The castle was exceptionally quiet at night, with even the chirping of insects deliberately muffled by magic.
To avoid disturbing Ulysses’s rest, only a few seasoned guards patrolled quietly around her chambers.
They were forbidden from using torches or lanterns for light because the crackling sound and flickering glow would disturb the princess.
So the guards adapted to the darkness before nightfall, relying solely on the moonlight to patrol.
This somewhat absurd decision was actually arranged by the princess herself.
In preparation for this escape, she had altered the guards’ patrol points and routes, leaving a path clear of any sentries.
At this moment, Ulysses was holding End’s hand and walking nonchalantly down the castle corridor.
She knew no guards were watching nearby, so she felt no fear of being seen.
Although ‘escaping’ should be a frantic and cautious affair, the princess’s face remained as calm as ever.
Even her walk retained the grace and decorum of royalty.
The fear and panic that had filled her expression in her room moments ago had vanished like a dream.
It seemed that the true concern was never about whether she could escape or not…
Compared to Ulysses, End looked visibly frightened.
Because of the princess’s presence, she couldn’t shift into her cat eyes and couldn’t see her surroundings clearly.
She could only blink her watery eyes and glance anxiously left and right, allowing Ulysses to lead her.
Sensing End’s trembling, Ulysses tightened her grip on End’s hand and drew her closer.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you.”
Her voice was like a gentle spring breeze, relaxing End’s tense body and mind.
End had always trusted the princess unconditionally — first, because the princess had never lied to her; second, because every promise the princess made had always been fulfilled.
Perhaps it was for these reasons that End instinctively believed her now.
The two walked slowly down the corridor, bathed in the pale blue moonlight.
Only the crisp sound of footsteps and uneven heartbeats filled the silence.
That heartbeat didn’t seem to be her own…
End pressed a hand to her chest and realized her own racing heart had been calmed by the princess’s presence.
So whose heartbeat was it?
She looked at Ulysses walking ahead and realized the princess was only pretending to be calm.
“Your Highness?”
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind.
End jumped, her hair almost standing on end.
She recognized it immediately — the voice of the head maid…
The two stopped walking. End turned back, trembling, and saw the head maid standing at the far end of the corridor.
“Your Highness, what are you doing out so late?”
The head maid glanced at End, her face growing more puzzled.
End stammered, unsure how to respond.
Suddenly, the princess spoke calmly, “My maid seems to have a slight fever. I was just taking her to the apothecary to fetch some medicine.”
Her expression was serene, without a trace of panic.
Yet End could clearly hear the princess’s heartbeat growing more intense…
“Oh dear, that’s terribly improper! How can you let the princess accompany you to get medicine?!”
The head maid frowned in frustration and quickly approached End.
She spoke urgently, “Let me take her instead. The princess has important matters tomorrow and must rest well.”
She reached out to grab End’s other wrist, but her hand caught only air.
End suddenly found herself pulled unexpectedly into a warm, fragrant embrace.
The princess narrowed her eyes coldly at the confused head maid and said displeased, “This is my maid. I will take her myself.”
The head maid seemed taken aback by the princess’s sternness.
She stammered but dared not say another word.
“P-Princess, please remember to rest early.”
Backing away two steps, she gave Ulysses a maid’s bow and hurried off.
End was held tightly in the princess’s arms.
The pounding heartbeat sounded like a drum beside her ear.
The palm holding hers was damp with warm sweat.
Once the head maid disappeared down the corridor, Ulysses exhaled quietly, then said casually, “Let’s go. We need to leave the castle before she notices.”
“Mm…”
End obediently nodded and was once again pulled forward.
As they left the upper floors, the number of guards increased the further down they went.
Fortunately, Ulysses knew all their posts and routes clearly.
Following the path in her mind, she easily avoided the guards.
Still, some places were heavily guarded without the slightest gap—especially the main gate.
Seeing the many guards patrolling there, End knew leaving through the main gate was impossible.
Although she didn’t know the plan, she trusted the princess to find a way.
With Ulysses by her side, End believed any difficulty could be overcome.
They quietly passed by the main gate, then took a winding staircase up to the third floor.
End was led to a storage room, and once inside, Ulysses closed the door tightly and finally released her hand.
“Your Highness?”
“Wait a moment.”
Ulysses rummaged through the room and pulled out a brown suitcase.
She opened it to reveal neatly folded clothes.
Among them was a maid uniform identical to the one End wore, seemingly a fresh batch.
Without hesitation, Ulysses smoothed back her silky blue hair and began removing her own clothes.
“Eh?? Your Highness, are you really going to wear that? That’s a maid’s outfit!”
“After everything that’s happened, you’re still worried about that…”
The princess gave her a helpless look, then continued to strip off her plain white gown.
The dress was troublesome to put on and even more so to remove.
After much rustling, it was finally off.
Her alabaster skin was fully exposed, and her voluptuous, graceful figure stood out in the cramped storage room.
The room was too small, and despite trying to avoid contact, End often accidentally bumped against the princess’s rather ample chest, making her blush.
Even after caring for the princess for so long, End still felt shy every time she saw that porcelain skin.
Once dressed in the maid’s uniform, Ulysses pulled a hat from the suitcase and completely covered her sky-blue hair.
She glanced at her removed golden crown and finally tucked it into her pocket.
“Let’s go.”
She took End’s hand again and strode confidently toward the first floor.
“What are you two doing here so late at night?”
The guard stationed at the door caught sight of them.
Disguised, the princess was unrecognized.
She lowered her gaze, avoiding eye contact with the guard.
From her pocket, she produced a slip of paper and held it before the guard’s eyes.
“This was ordered by the princess in advance. The elders need to reconfirm the arrangements for the coronation tomorrow…”
Before the guard could read it, she withdrew the paper.
The guard wanted to speak but was cut off by the princess’s voice.
“If this is delayed and tomorrow’s affairs go wrong, can you bear the blame from the princess?”
The guards exchanged glances and silently made way.
Thus, the two easily exited through the main gate, with guards even arranging a carriage for them.
The air outside the castle was biting cold, the snow on the roads yet to melt, the branches still dusted with white.
But to the princess, the world beyond the castle was truly warm…