The wind waved through my hair as I set my first steps outside the gate. It’s been years since I last felt the breeze caressing my cheeks, but I enjoyed it. The last time I went outside it was on horseback. My mother had taken me on a secret fieldtrip to visit the place we came from. She never took my brother, as this was the heritage of her mother, and not of the king at all. My father had no clue about this, and I was told to keep this a secret to my brother as well.

“Lyin lived here my child. She was our ancestor and held the biggest secret in the whole history.” My mother had sighed, and it took me a while to realise what she meant.

As a child she told me and my brother stories of the last liar, and its history. It was written in the books we read, but now it only occurred to me she had also told the two of us about our past.

“Mother, do I decent from the last liar in the world?”

“Yes darling, you do.” My mother’s voice sounded distant as if she wasn’t sure what I would think of it. I had been 13 years old at that time, the deceiving number, according to my lecturer.

The wind breezed through my hair as I put my hoodie on. I couldn’t take any risks and I had to reach my grandmother in the village. It would be a long journey, and I wasn’t prepared for it. The first stop would be at the market since I had some valuables that would gain me all the things that I needed.

With every step I distanced myself further from the main city of the Alni Realm, while remembering the route my mother and I took years ago. I didn’t even know for sure if my grandmother was still alive, but I had faith. I felt sorry for Jalan, as he didn’t realise he hadn’t fully spoken the truth, he knew more, but they didn’t ask the right questions, so he probably didn’t feel obligated to tell them more. He didn’t have the urge to tell the truth, but he only did because everyone told him to do so. That’s how my brother saw it at least, and he never told anyone except me. This piece of information would save my life. As I walked on the night fell and I eventually stopped at an inn.

“Good evening.”

“Good evening lad. Looking for someone?

“Looking for a meal and a room sir.”

“Then you’re at the right place. Five silvers lad, local price.” I looked in my pocket and realised I only had golden coins. I knew I made a mistake not exchanging them for silver. One coin was worth 20 silvers, and it’d be suspicious if I paid with one.

“Is there somewhere I can exchange coins?”

“You can in the back, though I doubt you’ll need it.” The barman looked suspiciously at my bag compared to my clothing and I knew I had to be careful.

“My great grandmother died sir. I was the only living family member left, and I inherited her wealth.” I knew the man would take my story for granted as people never expected anyone to live at all.

“Ah, my condolences lad. If you would follow me to the back I can exchange your coins.”

“Thank you sir.” The two of us entered a room on the side and the barman closed the door.

I watched the scene and saw my brother be brought in by the person whom he once considered his most loyal guard member. As I studied his face I saw regret, but also there was justice, that he knew this had to be done.

“Jalan of Alni, you’ve brought up to this place today to face the trial of Jaen and to give the people of the Alni Realm some answers. It’s time you speak up for your deeds.” My brother looked stern towards the priest as he spoke towards the crowd that was still growing.

It was as if the whole Realm had sent witnesses for this trial, just to make sure everything was done by the rules. I wished to look upon my brother more closely, but I had to hide in the shadows provided by the ally I stood in.

“We will need answers from you, Jalan. Making our crown princess disappear into the void is a terrible mistake. Where is she?” The crowd started to make more and more noise, as they only knew why he was called out for on that instance. I only now realised how big of a fuzz was made about the fact I had disappeared. I remember telling my brother I wouldn’t come back if the council kept threatening me like a little kid.

“She…”

“Speak your mind boy.”

“All I know is that she said the immaturity of the council had been enough. That’s when she left. I gave her my cloak and all my hard-earned coins.” The priest looked surprised, as I knew he would. Nobody suspected I didn’t like being dressed up all the time and shown to the highest bidder as a bride.

I had one more look at the plaza and turned around. I had seen enough of the desperate faces in the crowd. I felt as if the whole Realm disapproved of me and my decision. They hadn’t seen the council interact with me though. Acting as if I was a little child, needing guidance. They had taken full advantage over me when my parents died, and I would pay them back one day.

The only thing I hadn’t lost yet was my identity. The crown princess always had a tattoo assigned to her by birth. Mine, in fact, was well hidden. It had been a wise decision of the village’s elder to mark my upper right arm. I reached for the spot as I adjusted the bandage I put over it. I had no time to lose, within no time everyone would be looking out for me. This was the first word that was spread of out the crown princess missing. I had to leave town as soon as possible.

I grabbed my bag and slowly walked away from the crowd. Nobody would pay attention to a girl dressed in boy’s clothes. It wouldn’t even occur to the people I was the crown princess as there was so much dirt on my clothes from hiding the past week.

“I’m sorry brother.” The wind carried my whisper as I departed to start my journey.