Skylar frowned as she remembered what she was returning to. An evening ball in a terrible dress that threatened to swallow her up… and a meeting with a betrothed she did not want to marry. They had already met as children, attending the same balls and tournaments in Opulus back when King Iramund used to invite House Velcourt to such things. Now, there were not as many invitations as before, and even trade with Opulus, and Royal contracts that used to be given exclusively to Astros, had declined. The King had silently turned his back on Astros and her father, while House Everus, on the other hand, prospered. They were deemed a House of mighty warriors, led by Lord Cario Everus, who kept his son on battlefields rather than in castles and ballrooms. The last she'd heard anything about Caspian was that he had recently led a charge against some of the Nomad territories that lived along the Northern border. It seemed his next stop was Astros, to attend one of her mother's balls, and to see her. Skylar suddenly felt sorry for the both of them.

  "Your father will be happy," Lucian pulled her from her thoughts, his voice, thoughtful. "This union should not stop you from living your life. And in the mean time… we can think of something. There is still hope."

  He was trying to reassure her, but Skylar did not think he sounded very convincing.

  "I do not feel very hopeful, but I will take your word for it," Skylar sighed. "I have to wear such a disastrous dress to this evening's ball. If it wasn't for that—

  Skylar caught the smirk on Lucian's face from the corner of her eye.

  "What's so funny?"

  "Ah, I had the pleasure of seeing the dress when I saw her Ladyship earlier. It was truly… something," Lucian said, his amusement clear as day. "No one will be able to take their eyes off you."

  "If you enjoy it so much, maybe you should wear it," Skylar snapped, walking faster. She heard Lucian laugh from behind her.

  "Really? Tempting as that is, I do not think I am worthy of such a dress. It is a beautiful dress that belongs on a beautiful woman… how about we make a deal?"

  Lucian caught up to her and stood before her again, stopping Skylar in her tracks. They hadn't walked that far, and were currently in between two different sections of the maze. "How about a small bout, the fastest to leave the Maze earns the favour of the loser?"

  "I am already offering you the dress, Lucian. You do not have to challenge me for it."

  "Again, tempting, but I would not do justice to the dress. You, on the other hand, my Lady—

  "Oh, nonsense," Skylar interrupted, leaning in closer. "I'm sure Vera and all the other handmaidens can work their magic on even you. I think you'll look so beautiful." She smiled as Lucian stuttered and looked away from her. His high cheekbones blushed and his fingers brushed his hair away from his face.

  "I…disagree," Lucian responded, still unable to look her in the eyes. "But if you win, I agree to do whatever it takes to help you leave the ball this evening, and any other ball or event you wish to leave."

  Narrowing her eyes, Skylar pondered Lucian's offer while carefully examining his expression. He looked open and willing to help her, and the glimmer in his eyes made him look somewhat excited, too. But she couldn't help but feel suspicious of the Sunborne heir.

  "You can't leave too early, of course," Lucian added, "Just enough time to satisfy your parents, and to make a noticeable appearance, and then after that, I will make your departure look as convincing as possible."

  "And what will you gain from it? What must I do if you win?"

  Lucian thought a moment and then shrugged. "I am not sure yet. But when I do win, I will be sure to think on it and let you know."

  Skylar scoffed, amused by what the situation was turning into. But maybe that was what she needed. A momentary escape or distraction to keep her mind off her woeful fate.

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  "You mean, if you win, Lord Sunborne." Skylar took a step forward, where two paths began to merge and then separate at the end. "Shall we meet at Lily's Bed?"

  "I would prefer the western exit, but alright. I will win either way." Lucian stepped up beside her. The air changed, and Skylar felt determined to win, her mind on the race rather than what waited for her at the end.

  "And as usual, no sabotaging or cheating?"

  "That goes without saying, my Lady, but I understand why someone of your roguishness must ask such a thin--

  Skylar didn't let Lucian finish. She pushed off and ran as fast as she could. Her arms swung by her side, and she could feel the cold stone under her feet and the wind snap against her ear. The path began to separate before her. Any moment now, Lucian would pass by; in fact, Skylar was hoping for it. He was much faster, and much more likely to win the race. The only times she had ever won was by sabotaging Lucian. This time, however, she would win honourably.

  Just as Skylar expected, footsteps thundered towards her, and Lucian flew by, his speed causing her hair to flutter around her face. He made sure to give Skylar a smug grin before disappearing around the corner and turning right towards the exit.

  Skylar turned left. The two paths would eventually bring them both to Lily's Bed, but Lucian would get there first if she took the usual way. There was no doubt in her mind, which was why Skylar decided to finally use the trick she'd had up her sleeve for several months.

  Lucian was always busy, as both heir of House Sunborne and Ward to her father. And Skylar, after her lessons and her duties were done for the day, she had time to herself. There was no one to spend it with, so Skylar remained alone, exploring the same crevices in the castle, eating the same fruit from her garden and losing herself in the maze. She was not allowed to venture out of the castle like she used to, not after the news of her betrothal was revealed.

  "It is both a matter of security and secrecy," her mother had informed her, with no room for any lenience. So, it was in her own company that Skylar thought of finding new hiding places, and ways to escape around the castle. She had been fairly successful: she found a barely visible staircase that led to the barracks, and found a hidden alcove in the eastern courtyard by the stables. But it wasn't enough. So Skylar was enlightened to create her own path through the maze; a new path that Lucian would not be able to memorise. In each pathway, she chose a section to hollow out so she could barge through and escape without much trouble. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would give her time to escape and lose any pursuers, namely, Lucian Sunborne. Her marriage to Lord Caspian had troubled her for many days and nights, and she unleashed her frustration and anger into the high hedge walls, tearing away and snipping at the branches with shears she had "borrowed" from the royal gardener. After a month, the maze had a secret network of hidden doorways in its walls, known only to Skylar.

  And that was how she'd win; the race would be all but over soon. Skylar turned another corner, and at first look, every part of the hedge wall looked the same. She headed towards the middle, and on closer look, there was a section of the wall that was more sparse than the rest.

  She barged through, shoulder first, diving into a portal of leaves and branches, before emerging out of the other end. She started again, sprinting and crashing through two of her secret doorways. And soon enough, the exit was just ahead, and she could see Lily's Bed beckoning her forward, the petals perfuming the air.

  There was no sign of Lucian.

  She was ahead. She was going to win.

  "Skylar?!"

  It was Lucian. Lucian, who had stopped because he hadn't expected to see Skylar in front of him, who had fallen behind by a single path but could easily catch up. Skylar didn't waste another second, charging towards the flowerbeds, screaming with both determination and delight, because this was the most fun she'd had in months.

  "Wait! Skylar!"

  Skylar did not dare turn around. She could hear Lucian storming towards her. He was as fast as lightning, his footsteps charging closer and closer. He was gaining on her. Skylar cursed him for being so fast and skilled at everything, she cursed him for always being able to find her no matter how many times she hid herself away, and most of all, she cursed him for always being able to cheer her up.

  With the speed she was going, Skylar would crash into the lilies, but she did not care. She did not want to stop. It wasn't entirely about winning anymore. Now, it had become more about the adrenaline and the thrill of being free, of being ahead of what was coming after her. She did not have that kind of control outside of this moment with Lucian. She did not want it to end. She would fly forever if she could.

  Lily's Bed was greeted with Skylar's trampling feet. Stems snapped and petals shook to the earthy ground, as Skylar fell to her knees, victorious. Five seconds later, Lucian collapsed on the grass beside her.

  "Ha! H-How?!"

  Lucian was out of breath, barely able to speak, and Skylar was no better. She managed to pick herself out of the poor flowerbed, and lay on her back beside Lucian. The two caught their breath together, the sound of leaves and flowers swaying in the wind, joining their chorus. Minutes passed by, a joint effort to stay in this moment for as long as they could.

  And then amber eyes met blue. Smiles brightened their faces.

  "I win," said Skylar.