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Prologue

society has been defining as the weaker gender. The gender that barely knows anything about the world. Mostly, all the people on every face of the Earth think that a woman's place is in the home, raising children and tending to domestic affairs. Some of them are being mistreated by their own husband, but not my mother. She's a remarkable woman with a loving husband and well, a daughter like me.

They say an introduction isn't a good way to start a story. That made me wonder, how should I kick off mine? Well, as my mother loved to say, "Don't listen to what others tell you to do and what not to do. If it's your work, then you decide. Do it your own way." So, here it goes.

It all started when I was born. My mother and father were delighted to have me. They named me Y/N, a perfect name for a child like me. The way they raised me was peculiar and unlike.

As I grew up, my mother would teach me ladylike stuff that I don't even know if I liked or not. I didn't master everything, but I did learn how they work. When she taught me about dresses, those caught my eye especially when they really look so elegant. For the past few years, my father became my mentor and has taught me martial arts. I've become rather obsessed with knives that I even started to carry around a lot hidden underneath the layers of my petticoats. When everyone found out about that, they were surprised at first but then, got used to it. Father was impressed and told me I would need it in the future which bewildered me.

Until, I finally figured out what he meant. June came, my family and I were just in our home, sleeping. One problem of mine is that I'm a heavy sleeper. Mother always joked about it telling me I could sleep in the middle of a war. She always used to wake me up by pulling me out of my bed, literally. Those were good times. Back to the story, when I woke up, my mother was gone. Father and I searched for her for weeks until we found a letter in her hidden wardrobe. Long story short, She had to flee for a group is chasing after her for being a feminist. Incredibly unfair and heart-wrenching.

My eyes were opened wide from the dangers of fighting for women's rights. Father has become lost since that happened. It's now July and still, there were no signs of her. Dad has started drinking and burning all of the feminist books in the library. He's barely talked to me ever since. Then, he left for abroad. I was left under my Aunt's care.

Even in just a week, I had developed strong hatred for her. She lets me do the laundry for everyone while she enjoys herself in the dining room. I mean, doing household chores is fine with me, but, it just feels like I'm not even the daughter of the owner of that house when she lets me do all the chores so extreme that the maids don't know what to do but stand around watching me, but what I couldn't stand was her constant nagging and insults towards my mother. She's very hot-headed. Slapped me twice because I was reading too much and spending my time in the chamber of books instead of bringing her the pastry that she asked for.

Yes, that's how little the issue was.

I decided I've had enough. I spent twenty four hours concocting a plan to mislead anyone who tries to seek me and took the money I've been saving which isn't a lot but enough for me to travel and work towards my goal. At the dead of night, I sneaked out of the house with lots of struggles including falling to a rosy and thorny bush that destroyed my dress. I had a goal and a promise that the stars witnessed me to swear and I really am not horsing around when I tell you that I will risk my life for it.

Can you believe it? A sixteen year old girl running away from home with money she knew that wouldn't last fighting for a change on behalf of thousands of women? Seems pretty bold...

And stupid. But bold.

This is not only for women, but my parents. If I ever succeed, my mother might come home again free from the charges that are weighing her down. If I ever reach my goal, my father might return as well, not just literally, but also metaphorically. I was determined to do this, but I couldn't help but feel scared.

I realised, I'm alone.

So? That's not going to stop me. Is it? I don't think so. I'm already inside the train that's about to leave in just a few minutes. Walking inside my respective compartment, I saw a boy pass by. He stared at me as I stared back. He didn't look like a boy at all. Maybe he's not after all. Why is she wearing an outfit for- It's a disguise!

No, stop. Maybe that person is just wearing that for an occasion. What if they're not? What kind of occasion let's girls dress up as such? They seemed very comfortable to move around. Maybe she's learning martial arts? But, women aren't also allowed to attend combat training. My hypothesis doesn't seem to make sense at all. So, out of curiosity, I stood up and left my carriage heading towards hers.

I saw her fixing her sleeve as she looked around. "Hello," I greeted with a smile. The girl looked at me cluelessly as if trying to learn my body language and motives.

"I saw you there earlier and I can't help but notice something peculiar about you. I'm . . . Adeliameonette." I said, lying about my name. No one should know until I finally realise they can be trusted.

"May I?" I asked, gesturing to the seat across her.

"You may," she answered, watching me cautiously as I sat down.

Silence filled the small compartment until I decided to speak up, "I ran away from home. I really don't know where I'm going to stay or where to start. It's all confusing me." The girl across me slowly fixed her gaze to my fancy-looking appearance.

"Are you of noble blood?" She asked as I looked down at my skirt.

"No. It's just that my father — parents, mostly my mother, I — " I fiddled my fingers and took a deep breath, "Nevermind. Anyway, you seem like you're disguising yourself. I've seen you look in different directions looking to see if someone's aware of your presence. I've tried to give myself as much benefit of the doubt I can think of, but nothing makes sense unless you're hiding from someone. Are you? If you don't mind me asking."

She was about to answer when a thud was heard. The both of us searched the ceiling and the door to find nothing there. Suddenly, the thud was followed by a sneeze.

"Has nobody ever heard of tea time rules? Who's there?" I asked, standing up. The other girl looked at a bag just above my head. I then followed her gaze and prepared myself when we saw a small pocket knife. I slowly reached for mine under my skirt.

A hand then appeared from the luggage, picking the secured locks of it. When the hand successfully did so, A medium-haired boy's head was next to be seen. He tried to pick the last lock only to fall to the dirty floor of the train with a thud and a groan. I hurriedly sat down next to the other girl, surprised to witness an odd scene that unfolded before our very own eyes.

"An outstanding performance of getting yourself out of a bag, really." I sarcastically commented.

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