[ FF ] - 250 Words ; 2 months Reddit Gold prize

Arabella breathed a sigh of relief when she escaped to the empty backyard of the castle. That prince trying to court her would surely find her and bring her back to the ball. She planned to enjoy her moment of silence and walked around the different flowers and mazes of bushes. Finally, she found sanctuary with the stone statue of her late mother. She knelt down on the grass, knowing she would be scolded by her father when he sees her dirtied dress. 
 
 “ Mother, ” she said, closing her eyes, “ could you please tell God up there in heaven that I need a way out of this horrid celebration? Father has gone too far. ” 
 
 “ Is it that bad? ” Arabella opened her eyes with a sigh. She recognized the prince's voice. 
 
 “ Yes, ” she said without turning to face him. 
 
 “ Is there anything—Whoa. ” The ground beneath them rumbled. The prince grabbed Arabella and pulled her away from the shaking statue. They both lost their balance and fell. 
 
 “ Mother! ” Arabella yelled when the statue toppled over. The earthquake ceased. The prince helped Arabella stand. She ran to the statue. 
 
 “ Miss Arabella? ” said the prince when Arabella picked up two crumpled papers from the torn ground that used to hold the base of the statue. She opened one of the papers. Her eyes skimmed the words a hundred times over. 
 
 “ Prince Alexander, ” she said. 
 
 “ Yes? ” 
 
 “ I'm not the princess of this kingdom. ”
