C28 THE WEIGHT OF FREEDOM

The moment Eleanor and Lucas stepped beyond the grand gates of the Fairchild estate, a gust of cold wind wrapped around them, carrying with it the weight of finality. Eleanor didn’t look back. She refused to. She had made her choice, and there was no turning back now.

Her heart pounded in her chest as they walked away in silence. The vast gardens that once seemed so welcoming now felt like the final remnants of a life she was leaving behind. Lucas’s grip on her hand was firm, reassuring, but she could feel his tension beneath the surface.

“I can’t believe he actually did it,” Eleanor muttered, breaking the silence.

Lucas glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Are you sure about this?”

Eleanor stopped, turning to face him fully. “You think I’m regretting it?”

His jaw tightened. “I know how much your family means to you. This wasn’t just about money, Eleanor. It was about everything you’ve ever known.”

A lump formed in her throat. He was right. The realization of what she had just sacrificed was beginning to settle in. She had spent her whole life surrounded by luxury, by stability. She had never once worried about where her next meal would come from or whether she would have a roof over her head. Now, all of that was gone.

But then she looked at Lucas, at the man who had risked everything to be with her. And she knew, without a doubt, that she had made the right choice.

“I don’t need any of it,” she said firmly. “As long as I have you.”

Lucas exhaled, his expression softening. He cupped her face gently, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “You have me, Eleanor. Always.”

She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch for just a moment, savoring the warmth of his presence before the reality of their situation came crashing down on them.

“We need to figure out our next move,” Lucas said as they reached the end of the long estate driveway.

Eleanor let out a dry laugh. “You mean you don’t have a plan?”

Lucas smirked. “Oh, I had plenty of plans. They just all involved you staying safe within the estate while I got thrown into a dungeon.”

Eleanor sighed, shaking her head. “We need to find a place to stay for the night. Somewhere my father’s men won’t come looking for us.”

Lucas nodded. “I have a friend in town, a former stable hand. He left the estate last year, but he might be able to help us.”

Eleanor hesitated. The idea of relying on someone else, someone with no obligation to help them, made her uneasy. But what choice did they have?

“Lead the way,” she said.

THE JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN

They walked for what felt like miles, the night air growing colder with every step. Eleanor’s legs ached, and the expensive shoes she had once worn so effortlessly were now her worst enemy. She cursed under her breath as a sharp stone dug into her heel.

Lucas noticed her discomfort immediately. “Here.” Without hesitation, he knelt in front of her.

Eleanor blinked. “What are you doing?”

He motioned toward her feet. “Take off your shoes.”

She scoffed. “I’m not walking barefoot through the dirt like some peasant.”

Lucas smirked. “You’re not exactly a noblewoman anymore, Princess.”

Eleanor opened her mouth to argue, then stopped. He was right. She wasn’t a Harlington anymore. She wasn’t the daughter of a powerful man with endless wealth and influence. She was just Eleanor.

With a sigh, she slipped off her shoes. The ground was rough beneath her feet, but strangely, she felt lighter.

Lucas stood, taking her hand once more. “There. Now we match.”

Eleanor rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. “You’re insufferable.”

“And yet, you love me,” he teased.

She laughed softly, squeezing his hand as they continued forward.

By the time they reached the small village at the edge of town, Eleanor was exhausted. Lucas led her through narrow alleyways until they reached a modest cottage on the outskirts. He knocked twice, then stepped back.

The door creaked open, revealing a man in his early thirties with messy dark hair and a scruffy beard. His eyes widened when he saw Lucas.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” the man said, crossing his arms. “Lucas Ashford, back from the dead.”

Lucas grinned. “Good to see you too, Oliver.”

Oliver’s gaze shifted to Eleanor, his brow raising. “And you’ve brought company. Didn’t take you for the type to steal a noblewoman.”

Eleanor bristled. “I’m not stolen.”

Oliver chuckled. “She’s got fire. I like her.”

Lucas sighed. “Listen, we need a place to stay. Just for tonight.”

Oliver leaned against the doorframe, considering. “You do realize your name is all over town, right? Harlington's men have been looking for you both since morning.”

Eleanor’s stomach twisted. Of course, her father wouldn’t let them go so easily.

Oliver sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “You’re lucky I owe you one.” He stepped aside. “Come in before I change my mind.”

The inside of Oliver’s home was modest but warm. A small fireplace flickered in the corner, casting a golden glow over the wooden walls. The scent of stew lingered in the air, making Eleanor’s stomach grumble embarrassingly loud.

Oliver smirked. “Hungry?”

Eleanor lifted her chin. “Not particularly.”

Lucas snorted. “Ignore her. She’s starving.”

Oliver chuckled and disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with two bowls of steaming stew. Eleanor hesitated before taking one, but as soon as she took the first bite, she realized just how famished she truly was.

Lucas watched her with amusement. “Not bad for peasant food, huh?”

She shot him a glare. “Shut up.”

Oliver leaned back in his chair. “So, what’s the plan? Because I doubt Harlington’s just going to let you ride off into the sunset.”

Lucas’s expression turned serious. “We need to leave town. Disappear before they find us.”

Eleanor swallowed. “And go where?”

Lucas exhaled. “Somewhere they won’t expect.”

Oliver tilted his head. “And how do you plan on getting there with no money, no transportation, and half the city looking for you?”

Eleanor glanced at Lucas, realization sinking in. They had escaped, but they weren’t free yet.

The fight was far from over.