59 Run Away (1/2)

”Want to run away with me?”

For the first time, Lucia didn't understand Timothy. Run away? Where? Are they not running away now?

”What do you mean Tim?” She asked.

Timothy looked at the moon and sighed. ”I'm tired Lucia. I'm exhausted.”

”I still don't understand”

Timothy lay on the grass and looked at sky. He then slowly grabbed Lucia and made her lay on his arms. The warmth of his body gave Lucia a sense of security.

”When I found out that you were in danger, I lost it Lucia. They not only schemed against me, but also against you. We didn't do anything yet they attacked us. I was furious that time. No, I'm still furious.”

Lucia nodded. She also had the same experience that time King Leopold and Skall Wismar conspired to get Timothy killed. She was furious. She wanted to make them pay for scheming against Timothy.

”My original plan was to rescue you and then go back to Solon to gather my army. I would then besiege Nirvana and force my father to hand over Skall Wismar.” Timothy looked at her and winked ”I know it's a bad plan”

”It is” Lucia agreed. ”You can't force your father. Even if your soldiers are experienced, they are few. They can't threaten the walls of Nirvana. Also I've heard that one of your brothers is currently in Ledega with a huge army. He can cut your supply lines if you dare besiege Nirvana.”

”I never knew that you are versed in the art of war” Timothy grinned.

”Are you mocking me rooster prince?” Lucia pinched his nose. She then put her head on his chest. ”So, something tells me that you changed your mind”

Timothy was silent for a while. ”When I saw you fall from your horse, I was so worried. When we were being hunted, I feared for your life. Seeing you suffer is painful. I care for you Lucia. I want to give you the best in the world. And then it occurred to me that getting revenge for you and making Skall Wismar pay will not alleviate your pain. I need to focus on you rather than revenge. I will make him pay if I'm able, but your well-being should come first.”

”Thank you Tim. That's all I wanted from you.” She put a kiss on his cheek. ”But I still can't connect it with you wanting to run away.”

”The current Castonia is a messed up place Lucia. People scheme here. The involvement of Skall Wismar further complicates the power struggle. I want to leave Castonia behind. I want to start a new life with you in Vanadis. I'm tired of politics.”

Lucia was slightly surprised. She never thought that Timothy would abandon his fame and power in Castonia just to live a peaceful life with her in Vanadis. Even if she marries him, his position in Vanadis would be lower compared to being the third Prince of Castonia. Also, the people currently cheer his name. They treat Timothy as a hero. He was willing to give that away. Lucia felt emotional.

”Are you sure you want that? What about your responsibilities Tim?”

”The moment my father schemed against me, I lost the responsibility of being a prince. Sure, I saved the Western Region from destruction but that's because I care for the people. But now my father and my brothers have this under control. They can now repel the Tulosans even if General Rickard comes back. Castonia doesn't need me anymore. This may sound like I'm being selfish, but I'm really tired Lucia. The only downside of this is that Vanadis will not get the alliance it wanted.”

”It's okay Tim. You can be our general. I'm sure you can reform the Vanadian military. Your presence will be enough to secure Vanadis' borders.”

”So you agree? You will run away with me?” He smiled widely.

”Don't make it sound like we're eloping Tim” Lucia laughed. She then nodded. ”If you're fine with losing your popularity, then I will take you to Vanadis.”

”It's decided then. After we get back to Solon, I will inform Erik, Freya, Marvin and Mathias of my decision. We will then elope to Vanadis” he grinned.

Lucia laughed again. ”I told you already, that is not eloping.”

”But it sounds more romantic that way” Timothy reasoned.

Lucia gave a sigh of resignation ”Fine then, we will elope to Vanadis” she hugged Timothy.

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After cuddling for a while, Timothy and Lucia went back to the bonfire. They did not finish their meals because of Abraham's tale.

”and then Prince Timothy said, 'danger is my middle name'” Timothy again heard Abraham's preposterous tales about him. It was painful to listen to.

He and Lucia sat back on the log. The villagers had their attention to Abraham.

”Hey, where did you the two of you go to?” Abraham stopped his story and asked them.

”Stop it Abraham. What they did in secret is none of our business” A villager said ”Besides, we all know what they did” he gave Timothy and Lucia a meaningful smile.

The villagers laughed. It seems that they had the wrong idea. This is embarrassing, Timothy thought. He looked at Lucia and saw that she was blushing.

”So, Theo and Alice, tell us about yourselves.”

”Yeah! Both of you are so good looking that I still can't believe you are merchants. You look like nobles.”

”We were just lucky to have met each other I guess” Timothy tried to find an excuse.

”But you look so young. How old are you anyway?”