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Ada Wong was a princess soon to become queen above a different kingdom than the one in which she lived all her life.
Leon S. Kennedy was a knight who vowed his life to protect her, and he broke one rule – falling in love.
Ada Wong was given to a man who has been obsessed with her. She doesn't even want to remember his name. It's as if he bought her, as if she was sold. The price of the kingdom to get wealthier, was to sell the only daughter. This hunger is selfish.
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Ada hurries to her room, roaming the palace without a guard like she usually does. Sometimes, she wants to be alone but isn't allowed to.
To have someone walk with you all the time might get boring at one point. Usually, she walks with Leon, and usually they never have to rush.
But today she rushes to see him, hoping no one is close enough, so that she can pull him into her chamber effortlessly. Truth to be told, Leon is the only knight allowed in there, but Ada has to invite him in in order for him to enter.
Her face doesn't give away too much, she looks a little concentrated. She gets to her hallway, her heels echoing through. Her knuckles are now white as she has been almost running and holding her dress up, but she was only so rough with it because she was near a breaking point.
She is just a few steps away from the door and sees how just Leon is beside the door, and she thanks that nobody else is there.
He bows, offering to open the door, and he notices how she seems to be a little out of it, “did anything happen?” He whispers and leans down a little to be closer to her ear.
Ada looks up at him as she puts her hand over his, pressing it down to open the door. “You wouldn't believe it.”
The door is open and she storms in, not looking back. Leon walks in and closes the door, noticing how he already misses the warmth of her hand atop his.
She doesn't talk and he doesn't ask. That is one of their rules when one of them is quite frantic.
Ada looks around her room as if there was a hidden door that she could enter, and vanish. Eventually, she sits down and looks Leon in the eyes.
Their contact is brief, as she looks away, “I'm getting married.”
“I see you fancy the idea quite a lot.” He mocks but doesn't mean any harm.
She shoots him a glare, and he kind of regrets what he just said. “To who?” He manages to ask, not quite knowing what to do or say.
“A man that's probably double my age. They've sold me into their royal blood to get wealthier.”
Leon starts to see where this is going, grasping the situation more clearly.
“I imagine you can't back out of it, can you?” Leon tried to talk slower and softer, the only thing he doesn't want now is to aggravate her more.
“I tried to,” she runs her hands through her hair constantly as her eyes are unfocused. She is looking into nothingness, and truly she believes she has no thoughts left, just sorrow.
Ada and Leon have been close for a while now. He was the best man fit, and she fancied him.
A short strand got stuck in her nail and it made her wince, bringing her back to her senses. She looks at him but he can not read her.
Leon stands with his back pressed to the door. Ada kicks off her shoes, pushing herself further back on the bed.
“Take a seat,” she pats down a spot next to her.
Leon walks over, sighting as he lets the thoughts get digested. He shares an affection for her, but always refrained himself as he knew a day like this would come. She would marry into another royal family, and he might or might not see her ever again. He believes he's made peace with that thought.
He found it somewhat easy, he would put all his feelings under the rug and continue living his life. His status as a knight didn’t leave room for a love story, let alone one with the princess he vowed to protect. Leon would be publicly hanged, and full towns would come and watch.
“I can weave my way out but it won’t be that easy.” She rested the back of her palms on her forehead, closing her eyes.
“I’m down for whatever.”
“Leon S. Kennedy.. The man you are,” she started giggling and she felt her body ease whole. Leon tends to have an effect on her, and she isn’t always sure on how she feels about that. “I like that. Down for disaster all the time,” her voice was a little sarcastic.
He turned around and looked at her over his shoulder, more like admiring her. He was smiling somewhat shyly, lowering himself to lean on his elbows, inching closer to her.
She watched him closely, barely blinking. She allowed him to hover over her face for some time as he slowly turned to lay down and center himself with her.
Leon leant down and closed the distance between them, pressing his lips onto hers. His hands slid awkwardly around her at first, but he managed to hold her as gentle as he could. They both smiled into the kiss, and after a few moments which should last forever if they both had to pick, they were both panting.
Leon gathered up courage and took his heart in his teeth, “I wish that you wouldn’t have to marry.”
“I think you should stop talking,” Ada put one of her hands on the back of his neck, preparing to pull him closer as her other hand was playing with his hair.
“I want-” Leon got cut off as Ada urged him down, she believes she could take on a lot but the expiration of feelings now is not a good thing.
Leon started to laugh as he was pressed onto her, but he swore he could taste the pain on her lips.
They were interrupted as the bells of the castle's church started to ring, as if to remind them of the undead wedding day that's to come. Three days were left.
Leon pulled back and drowned in her eyes.
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“I can’t believe this went down.” Ada said sadly, sitting at the edge of her bed, looking down.
Leon sighted, just as sad. “There really is no way out, is there..” he didn't have to ask, he knew. Running away is the only option, but it could get them both killed.
But they've considered it. Maybe going out at the same time is better than having them be split up.
To be given away to a man that's probably twice her age. She realised she can't trust anyone fully. Trust is a luxury she can't afford, despite everything.
Leon was deep in thought, pulling himself out of his ideas, as if he was scared that someone would read his mind, and then, execute him. They were alone in her room, but the fear lingered.
Even then, he gave in, “run away,” is all he said. He hurried his words, as if he said something wrong, it would go almost unnoticed.
“I do want to do that.”
“Then? What's stopping you?”
Ada looked at him dumbly. “Probably a few tens of knights. Might become hundreds by the way I get to move.”
She has an endless amount of guards to protect her. But if she gets out of the castle's headquarters, out into the forest, she will become prey. Inside, she is a simple princess, outside, she is a thing to be hunted – and by her own knights and guards.
“There still has to be a way out, Ada.” Leon was knelt before her bed, his sword awkwardly still stashed in his belt. He looked at her dearly.
She sighted. She is not one to give up or trip and not get back up. Yet, she feels like she can not be saved, and that only is because she can't save herself.
Ada is a smart woman and a lot of men dislike her for that. She is a girl of her own, but she sometimes feels like she is just a doll. A porcelain doll that might just break.
Ada watched him closely, and was quiet for a while.“Say I do manage to run away, then what?” Ada proposes. She smiles curiously, leaning forward. She likes indulging him and he always does that too.
Leon widened his eyes, he didn't think this far. His shoulders sink as his whole facade does, and for one, he doesn't have any ideas. “Maybe we can figure it out after.”
That wasn't necessarily a response she liked, but she had to keep herself sane, even with vague words or lies. She didn't say anything more, as it all was useless. To consume herself in the last two days of still living her life wasn't the plan.
She's seen her gown, basic, white, long, half sleeves, lace. Ada would've loved it if she was given a chance at love, she believes.
Leon was the best knight there ever was. Always on duty, always on schedule, always on point. He is the only guard that was ever allowed to be in Ada's room.
He was the only peace she had sometimes. Truth to be told, she had a power over him, as his words would never compare to hers if something was to go down.
As time unfolded over the years, him always being on her side made an affection grow inside both of their hearts. Anything Ada wanted to do, Leon would be the one to follow along. Anywhere Ada wanted to go, Leon would be the one to go.
And a few more special and secluded alone times only aggravated their feelings. Nobody bats an eye, he is doing her job of indulging and pleasing her, and both their lives have been good until now.
The sun sets and it only reminds them that time does not stop for the unfortunate ones. The countdown is very much observed closely, a wedding between two kingdoms calls for thousands of people. They all will view a scene worth remembering and celebrating – in their eyes, that is. There are now two mere days left.
“I could poison him.” Ada says out of the blue, making Leon jump a little. Unknown to almost everyone, she is extremely skilled in such things. Plants, flowers, roots, soil, she knows and recognises tens and hundreds of these, and knows what they do each. Which part is poisonous, which part is medicine.
Leon knows that and doesn't doubt her. “But when will you get to do that? How fast does your poison take to kill?”
“Not fast enough but that's good. Wouldn't want him to just drop dead while thousands of people are watching. I might know witchcraft, but they'll truly believe I’m one of a kind and burn me alive.” comparing her options or forced and arranged marriage, being seen as a witch would be nice. Even if she would have to burn for that.
Leon lets out a breath that's half a laugh.
“Men and their monsters.”
Leon reacted the same to that, adding salt onto the wound this time, “I'm sure the king will come with his own forces, making escape harder.”
“A teaspoon of trouble in a river of wrong.”
They both have been glued to one another for these two days, and tonight alongside tomorrow, they'll be just like that. One more day and one more night of freedom.
Ada barely got out of her chamber, she hesitated going to the dining room. Leon accompanied her every step.
Ada got up from the bed and went to one of her cup boards, knelt down on the floor before it and started rummaging underneath it.
Leon turned around and was confused, but then he saw her pull out a piece of paper that seemed to be a map.
A map with ways out of the castle, and a part of this map also contained a few spots of the forests that were circling the kingdom.
“We could go north, and then follow the river from the hanging tree,” she draped her fingers across the paper, showing him the way.
He looked closely, analyzing every exit way. “Is that the altar?” He asked, pointing at a circle.
“Yes.”
The altar was somewhat in the middle, with a full opening. Ada was as if anchored.
“The hanging tree it is, then.” Leon raised his head to look at her, only to notice how Ada was already looking at him.
They both smile.
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There's now less than a full day left, and the whole world seems to be in chaos. The wedding happens at Ada's castle, so at least there's that. Calmness is something the kingdom didn't know.
“I'll be ready with the horses,” Leon knelt before Ada's bed where she sits, her hand in his.
Ada nods and looks down at him. She leans forward, and with her other hand she cups his face and pulls him closer.
They share what might be their last kiss, but they take their time as if savouring it.
Ada looks out the window from where she is seated on her bed, and looks outside at the moon as if she will be saved – she knows she has to do it and that's exactly what she'll fight for.
The sun rolls on and holiday starts in the realm.
Guards are aligned, making multiple lines around, and people start to gather. They form a straight line to the altar, where Ada will walk down to, and some other guards as if a fence.
Ada was dressed. She had more maids than ever, her white dress was put on, her shoes were buckled, and her hair was put in a low bun. It was more of a bother, her short hair was rebellious to being put up.
She looked at herself in the mirror and wouldn't really bear the image. Ada looked away, out the window of her bedroom again.
She was sold into this other royal family, she might never return in this lone chamber of hers. She might never know peace again.
Leon knows anything but peace today. He is wielding two horses around, almost hiding in the crowd. He's told Ada where he'll be and when he'll come out for good, all that can happen now is wait.
The church bells start to ring and Ada's stomach twists. She is given a bouquet to hide her stomach.
If somebody said time was poisonous, Ada would prove otherwise. Every minute feels like an eternity, and it only makes her grow more and more anxious.
But she tells herself that so little is left, until she and Leon might be free. She holds her head up and acts cold as usual.
Ada is eventually led out of the room, out on the hallways where maids and knights stand and watch her. She feels her legs heavy.
The grand doors open, revealing the altar, and her breath hitches and her eyes blink rapidly. She almost fumbles, threatening to trip.
She is walked hand in hand by her parents, and she is once again reminded of the trust she never got to hold. Trust was a fantasy concept.
As they walk down closer and closer Ada swallows dryly. Now, she almost can't wait – Leon is waiting on the other side.
Everyone cheers and suddenly everything feels colder. She is no longer held by her parents, which she is grateful for.
She steps onto the open altar and the priest starts to talk, but she does not hear him, despite him being by her side.
Ada looks down and notices how this old, grumpy and greedy man extends his hands to her, threatening to put a ring on her finger.
She immediately jolts her head up and looks towards the part where Leon should be, and she spots him. He glows in her eyes, and she knows now is the time.
Ada asked to pick some flowers for her own bouquet, and of course they let her. But, nobody is as clever when it comes to plants as she is.
Her beautiful bouquet was made out of some white roses, which, she would've probably painted red if she could. She added some small white hellebores, foxgloves – specially red ones that were obtained only by advancing and forcing them into mutations. Hemlocks, lily of the valley, rosary peas.
A hauntingly, drop dead beautiful bouquet.
She tossed it up, directly into his face, making sure he inhales a little of every flower.
Ada makes a run, and everybody stands still for a few moments, before erupting into confused howls and screams.
The king of the other kingdom starts to violently cough, and everybody turns to him, despite Ada running away – for which she is thankful.
He coughs blood, staining not only his clothes and the priest's book, but the ground and everything in sight. His eyes burn, and he ominously feels them trying, or start to melt. He can't tell.
By this time, Ada has already reached Leon as he started running towards her as well. He pushed her up on the horse and she already left, and Leon got up while still running on his feet. Up, he urges his horse, he's selfish today. He would never force an animal, let alone his trusty companion, but today he has to push forward through any and all obstacles.
Today is a day of change, and the more distance they make now will only bring them an advantage.
People have caught on, but awfully late. There was already a party ordered to follow them, but Ada and Leon decided to escape through the forest, which posed everyone else at a disadvantage.
Ada knew the forest and so did Leon. The guards couldn't even venture in, as their horses were swollen up with fear.
The forest echoed everything. Howls, screams, cries. Through a scary and dark forest, white doves find the runaway couple and they sing for them.
“Doves? In this forest?” Leon shouts as they are going at extreme speed.
“Who knows. Maybe it's our sign.”
“To be forever?”
Ada tilts her head and smiles, “forever.”