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In the summer of 1835, a baby girl was born with the most splendid eyes ever seen. They sparkled and shimmered, just like aquamarines; within her were oceans of teal, cyan, turquoise and azure. The colours danced with a freedom no man could ever have. In the darkness, they appear like stars in the distance would: the light uncovered layers upon layers of tones. They could look violet or begin to appear green, they changed with the weather. Many were fascinated, some were scared. The moment word spread of the child, the witches of the deep woods came forth to claim the her, insisting she was a gift to them and their craft. Priests volunteered to expel the devil from the child before she was even a week old. Her parents refused the witches and allowed a christening to prove their daughter was pure. By the autumn, the word of the child with oceans trapped in her eyes had spread. Many from far and wide visited the small baby and went on to tell tales of the mesmerising jewels owned by the girl. Some say the brightest of flames could never melt a frozen heart faster; others speak of the how they twirl and ripple and move just as water would.

Unfortunately for every group of travellers who adored the child, others feared her and believed her to hold a power no being should ever possess. As people learnt in the years to come; she could not manipulate the winds or bring down the rains. Her parents raised her to be kind and the people still adored her (well most of them). Some were consumed by jealousy because of the amounts of attention being given to her. No matter the circumstances, her name remained upon someone's tongue. Marietta Alarie; the star of the sea.

As Marietta grew, she began to learn of the hatred some felt towards her. Fortunately; she also learnt not to let their thoughts hurt her. But thoughts and opinions weren't the only thing she had to battle. The gift she received for her fourteenth birthday wasn't exactly what she was hoping for. That night, she felt so restless and had gone to get some warm milk to help her sleep when she heard the door open. Her family estate was large and she knew just where to hide. An assassin had been sent by one of the noblemen to end her life. She didn't sleep that night, or the next couple of nights after that either. Marietta listened closely to the footsteps of her assailant for hours, the pit in her stomach swelling when they drew closer. Until, she heard the door once more. She didn't leave her hiding place until she heard her mothers voice and felt safe enough to reveal herself. Even her parents knew nothing of her hiding spot; she had always won the games of hide and seek there. She found the secret door by accident and decided on not informing anyone it was there. Thinking back to that decision, she felt the benefits of the choice that she had made years prior.

It took weeks to find the man who entered her home that night. It was the fear and the anticipation that influenced her to ask her father to teach her how to defend herself. She didn't want to be a damsel in distress ever again. At least knowing how to fight back was enough to ease her nerves. Once again, this became a choice that she wouldn't regret. The attacks became Marietta's biggest concern as one turned to two which turned to five and increased steadily from there. Her schooling wasn't as it should've been. She learnt to sew and how to act like a proper young lady (how to curtsey and sit right) but she also learnt maths and was well read. These skills developed smoothly just like her fighting skills did.

Soon the time came for Marietta to find a suitor- no matter how she despised the idea. The royal ball was the one time each year when men and women of all walks of life came together for a single night. When the witches weren't judged for their craft and there was enough room for the centaurs to join the festivities. The summer was the perfect season to hold the garden party. The sunset late into the evening and no one retired to their homes till long after then. For weeks the ladies prep their petticoats and polish up on their etiquette. Dozens upon dozens of dresses are ordered of all shapes, sizes and colours. The Alarie estate was buzzing with pride as the carriage with Marietta and her parents rode away towards the castle.

After clearing his throat, the King's butler chanted loud and clear: "Introducing Count and Countess Alarie and Lady Marietta."  The count and his wife began their decent down the stairs at the entrance of the garden, all eyes were pointing in their direction, men's jaws practically dropped to the floor the instant they laid their eyes on Marietta. Her dress glided down beside her, it was as if she was floating, so gently and elegantly down the stairs. The pure white contrasting the blue gemstones that are her eyes. The lace sleeves hung delicately off her shoulders. Her hair waved down her back, meeting the waste line of her dress. The deep brown curves shining in the light from the sunset. She did not meet the eyes of any of her watchers. Instead, she made her way over to where her parents stood. One by one, men flocked over and presented themselves in hopes of a dance with the fair lady with the bluest of eyes. She waltzed and danced and spun across the floor with many different suitors, all of which desired her hand. Again and again; she danced then bowed barely having a chance to breathe before the next young man wished to dance. So when she finally had an opportunity; she ran. Away from the prying eyes and whispers of young ladies. Making sure that no one saw her so that they wouldn't find her. She ran down the path, through the fields, her hair flowing in the wind. Holding her dress up from her feet. The silks swaying in an identical motion to the grass in the fields. She stopped at a tree on the edge of the apple orchard. Her back to the trees. She could admire the castles beauty from a distance- when not surrounded by drooling men and petty women. The lights that hung from pillars added to the scenery. Flower fields surrounded the castle. The tulips were all shades and colours. Reds and pinks surrounded by yellows and violets. Everybody knew they were planted in honour of the late queen. She was a regal and elegant woman; with the heart of a lion. She was stunning beyond compare and all of the people truly adored her. The original plot of tulips was only accessed by the king and few garden keepers. It was said that for months after the queens death, the king spent most days in there. The entire kingdom mourned their queen but Noreen still needed a leader. Eventually the king returned to his duties but he was a changed man. His heart was cold, he wasn't as kind after he lost her. When she left she took his heart with her.