GLIMMER AND DECAY [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 15

RAPUNZEL'S P.O.V.

THE LOUD CRASHING SOUND of the glass mug echoed in the living room as it hit the floor. I gasped, but I couldn't cry. The hot water containing the mug spilled on my arm.

"Oh. My dearie. Look what you did?" Mother uttered in a hushed tone.

My hands trembled as I placed my burnt arm against my chest. I couldn't look up to her as fear crept underneath my skin. If I made another mistake, mother might lock me up again.

I quickly knelt in front of her, head still looking down as I begged for forgiveness, "I'm sorry, mother. It's my fault. I'm sorry." I couldn't help it, but my voice was shaking.

Will mother hit me if she notices how scared I am right now? I held my breath when mother let out a heavy sigh. I must have annoyed her.

I was even more scared when her voice sounded as gentle as the cold breeze when she spoke, "That was my favorite mug, sweetheart." And the next thing was her hand landing on my head.

The impact of her hand threw me off my balance. My body fell on the floor with a loud thud, still, I couldn't cry. I bit my lower lip harshly as I pushed down the pain crawling around the part of my head where she hit me.

"This is why children are useless," I heard her mumble as she left the kitchen room. I waited patiently until I couldn't hear her footsteps anymore before I moved from my spot.

"Don't cry, Punzel. Don't cry," I whispered to myself as I knelt back on the floor.

I gave my burnt arm a gentle rub as I continued to soothe myself. "It's alright, Punzel." Soft sobs escaped my tightly shut lips as the tears inevitably fell on my cheeks.

"Mother didn't mean that." I swallowed a huge lump on my throat as I forced myself to quickly stop crying. "You did something wrong, that's why you were punished."

However, it was hard to stop myself from crying once the tears had fallen, so I did my best to swallow the sobs trying to escape my lips. Mother would be angrier if she hears me crying over this.

"Flower, gleam and glow~" I hummed softly, distracting myself as my small hands picked up the broken shards of the glass mug. This lullaby that mother often sings to me always calms my heart.

I have to clean up and make her breakfast. I have to prepare her tea with her other favorite mug. I'm the only one that can take care of my mother, so I have to keep myself together. Those were a few reminders I carved in my head as I cleaned up the mess I made.

I threw the shards of the broken mug in the trash then wiped the floor. My hands felt stingy as I washed them clean with water. Fortunately, they were all just tiny wounds I can clean up later once I'm done with my chores.

I started over by doing the dishes, and then I went on with making mother's breakfast. I'm glad the stove was made for my height, at least I won't be able to cause any accidents just because I can't reach it.

The eggs were cooked first and I placed them on a new plate once I was done. I added the toast that mother liked, and brewed a new set of tea. I stopped in front of the kitchen door once I was done preparing.

I'm undecided whether to call her or wait for her. I was scared to call for her, but I also don't want mother to starve because of me. As I was contemplating whether to call her or not, she suddenly stepped into the kitchen.

I hastily went to the side, not wanting for her to get a glimpse of my tear-stained face.

"Flower."

I flinched when she called me with the nickname she had given me.

"Come here. Join your mother for breakfast," she added. And that was the only time I took the courage to look at her.

I was even more teary-eyed when I saw her looking softly at me. Her hands were stretched out to me. "Come here, my dear."

With careful footsteps, I approached her. I knew mother wasn't mad at me. I knew she still loved me.

"Did mother slap you too hard?" She asked as she pulled me into a hug.

Her voice sounded like a fairy's voice. I shook my head. "No, mother," I whispered.

She hummed softly as if she was agreeing to me, then her hand gently patted my head. "It wasn't that hard, right? I was doing that so you won't make any mistakes again. You know that, right, Flower?"

Yes. I know she was only doing it for my sake. "Yes, mother." But why does it taste bitter in my mouth?

Mother pulled away from the hug. There was that smile on her face that she shows whenever she looks at me. Was it adoration?

"Let's eat for now, my dear. I don't want you starving because of your mistakes."

The two of us shared the meal I made together. Thanks to mother I wouldn't be starving today. I'm glad she still asked me to join her to eat.

"I will be going to the market, dear. Stay in here while I'm gone. This is the safest place for you," she said after finishing her meal.

Silly, mother. I won't be able to climb down from this very tall tower, so how can I get out? But I know mother's just worrying about me because she loves me.

"Yes, mother," I answered as I looked up to her.

"Then sing for mommy before I leave." Mother placed me on her lap.

She liked brushing my hair and hearing my voice. Maybe because of how bright my hair glows every time I sing her our favorite lullaby. Mother would often tell me how much she feels younger afterwards. And I like it when mother's happy.

"Bring back what once was mine~" I sang for her as she brushed my hair. It still makes me smile whenever I watch my hair slowly glowing as I sing this song.

Mother said that this was a special song only made for me. And that's the reason it was her favorite. I was very happy to know that it was her who requested to make a pretty song like this.

But having very long hair makes it hard to wash up. Should I ask mother to cut my hair a little shorter since it is now past my feet?

"Mother," I called her softly. I felt her hands stopping midway on my hair. She's probably listening. "My hair's getting longer, will you be cutting it shorter soon?"

I guess it was wrong to ask such a question to her.

"Rapunzel." Her voice was cold and firm. Her hands tightened on my hair and I could feel my scalp being pulled with how hard she was gripping my hair and the brush.

It was when I yelped when mother loosened her grip on them.

"I'm sorry, child. You were asking questions I don't want to hear," she said.

I must have made mother sad.

I quickly stood up and faced her after she finished brushing my hair. "Mother," I said as I held her hand between my small ones. "I won't ask that question ever again."

Mother sighed as she looked at me with that heartbroken gaze registered on her eyes. "Are you thinking I will neglect you?"

I pursed my lips then shook my head. I wasn't thinking that, was I?

"You seem to think that I'll neglect you," she said with a sorrowful tone.

My heart sank as I watched a tear escape her left eye. I really shouldn't have asked that question.

"I'm sorry, mother. I'm sorry for asking such a question," I apologized again.

I should refrain from asking things that will hurt mother. I hate seeing her sad because of me.

Mother let out another sigh as she pulled me back between her arms. Her grip was tight and painful around me, but I didn't push her away. It was better than mother hating me because of my mistakes.