2 A girl with red hair .

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

"Yes let's proceed ." He is stopped as one of the courts men approach the guard and whisper something in his ear . "The red haired princess is missing we gotta find her "

"What did you say ? " The guard couldn't believe it .

"I have something to attend to Your Highness . I'll be back . I apologise for the inconvenience "

"No problem . " Zen overhears their conversation and climbs his horse to look for himself . He rides out of the palace gates as Neil shouts behind him running but I'm vain .

"Prince Zen ... huh... why does he always do this ?" Zen keeps moving and as he goes a little away from the palace premises he finds someone laughing and giggling with a little boy holding a little lamb . It was white .. white as snow and his eats were black . That person seemed like a girl he could only see her through sideways as she wore a hoodie .

"He is so cute . Does he always live with you ? "

"Yes . Do you like him ?"

"Ofcourse I do . "

"Hey you are really pretty I haven't seen you around are you new to this place "

"Umm.. not really but I don't come out often . I came today to see how things were outside . " She says sitting on the flat small wall which surrounded the tree .

"You know I want to show you something . A garden with many flowers would you like to see it ?"

"Yes sure . " They walk through the fields as they reach the garden filled with different colours of roses and tulips . No words could express it's beauty .

" Wonderful .. I haven't seen this sight before . Lovely !" Her eyes shine bright and watches the flowers to her Hearts content .

"I can give some if you like it so much "

"Really that's so sweet of you ."

"This belongs to my Uncle so I'm sure he wouldn't mind . Here take them " He hands her a handful of roses bound by a smooth ribbon as his Aunt looks on .

"Why don't you join us for some tea dear ?"

"Oh that's really nice of you Ma'am but I need to go I'm running late. May be next time for sure "

"Well no problem go home safe dear "

"I will . Thanks for these ...see you soon " She waves goodbye and walks ahead . Zen is curious to see her and follows her without being noticed . She goes here and there has roasted corn .. plays games with the boys helps old people waking around .

"Wait is she the girl everyone are searching for ? But I'm sure I heard they said red hair princess but I can't see her face or her hair . She is covered completely and is weird I don't know what about her is princess like . S he is definitely not the one . He decides to go back to the palace but stays to see what she does . Roaming around she decides to rest in one of the playgrounds it's almost twilight . One of the boys begin to cry as his kite got stuck on a tree and this lady goes to help him out by climbing it all over the top and reaches the kite . As she looks down she throws the kite and begins to lose grip as everything begins to swirl in front of her .Though she looks confident boyish and brave one could never figure out that she was afraid of heights . She falls down from the tree and Zen catches her like a typical prince would right on time .

"Hey ! Are you okay ? " The fall let's her hoodie loose and he is able to see her crimson red hair quite an unusual color for hair which astonishes him . He covers it back to avoid attention from the people around . He takes her with him on his way to the palace and meets Neil and the others .

"We can't thank you enough Prince Zen . We are truly grateful ."

"It's really no big deal . I just did what I was supposed to but ..."

"But ..?"

"Oh it's nothing . While guess I should be leaving now . It's time for me to go "

"Sure then . We will be waiting for you to visit again . " Alisha's parents and members of the royal court bid him farewell as she rests in her room .

"It's too early for you people to be thanking me . I'll make you thank me by giving me what I want . It seems coming here wasn't a waste of my time after all. This trip was sure interesting and surprising . " Zen says to himself in mind as Neil observes a contemplative gleam on his face . They arrive back to Isla and Alisha was scolded given lectures by everyone at home for doing such a thing but she tried to maintain her calm since her sneak out wasn't that bad at all . She got to witness so many new things that she wished the day never ended . She wished the time to stop and enjoy her love to shop.

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"I'm back Your Majesty! "

"Glad you are safe and sound so how did it go son ?"

"Better than what I expected . I found something valuable something very precious "

"I see. What is it ?"

"Something that would belong only to me . You will see for yourself Father " A smirk escapes his lips . What were his true intentions? nobody knew what he desired he was a mystery to everyone else .