Glass Cage

Chapter 1

Lost in the endless expanse of sky, I let the wind dance through my hair, feeling the world I create with each flick of my wrist come alive. The smell of chestnuts wafts through the air, mingling with the warm presence of someone who feels like home. Faintly, I hear my name, "Elyssa," pulling me back from my daydream.

The feeling of freedom dances at my fingertips. The sun gazes down on me, filling me with light, with hope, with pure life. It makes me feel weightless, as if I can do anything I imagine, with just a flick of my wrist.

"Elyssa." Lucas' voice, soft and familiar, pulls me back to reality.

The veil over my head disintegrates, and I swiftly float back into the world. In front of me is a nearly finished vibrant painting of the fairy hills across the meadows, full of magic, colours flowing across the canvas with the feeling of complete freedom and weightlessness. As I look down at my usually soft hands and silk light blue dress, I notice they are covered in paint of all colours, not one surface looking bare. Then I gaze to the left, where I hear that softly spoken voice, and now I notice the warm presence and the smell of chestnuts.

On the left, leaning on the doorframe stands an elf with curly caramel hair, russet eyes, and sharp cheekbones that make you stare a little too long. He is dressed very formally, in a soft lilac blazer with an off-white undershirt with a frilly collar. Looking down, he wears long, form-fitting trousers and the shiniest boots you can probably see your reflection in. It seems like he has an important event to attend, though I cannot comprehend what it is.

I hear his familiar voice and look back up to see the hint of mischief peeking at the corner of his lips. "Hello Ely, do not tell me you are standing me up today?"

My eyes open wide in disbelief as I look at the sun, realizing how late it is. "Oh no, I lost track of time!" I frantically get up, putting my brush and paints away, then look down at myself and see the mess of paint splattered everywhere. "Oh no, oh no, oh no. I am so sorry, I think I have time to get home and get ready."

Lucas smirks, clearly amused by watching me. He then reveals something he was holding behind himself that I did not realize he had. He presents a flowing lilac lace ballgown, adorned with sewn flowers across the fabric. With a darker lilac sash over the waist, it creates an inverted peak between the flowing skirts and the fitted lace bodice.

"Do you really think your best friend would not realise when you are painting in his own mansion?" His amused smirk grows. "As soon as I was told you are here painting, I knew you would be late for my big night, so I found this dress in our household collection."

He walks closer toward me with the exquisite gown. I admire the gown with pure excitement in my eyes for the night ahead. Before I can touch this delicate material, I realise again that my hands are full of paint. I mischievously smile as I look back at Lucas. "You know me so well. I cannot help but want you to have the best view of the meadows!" I then look at the mess of my hands. "I still need to get cleaned up. I do not think you would be happy if I ruined this beautiful dress before we even arrive tonight." I glance toward his soft material blazer; the lilac is the exact same as the dress he holds up in front of me. He wants us to match. He must really want to impress his father and the other elves we are seeing tonight. I will happily play my part in such a stunning gown.

Lucas places the dress in front of himself, swaying with it and playfully saying, "Maybe it will suit me better than you!" He is unbelievable, but that is why he is my best friend; we wind each other up like siblings. "No need to worry, I ran you a bath in your favourite guest bedroom here. Please do not make us late, though. This is the dinner where my father announces his sponsorship for me to be in the royal guard program. You know how important it is for him."