Chapter 1

After a long horrible coma of three years, Pearl was back on her feet to celebrate her 23rd birthday. She was so happy finally seeing her friends and family after three years.

No one could ever believe that a simple fall into a slope could put Pearl into a three years coma.

After all the years of lost hope, Pearl was back in good health. She has always been that brave red-haired girl with sharp blue eyes who never fears anybody. She's also known to be good with swords and fly kicks. She's, in general, a strong girl.

"I am so happy to see you this strong and happy, Pearl. We literally lost hope of seeing you alive!" Seren said as she styled Pearl's hair beautifully.

"I know, right? I am so happy seeing my lovely besties again; I can't imagine what it'd look like losing you two!" She said with a smile as the three friends hugged warmly.

"It's your first birthday after three years. We will make sure we pimp you real good for the guest to see you, you know?… You will be having lots of friends and fiend's in the party, so you gotta be hundred percent good-looking," Rosamund said as a smile curved Pearl's lips.

"I am just so lucky to have you girls as friends; thank you so much for supporting me,'' she said, making a puppy face as Rosamund picked the nail polish.

"I am thinking of the color to use for your toenails, Seren. What do you think?" Rosamund asked as Seren clicked her fingers.

"White will be perfect for Pearl, especially as she has giant toenails," Seren teased as they all laughed.

Pearl could see her parents standing by the corner and whispering stuff; they seemed so uneasy as they talked and made suspicious gestures. Pearl wasn't just concentrating on whatever her parents might be discussing because of her fun dialogue with her friends.

After some minutes, her mom walked in with a smile on her face.

"My baby! You're looking so gorgeous today! I can't wait for the guests to see how lovely you look in your outer cloth, Seren and Rosamund. You girls are doing a great job here. Kudos… Just round up quickly. The party starts in a few minutes," her mom said and pecked her cheeks softly.

"Almost done, ma'am," Seren and Rosamund said in unison as Pearl's mom hurried out "your mom looks so happy today! Ever since you left, she has never smiled; I am so happy seeing her this happy!" Seren said and placed the beautiful hairpin on Pearl's hair as Pearl gently stood up with a smile facing the mirror as she turned, making her gown dance around.

"Your outer cloth looks stunning, Pearl," Rosamund said as Pearl looked down at the dress.

"I know, right?… I love floral clothes, and this one suits my red hair perfectly," she said as her hands rubbed the gown.

"You'd better start going down to meet the guest. I am sure they are eager to see you," Seren said as Pearl walked gently out of the room.

*

*

I gently walked down the broken Marble made floor with my fingers trailing through the rusted railings as I held my gown to avoid falling from the stairs.

I could see how everyone danced happily with glasses of cocktails in their hands. The sound of the music was so loud that I couldn't hear myself.

I finally got to the ball ground, and everyone cheered upon seeing me. I knew that most of them didn't come to celebrate with me but came to check me out so they could have what to say to the other villagers.

I looked around the bright hall and sighted my parents saying stuff to themselves. I couldn't stop wondering what could be going on; they seemed so disturbed, all I just wanted was to approach them and ask them what the problem was, but I held myself back because of the presence of the guest.

I sighted the rich people in a secluded spot in their really expensive sported hose and a jacket for the men and flowing gowns matching with an elaborate headwear for the women. They looked so classic; I could tell my parent's monthly pay in knights farm yard wouldn't even buy the hand fan.

"Thank you all for coming to my party; I really appreciate you all for honoring my invite."

"There aren't many drinks at your Party'' one of the guests said as they all brushed into laughter, making me kinda sad. I didn't just want to throw my shoes to the fat, pot-bellied man because of the presence of the high mannered rich people.

They only came to my party because I have helped them in one way or another, not like we are a thing.

"My dear, take this money and get whatever you want to keep you in good health," one of the rich ladies said and gave me some pieces of coins while the others did the same. I could tell that they were ready to leave.

I watched them leave the party hall as I was left to face the low-life guests; most of them hated me because of my manlike fighting skills.

"It's high time you people patched your house before it falls on your heads. Are you people that poor? You loaned the land from the king without payment, and still, you can't build a good home," the tiny man with his oversized hat said as I clamped my teeth and tightened my fist. Why are they just so rude?

I stared in the direction of my parents to see if they could notice what was going on, but no, they were still busy discussing!… I looked up at the really cracked walls; it was really bad as almost all the corners were cracked.

My birthday party wasn't just feeling like it anymore. I was just so pissed off that my eyes were already smudging in tears.

I didn't expect such from them; I expected them to be welcoming as they hadn't seen me in a while.

The fact that my parents loaned land from the king and haven't still paid it back for twenty-three years now was bringing hate to our family, but still, they had no other choice than to loan the land after a terrible flood destroyed their thatch house, and my mother was pregnant of me, so she needed somewhere comfortable.

The king has been so ruthless to us ever since. Luckily enough he got sick recently.

"This Party is over!" I yelled, blinking hard in order for tears not to creep out. I hated feeling weak.

I watched as they all walked out, saying all sorts of disgusting things about my family, which got me pissed off… But what will I do when I am still weak from the coma? I still have a serious injury on my back that hurts me at the slightest movement.

I sighted my parents, who were surprised to see the people leaving before time; they stared at me in a questioning manner as I looked away angrily.

"Why are they leaving so fast?" My dad asked as I sighed.

"Of all days of having an endless discussion, you guys decided to do that on my birthday. You won't imagine how…" I couldn't complete my word as I rushed upstairs in threatening tears, holding my gown firmly to avoid falling.

"She wouldn't understand what's going on. The king has already sent a message across, and I am sure he is on his way with his guards," Pearl's mom said as she glued her butt to the worn-out couch. "I just hope all this ends peacefully; I am not just happy giving my daughter out as if she is worthless," her mom said as her dad walked to and fro in the sitting room speechlessly, you could see the worry in his eyes.

Just then, their already weak wooden door was matched open, and the king first came in and glanced around.

"Is this where my betrothed lives? So inconvenient. She should be happy to leave this dungeon to stay with me," he said as his eyes met with that of Pearl's dad, who knelt with his head bowed.

"Where is she?" He asked coldly.

"Sh…she… she's upstairs," he stuttered as the guards made up the stairs to get her.

"Leave me alone! You won't like what I'd do to you if I am freed," she yelled as she hit the able-bodied guard, who acted as if he wasn't feeling any pain at all.

"My king, I was able to get her but unlucky for me, her friends escaped through the window… Please forgive me," the guard said in a bow.

"Those are not important to me; take her to the chariot and stay there with her. She seems very stubborn and strong," the king said as the guard walked to the chariot.

"You don't know who I am, and I owe you nothing; take me back in!" She yelled as they threw her into the chariot.

The king was left with some of his guards and Pearl's parents as he sat on the crooked center table he saw.

"So you guys decided to hide her from me all this while; I heard you were planning to send her to the next kingdom, and you never knew that would make the situation worse. You loaned my father's land and couldn't pay it back, and you think you'd still have your daughter to yourself?… Anyways I don't have time for many talks… Guards burn down this dungeon with them inside," the king said as he stood up and made out of the house.

@pop precious