Farah

Farah had always been seen as different. With her wild curls dancing in the wind, the sparkle in her eyes, and her bright, mischievous laughter, she fascinated and unsettled people in equal measure. To the villagers, she was “the witch,” living on the edge of the forest, surrounded by herbs, charms, and whispered tales. Women came to her in secret when their children were sick, though they never admitted it openly. Men watched her warily, but many could not resist the strange allure she carried. Farah grew used to being both desired and rejected, respected and feared.

But she didn’t mind. Freedom was everything to her: the sunrise over the treetops, the whisper of the wind, the cool touch of the river. She wanted no palaces, no crowns. She believed she would always remain far from anyone who clung to power—until the day the prince, heir to the northern kingdom, came to her door.

He was the embodiment of everything she thought she despised. Arrogant, proud, and cold, the prince spoke to her as though she were no more than a servant. Farah found his desperation amusing—a prince, scorned by princesses, begging a witch for help. With a playful smile, she delighted in teasing him, especially when his impatience ruined her spells before they had a chance to work.

Yet as the days passed, something began to shift. Beneath the arrogance, she caught glimpses of a boy trapped by the crushing weight of expectation. She saw the fear hidden behind his pride—the fear of never being enough, of living forever in the shadow of the throne. And in that vulnerability, her heart softened.

She found herself searching for his gaze, noticing the way his frustration melted into something unspoken when their eyes met. Even their arguments left her smiling, because sometimes the prince seemed so unguarded, so human, she almost forgot he was a prince.

One evening, as they sat by the table after yet another failed attempt, their eyes lingered on each other. In that moment, she no longer saw the arrogant heir. She saw a boy who, for the first time, dared to be himself—with her.

And Farah realized that the greatest magic was not in her charms or spells. It was in the simple truth that someone had finally seen the real heart hidden behind the mask.