Chapter Text
I'll always hate when Father sends knights to round me up when I run off. Why does he care if I spend so much time in the Forest? Especially when he spends all his time with his harem of concubines!
“Lord Danzelle please, it is your father’s wish we escort you back to the castle!” Do they think that’ll work?
As my feet pounded on the pavement and my heart pounded in my chest, I thought about the argument I’d had with my father just before I left, the same argument as always.
“WHY” he always screams “WHY CAN’T YOU JUST STAY IN THE CASTLE, OR PICK A WIFE! WHY CAN’T YOU AT LEAST BE NORMAL?”
I truly don’t get that last part, as I most definitely am normal for a boy my age. Unfortunately, I could still see much of the palace as it towered over everything, with its gilded roofs and marble watchtowers that looked silver in the starlight, the moon covered in wispy clouds.
I felt relieved when the Level Woods came into view, it would be a relief to leave behind the crowded streets and sickly poor replacing them with towering trees, soft moss, beautiful flowers, and vibrant wildlife. Besides, the knights could never, would never follow me in there. It was hopeless for them if I made it and they knew that too. I heard renewed cries for me to stop and could feel them getting closer through the rumble in the narrow cobblestone street.
How many guards did Father send!? I made it over the boundary to the woods and heard a clattering behind me as the knights fell over each other trying to stop. I kept running with a triumphant smile and a little giggle, as I slowed but never stopped running past trees, bushes, and a startled rabbit, going over as I ran where I entered the woods to help recalculate my direction, adjusting my course based off familiar landmarks every once in a while to keep on track.
Hours later, When the sun was soon to rise, panting and out of breath I walked into a clearing full of fanged deer, stopping to examine my surroundings.
One of the deer noticed me and trotted over to greet me, “has it been a good few days while I was gone?” Nipping me affectionately the deer began herding me towards the others sleeping in their silver moonlit clearing surrounded by towering trees. Laying down, I thought about all the terrifying stories of the supposedly horrible Level Woods. As I lay in a moonlit clearing surrounded by deer and vibrant berry filled bushes I wondered if they were lies, Or if I was simply lucky.