White Pearl

He kissed her head. "I love you too. Jazmin is coming? She's betrothed as well?" He asked in confusion.

"Not yet, but she will be," she told him softly as she looked up at him.

He nodded. "So she's leaving to escape it? Wow, alright. I'll be ready to go when you both return." He said, stroking her hair.

She nodded a little kissing his cheek shyly. "Soon," she said to him.

He smiled a little, pecking her lips bravely. "Soon." He murmured, smiling at her. "Then we can start deciding on our wedding."

She blushed a little, he'd never been quite so bold with her before, "Yes, then we can plan our wedding," she smiled.

He smiled a little, squeezing her hand. "Alright, I'll go pack. It'll be very interesting when your father realises that both you, Jazmin, and I have all vanished. We'll need to leave quickly. No doubt they'll have search teams for you both. Go get your things, have dinner, it'll be a long ride. Then come after dark."

She smiled a little as she looked,"Okay, I'll see you soon," She said and she pulled away from him then returned to the house.

I sat in the sitting room, my bag packed and stuffed under the curtain. I had the maids bring me some tea since tonight would be my last night being served in my life. The only thing I would have would be my freedom. I would be extremely difficult to find a husband, and most men want women who knew their way around a house or farm. I'd more than likely remain a maid for life, living with Marissa and Yixing until I could find somewhere else to go.

She got back home then put on a perfect like she always had to, she pushed her hair out of her face then sighed a little.

I sighed a little, going down to dinner when I was called. I sat at the table, Acting normally so that no one suspected anything.

Marissa was taken to the dining room when she was called then sat down, she ate dinner like nothing was wrong. She acted as she was expected to, and didn't reduce herself to tears when they talked about her leaving home to be with her soon to be husband in two weeks. She wouldn't be here in two weeks, she'd be long gone - in another country where their reign was no longer admissible.

When dinner ended I said goodnight, heading to my room to make it look like I was going to sleep. I couldn't believe I was doing this. "Goodnight, Marissa." I said, as if i wasn't going to see her in less than an hour

She nodded,"Good night," she said to her then walked to her bedroom then dressed for bed with the help of her maid changing into her dress she was leaving in once the maid had left. She pulled her hair into a bun then pulled on her cloak to cover her up - making sure she looked like one of the maids she washed the powder off her face.

I readied myself for a trip, pulling back my hair and putting on a cloak. I grabbed my bag, using the back corridors the maids used to get outside of the manor. I went to where the tree was, seeing Yixing standing there waiting, his horse and wagon all packed up.

She walked out holding her bag as she met Jazmin by the fence,"Ready?" she whispered softly as she looked at her with a confident stare.

I shook my head a little and sighed, feeling the exact opposite of her confidence. "No. But I'm as ready as I'll ever be. The only thing I'm gaining is my freedom. But i'll also gain loneliness. I won't be able to stay with you forever. I can't help but feel as if this is a mistake for myself, but being married off is just as bad. I'm leaving one sad life to lead another one."

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Yixing stayed quiet while he climbed in and made sure the girls were in. He got in tje front and pulled the reigns to make the horse move.

She sighed a little as she sat in the wagon, her legs under her as they went. Marissa looked at Yixing then sighed a little, "We're going to be fine," she said to her, her hood up over her head so no one could see her even if they wanted to.

I sighed a little, looking at my hands. I felt tears begin to fall and I was scared. I knew I was leaving a sad life to live another one.

______

He squeezed her hand as he steered them away from the manor, the lights in the distance. No doubt there would be havoc when the two most sought after women were found missing.

@ musicalpanda
She looked at Jazmin and looked at her, "It's okay," she said to her lightly as she licked her lips.