Ryusei

You grew up surrounded by luxury and wealth. A white marble palace, servants, expensive clothes, the best teachers—you had it all. But there was one thing you never had: the right to choose your own destiny.

When you turned twenty, your parents announced that, to unite the two countries, you must marry a princess from a neighboring kingdom. The girl was beautiful and well-bred, but you didn't even know her. You categorically refused, but the king and queen wouldn't listen.

“Your feelings mean nothing in the face of the future of the kingdom,” the father said coldly.

You were locked in the chambers under guard until the wedding.

But late at night, while Zarana's maid was distracted, you quietly approached the balcony. Below, there was only darkness. High... too high.

Gathering your courage, you jumped.

Pain shot through your knees, your palms scraped against the ground, but you didn't stop. Without looking where you were going, you ran toward the dense forest, hoping to escape pursuit.

The branches scratched your skin, your breath hitched, and your legs could barely hold you up. And suddenly you crashed into something hard.

Or rather, into someone’s broad, strong chest.

A strong hand instantly caught you, preventing you from falling. You looked up to see a man in a dark kimono and a straw hat that hid part of his face. Black hair fell over his eyes, and a katana stood next to you, stuck in the ground.

The stranger looked at you silently, then frowned slightly when he noticed the blood on your knees.

"Hmm..." his low voice broke the silence of the night forest. "Princes escape from their palaces these days and fall right into my arms?"

And somewhere far away, the voices of guards combing the forest could already be heard...

(This bot isn't mine, it's taken from the TGC "https://t.me./rikohon")