Yvonne's POV
I adjusted myself on the seat for what had to be the hundredth time.
"Ahhh," I groaned as the carriage jolted again, sending me crashing against the side. Rubbing my temple, I winced. Seriously?
Through my suffering, I noticed Klara sitting perfectly upright, barely moving despite the violent shaking of the carriage. She looked composed, serene even, like she wasn't being tossed around like a ragdoll the way I was.
I scowled. "What the hell? Why aren't you getting flung around?"
Klara blinked at me in confusion, then scooted closer, gently taking my hand away from my temple to inspect it. ""My lady, are you unharmed?" She rubbed soothing circles over the spot I'd been clutching.
Before I could answer, the carriage jerked again, and I nearly went face-first onto the floor. Klara grabbed me just in time, pulling me back up with surprising strength.
"My lady, what is the matter?" she asked, but I should be the one asking that!
I shoved her hand away and clutched the seat like it was my lifeline. "This thing is a death trap! How do people even ride in these?"
She gave me that same look everyone seemed to give me since I got here, confused, a little concerned, like I was some crazy thing in need of supervision.
I sighed, leaning back against the seat. "Just… leave me alone."
Klara hesitated, clearly wanting to say something, but instead, she moved back to her seat, watching me like a hawk.
I tried again to rest, but with every jolt, my head banged against the seat, my body bouncing painfully. I can't take this anymore.
To distract myself from the hellish ride, I decided to ask the question that had been nagging at me.
"So, Klara…" I began.
She perked up immediately, like a flower suddenly basking in the sun. Clearly, I wasn't the only one suffering through boredom, though she'd never admit it.
"Why are we even leaving the castle? Doesn't that jerk's mother live in the palace?"
Just as I asked, the carriage hit another bump, nearly launching me off my seat. I barely managed to grip the cushion in time.
"Scheusal," she whispered, eyes wide with fear.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I meant the king."
She let out a heavy sigh, her gaze darting around like she expected him to appear at any moment and have us both executed.
Klara hesitated before answering. "No, my lady. Her Majesty, the Queen Mother, resides in El Jardín del Sol, a private estate not far from the castle."
I frowned. "Why doesn't she live in the palace?"
Klara lowered her voice, looking a little uneasy. "She… favors the estate. It was a gift from the late king before his passing. It offers her peace, away from the intrigues of court."
I raised an eyebrow. "So she chose to leave?"
Another pause. "Some say she was persuaded to take her leave."
Oh. That was interesting.
I looked away from Klara and turned toward the window. I needed to see outside, better yet, I wanted to be outside. Sitting still had never been my thing, not as a child, and clearly, not now. The confinement of the carriage was starting to suffocate me, so I slid over to the window and pulled the curtain aside.
The sight that greeted me was breathtaking. Rolling fields stretched endlessly, bathed in the golden glow of the afternoon sun. Vineyards lined the gentle slopes, their lush green leaves swaying in the breeze, while clusters of olive trees stood like silent sentinels along the road.
Further ahead, a river wound lazily through the valley, its surface shimmering under the sunlight. Every so often, small cottages with terracotta roofs peeked out from behind the trees, smoke curling from their chimneys.
And then, there was him.
Riding ahead of the carriage on a sleek black stallion, the king cut a striking figure against the landscape. His posture was effortlessly regal, his dark cloak billowing behind him with every powerful stride of his horse. I scowled at his back, resisting the urge to stick my tongue out like a child.
For a moment, though, I let myself enjoy the view, the land, the fresh air drifting in through the window, the open sky stretching infinitely above. If I weren't trapped in this damn carriage, I might have actually enjoyed the journey.
And then a thought came to mind.
What's stopping you?
That lunatic gets to enjoy the fresh air on horseback while we're stuck in here like caged birds. It's unfair. Just a few minutes outside wouldn't hurt, right?
I knew I shouldn't do it. It would only cause more problems between me and that insufferable man. But when have I ever listened to reason? Good decisions never got me anywhere. Life moves too fast to sit still.
I reached up, fingers brushing against the delicate pins securing my hair, already imagining the feel of the wind on my skin….
"My lady, what is it that you do?"
Klara's voice cut through my thoughts like a blade. I glanced at her and saw the alarm in her wide eyes. She must have caught the devious look on my face. But instead of focusing on my expression, she was staring at my hands, one of them already at my head, undoing my hairpiece.
"Shhh." I pressed a hand firmly over my lips, and the alarm in her eyes only grew. Before she could react, I pushed open the carriage door, a wild grin spreading across my face.
And then, I jumped.
It was supposed to be smooth, graceful even. But oh, how wrong I was.
"Ahhh!" I yelped as a horse appeared out of nowhere, its front legs rearing in surprise. I barely had time to register the impact before one of its hooves clipped me, sending me tumbling to the ground.
Pain flared through my side, but it was nothing compared to the utter shock of my failed escape.
"Fuck," I groaned, sprawled out on the dirt road. The world spun for a moment before my eyes finally focused on the endless stretch of sky above me.
Well. That did not go as planned.
"Su Alteza Real." (Your royal highness)
A voice called out urgently as strong hands grabbed me, pulling me up from the ground.
But just as I steadied myself, the grip on my waist went rigid, stiff with hesitation. Before I could process why, a heavy thud shook the earth behind me.
And then came his voice, low, cold, and laced with quiet fury.
"Retira tus manos de ella." (Remove your hands from her.)