The Prince that Saved Me

Nothing to do, but Run

{Piper’s POV}

This couldn’t be happening, they couldn’t be serious. No matter how much my mother wanted revenge on my uncle for his mistreatment of us, she wouldn’t really sell me off to this disgusting pig of a man.

My voice was soft, but cold as I spoke. “I refuse this marriage, I will not marry a man three times my age. If you want his help so badly, then perhaps you should marry him mother.” I turned on my heel and began to walk out.

My mother’s voice rang out loudly behind me, her response sending chills down my spine. “I’m sorry darling, but you no longer have a choice. It has already been decided, you will marry him by the end of this week. You have refused every marriage offer that you have received, and I no longer am willing to let this tantrum slide.” She stalked towards me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Now, you will go and speak to your soon to be husband.” She walked past me, closing the door behind her, and leaving me in the room alone with this pig.

“You are indeed very beautiful, but you will have to learn basic respect.” He sighed walking towards me. He grabbed a box from the table, handing it to me. “I brought you a gift, because I knew that you would be difficult.” He slid the box into my hand, and practically opened it for me.

A scarf sat inside, it was pale pink, like the dress I was wearing. I groaned internally, as I looked up at him. “Thank you my lord, but as I’ve already said, I will not marry you. Now, if you’ll excuse me..” I shoved the box back into his hand and turned to leave. As I did, he gripped my arm tightly and turned me to face him.

His grip on my arm continued to tighten as he spoke down to me. “You are mine, and you would do well to learn that now! I’m fine with breaking you in if you’re stubborn, but I won’t go easy on you!” He sneered.

I pulled my arm from his grip, smacking him across the face. “I belong to no one, not you, not even my family! I am my own person, and I know that the thought of a woman with thoughts and ideas terrifies you, seeing as how you’re old enough to be my grandfather, but I am not a prized possession that you can wave about! I will never, in a million years marry a disgusting, old pig like you!”

He punched me in the ribs, knocking the wind out of me, before clenching his jaw, and grabbing my throat, lifting me up into the air. I grabbed his hand, clawing at it, trying to free myself. “I have already paid for you, you wretch, so whether you like it or not, you are in fact my property! You will learn to behave, or I will make sure that your life is a living he**!” He threw me down, onto the ground, my eyes burning up at him with nothing but pure hatred. “I got you a gift, one that I think will come in handy now!” He smirked, pulling a scarf from a bag, and tossing it to me. “Be a good girl and put it on!”

I threw the scarf into the fire pit and ran from the room straight back down the hallway, and back into my bedroom. I threw the door shut, locking it and rushed to my closet. I grabbed some clothes out, just some dresses, and undergarments, and threw them into a bag. I tore off my dress, as the corset that was bound much too tight, and tossed on a black dress. It hung lower on my breasts, and had less layers. I grabbed my black cloak, and my pair of riding boots, pulling them on, knowing that they’d be the easiest thing to run in, seeing as how my other shoes were all heels.

I pulled my cloak over my head, knowing that my family was now either entertaining my soon to be husband, or sending him off, I took this opportunity to slip out the back door of the estate, and run. I sprinted tirelessly until I reached the edge of the estate, then ever so carefully I climbed the fence that separated us, from the land of the lord and lady that lived next to us.

Once on their land, I kept running, my pace never slowing, but my footing beginning to falter. By the time I stopped to catch my breath, I had jumped over seven fences, I had been running for hours, and the sun was beginning to set. My earlier words flashing into my mind. “If it is another suitor, tell my mother I will send him running for the hills before the evening son has a chance to break across the sky.” Yet, here I was, running for the hills. I knew someone would be, though I’m not lost on the irony that it is me instead. I was coming up on the eighth fence, when I noticed a beautiful black, Clydesdale stallion on the other side. Maybe, I could have a short rest if he would allow me to ride him to the other side of the next property. I approached the fence cautiously, my eyes focused on the beautiful horse in front of me. “Hello there, what are you doing on the fence line old boy?” I asked, reached my hand up over the fence towards him.

He whinnied, and shook his head, trotting his front right foot down a few times before taking a step back. I climbed to the top of the fence, and reached out my hand again. “It’s okay boy, my name is Piper, I don’t want to hurt you. I’m just tired from running, could you give me a ride to the other side of your home?” I asked, holding my hand steady.

He grunted, before cautiously walking over to me. His large head butting against my hand. I ran my fingers lightly up, reaching behind his ear and scratching it softly. “Good boy, you’re a good horse.” I smiled, kissing his forehead, and smiling. He turned his side towards me, allowing me to climb on. I adjusted my bag around my back, before grabbing a handful of his mane. He took off running, as I held on tightly, hunkering down on his back. The sun had begun to sink, and as I rode across the property, thunder roared, and rain opened up pouring heavily from the sky. Lighting streaked across the sky, as the horse galloped faster through the now muddy field.