The moon shined brighter through the room of the O'rmon's heiress, Orchid. It gave her more light than the lightly dimmed candles in her room.
Orchid folded the last clothing she planned to bring and shoved it into the satchel and exhaled shakily. Her hands trembled around the leather straps as if the bag itself resisted her decision. The candles flickering like her heart, her sweat glistening under the moonlight.
Everything she needed, or thought she needed, lay inside. A pair of pants and shirt, a dress and some underwear. She also packed dried fruit, a small flask of water, and the velvet pouch of jewels she had stolen from her own cabinet.
She knows the value of money, has been taught every nuance of economy, trade, and coin from the earliest lessons in the council chambers. It was a subject she hated but had to go through. But this is different. Never before has she needed to use it herself, to make her own choices and trust her own hands.
Is this enough? she wondered. Will I survive?
She hoped so.
Earlier that evening, she had asked a maid to bring extra blankets, claiming the mountain wind was unkind as the winter looms close. The poor woman had nearly run to fetch a physician. Orchid laughed it off, saying she only felt “a little chilled.”
Those same blankets lay twisted into a makeshift rope, tied tightly to the balustrade of her balcony. But they reached only two floors down, ending at the study’s balcony.
Not far enough. Her stomach sank. She has to make a decision.
If she climbed down to the study, she would still need to find a way from there to the ground. She could, perhaps, sneak through the study’s corridor but guards patrolled that floor heavily as the archives are on the same floor.
And if she were caught, she would have to explain why the heir of the O’rmon Tribe was scaling walls at midnight.
Her warm breath creates a faint steam. The night outside was sharp and quiet, the air brittle with chill. She wondered if the clothes she packed were too light, if the cloak she brought was enough to cover her appearance so she could board a ship unrecognized.
Orchid gripped the blanket rope and whispered to herself, “You can do this.”
Her pulse thudded in her ears. Her left leg raised, ready to climb and then..
Knock, knock.
She froze.
Her foot slipped on the balcony rail, and she barely caught herself on the marble edge, her heart leaping to her throat.
Mother?
Her mind raced. If Lady Daina found her like this..
The knock came again, firmer this time, followed by a familiar voice muffled through the door.
“Chi! Open up!”
Lyra?
Orchid Flores has three sisters.. not by blood. The Lady Daina took them in as her playmates, saying even if she's the heir, she is still a child who has the right to a childhood. The Lady Daina adopted them after a year. She knew better though, she knows the Lady saw potential in them and it would be beneficial for the heir to have confidants.
Lyra is warm and lively, her laughter brightens even the cold halls of the mountain. Once saved by Orchid, she has remained steadfastly by her side ever since. Out of the four, she has a charm that doesn't fail to soften anyone. She is tagged as the most beautiful in the kingdom, everyone loves her, quite a few in love with her.
Seren is intelligent and observant, her thoughts move several steps ahead of everyone else. Stoic and untrusting, she speaks little but sees much. Seren never acts on impulse. Her every gesture is deliberate, every silence measured. If anyone was born to be a leader, it's her. It's no wonder some ministers and houses are pushing her to have a higher position. Some wants her to be the heir.
Naira is graceful and disciplined, her movements are as fluid as the wind that whirls around the O’rmon peaks. Trained in swordplay and mastered the art of throwing knives, she serves as the sisters’ quiet protector. Her heart belongs to her sisters above all else, she would give her life before letting harm reach them. She vowed to not have them experienced what she had.
Orchid rushed to hide the satchel beneath the bed, the jewels clatter softly against the floorboards, and threw the balcony curtains closed. Her heart still pounded as she hurried to the door and cracked it open.
Lyra and Naira slipped in first, followed by Seren, who quietly turned the lock behind them. The three looked travel-worn already, boots laced tight and each had a satchel except for Seren who has a backpack.
Orchid blinked. “W-what-?”
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Before she could finish, Lyra pushed her lightly by the shoulders, “Shh!”
“Did you think you could leave us behind?” Seren asked softly, crossing her arms. Her tone was calm, but her eyes flicked over the room, the rope of blankets, the half-packed drawers, eyebrows furrowing.
Orchid’s lips parted. “You… you knew?”
Naira exhaled, setting down her own bag near the desk. “It was Seren,” she admitted. “She figured it out before sunset.”
Orchid’s gaze darted to the stoic girl standing by the window. Seren’s posture was straight, her expression unreadable.
“How?”
“You’ve been distracted all day,” Seren said. “You skipped dinner, dismissed your maids early, and asked for blankets in an awkward and nervous tone. What did I say about not letting people see your emotions?”
Lyra grinned, half proud, half teasing. “You’re terrible at lying, Chi.”
Orchid flushed, part embarrassment, part panic. “You shouldn’t have come. If Mother finds out, she’ll-”
“She’ll what?” Lyra interrupted, placing her hands on Orchid’s shoulders.
“You’ll be punished," she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
Naira grabbed her hand, "We're your sisters, no matter what. Our loyalty lies on you."
“I know but,” Orchid whispered, “this is—”
“Dangerous?” Seren’s calm voice cut through. “You should've thought that much earlier. Being on your own is far more dangerous. We’re here now.”
Orchid’s eyes darted between them. “Don't throw away your lives for me.”
“Nonsense,” Lyra said gently, smiling. “Wherever you go, we go.”
Naira nodded, tightening the straps on her dagger belt. “And I’ll make sure no one lays a hand on any of you.”
Orchid’s throat tightened. The reality of their loyalty, their foolish, precious loyalty, was heavier than her satchel. And she knew that it wasn't exactly loyalty.. it was their love. The bond of the ladies of O'rmon is well-known throughout the kingdom.
“Seren,” Orchid murmured, “you have a plan?”
Seren smirked, "When did I not?"
Naira and Lyra chuckled.
"Letters? I take it this is your way of saying good bye? I thought we were more important than that." Seren teased.
"I'd rather you be safe here in the palace than risk your lives for my selfishness!" Orchid whispered-yelled.
Seren make a tsk noise. “I’ve already handled the guards on the lower floors. I've secretly adjusted their duty times. They won’t notice anything wrong for another hour.” She stepped closer to the balcony and peered at the tied blankets. “Creative,” she said dryly, “but reckless.”
“It was all I could think of,” Orchid muttered.
“Good thing we came, then.” Seren’s lips curved faintly, a rare sight for sure. “We’ll use the main corridors instead.. quietly. If anyone sees us, we’ll say we couldn’t sleep and went for food.”
Lyra nodded. “We’ll even grab some snacks for the road.”
“Then,” Seren continued, “we’ll slip through the kitchen exit near the servant’s quarters. There’s a carriage waiting by the workers’ gate.”
Orchid stared. “A carriage?”
“Yes,” Seren said matter-of-factly. “Driven by a man named Emman. He owes me a great favor so I convinced him to take the job.”
Naira’s brows furrowed. “A man?” Her hand unconsciously grabbing a dagger. Lyra slowly pushed her hand back down, putting the dagger back on its hilt.
Seren gave her a meaningful glance. “He’s trustworthy enough, or at least, paid well enough to be.”
Lyra chuckled softly. “What did you pack, Chi?”
Orchid bent down and grab her satchel, "I packed some clothes, fruit and water. I also packed chunks of jewelry, enough to carry without burden."
Seren stared at her.
Orchid bit her lip. “I thought they could help… in case of… bribes?”
“Better than nothing,” Lyra says gently.
“Besides,” Naira added, “I'm sure Seren's plan is spotless. She never does anything halfway.”
“Except smile,” Lyra teased.
“Smiling is inefficient,” Seren replied dryly.
Despite the tension, Orchid found herself almost laughing, almost forgetting she was about to flee everything she’d ever known.
“Seren,” Orchid said after a pause, “where are we going?”
“To Avinsdale,” Seren answered. “Emman will take us to the port near the Event Hall. The one where your coming-of-age was held, it was built there for a reason. A ship will be waiting, a small one. He’s its captain.”
“Avinsdale…” Orchid repeated. The name tasted foreign, heavy. “Isn't that the kingdom with the most population?”
“Exactly.” Seren turned to her. “Too crowded to be noticed and far enough that even Mother’s reach won’t find you easily.”
“Seren,” Orchid said quietly, “how did you pay him?”
“My savings,” she replied, as if that ended the matter.
Orchid’s heart sank. “But, you've been saving every bit for years!”
“Of course, and it was always for purposes like this. Not exactly this type of situation but for whenever it is needed. It's not even an eight of it, do not worry.” Seren said. “Unlike some of us, I think ahead.”
naira cleared her throat, Lyra looked away and Orchid looked down, guilt stinging her. “I-”
Seren interrupted gently, “You wanted freedom. And we want you safe and not alone. This gives us both.”
Lyra looped her arm around Orchid’s shoulders. “Besides, we’ve always wanted to see what’s beyond the sea. The mountains are a bit suffocating. Right, Naira?”
Naira smiled genuinely. “Right.”
“Then it’s settled,” Seren said. “We leave now. Time is of the essence.”
The corridors were silent as they slipped through the castle. Moonlight painted the walls a cold silver. The sisters’ footsteps made no sound on the carpeted floors.
Lyra led, if anyone was to see them, they will see her first and just use her charm and wits as per Seren's advice. Seren followed behind, her eyes sharp, calculating every turn. And then Orchid, Seren's hand warm on her wrist. Naira kept to the rear, one hand resting on the handle of a dagger.
They almost made it past the dining hall before a faint voice startled them.
“Miss Lyra? What are you doing up so late?”
A maid - barely older than them, carrying a candle.
Lyra smiled instantly, the way sunlight breaks through clouds, the rest stopped and hid behind a wall. “Oh! I'm just hungry. Couldn’t sleep.”
The maid blinked. “At this hour?”
“I'll fetch something myself,” Lyra said kindly. “No need to trouble anyone. I mean, I really wouldn't want to.” She added giving her best charming smile.
The maid blushed, then curtsied with a smile. “Of course, Miss.”
As soon as she vanished around the corner, Lyra exhaled, whispering, “That was close.”
Seren muttered, “Predictable.”
They moved swiftly to the kitchens. The air smelled faintly of bread and herbs. A few embers glowed in the stoves. They grabbed what they could, apples, bread, a bottle of milk before slipping through the side door.
The cold night embraced them.
Beyond the castle walls, the servants’ gate loomed. A carriage waited in the shadows, its lantern dimmed.
The man turned, grinning, a broad-shouldered man with disheveled hair. “Evenin’, ladies. Name’s Emman, Captain Emman” his eyes shooting straight to Naira. "Hello, gorgeous."
Naira’s eyes narrowed.
“Seren,” she muttered, “you didn’t mention that he's a flirt.”
“I didn’t think I needed to,” Seren replied.
Emman laughed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not here to bite.” He helped them climbed the carriage but Naira climbed on the driver's sit, making sure he has space.
“Good,” Naira said flatly. “Because I bite back.”
Lyra giggled. “She’s serious, you know.”
“Figured as much.” Emman climbed, chuckled at Naira and snapped the reins making the carriage lurch forward.
Inside, the sisters sat close. The road wound down from the mountain, each turn revealing less of the glowing castle above.
Orchid pressed her hand to the window. The O’rmon Palace, her home, her cage, shimmered faintly in the moonlight.
Seren’s voice broke the silence. “Once we reach the port, we’ll board immediately. No one must see our faces especially yours, Chi, so make sure to keep it hidden. We'll get there at sunrise, I suggest we get some rest.”
Orchid nodded. “And after that?”
“After that,” Seren said, “we survive.”
Lyra reached for her hand and squeezed it. “We’ll make it work, Chi. We have each other.”
Naira’s voice drifted from outside. “Road’s clear ahead. Get some rest.”
For a while, none of them spoke. Only the rhythm of hooves filled the quiet.
Then Seren asked, almost softly, “Are you certain about this? You’ve weighed what this means, to O’rmon, to mother?”
Orchid’s chest tightened. Mother.
The image of Lady Daina’s face flickered in her mind, serene, cold and proud.
“I’ve thought about nothing else,” Orchid said. “And if I don’t go now… I never will.”
Seren studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “Then we’ll see it through.”
The carriage creaked onward. Wind howled faintly through the peaks, carrying with it the scent of pine and frost.
Orchid slid open the window, letting the cold air sting her cheeks. She looked back.
The castle’s lights shimmered like distant stars - smaller, smaller - until they blurred into nothing but silver mist.
“Mother,” she whispered in her mind, her throat aching.
"I’m sorry." Lyra hugged her tight as Seren squeezed her hand.
The wind carried her words away, and the road ahead swallowed the rest.