World
Two neighboring kingdoms:
Velmira – A strict, cold kingdom of order and tradition. Prince Rowan is its crown prince.
Aurelia – A warm, golden kingdom ruled by beauty, music, and diplomacy. Princess Lyra is next in line for the throne.
The kingdoms are politically strained, and a marriage between Rowan and Lyra is being arranged to avoid war—but neither royal has met the other yet.
Main Characters
Prince Rowan of Velmira
19 years old, stern, quiet, dutiful.
Feels trapped by duty, resents the coldness of the royal court.
Escapes one night disguised as a common traveler.
Carries a hidden sword, trained in combat.
Princess Lyra of Aurelia
18 years old, witty, rebellious, clever.
Loves books, disguise, and dreams of living as a bard.
Runs away dressed as a boy after discovering she's to be married off.
lets start the story
Chapter One: Two Runaways
The night before their royal wedding, the prince and the princess both ran away.
They had never met. They didn't even know what the other looked like. But by strange luck, they ended up on the same road.
Prince Rowan's Escape
Prince Rowan of Velmira stood in his fancy bedroom, staring at his royal clothes. He was supposed to wear them tomorrow for a big wedding. Everyone said it would bring peace between kingdoms. His father, King Aldric, told him to be proud.
But Rowan wasn't proud. He was tired. Tired of being told what to do. Tired of being a perfect prince.
He pulled off the royal jacket and tossed it on the floor.
Instead, he put on simple clothes—a gray cloak, leather boots, and a sword he had trained with in secret. He didn't want to be a prince tonight. He wanted to be free.
Quietly, he snuck out of the castle. The guards didn't stop him. They were used to him walking at night.
At the big gate, he whispered an old word only princes knew. The gate creaked open.
Rowan took one last look at the castle.
Then he stepped into the night.
Princess Lyra's Escape
Far away in the sunny kingdom of Aurelia, Princess Lyra was packing pastries.
Yes—pastries. Sweet rolls, tarts, and lemon cookies.
"Food is important," she said to herself as she filled her bag. "Emergency sugar rations."
She wore a simple cloak and tucked her long red hair under a hat. A fake scar on her cheek made her look like a traveler. She even carried a lute—just in case anyone asked, she'd say she was a musician.
Lyra had always dreamed of seeing the world, not marrying a prince she didn't know.
So she ran.
She climbed out her window, snuck through the garden, and slipped out the palace gate. Her heart was racing, but her smile was wide.
"I'm free," she whispered.
Later That Night – A Small Inn
The forest was cold and quiet, but a small inn stood by the road with warm lights glowing inside.
Prince Rowan sat at a table in the corner, wearing his cloak and drinking warm cider. He was trying to stay quiet. He didn't want anyone to know he was a prince.
The door opened with a loud bang.
Princess Lyra walked in, cold and hungry. She smiled brightly.
"One cheap meal and your second-best cider, please!" she told the innkeeper.
The room went quiet for a moment. Then everyone went back to their food.
Lyra looked around and saw only one empty seat—in front of a very serious-looking boy.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asked.
"Yes," Rowan said.
"Great," she said, and sat down anyway.
They sat together in silence for a minute.
"You don't talk much, do you?" Lyra asked.
"No," Rowan said.
"You'll hate me then," she laughed.
She started humming a happy tune.
Rowan stared at her. She seemed like a regular traveler—but something felt… different. Her clothes were too clean. Her eyes too smart. She didn't belong here.
Still, he didn't ask questions. He didn't want any either.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Anywhere but here."
"Same," she said. She lifted her mug. "To escaping and starting over."
Rowan tapped his mug against hers, just once.
Neither of them knew the truth.
He was a prince.She was a princess.And they were supposed to marry each other in three days.
End of Chapter One