The most hated

Chapter 2

My name is Ezra, I’m 21yrs old. I’m the oldest princess of the Royal Family of Gazala. I am known all around the land for my beauty. I’m tall, olive skin, long silky black hair with a wide strip of glistening silver, the mark of the royals, my whole family has it. It helps highlight my bright purple eyes. I’ve never wanted for anything, the finest foods, the latest designer clothes, I had to take over another room for my closet. That’s how generous my parents are, they are always thinking of my happiness. And the jewels, the rarest they can find have been set into exquisite pieces of jewellery for me. To have such loving parents is a blessing. The land of Gazala that we rule is a vast profitable land of endless riches. Pristine lakes, fields full of food that have catered for generations of people. My family dates back until the first days, we were some of the few pure royals left. And we were loved, protected by our people. Many other lands were jealous of our riches, we’ve had invasions before and our people flocked to protect us. We did have some allies, to consolidate this I was to marry the Prince Christian of Sarza. There had been many proposals but his was the most suitable. I’d met him once a couple of years ago when he’d visited on a royal tour. He was good looking but not very accomplished, clearly his education was not at the standard Gazala offers. However at least our babies would have pure royal blood and I would make sure they will be well educated. He was coming to live here, I would not be comfortable moving to a lesser kingdom. I have an older brother Milos, he trains the army and all of the volunteers when we have an invasion. His training is why we were undefeated. My two younger sisters Bella and Larissa were toddlers, one year apart. They were both very advanced and would be effective leaders when they were older.

This all changed suddenly, I’m now alone, dirty, injured and malnourished. I move in the night, unsure of my destination, knowing that I’m hunted. I’ve been running for a month now, I think I’m losing my mind, I see things in the shadows, everything is out to get me. I need to find an ally, if I could get to Sarza the royal family would give me refuge. The problem is I don’t know what direction it’s in. I’d never thought to look it up, I just know it exists. The first couple of days I ran and hid, waiting for a rescue party. Knowing that the rebels would be brought to justice. No one came. I came to realise that instead of the love I thought people felt for us royals it was in fact a deep seeded hatred that has led to the slaughter of my entire family. I’ve heard they suffered greatly before their deaths. This brought happiness to the rebels, the slaughter of innocents. I’d heard talk about some of the wrongdoings of my family, they could not all be true I thought at first. Now I’m starting to believe that I didn’t really know my family at all. There was a new leader now, they call him the saviour, his name is Enrique. I’ve heard his name spoken with pride, the way they speak he sounds like a god. But what god would slaughter children, my little sisters. I cannot see a place in this land for me, I don’t belong here anymore. I’m not even sure why I’m running, I’ve got no where to go.

I’ve been laying in this spot for what feels like days, I’m sure I’ve seen the sunrise at least twice. Maybe I’m dreaming, I’ve lost track of time. I haven’t eaten anything besides berries since I left the palace. I feel sick, maybe it’s the berries but I’ve got nothing else. The fingers on my broken arm feel numb. I’ve got to move, keep going in one direction and hope I get to some kind of border. I’m moving too slowly now, I don’t think I’ll make it. Maybe if I turn myself in they will be lenient. I don’t have much hope, they killed my sisters in their sleep. They will want to enjoy my pain. It would be easier if I fell asleep now and didn’t wake up or maybe I should just kill myself. Is this really the end of my story, spoiled princess found dead alone in a forest. I’ll try one more time, one more push to the border. Once I lay down I don’t think I’ll be able to get up again. I can feel my life slipping away.

It’s cold, I think it will snow soon, I’ve always hated the cold, extra heating was installed in the palace to accommodate me. I’ve never experienced this bone chilling coldness, my clothes are damp, the icy wind relentless. I have to move otherwise I think this will be my last night. It’s almost nightfall, it’s time. I get up with much effort and stagger a few steps, my whole body is in pain. But I walk on hoping to find anything that will give me hope of survival. I walked for hours passing another village, I needed to put more distance in between. Looking up at the stars I felt like the only person left in the world, it’s the loneliest I’ve ever felt. And then I could go on no more, it’s like my body just stopped, I could feel myself falling, I hit the ground but felt no pain and welcomed the darkness that consumed me.