2 A girl with red hair . (1/2)

The world is beautiful . I want to perceive it with my own eyes . I'm tired of staying behind doors as I want something more .I want to go shopping but most of my things are brought before hand . I always ditch my regular classes and keep

reading books as there are so many . Sometimes my relatives would come to see and that's how I would spend time . My hobby for books started since I was a child and I came to know about various things we don't usually discuss about . As I sit in my room staring at the view from my window Maina my maid brings me tea . I love tea ..its always refreshing and gives me delight .

”Thank you so much Maina !”

”You are welcome Ma'am . Do you need anything else ?”

”Oh no nothing at all . I'll let you know ”

”Sure then . ” She leaves giving me her usual pleasant smile. She is too sweet . There is something different with the atmosphere today . The wind seems disturbed and the chirping of birds is more . I don't see the children playing in the grounds too . It's really making me curious now and I can't wait to go outside . May be I should sneak out today.

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”Welcome to the land of Luderdale! We have been waiting for you Your Highness! ”

”Indeed . My pleasure . I guess it's been a while since I visited this place .”

”That's true Your Highness . I hope you had no difficulties coming over here . I'm Bradley the Commander General . I'm here to guide you to the royal palace . So shall we proceed ?”

”Sure . ” Zen steps down from his horse as they stand out of the palace . The guards then escorts him to the king where they have a little chat and a banquet is held for their guests . Alisha tries her best to steal the door keys from Nancy her care taker but she is a tough one . Saddened by her constant failed attempts she goes to her music room and plays piano . She had been trained to sing all these years still she thinks she had a long way to go .

”It's time for dinner Alisha ”

”Oh ... Nancy when did you come ? It's that late huh... I didn't even realise . Hey thanks but I'm not hungry I think I'll go to bed early today ”

”No I'm afraid you can't do that . Please you must take of your health ”

”I said I'm not hungry so please don't force me . ” I say with a rude tone and quickly try to move out of the room as she grabs my hand .

”Am I the person you are angry with ? Are you frustrated because I don't let you go ? ”

”Well it's not my fault that I was born with this hair either what am I supposed to do ? Just let me go ” I release my hand from her grip and walk to my room . I Bury my face inside the pillow and begin to weep . I shouldn't have been so rude to her . I mean she isn't to blame despite all the tantrums I throw at her she takes good care of me . She was there for me everytime almost all the 18 years of my life . My hair grab unnecessary attention . When I was 5 years old I was abducted and people were going to sell me to someone . Thankfully I survived that and since then my parents are just extra careful about it . They over protect me and at times I find it unbearable . After an hour my parents come back from work . They softly knock on my door and call my name as I decide not to respond still I felt bad because I knew they would be sad . So I went and reluctantly opened allowing them in . My parents are very kind . They are strong and I'm proud of them . They work for the king , for this land selflessly. I never saw them disliking their work it's what they loved . They were happy to serve . Like every parent does they do pamper me . They knew why my mood was off and the reason I was frustrated .

”We couldn't let you go to sleep without food . If you do then I guess we will do the same don't you think ? ”

”Mom ...dad ..I'm sorry I ..don't ... ”

”It's alright . Come on let's have dinner together I know it's been a while since we had it together that must be disturbing you as well ”

”I would be happy to mom but ...”

”Alisha ! Your siblings will be back this week . You can spend a good time with them . ”

”Oh yes ! I can't wait .” I exclaim . My elder brother and my elder sister study in a boarding school . They come once in 2 months to stay for a week . I love their company . They tell me various things many stories and stuff I haven't heard at all. We have our meal and go back to our rooms . This house big .. A 2 storey house and my room is on the first floor . In addition it's also very close to the royal palace . Our family has been serving the palace for almost 30 years now and chances are we will do the same . His Majesty wanted us to stay close to the palace so we came here . From my room's window I get to see the view of the beautiful place gardens although I'm just able to see a part of it still it's nice . I sit on the edge of the window letting my hair loose since no one would be able to notice in the dark . The stars are shining bright and the view is beautiful . There are a lot of them today I smile and let out a chuckle .

******

”I'll go out Neil ... don't worry its just for a while ”

”Uh... but just a moment ago ..”

”I know I said I was sleepy but I don't really get sleep in new places . I'll be back ” He says wrapping a shawl around himself and letting his sword be in his scabbard as he didn't wanted to go unarmed . He had silver hair long eyelashes and emarald green eyes . He was smart and handsome also young just 19 . He went into the gardens to spend some time alone . The lights were off he could only hear the splattering voice of the water from the attraction built in the middle almost like a fountain and all of a sudden he heard a voice .. A desperate voice .. A voice longing for freedom .

”Who could be singing this late at night ? It must be a girl's voice ” He looked to his sideways and found nothing little did he knew that it was coming from above him . He raised his head to his left to see the only window open with dim light . He couldn't see the girl but only those long loose hair floating in air. They were soft, light, left open . He couldn't see the color as it was dark but he liked to hear her sing . Her voice was melodious he closed his eyes and tried to feel her voice .

”It's melodious I don't know how but it gives me peace as if its trying to put me at ease. ” Zen has never ever praised anything or appreciated. It's not like he didn't wanted to but he couldn't . He just cannot feel anything because he went through various hardships as a child and has lost the ability to see through things . Those words just slipped out of his mouth no thinking no reasoning that was what his heart said . The singing stopped and silence overcame him . He looked up again she wasn't clear but her face shone bright as she shuts the window to grab some sleep . Zen rubs his hands as the friction generates heat to provide him warmth . The nights were cold Neil comes to take him back as he was worried .

”I told you to get some sleep didn't I ?”

”Yes that's true but I couldn't do it . Your safety is my concern and that's my utmost priority Sir ”

”My my ... you never learn do you ? You should have just told me that you were waiting for me I wouldn't have stayed that long ”

”Well ... uh.. its ok . It's not a big deal ” Zen smiles back as he enters his room . That night Alisha plans of various ways to sneak out if the house . The next day she keeps pillows below the blanket in order to decieve Nancy and the others . In her usual attire she wears a long coat with a hoodie to cover her hair and moves to the store room where there is a large window . Tying a rope to it's grills she slips down without telling anyone . She finally steps out of the gates diverting the guard ' s attention .

”Woah I can't believe I did it now all what is left is to explore !!” She says with a wide grin on her face . Meanwhile preparations are being made by the court officials to show the prince a few of the worth seeing places of Lauderdale. Nancy is shocked to see cushions placed instead of Alisha . She gets worried and informs her parents . Zen comes out of his room as he is about to leave .

”All the arrangements are done Your Highness! ” The guard says