Chapter 253 - The Escape Plan (2) (1/2)

I looked around and when I saw no one around I was about to dash towards the bushes when I heard a guard speak.

”Hey you!” The guard said. I was frozen in place after hearing those words.

'Oh no, sh*t!' I cursed inwardly, my heart was thumping really hard right now. 'Was I caught? Just when I was half way trhu.'

”Why are you dilly dallying while here?” The guard asked. That was then when I saw he was talking to another guard. This made sigh in relief.

'So I wasn't found out. Thank God.' I thought.

”Well there is nothing to guard here in the garden right?” The other guard replied. ”It is rather boring you know.”

”Well you are correct there.” The guard said. ”But we cannot be lax. Did you hear about the knights that were punished because of their misconduct in their work? I heard they were given fifty lashed of the whip.” The guard shivered in fright.

”The crown prince is sometimes fearsome.” The other guard said. ”Even though those knights were from the elite under the queen's authority, he was able to punish them severely even without the queen being here.”

”Yes, well they were lucky to have only fifty lashed of the whip as punishment. I heard if they were not under the queen's elite knights, then they would have been beheaded.” The guard explained.

”What?!” The other guard was surprised. ”What the hell did they do to get the crown prince's wrath?”

”Well I heard they mistreated the crown princess to be.” The guard replied.

”You mean, that beautiful princess from Alvannia?” The other guard asked.

”Yep, that's the one.” The guard replied. ”I guess the crown prince really loves the princess from Alvannia.”

”But I heard they were first cousins right?” The other guard was dumbfounded. ”Why then will he marry his cousin?”

”Well I don't know why but let's not talk about the royal family. I still want to keep my head intact.” The guard replied.

When I saw that the two guards were busy with gossiping I took this chance to slip away unnoticed. I crouched low and moved as silently as possible below the bushes. I sprinted fast behind another statue and looked around.

'The coast is clear.' I said to myself and sighed in relief. I looked towards the wall that was just a few meters away. 'Just a little more and I am free from here.' I had a determined look and continued to the direction if the wall.

The rest of the garden was clear from guards and I crossed the garden faster. Not long I was just below the wall. I had a triumphant smile on my face.

”At last.” I told myself and felt so happy. But I have to find the hidden hole in this wall. ”The duke said there will be a sign to mark where the hidden hole was. He said the sign won't be too conspicuous.”

I started to look at the wall searching for any signs. The lower part of the wall was covered with thick bushes. For sure this hole would be covered safely so that other people won't find it. After some time I saw that some bushed in the other side are filled with white snow lilies while the other areas don't have any. I tried to look under the bushes and squeeze myself in between them and saw the hole on the wall.

”It's here.” I smiled with triumph. Freedom is just beyond this hole on the wall.

I squeezed myself carefully so that the branches of the bushes won't graze me much.

'It was good that I was wearing something easy to move on. If I was wearing a dress, it will be surely ripped and torn after this.' I thought to myself.

When I was about to go thru the hole I big explosion was heard from a distance.

*BANG*

My heart jumped at the sound and turned around squeezed myself back. When I stood up and looked at the distance I saw fire and smoke going up in the sky. I gasped looking at the direction it was the direction where the queen's treasury was.

”Oh my God, Jack.” I said with a feared voice.

I looked around seeing the wall behind me. My freedom was just some feet away but Jack was in danger. I cannot just escape knowing that he was in danger. I firmed my resolve and ran towards where the explosion has taken place.

**

*Cough cough*

”T-That was close.” Jack was lying in the ground. When he looked around he was outside on the palace grounds.