Chapter Text
In the Hazelwood Kingdom, names were very important for a person.
They were not chosen for beauty, rather truth was more valued.
Names give people an identity to go off of, their worth.
So when the first child of the royal family was born, a girl with pale skin, silver-grey hair, and bright green eyes, the court mourned. (those bumass quill lessons rlly be helping)
She was not the son they had prayed for.
When it was clear that the Queen was unable to bear another child, news spread like wildfire.
It was soft at first, a quiet buzzing that grew so loud that it was impossible to ignore.
So many expressed disdain or pity, either way they were making it worse.
They named her Deliah, a name that carried the loss of what could've been.
(It means fragile or womanhood btw like wow so pro)
Almost mocking.
A name meant to remind everyone and herself, that she was powerless.
But Deliah Hazelwood did not grow into her name. (ouii shii so cool i would imagine her to be like yona of the dawn a bit)
When she was just eight years old, she stood on a stone balcony overlooking the land, her hands resting on the cold railing as the wind tugged gently at her long, pale hair.
Below, the kingdom moved without her.
People laughed. Merchants called out prices. Children ran through the streets without a care in the world.
They did not look up at the castle, so they didn’t notice her.
And for some reason, that bothered her more than anything.
“Deliah.”
Her mother’s voice was calm, but there was always something firm underneath it.
Deliah turned, straightening herself and smiling.
“Yes, Mother?”
The Queen stood a few steps away, watching her with sharp brown eyes.
Even in simple clothing, the air around her gave her a sense of authority.
“You should not stand out here alone for so long,” she said. “It is improper.”
Deliah nodded and still stood in place.
“..Mother,” she said after a moment, a bit unsure, “may I ask something?”
The Queen gestured slightly with her hand as her morning gown flutters near her. (alright bro stop describing stuff)
“Speak.”
Deliah hesitated for a second and clenched her locket.
“..What will happen to me when I grow up?”
The Queen blinked once, as if the question itself was obvious.
“You will marry,” she said simply. “A suitable man will be chosen and will rule beside you.” (im crine bro disney hire me)
Deliah’s fingers tightened slightly on the silver locket.
“...Beside me?”
“Yes.”
There was a pause as the wind moved again, softer this time.
Deliah looked back toward the town.
"..And if I don’t want that?”
The silence that followed felt heavier than before.
When the Queen spoke again, her voice was still the same but with an edge to it.
“That is not a choice you are meant to make.”
Deliah didn’t turn around this time and let go of her locket.
“Why?”
“Because,” the Queen said, “a kingdom requires strength and stability.”
She stopped talking for a second, a small part of her not agreeing with her own words.
“And those things are not entrusted to women.”
Deliah said nothing after that and tapped her foot against the floor.
She only stood there, watching the people below.
Watching a world she was born to lead while being told the opposite.
That afternoon, she left the castle.
She did it often enough that the guards no longer stopped her, despite it being their jobs to guard her.
A quiet princess was easy to overlook, especially one who wasn't considered useful.
Deliah just chose not to speak when she noticed it wasn't necessary. (since nobody was listening to her oh damn)
The forest beyond the lower village was her favorite place.
She walked along a narrow path, brushing past low branches and gathering berries without much thought.
The air was cooler here and much more lively.
She prefered it much more than the castle, being irriated about seeing those same portraits.
For a while, she forgot about everything that worried her, as she admired everything around her.
The trees giving shade, with small pale stones surrounding a oval pond. (yeah i suck at this)
She glanced up at the sky after walking around for a bit)
The sky has gotten much darker, taking on a vibrant sunset.
There's only so much Deliah can do before the guards report her missing.
SNAP! (like snapple shut up)
Her hand froze though as she started looking around frantically.
She had just heard a twig snap near her.
The forest, which had felt so calm just moments ago, suddenly seemed uninviting. (cliche line i remember this from a random book)
“..Hello?” she called out while reaching a hand inside her cloak.
She clutched the hilt of the dagger as she waited for an answer.
Her thumbs circle around the hilt, worn from the guard she had stole it from a few months ago.
Deliah had no idea how to wield a dagger, but she wanted to defend herself somehow.
Only the sound of leaves shifting slightly responded to her.
“I know someone is there,” she said, trying to keep her high pitched voice steady. “You can come out now.” (shes 8 guys bsfr)
The leaves continued to rustle, but then one of the bushes near her started to shake.
Deliah braced herself, ready to attack with her dagger that barely fit in her palm.
For something that would prove her fear right.
She had hoped that if she could fight against someone, then she wouldn't be considered worthless.
She had been sealed off in the castle for as long as she could remember.
Deliah had always remembered every moment of her childhood.
Always studying etiquette classes and politics.
Eating her platters of food by herself.
Being told she was given a chance by the gods, being royalty. (im crine son they just wanna use her as a political chip to marry off)
A part of her blamed herself for it and her feeble grip on the dagger tightened thinking about it.
Deliah took a few steps closer while the rustling continued.
Instead, a small girl stepped out and Deliah softly gasped.
She couldn't be much younger than her.
Her clothes were worn thin, her brown hair uneven, her frame so light it almost didn’t seem real. Her eyes—soft blue with a hint of grey, looked around nervously.
The fear that had built up in Deliah’s chest had morphed into curiosity.
She rarely meets other children her age.
Aside from banquets or something formal, Deliah usually interacts with the distant maids that try to ignore her and do their tasks.
Deliah immediately let go of the dagger and straightened herself.
“..Hello,” Deliah said, more gently this time.
The girl didn’t answer and continued to stare at her with blank eyes.
Deliah took a small step forward.
“You don’t have to be scared,” she said. “I won’t hurt you.” (im dead you lit have a dagger)
The girl’s eyes flickered slightly toward the berries in the open pouch wrapped around Deliah’s waist.
She quickly darted her eyes away, but Deliah had already noticed.
Without thinking too much about it, she held out her hand and smiled as she put her dagger back.
“Do you want some?”
The girl hesitated, eyes flickering around-as if she might run off.
“Food?” she asked quietly. (yes bro food now eat some)
Her voice was soft and careful.
A bit hoarse too, as if she doesn't talk much.
Deliah nodded, a little confused.
“Yes.”
That was all it took to convince the girl. (yeah maybe because it's right infront of her)
The girl stepped closer, slowly at first, then with just a little more certainty.
Deliah huffs a small sigh, a little impatient.
'Is this girl seriously this skeptical about food?'
“I’m Deliah,” she said after a moment.
The girl blinked, and her hand hesitated for a second before latching onto a berry.
“..Elizabeth.”
Deliah smiled again, a bit happier now.
“That’s a nice name.”
Elizabeth didn’t respond to that.
She was too focused on the berries now, placed carefully around her bandage hands.
Deliah's eyes flicker towards them but doesn't comment.
“..You can have more,” Deliah added. “I know a place nearby. It’s warm there in the afternoon.”
Elizabeth looked up at her.
“Why?”
The question caught Deliah off guard.
“...Why?”
“Why are you helping me?”
Deliah thought about it a beat longer than she should have.
“…Because I want to,” she said. (horrible answer nephew)
Elizabeth stared at her in confusion.
After a moment, she nodded and ate another berry, rubbing off the purple dye it left behind.
That was the beginning.
Not of something grand. (not to us atleast haha shut up)
Just two girls sitting in a quiet patch of sunlight, eating berries that were sometimes sour or sweet.
Both of them coming from different parts of the world.
Even at eight years old, Deliah had felt it.
That quiet, steady pull in her chest.
If she could rule, then just imagine how many others she could help.
She could be the very thing her name contradicts, erasing her burdens forever.
And it can all start with Elizabeth.
That simple thought had changed everything that day.