wasn't until that voice called for her that she ran out without care. She could recognize that voice anywhere.
"Princess!"
It was as if time slowed down as their hands reached for one another, but everything resumed at full speed the second their fingers were intertwined. They had no time to discuss what Duncan had fought through to meet her there. They only had time to share a kiss as they raced for the hidden door that would lead them to the tunnels. It felt like an eternity as they ran. Ran through the tunnels and into an open field. They ran past unknown villages until they reached the water. They had snuck onto the lower deck, and they finally rested only then.
Duncan and Courtney had done it. They had succeeded in escaping the crumbling kingdom. As long as they had each other, nothing would tear them apart. They didn't look back as the ship pushed off the shore and finally headed to a new destination, a new life for them.
