and run away

Flee at night from the capital to a village near the border and the following day find shelter in a nearby country. This would be the outline of the plan. After this I shall play the violin for a living. I won't be a professor, I'll just probably play in some kind of restaurants. I will find my place in time, creating a new identity and stuff. Now how to fill the plan, I need to take into consideration some factors. First of fall I can not, under any circumstances carry too much money. A woman traveling alone is enough danger, traveling with money is even worse. But I can't go entirely penniless either as I won't be able to go anywhere. Also I should pack as light as possible, a blanket, a bottle of water and some canes of beans should suffice. The journey will be long so carrying luggage will be heavy, inefficient and again a flag for bandits. Moving on horse back would be the best option, but also quite uncomfortable, breaks have to be noted.
This were my first thought on building the plan, but in the end the idea is that I am not capable of keeping my own safety. I have no combat experience nor training, I have a weak construction and even if I disguise myself as a man I would still attract trouble. Nonetheless I can't go alone.

So here I am in front of the red night guild, a weak after starting planning. Talking about refusing the proposal would be a hazard for my family, the book is the proof of that. The duke doesn't seem to let go of me willingly and I don't have enough physical power to travel alone.
"Lady Ambrose, may your day be as beautiful as you. Unfortunately the violin bow strung with horsehair that you have previously requested did not arrive yet, you must be greatly disappointed. For this I would like to give you my sincere and deeply apologies."
"Oscar, good day to you too. I might have thought of a way for you to atone for it. Would you hear my request?"
"Certainly my lady." 
"I want to commission a team of three merchants for a period of two days to escort  somebody from the capital to the border of the empire. The period should be at the time of the autumn festival and I would like to arrange a fixed fee, half will be covered in advance and the other half after the person will, unharmed, arrive at the border."
"I see, this can be organized miss, please go further for talking the details with my affiliate."

The red night guild is somehow new on business, but it became trusted rapidly. I used their services quite a few times and the results were satisfactory. It is of course still a gamble, but I couldn't come up with a better idea. This will have to do. Reading the novel just made me sure I can't end up in the same way. There was also the possibility, of course, of finding a more powerful suitor. Regrettably their is only one person in this empire that is not married and has a bit more influence and this is none other then the crown prince. Richard-Orlando Lancaster, a simply scumbag, appeared in the novel as well. His first wife took her own life after being abused mentally as well as physically and the second one died right after giving birth because of mistreatment. The current events and the novel's are a bit different.
 In the novel the crown prince was already married at this time, but in real life she ran away right before being named crown princess. Actually I was one of the people who helped her. In the novel Elenore never met her, but the situation was slightly different in real life as we were acquaintances from an early age. She came up with a brilliant business idea that I just found interesting and fund it. Looking back I am really happy I trusted her, otherwise she would have end up as in the book. Belinda was indeed something else, so smart and quick witted. Last time I exchanged letters with her she managed to get a good deal within the eastern empire, becoming the solely provider of green tea to the royal family. May her wisdom guide me as well.
Nonetheless marring him for escaping the duke would be like choosing instead of dying in ones sleep to be tortured and then asphyxiated. The duke couldn't physically hurt Elenore as he was in love with her, in a creepy way but still in love. Also I plan to live a care free life and this would not be possible inside the palace, that cold and deplorable place.  

"Lady Ambrose, I am Daniel Bamford and I will be the one helping you today, would you like some tea?"
"That would be lovely, thank you."

After carefully analyzing my situation and options I was able to set out the steps for my escape. I will be leaving tomorrow night, as the autumn festival starts, dressed as a man. My parents will think I am enjoying the festival with friends and ended up disappearing at some point. I'll write them a letter after crossing the border, something related to receiving a good position as a violin professor in another  empire or something and that I left home without saying anything because I thought of it as a unique chance I wouldn't want to miss. As ridiculous as it sounds this is all I've got. Probably at some point they'll laugh as I tell them the real events, but this are troubles for the future me. Let's leave successfully for now. I'll meet the merchants I've already commissioned and they will guard me until I reach the border. I also managed to purchase a new identity and documents that will support it. All I have to do now is well, execute the plan. Hopefully everything will work out. I prepared my map and selected the best routes for action, so all and all it should work out. We'll end up resting in two villages, one that is not so far from the capital and one near the the border. In three days at this time I should already have left the empire and already live my new life.

I ate a good plate of apple pie and vanilla custard, put a dress over my man attire and I also got myself a festive masque. I am ready for this.
"Miss, are you sure want to chose this dress, is not a bit too heavy? I am scared of being hard on you to enjoy the festival to the fullest. You did not even let me help you put it on."
"Haha, don't worry Sylvia, this the best outfit for tonight, believe me." 
"As you say my lady. Will you also meet the duke at the festival? How romantic would it be. The most beautiful lady  with the most handsome and gentleman man in the empire, what a fairytale like date. I am so happy for you, miss. With your successful marriage all my prayers have been answered."
You don't even know Sylvia.
"I will be  happy, that's a promise I ought to keep."
"My lady...", tears are forming in her eyes. We hug tightly, this will probably be the last time. How nostalgic, I'll miss everything from this house. The people, the warmth, this was indeed the absolute paradise foe me and for sure the best time of my life.
After giving my goodbyes to my parents, I left for the festival. Let's do this, may this be a success. Also, please let my parents be as worry free as possible, I wish for them only healthiness and peaceful days. 

 My dress was abandoned on a dark alley. Disguised as a man I am moving for the location I discussed with the merchantry guild. Looks like a two chambers house, the three man  I asked for should be inside. It's a bit shabby and under normal circumstances I would have definitely, never ever, set foot in here. I open the door and enter. Is empty. Walking further in, I see quite the library, a small table and two chairs.
"Is this a trap? How disappointing..."
I hear a low and kind of scary laugh behind my back. I have a hunch this won't be my night as I previously thought.
"Indeed, you are one of a kind, my love. How amusing...", I turn slowly and look at the man in front of me.
"Do you happen to be in good odds with the red night guild, Christopher?"
"Haha, more then that my lady. I own it." Fear takes control over me, the wedding is set to take place in two months. Was I fated to fail from the start? Did I've never actually stood a chance in front of him?
"Should we talk over a cup of tea, love? Or would you like first to change?" 
"Change? I lost the dress I initially came with." Smiles brightly and hands me a red box.
"I prepared one, just for you." It's indeed beautiful, just my style. A siren type apple green dress, with a dark green cape to put over.

"The night is rather chilly." I pointed out as I sit down on the chair in front of him. He hand me the steaming cup of tea and a plate of biscuits.
"So beautiful, so lovable my butterfly."