Balenor's Sweetheart - Hayley's Story

Chapter 1: Free

(In this chapter, and all chapters that are still to come, Hayley is now 16.)

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Hayley
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Ever since the death of my parents, the castle gates have been secured so I can't leave. Apparently, they can't risk if I die either, now that I am the only Suntora alive. But is all this REALLY necessary? Just for one girl?
But today, as I wake up, I realise: today is my 16th birthday. I am finally allowed outside the palace barriers. Finally able to see the kingdom once again.
A new dress has been set out for me to wear when I finally leave the castle doors and once again walk around my beautiful kingdom. I put on the dress, and straighten my hair, adding a glistening blue accessory for that extra glow.
But it still hasn't sunk into my head. I will finally be free, the moment I walk out of those gates. Every citizen will once again be able to see me, and I can see them. I am very excited for it.
Before I leave my room, I take a final look outside my window. As many citizens as possible are gathering by the gates to see the moment where I can finally step outside. The moment I will be visible to my kingdom once again.
Though I may look calm on the outside, I am shaking inside.

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The guards are about to open the gates. I count backwards from 10 in my head to try and calm down.
Ten... nine... eight...
I don't know if I can do this...
Seven... six... five...
No, I can do this. I have to.
Four... three...
For my parents. I'll do it for them.
Two...
I've never let them down. And I certainly won't now.
One...

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The doors open, and I step outside to the roaring of the crowd, a huge smile on my face.
I am finally outside. And I feel so relieved.
An archer approaches me, and hands me a bouquet of roses, to welcome me back into the kingdom. I smile at her, and she walks away.
But then I realise something important. Something more important than my birthday.
Now that I am free, I can find out what it was my parents started when they were alive.
And I can finish it.
I vow this, right now. The Void will pay. Yaros may no longer be the King of the Void, but I will still avenge my parents.
And I will never break this vow.