Eyes Of Hazel

First Draft

It was dusk, the breeze rolling in, the sun setting, and the day slowly coming to an end. She looked at the reddening sky as the sun set, it reflected off her beautiful hazel eyes. They are what she is named after. Hazel was just a young girl, but she was much more than that. She was the Kings daughter, the princess of Ataria. Her father had been handed down the crown, from generation to generation, ever since his 14th century ancestor, Joseph Rudailia I.

The land Ataria was built on a fortified hilltop, snug up against the towering cliff face that overlooks the crashing waves of the Tranitian Sea. Ataria was built against the Cliff side with the Royal City Hall, carved out of the stone. It was the grandest castle in the land, drawing royalty from all around. The little city-state sprung up quickly, after being built, the town quickly grew to a population of tens of thousands. It took many centuries to make it what it is now, a hustling little city, crawling with common folk and farmers.

The little princess cloaked herself in the common folk's cloths, as to be undisturbed in her public outing. She turned towards a small fruit stand. The man was wearing tattered clothes, probably a poor land wench, she thought. Hazel walked up to the booth, looked at the selection, and reached out for a rich looking red apple.

"Good decision, but it is on the higher end of costs," The tall, poor man explains, worried that the little girl would not be able to pay. "That'll be 20 pence."

She reaches into her pocket, pulls out a 50 pence coin. "Here you go sir, thank you for the fruit." She walks off, knowing that she didn't get change back. What she did get was an apple and the satisfaction of helping a man in need. As she walked away the man thanked her many times, and she smiled from ear to ear, because happiness is the most valuable currency.

She continued through the market, taking bites out of the juicy delicacy as she walked. Within minutes she reached the Royal City Hall, she stealthily tip toed to her room, undressed from the beige cloths she had used to conceal herself. She knew her father would be upset, he didn't like the thought that his only daughter was out, not only past her curfew, but that she was out alone. She had been taught that there are dangerous people out there, those who don't exactly like the royal family, and those who may harm her.

"HAZEL! Where have you been young lady?" The king asks as he barged in.

"Sorry father," She explained, looking down, racked with guilt and worry. "I was out with a nice boy from the western fields, His name is William. We spent the day walking around the out skirting farmland, talking about the troubling problems of living the farm life."

"Ok... but Hazel you don't live on a farm, you live here in the castle. Why would you lie to this boy? As you know Hazel, you can't start building a house..." He started.

"Without a strong foundation, one built on trust and truth." She said, finishing his often spoken motto.

At that moment a young woman, maybe in the early twenties in age, opened the main door, she took a deep breath, and started calling out.

"Father, Father where are you? Did you put up the banners outside? They're wonderful." She scanned the room looking, waiting for her father to appear. She was beautiful, she wore an eloquent dress. Maybe she is a princess from another kingdom? Hazel thought.

"What do you think you are doing mam? I assure you that your father is not here." The king said as he walked from Hazel's room to the main hall.

"But it is you who I am looking for, you are my father."

"Impossible. I have only one daughter, and she is sitting over there." He explained as he gestured towards Hazel, who was still sitting on her bed.