CHAPTER 1:

Hazel came down running, she got up late and was now getting late for her school. Her aunt Ivy Bernard was humming while working in the kitchen.

Fortunately, Uncle Alec was not home. It used to be easy for Alec to slap his wife or his niece. He used to get drunk at night and beat the sh*t out of his wife. While in the morning he could not bear to see Hazel’s face.

He also used to believe that Hazel was Satan’s daughter and slapping her, throwing away her wig, cursing her would bring lots of good luck to his home. 

He and Ivy were expecting their first child. But day by day he was getting more abusive.

When Hazel was about to close the door behind her, Ivy came running after her and silently slipped a banana in her hand.

Hazel’s eyes brimmed with tears. Ivy was a darling.

Taking a deep breath she started walking to the school. She had just turned sixteen with still no hair on head and no periods.

It had been one and a half years when she shifted to this town with Alec who was her maternal uncle, after the death of her parents.

Her father had been a drug addict and her mom an alcoholic. After her birth, her father stepped back and refused to take responsibility for the child. Her mom had no choice but to take responsibility for the baby all alone without any emotional or physical support.

She was the one who used to take Hazel to every doctor and midwife for not only her scalp problem but also her monthly cycles absence.

 So many medicines were given to her at such a tender age. But nothing happened and Hazel gave up.

Though she wanted to tell her mom that her school-fellows used to make fun of her.

 They used to snatch away her wig and then used to shout “Hey look. Hazel Baldy is here!” She dreaded going to school because of this daily bullying.

Her mom who once used to laugh a lot had aged before time. Her father after quitting the job did nothing except giving constant pain to her and her mom by abusing emotionally.

When they passed away in a car accident, Hazel had no choice but to shift to this town and stay with Alec and Ivy.

…

“Hazel!” Her friend Lily screamed at the top of her lungs. She was the only friend Hazel ever had. When she moved in with her uncle and aunt then her school got changed too.

Here it was better. They never bullied her but treated her as invisible. Like a no one.

Lily came rushing towards her, “Hazel! Did you see Prince Noah? He is looking a lot hotter today! I mean A LOT!”

Hazel had to roll her eyes inwardly. Lily knew she had a crush on Prince Noah James. Just like other girls. But Prince Noah was off-limits. Not only for her but also for other girls.

He was the younger son of King Lucas James. That made him a prince. A royal!

He had a certain group of friends who were kids of special courtiers, very close to his father. He also had an elder brother and she had heard that he was even more handsome than Noah.

 But as a crown prince, he stopped attending school two years ago. He was home-schooled and used to accompany his father in wars. Though Noah also got trained with warriors, but his brother had more responsibilities towards the kingdom.

Both the girls went to the class together. Once seated, Lily told her how John wanted to kiss her yesterday.

“So did he kiss you?” Hazel asked her fondly. But Lily gave a throaty laugh.

“Not so easily. I want to tempt him more.” Lily batted her eyelashes while giggling. She was a pretty girl, shorter than Hazel. She had black hair and shiny black eyes.

Hazel laughed while adjusting her wig. Then suddenly a hush fell over the class room. Hazel knew the reason was not the teacher but the strong aura of Prince Noah James.

She never tried to see him or his face except observing him from some distance. Today she tried to change that by looking up a little. Just a little. A peek from the corner of her eyes.

Guess what? He was already looking her way. Hazel blinked not believing it and raised her head. A smirk appeared on his face making her dive in lower while Lily was still talking to her wildly, telling her about boys’ lustful imaginations for her.

Noah sat in front with his small gang while she was half attentive to Lily’s ramblings when Lily nudged her a little, “Are you even listening to what I am saying?”

She sounded a little offensive. Hazel nodded her head wildly while trying to control her heartbeat, “Yes Lily, I am. And I think boys find you beautiful that’s why they are ready to pounce on you.” A proud smile appeared on Lily’s lips.

Hazel shifted closer to her, “Umm. Lily … do you think the prince … I mean is it possible if he smiles, looking at me?”   

Lily’s brows were knitted, shaking her head while laughing, “No silly. I don’t think so.”

She came closer to Hazel, “He knows you wear a wig.” She giggled, “Remember when you took it off once? How I got spooked! Ha-ha.”

Hazel did not know what Lily found so funny but something slashed her heart. She tried to ignore the pain and giggled with her.  

It’s ok. I can cry at night. Not now. At least she is staying with me. And she doesn’t do it intentionally. She has a pure heart. She is innocent.

Gulping down her tears she was nodding wildly without listening to whatever Lily was telling her.

…

She reached the book shop at around six. It was a part-time job she got, to get some support financially. Ivy had helped her to find it. Mrs. Olivia, her employer was a kind woman who liked her a lot. She at once knew that Hazel was not only smart but also a book lover.

But unfortunately she was not only leaving the town but was also selling out her book shop.

She had called her today to take her somewhere for a job recommendation.

Hazel gasped when she found herself entering the Royal palace along with Mrs. Olivia.

“Mrs. Olivia why are we here?” she whispered not sure if Mrs. Olivia was mentally disturbed for leaving her beloved shop or town.

“Shh. Keep walking Hazel.” Mrs. Olivia said sternly but Hazel was unfazed by it.

“Mrs. Olivia. What I would do here?” But Mrs. Olivia kept walking ignoring her questions completely.

They entered the office where Mr. Jacob was seated behind a desk with glasses perched on the end of his nose, busy with his paperwork. The moment he looked up a smile came on his face.

“Olive! What a pleasant surprise!” He came forward to hug Olivia. “I have heard you are leaving.”

“Yes, Jacob. John worries a lot. So this time I gave in.” she shrugged

“So what can I do for you, Olive?”

“Jacob this girl used to work for me on my book store.” She gestured towards Hazel. “She really needs a job right now.”

Jacob eyed Olivia with knitted brows, ”What is your name child. Also, let me know about your id number.”

When Hazel told him her name and number. He started to look for her in his laptop placed near him.

“Hmm. You are a very bright child Hazel.” He smiled softly. “You are already on 100 percent scholarship. You are getting the amount for your expenditures as well from the state. How much more, do you want child?” He asked her kindly.

Obviously, she could not tell him that the money given by the state used to get snatched away by Alec nor she could tell him about the abuse she was facing by him.

“Sir, I live with my aunt and uncle. And with their baby on the way I want to help them financially. I would really be obliged if you would let me work.”

“Dear child. According to our policies, the minimum age to work here is 18. And you are just 16. You worked for Olivia for only 4 to 5 hours while here minimum working hours are 8.”

Good, God! Maybe luck was not on her side. She felt a little disappointed staring at the floor.

Naturally, they would not change their policies for her. Raising her head she smiled a little, “I understand. Thank you, sir.”

Just then the doors opened and someone entered. Mrs. Olivia and Mr. Jacob stood from their seats. When Hazel saw she also stood up.

Prince Noah was coming inside but stopped when his eyes fell on her. “Hey Hazel, What brought you here?” Hazel was over the moon. He remembered her name!

“Milord. She wants a job.” Mr. Jacob spoke. “According to our policies and laws, she can’t. She is only 16. Her address shows that she lives at least 40 to 50 minutes distance. So even if she would try for 8 hours then it would be around midnight and ...”

Noah raised his hand with a little irritation and authority.

“Hazel!”

“Sir!”

Noah smiled at that, “Do you think your guardians would allow you to stay here overnight? Because Jacob’s concern is genuine. We can’t allow you to walk by yourself after midnight though there are no muggers reported. But still.”

“I think I can manage that.” She did not want to show it but the excitement to live away from Alec was ecstatic. 

“Jacob. She can stay in the quarters.”

“But my Lord ... She is 16 and according to the laws …”

“Mr. Jacob! Laws are for people. To help them out. It’s not the other way round. You taught me that. Remember?” He smiled.

“Yes, milord.” Mr. Jacob nodded.

“Also lessen her working hours.” Then he turned to her. “Would 6 hours be ok?”

She nodded her head totally speechless.

“Anything else?” he asked before turning around to leave.

 “No sir.” Jacob’s voice appeared. Noah left the office without a second glance.

Mr. Jacob got the appointment letter typed for her. Her salary was more than double of what Mrs. Olivia used to pay her. She could start her job from the very next evening. For school, she used to walk for at least 40 to 45 minutes daily. But now that distance had become of hardly 6 minutes.

When she came out of the gates of the palace she hugged Mrs. Olivia tightly, “Mrs. Olivia, you are an angel.”

That night when she reached home Ivy was in the kitchen while Alec was watching TV. She entered quietly and tip-toed towards the kitchen. She wanted to surprise Ivy. But the moment she touched her neck to tease her, Ivy let out a muffled scream.

“Hazel I will kill you.” Hazel laughed.

“Ivy You won't believe … ouch.” Someone gripped her neck from behind and pushed her against the slab.

“You b**ch. Where were you?” A shooting pain went through Hazel’s back. She was holding the slab with all her might. “Mrs. Olivia’s shop was closed this evening. And you are home by 9? Tell me where were you?” he hissed near her ear. “Were you with boys?” with that he did his usual thing. He grabbed her wig.

 “I was with Prince Noah.” She did not know what got into her. But when she turned to him her hands were tightly clenched into fists.

Enough of the abuse Alec!

Alec was frozen at his place. "What?" He was having difficulty in beleiving her.

“You heard me, Alec. I was with Prince Noah. He has offered me a job.” She took out the appointment letter and threw it on his face. “Here. See this yourself.”

Anguish was slowly replaced by wrath! Fury!

“I need to join the job from tomorrow evening. And if Prince Noah would ask me why I could not join it?” She shrugged, “I will tell them that my evil uncle destroyed my wig.”

Alec was all panicky now. He surveyed her quietly and then left the kitchen.

She went to her room and started packing, “So you won’t come back?” Ivy asked her while entering the room.

“I would be allowed to leave for weekends. But I guess I would stay there... I would come to meet you Ivy.” Sighing deeply she smiled sadly.

For few minutes they both were quiet, with her packing her cases and Ivy helping her. When suddenly Hazel held Ivy’s hand, “Once I would turn 18, I would run away somewhere far from here.” Ivy just stared at her quietly. “Will you come with me, Ivy?”