The Little Red Princess

Chapter 1: Claire

9 YEARS LATER

The sunlight shines bright through the clouds; what a beautiful spring day.

The air is wonderful here as always, I would never get tired of this.

"Claire! Are you done harvesting those tomatoes?"

Someone called out to me, Elina.

"Already finished! I'm coming over there now!" I replied standing up with the basket of tomatoes in my hands.

I ran through the field towards Elina, she's like a mother who raised me so well. "You don't have to do this you know, your 10th birthday is tomorrow, and I don't want to see my little girl working too much" She said as she patted my head.

"I told you, it's fine! I love working in the fields! Especially on a lovely sunny day like this" I exclaimed with a grin. Elina chuckled "Okay okay, just don't overwork yourself. Now come on, I heard Joshua's coming over"

I widened my eyes "Joshua?! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Let's go!" I grabbed her hand then started to speed walk

"Slow down Claire, I don't have that much stamina as you have" Elina sighed but still tries to match up my pace.

It's finally my 10th birthday! I'm so excited. Joshua said he has a special gift for me when I turn 10. Joshua and I have been friends since we were 3 years old, we grew up together and he's the only close friend I have around the Town. I'm happy with this life, as I have people who raised me as if they were my real parents. Elina and Sage are farmers and were the ones who raised me kindly, they're nice and treated me as if I was their own. Sage said that they found me outside their doorstep when I was a baby, and eventually they took me in.

I would always wonder where my real parents were. Are they still alive? Why did they abandon me? I thought to myself. But living here, with these people who continuously care for me...I'm already satisfied with it.

Arriving at our house, I instantly opened the door. Revealing Joshua sitting on the couch while eating bread with Sage. "Joshua!" I hugged him, he groaned and laughed. "Hey Claire! You're late" He said then lightly smacked my head.

"Ow! Stop doing that!" I pouted then snatched the bread he was eating.

"Hey, that's mine!"

We laughed as he chased me around the living room. "Calm down kids, don't go breaking things" Sage said as he stood up to help Elina with the vegetables. "Wait here Josh. I have something to do in my room" I said then started to run up the stairs.

"Alright~"

I reached my bedroom and immediately went to my desk to get a basket, and a small plate I use to eat some fruits when I'm reading books. Afterwards, I walked back downstairs "Alright I'm done! Let's go!"

"You kids be careful, okay?" Eline said as she waves goodbye. "We will!" Both of us responded as we run outside. Joshua and I kept laughing as we headed to our play area.

"Hello Claire! Giddy as ever I see!" We passed by Sage's friend who was also a farmer.

"Good day to you too, Mr. Clark!" I exclaimed with a smile.

"Good Morning Claire! Your red hair stands out as always"

"Hello Claire! I'll cook something delicious for your birthday tomorrow!"

"Claire Let's play together later!"

"Famous as ever" Joshua smirked at me and I just chuckled. As you noticed, I'm well known in this town. Being the only person who has Red hair and Golden eyes. Elina said it was a rare thing to have those features here, like I belonged to another place. Well I guess I accept it as a unique trait of mine.