Chapter 1:
Intensifying waves of heat radiated through my window. I woke up sweating and alarmed. Reaching over, I grabbed my cell phone which was neatly placed upon my bedside table. 6:02 am, it read. Honestly, I didn't feel like being up right now, and would have preferred to sleep in. But, knew I had to go back to work which was the only thing that made me jump out of bed, and rush to get my day started. I lived upstairs to a pharmacy, that I alone owned. It used to be a bar run by my deceased grandparents, but I decided to turn it into a pharmacy once they died.
Finally, as I was heading downstairs, I grabbed my hair supplies to fix my long red hair into a low ponytail, the way I usually wore it. It was already seven o'clock, and I needed to open the shop any minute now. The clock struck 7:05, and that was my cue to open the shop. I opened the door, and flipped over the sign changing it from closed to open.
My morning started out the way it did every morning. Customers eventually came in, I prepared their medicine while we engaged in a conversation, and waited for more customers once they left. I let out a sigh, bored, as the customers that came started nearing out, and no one else was coming. I grabbed my iPhone, plugged in some earphones, and let the music play. I knew to be careful using my iPhone in public, since no one here knew the wonders of modern day technology.
Just then, the door burst open, and I quickly took off my earphones, and threw my phone in a shelf. Acting as nonchalant as possible, I asked, "How may I help you?" The man, ignoring my question, walked towards me. I wasn't to surprised, though. People who worked at the castle were always so pushy, but that cold glare in his eyes set me on edge. I heard rumors about the castle guards, and attendants who were known for doing cruel things to the townspeople.
"So the rumor is true." He said with a devious grin on his face. "Umm… excuse me, do you need something or what?" I said, annoyed and confused at his unexpected behavior. I wondered what rumor he was talking about. But then, that's when the thought dawned on me. This guy was talking about my hair, and whenever somebody talked about my hair in such a matter, it usually meant that bad things were about to happen. He resumed walking toward me, and I tried backing away. My back slammed into the counter, and he was hovering right over me.
"You are to become Prince Raj's concubine." He said, fiercely gazing down on. He backed up towards the door allowing me to voice a reply. I tried to be calm and serious about the matter, but I couldn't. I burst out laughing so hard, that tears began to spring to my eyes. My hands gripped my stomach, and I fell to the floor, laughing. His glared darkened, and deepened, and K could tell that he was furious at me.
"But, honestly…. Prince Raj's…. concubine… How absurd!" I choked out between laughs. Brushing the dust off my clothes, I stood up the face him, covering my laughs with coughs, though I knew he wasn't buying it. He grabbed my shirt, and slammed me against the wall. "I will not tolerate this disrespect!" He boomed. "You are to dress well, at be at the castle tomorrow morning, or else!" He slammed the door behind him, and stormed down the street.
That was it, I decided. I was tired of living in this kingdom. It was time for a change of pace. Then, that's when the thought dawned on me. It was time to finally leave this all behind, starting with leaving this kingdom.
That entire evening, I packed all my important belongings, including my electronics, chargers, my wallet, my important information, some food, and water. I left behind tons of medicines for my precious customers, and dear friends. Then, I took the ribbon off of my flowing red hair, and wrote a note for Prince Raj. "I would never subject myself to such a moron. Goodbye, Tanbarun."
Then, with that, I left, never to return again.