The Secret City

Lady Aria of Li-Aval feels like a prisoner, with a magnificent manor as her cage. Her father hides her from the rest of the world because Aria has hair like strands of gold. Literally, her hair is gold.

When Aria's father tries to marry her off to an elderly man, she takes her deceased mother's necklace and runs away with her servant, Tina. They stumble upon Torenth, a city hidden behind a waterfall, and the Guardians welcome her into their castle like family. Lord Deric tries to win her heart, but Aria's eyes are on Owen, the shy blacksmith.

When Aria finds out she is the next Guardian of Torenth according to a prophecy, she must figure out a way to keep her father out of Torenth. For if she cannot be the next Guardian, Torenth will be lost forever.

Note: I wrote this ten years ago when I was 14 so it is rather short! Only 24,000 words.