“Freedom often comes at a price” or so Victoria’s father always told her growing up, she never fully grasped what he meant, gold perhaps? She foolishly thought earlier in her life but as the years passed she finally understood that dreams come at a cost and it was often greater than gold.
In a small village at the edge of the kingdom, Victoria and her 2 siblings were racing each other to the lake, laughing at their hearts desire without a care in the world. When their father calls for 8 year old Victoria to come inside she grudgingly starts on the way back to their hut with mixed feelings of irritation at missing out whatever her sister and brother were up to next and fear of what might she have done wrong. Her father and mother were waiting patiently inside for her looking the perfect picture of royalty which always clashed with the interior of their humble hut, she closed the door behind her and sat down for the talk unknowing that her life would never be the same.
10 years later
On the morning of her 18th birthday, Victoria lies like a statue in her bed, already awake before the first rays of sunshine crawl through her room. The dread she feels for the day coming ahead paralyses her for as much as she planned for it she never imagined it would actually come. She tried to dissect her feelings, because as much dread and fear she felt, she was also sure there was some excitement and anticipation. Her heart was beating too fast all the same and she counted to 3 before launching herself off the bed to get ready.
Standing at the mirror she brushed and braded her chocolate brown hair down to her waist and stared at her reflection. Her emerald green eyes twinkled back at her but they were missing their normal hint of mischief and instead were starting to shine with unshed tears. Feelings of betrayal and hurt started to creep through her heart as she recalled the evening were it all started 10 years earlier. Her father had informed her that she was to be betrothed to the duke’s son, Luke, and that she would make an excellent wife and mother someday. Even at 8 years old, she knew deep in her heart that wasn’t what she wanted for her life. She wanted more than to become someone’s wife, someone she didn’t even choose, she wanted to scream that in her father’s face but refrained. She knew this was the way of the kingdom, that tradition and customs entailed every girl to be wed when they became of age, that a woman’s fate in the kingdom wasn’t in her hands but in her fathers. An ugly snarl overcome her face at the memories and she angerly wiped at her eyes and resolved that she would take control of her future no matter the cost. Before she turned away from the mirror she smirked at her reflection as the thought that nothing would be the same after today fleeted through her mind.
Later that day
She fumbled with all the material of her long blue gown as she stood in a line full of dolled up future wives in the giant ballroom of the palace where multiple weddings would be held and the celebrations would carry throughout the night, and she couldn’t help but feel out of place. “Hey stop scowling so much you’re scaring all my options away” her sister jade whispered into her ear and she scoffed as a response. She glanced at her sister and silently envied her for she stood perfectly tall and her eyes were scanning all the boys lined up opposite them probably searching for one that fits her standards, and she looked content with what life offered her and didn’t dare ask for more. She shook her head to bring back her focus and glanced back at the sword and satchel she hid nearby. She ran through her plan one more time and prayed to the gods that she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life.
Luke came up to her and offered his hand so they can start their walk to greet the king and queen as they were one of the first betrothed couples. Maybe this would’ve been easier if luke hadn’t become her friend, but the boy was a saint and he knew she was planning something. “You know whatever you do ill support you but please don’t get yourself killed” he told her quietly as they walked in between the 2 lines of men and women. “you know I’m smarter than that” she answered with a slight smile secretly hoping that was true. Upon reaching the king, they bowed and she took a deep breath before declaring she would not be getting married and she would fight for her own hand. Several gasps can be heard throughout the room and she was sure if she looked at her mother she would be fainting right now. However she didn’t stutter and stood her ground as she knew it was a loophole in the rules. The rules clearly stated that men can challenge each other for the hand of the girl they are to marry and nothing mentioned that a lady couldn’t fight, although it was generally frowned upon.
The king seemed amused unlike the rest of the kingdom and told her to proceed, however the fight would have to be to the death. She stumbled back at what he said and looked at luke, could she actually kill him? Would she pay that high of a price? Luke looked back at her and seemed to already know her answer before she even does, he gave her a small sad smile and went to pick up his sword. She stood frozen for a few seconds before her limbs seemed to carry her towards her sword, her body already deciding before her mind could catch up. As she picked up the weapon her heart clenched and she desperately wished she hadn’t befriended him over the years, or that she was more heartless and could do it without being affected. But she knew this was the price to pay and her heart had long ago accepted that she would do whatever it takes.
Later that night as she wipes the blood mixed with tears from her face and takes one more look at her village, at everything she knew her whole life, she whispers “I’m free” to no one but herself and the wind. She finally understood her father’s saying after all.
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