Cherreads

Chapter 11 - chapter 11: baggies, boots,and bad ideas

Yesss, love that vibe! Here's the nex

"This dress is a crime against freedom," Felice muttered, yanking at the tight corset as she followed Liora through the halls.

"I warned you," Liora said, tossing a casual wink over her shoulder. "Royal fashion is basically a fancy form of slow suffocation."

"I feel like a very sparkly prisoner."

"Well then, Prisoner Sparkle, it's time we broke out."

Liora led her to a small room tucked behind the library—a room that, Felice was certain, didn't officially exist on any palace map. Inside: boots, cloaks, pants, daggers, snacks, and one very suspicious-looking map with doodles all over it.

"You keep a secret wardrobe?" Felice asked, eyes wide.

"I call it 'The Closet of Bad Decisions.' Pick something. Tonight, we're sneaking out."

Felice didn't hesitate. In five minutes flat, she'd ditched the gown for black baggy pants, a cropped tunic, combat boots, and a dagger strapped to her thigh.

Liora pulled on a cloak and handed Felice a slightly stale cinnamon roll. "Midnight snacks are essential."

They slipped out using one of the old servant passages—ducking under cobwebs, whispering like schoolgirls. Felice nearly tripped over a cat. Liora tried to curse in Elvish but ended up insulting the cat's grandmother instead.

"I haven't done anything like this in… well, ever," Felice said, grinning as the cool night air hit her face.

"Then get ready," Liora said, hopping down the outer wall like it was nothing. "Because you're about to experience the absolute chaos that is me outside palace walls."

They made it into town with no guards in sight, just two girls in hooded cloaks who looked like they could either steal your horse or sell you a magic potion. Maybe both.

They danced to street music, dared each other to try spicy street food, and Felice beat a drunk noble at knife throwing. It was reckless. It was wild.

It was freedom.

And for the first time since her rejection, Felice felt like a real person—not a prophecy, not a monster, not a secret. Just… a girl with a new best friend, a stolen cinnamon roll, and the ability to take on the world.

Maybe in boots, not heels.

---

More Chapters