Cecilia squinted, leaning over the edge of the windowsill in an attempt to gauge the distance between her and the ground. The end of a rope laid by her feet, fashioned out of numerous blankets and bedsheets that she had carefully gathered over the past month.

It’s probably long enough.

Deciding that escape was possible despite what her eyes were telling her was an impossibly far distance between her and the ground, Cecilia shifted her attention to looking for nearby guards. She squinted harder, eyebrows furrowing in concentration as she tried to make out the presence of anyone below. A single chilly night breeze brushed past her face, tousling her hair and ruffling her collar. All else remained still.

Alright.

Tugging on the rope to check that it was still securely attached to the bedpost, Cecilia tossed the other end out of the window. The rope sailed out, fluttering in the air before resting against the tower’s stone wall. Then, Cecilia pulled herself onto the windowsill. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a hold of the rope, carefully beginning to lower herself down the length of it. As she did so, the rope swayed with the wind and her weight, but she continued to climb—determined to escape.

Cecilia had thought that getting kidnapped would prove to be more fun than her life in the castle. While she was half-right—she didn’t have to go to any more ballroom dancing or etiquette lessons, her kidnapping was only as entertaining as the journey to get here had been. Once she arrived, Cecilia was promptly tossed into a half-finished room without anything else for her to do.

If she had to wait any longer for them to finally get their ransom, she was going to go crazy!

Lowering her foot, Cecilia tried to find the next stretch of the rope.

The responsible thing after escaping the tower was to return to her kingdom and resume her role as its princess. However, Cecilia had other ideas. The kingdom can function without her for a bit. Once she escaped, she’s going to go see the world for all that it has to offer instead!

Her foot met nothing but air.

Shit.

Cecilia froze, dread pooling in her stomach. She looked down, eyes widening briefly before her lips set into a thin line. The end of the rope fluttered against the tower’s stone walls, and there was still a considerable distance left between her and the ground.

Well.

Considering her chances of survival from a fall at this height, Cecilia looked back up at the room she was staying in.

There was not a chance in hell she’s going back there

Mind made up, Cecilia let go of the rope, bracing herself for the fall. She closed her eyes as the wind rushed past her, curling into herself. The cold, unforgiving ground would soon collide with her body, and there was no telling what would become of her afterwards. Clasping her hands tightly together, she prayed for a miracle.

The impact never came.

Instead, Cecilia’s body hit something warm and soft. Surprised, she opened her eyes, quickly sitting upright. Looking down, her gaze met yours. You laid right beneath her, lacking your usual armor and sword but clearly confused by the sudden weight that had fallen onto you. Cecilia gasped, recognizing you as one of the many guards that patrolled the castle. Reaching out, she covered your mouth with her hands, shushing you.

“I beseech thee to refrain from uttering a single syllable!”