Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

She must be lying! “Enough lies.” Arthur sneered. “I won’t fall for your tricks.”

Elspeth thought Arthur was acting weird. She saved him and he knew it was her, and yet he refused to admit it. “Fine, have it your way.” Elspeth stretched her arms and snickered. “You’re not the same chubby kid you were. You’re nothing but a dark, evil snake now.”

Incensed, Arthur barked, “There’s no way you’re that girl.” A part of him was screaming at him that Elspeth was indeed that girl, but he couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t believe the woman he had helped for so many years wasn’t the same one who saved him all those years ago. Something in his heart broke.

“Wait. You think Emma was the one who saved you?”

Arthur’s face fell. “Enough.” Arthur shook his head and ran off into the distance so Elspeth couldn’t ask him any more questions.

Elspeth saw him off, and she sighed. I shouldn’t have saved him. If I had known he would turn out to be someone so evil, I would have cheered those bullies on. She looked in the direction he ran off to, and then she returned to her courtyard.

…

The next few days, Elspeth spent the mornings at her mother’s place, talking about her condition. When it was night, she would go through the escape plan with Harper. When she had free time, she would call Gilbert and chat with him. Those were some leisurely times.

took a long time. After that, the servants changed her into all-red attire. They would have gone for a

escorted to the carriage and would be taken to the new courtyard the Dawsons bought in Blaydal. Everyone thought it was a merry occasion; everyone

were people around her, Elspeth kept her voice low as she talked to

the carriage had gone off. Now, he was outside the Joneson Residence, rolling his wrist around.

rolled her eyes. The ornaments on her crown clanged against each other. “Tell Harper to keep the fighting to a minimum.

nodded. This was serious, so he stopped his usual wisecracking.

cut off contact and lifted

between the Jonesons and the Coles after all. The streets were packed with people celebrating the

wondered if the escape would be successful. Michael must have his guards around, and Harper would find it difficult to save her. Yet, she must try. She refused to marry Edmund just like that. The carriage

sudden. Elspeth fell forward and bumped her head into the carriage. She clutched her head and gasped in pain. Just when she was wondering what was

her over!” Harper

see what was going on outside. Harper was in full-black attire, and he had a mask covering his face. Standing beside him was another man in black, though he was taller. That man’s eyes were

are you people? This is the Jonesons’ wedding.” The man in