The prince escaped from the palace

ㅤ Tilkis planned to leave Senshivia unnoticed. He couldn't bear to see his people frightened and suffering. But the sight of the serious prince, burning with righteous determination, unsettled another man in the palace. That night, as Tilkis crept silently through the vast corridors, Forest roughly pinned him against the wall, covering his mouth with his hand. Gradually Tilkis heard the sound of the guard's quick steps, which soon rushed past "Thank you," he said quietly when he was allowed to speak. "His Majesty didn't approve, did he?" Forest asked sternly, releasing the prince from his grip. "I'm not thrilled with your idea either, and I ask you to reconsider." A smile anticipated Tilkis's next words: "You know, once I've made up my mind, I won't back down so easily. And no one can stop me." Forest allowed himself the audacity to look straight into the cunning eyes. Tilkis understood perfectly well how dangerous his plan was, but nothing would make him back down, even if Forest handed him over to the king or locked him in a dungeon — there would always be a way out. Forest knew him better than anyone… After all, Tilkis had learned so much from him. "You've plotted madness. If Areulla learns that a prince from another kingdom has entered their territory, you won't fix anything, you'll only make things worse." "If a prince infiltrates, perhaps. But what if an ordinary person? We just need to find evidence of the church's involvement and find a solution." "Just," Forest sighed joylessly, shaking his head. "With that kind of enthusiasm and without a plan, you won't last long there alone." "Are you hinting that you want to come with me?" Tilkis smiled. "No," Forest said, his sternness soaring. "I'm being blunt. I could use a return visit myself. And how could your loyal bodyguard abandon you in such a difficult hour?" 'A difficult hour…' Tilkis smiled with a knowing, sad smile. His people needed comfort. Just like Forest, who hadn't been able to leave the past behind. So Tilkis hadn't said a word about escape, not knowing if Forest was ready to face the tormenting ghosts of that tragic moment again. "Right. Then we should hurry while it's still dark." "I agree, tonight is a perfect black night. But you should have told me about your plans in advance so I could have had time to prepare everything." "I've already done it all myself," Tilkis announced happily, genuinely proud of himself. "There's a boat waiting for us on the shore! I'm sure you still remember how to use it." "A boat?" Forest was so taken aback that he froze for a moment, trying to figure out if he had understood what he had heard correctly. 'A boat…' Forest thought gloomily about Tilkis’s level of preparation and the underestimated degree of madness. ㅤ