No regret

1

The curtains were flung open, letting the sun rays fill the once dark chamber. Hazel squinted at the sudden presence of light, falling directly on her face and rolled on her bed, with her back to the window.
"Good morning, your highness" said Sadie, a knight, her bodygaurd, her protégé and best friend.

Hazel mumbled onto her pillow, which Sadie imagined was a 'good morning'.

"Do you know what time it is!? Breakfast starts in approximately 30 minutes and you know that is NOT enough time for you to get ready. Not with all your weird role playing in the bathroom." Said Sadie, rolling her eyes.

Hazel, the 3rd child and 2nd daughter of the King of Iambia, was a 21 year old tomboy. Well, not exactly a tomboy, since she had long dark wavy hair that reached the middle of her back, and she walked as elegantly and danced just as gracefully as her older sister, Jane, who was seen as one of the most esteemed ladies in the kingdom of Iambia. However, Hazel's interests did not align with those of Jane's as Hazel was very much into various sports and even combat. She was surprisingly excellent in sword fighting and duelled daily with her knight of a best friend.

These elements and interests in her character, lead people, specifically her sister, to call her a tomboy. Hazel did not care, though, as she was firm in her belief that women had every right to combat and play sports just as men and was quite proud as she and her best friend had apparently set an example which lead many girls, to join the army and knighthood much to the dismay of their parents. This action taken by Iambia was soon reflected in most of the neighbouring kingdoms, as they lifted the restrictions imposed against women joining the army.

Hazel's interest in imagining scenarios in her head had lead her to role play all these scenarios, where she was the main character, in her bathroom, everyday. Hazel groaned as she sat up on her bed, her hair which she had plaited the night before, was messy and her nightdress askew.

She made her way to the bathroom to get ready, after gulping down the glass of water beside her bed. She dressed quickly since being late to family meal times was something her father absolutely despised.

Making her way downstairs in the gigantic castle, she opened the door to the dining room and walked in. All her 3 siblings were already sitting on their chairs and she was just in time for the arrival of her parents.

Edward, her younger brother by 5 years gave her a mischievous smirk which she returned with a raised eyebrow. Her beautiful sister, smiled at her and her elder brother and crown prince, Richard, nodded at her with a smile.

They talked about various subjects ranging from palace affairs to fashion. Then her father, the king, cleared his throat to gain full attention from the members at the table, and said, "I have some important news to share, this morning."

All 3 siblings raised their eyebrows in question, except Hazel who gave a nonchalant look at her father. Although physically present, her mind was in a faraway land, that had green meadows, bloomed flowers...

".....Hazel"

Her name in father's sentence, snapped her back to reality and she questioned, "I'm sorry. What?"

"The kingdom of Amaria, who we've been in dispute for almost a century now, has called a truce. They are offering their crown prince in marriage, and I am planning to offer you, Hazel"

Hazel stared at her father with dumbstruck eyes. She was sppechless. Yes she knew her father did not love her. He loved Richard, since of course, he's the crown prince, Jane because she was his first ever daughter and Edward since, well, he was a son. But marrying her off to a complete stranger!!!! She did not know what to think. And this kingdom was their mortal enemy, who knows what will happen to her when she goes there.

She looked at her mother with pleading eyes since arguing with her father was a useless task. Her mother did not meet her gaze, she saw that she was in pain and seemed sad, but why wasn't she saying anything? Why wasn't she attempting to save her? It was not as if her mother's words would leave her father's ears unheeded. NO. Her father loved his wife. And that was when she realized, that nobody wanted her. Well atleast not her parents.

She couldn't bring herself to look at her siblings who's eyes bore into her in absolute shock. She stood up and without a word, left the dining room.

A fortnight later she found herself in a carriage, starting a 3 week journey to her new home.

New people.

New life.