GLIMMER AND DECAY [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 16

MOTHER LEFT AFTER BREAKFAST and I spent my time in the tower by doing the rest of my chores. Once I was done, I sat down in front of the big window in the living room.

I liked staying in this part of the tower because of the view outside.

Mother often scolds me whenever I spend my time looking at the scenery outside. She said she didn't want me to feel the need to go outside, because as she said, the world is a dangerous place.

It's not like I have any desire to go outside. But if there's one thing I could ask her, that's seeing the place where the floating lights are coming from. I've been curious about it ever since I first saw it on the night of my fifth birthday.

And only then, when I turned ten, did I realize they were not stars, but instead, floating lights. And surely, they came from somewhere. But why do they always appear every night on my birthday?

I exhaled loudly as I leaned closer on the window. For sure, mother will not allow me to step outside if I try to ask her about it.

"I shouldn't annoy her with my useless requests, Pascal," I mumbled when I heard Pascal's tiny squeaks.

He probably knows what I've been thinking so deeply, that's why he's suggesting to tell mother of this request. And I shouldn't do that.

I chuckled when I heard him squeak again. "No, Pascal. Did you see how sad she was when I requested to cut my hair a little shorter?"

Pascal sighed as he gave up from his suggestion.

"I know you're looking after me, but I don't want mother to be sad with my requests. Besides," I took a short pause as I glanced behind me. "I love staying in the tower with you and mother."

I feel the safest here, and that's all that matters.

The loud chirpings of the bird caught my attention. A smile ghosted my face as I watched them fly around the sky. There was this heavy feeling on my chest as my gaze fell on the peaceful scenery outside.

And that's where it hit me.

"You know, Pascal," I called him, my voice as gentle as the wind, as if I'm about to tell him a secret. "I really want to know the feeling of being outside. The feeling of stepping on the grass with bare feet."

Pascal moved closer to my arm. He seemed to be comforting me. I smiled at him.

"Maybe soon, when I reach the right age just like in the books. Maybe then I'll be able to tell mother what I truly want." It was like an oath I made to myself.

I spent the remaining time I had for the day staring dreamily outside as I imagined myself running around the forest. It was a fun dream that I wished would happen at the right time.

"Rapunzel?"

I was in the middle of preparing dinner when I heard mother's sweet voice calling from outside. I quickly ran towards the big window, carrying half of my hair in my small arms.