Caught in a Lie ~ h.s.

♕ II ♕

Once I slide on a pair of large rimmed glasses with fake lenses, I feel a wide smile appear on my lips. There's not much I can do about my appearance, but I feel like I've pulled out all the stops with this look. If someone within the palace walls catches me they'll likely see right through the disguise, but from an outsider's perspective I don't think they'll be the wiser on whose presence they're within.

At exactly half past nine a soft knock is heard at my door, causing my breathing to pick up only slightly. My prayers are answered when I open the door and see the person I hoped for. Throughout the planning process, it's only really been Charlotte and I, but in order to carry out the most important part of the plan, we needed a little help.

"Niall." I breathe out, grabbing his bicep before tugging him harshly into my room before anyone can see him.

Like Charlotte, Niall has been working with me for a very long time, not quite as long as Charlotte but long enough to gain my trust. He's been one of my personal guards for the past six years, and before that he worked for our general security. If anyone knows how to sneak me in and out of the palace, it's Niall.

He's quite young to be working in the palace with such a strong role, but he's good at his job regardless. When I brought my plan to him the first time he nearly lost his mind, scolding me for thinking so recklessly. As time went on and my reasoning behind the escape growing stronger, he eventually caved in little by little. I like to think he gave in because my desperate pleads and cute pouty face, but it was probably just the amount of times I begged him.

"Whoa." He says, looking me up and down briefly.

"How do I look?" I wonder, wanting to get an outside perspective on my appearance. Niall knows me like the back of his hand, so he'll see right through this look.

"Different." He mutters, continuing to eye me closely as if fearful I change appearances before his very eyes. "I can tell it's you, but it is a shock. I don't think a lot of people will recognize you. It's kind of upsetting actually."

"I like the way I look."

"I didn't say you looked bad; I just meant you don't look like yourself." He says, a light tint coming onto his otherwise fair skin.

Once upon a time, when Niall was first assigned to me, I thought he could be the one. I had a crush on him for quite some time, but when it came down to it, I didn't want to compromise his position and I didn't want to lose his friendship. Plus, I think his fiancée would have an issue with him seeing a royal.

"Is it time?"

Though I'm bursting at the seams to finally get out of this place, I am quite nervous. I don't know what it's like to go out on my own and for that I'm terrified. I should know how to be my own person, how to get on and off the tube on my own, even order a drink by myself, but my knowledge is limited of the universe. It's embarrassing and quite frustrating from time to time.

"If you're ready."

"I think."

Before we even leave the confines of my bedroom, we go over the plan again. We'll exit my room and the living quarters before going down to the kitchen, all whilst avoiding the guards that patrol the interior of the palace. Once in the kitchen, we'll follow the other staff closely as they take the exit. The biggest obstacle, besides not getting recognized, is sneaking through the security system.

Every employee who enters and exits the confines of the palace must go through metal detectors, like those at an airport, to ensure that no one is entering or exiting with things they're not supposed to. In order to even get to the metal detectors you have to have a badge stating that you work here, or if you're a guest, which was a worry until now.

"Here's your badge, Mary Claire." I find myself giggling at the name, picturing the French magazine in my head, as I take the badge from his hand and look at the photograph. Niall was able to photoshop my photo just enough so that Mary and Mabel don't look too familiar. "And your bag." Niall says whilst I continue to examine the badge in my hands. He gives me the bag that I had previously packed and I loop the strap on my shoulder before pinning the badge to my top.

"I'm ready."

I spend the entire walk down to the kitchen beyond paranoid that we'd get caught. The halls were pretty barren, but that could change at any moment. What if we were to run into one of Niall's pals? What if we ran into one of my other personal guards? What if someone recognizes me? What if...? What if...? What if...?

"You good?"

"Yeah." I mutter back to the man standing at my left.

As we approach the back of the kitchen I keep my head bowed down in case anyone were to get too close of a look. I can hear the loud chatter of the kitchen staff and staff readying to leave around me. Most of the phrases I catch are random and meaningless, but I do catch a phrase which perks my ears up.

"What happened to my glass pie dish?" My head turns only slightly to see our head chef, Jack, looking around his station of dishes, pots, and pans. Jack and I obviously don't talk much, but he's got a true talent at what he does. Whether it's a nice roast or some fruity pastries, they're always made beautifully. His cooking is the only thing I've known for the majority of my life and for that I'm thankful. He's a true god-send.

"The princess ran in here earlier and knocked it over." I find myself laughing to myself at the thought of Violet running around and breaking things because I know it wasn't Gwen and it definitely wasn't me. I feel bad that it was Jack's prized dish, but Violet's going to do what she's going to do, and running amuck is exactly what she does.

"Ah Violet, what am I going to do with her?" Is the last thing I hear before Niall and I leave the kitchen and make it to the back entrance.

My eyes widen at the sight of the enhanced security lining the back doors. I can literally see the outside world and people exiting and entering through the doors, but it seems so far away. I can smell the freedom from here, but there are still so many obstacles to go. Niall steps a bit closer to me, leaning over to whisper in my ear.

"Just keep your head mostly downward, until you show the guards your badge. Follow me." Niall instructs before patting my back lightly and walking ahead of me.

"Dave, what's up, mate?" Niall practically shouts at the man standing before the metal detectors. He's checking badges with one quick glance, mainly making the short line move swiftly as he waves everyone by.

"Hey, mate. Not much."

"How's the night shift?"

"Not as bad as you'd think." Dave answers with a laugh. "How's protecting Princess Spinster?" What did he just call me?

It's not very customary for a princess of my age to be single and aside from the jokes from my sisters and parents I'm not really bothered with the matter. It's not fun going online to see your face plastered on tabloids reading that you'll be forever alone, but what are you going to do? His jab towards my relationship status doesn't really bother me too much and I'm grateful for my thick spine.

"Mate, don't call her that. Her father will have your head if he ever heard you mock his daughter." Dave's smile is quickly erased from his face as the two part ways. The poor lad barely casts me a second look, probably far too embarrassed for being scolded, as I follow closely behind Niall and place my belongings on the conveyor belt for security screening.

With my head still cast downward, I watch Niall pass through the security detectors, receiving a green light that he's clear. When the guard on the other side of the detector motions me to walk through I swallow the lump in my throat and stand up a little straighter. Quickly I pass through the detector, holding my breath. It's then that I think we've been caught and I wait for the man to grab me and send my father for my head, but nothing like that happens. The guard gives me a bored nod and points towards my bag.

I've done it. I've finally made my escape.

♕♕♕

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