The gates of the kingdom towered above Elara, their crystalline structure glittering in the soft, magical light that seemed to emanate from the very air. They stood open, unmoving, as though inviting her in. She hesitated for a moment, half-expecting guards to appear and stop her, but none came.
Her heart pounding, she took a tentative step forward, and then another, until she passed through the gates and entered the city. What lay before her was breathtaking.
The streets were paved with a translucent material that shimmered like ice but felt warm beneath her feet. The buildings stretched high into the sky, their surfaces glinting like polished gems, each one a masterpiece of intricate design. Towers spiraled elegantly, adorned with glowing symbols that shifted and pulsed faintly, as though alive. Lanterns floated in midair, casting soft, multicolored light across the bustling streets.
The people of the kingdom were just as mesmerizing. They moved with an effortless grace, their beauty almost otherworldly. Their skin glowed faintly, their eyes shone like jewels, and their hair flowed as though touched by an invisible breeze. Their clothes shimmered with an ethereal quality, adorned with delicate patterns that seemed to shift and ripple like water.
Elara couldn't help but stare, her awe momentarily dulling her unease. It was like stepping into a dream, one painted in vivid, impossible detail. But her admiration didn't last long.
As Elara walked deeper into the city, she noticed the way people looked at her. At first, she thought it was curiosity—the kind one might feel toward a newcomer. But soon, the gazes lingered too long, their expressions too sharp.
The elegant people of the kingdom whispered among themselves, their voices like soft music in a language she couldn't understand. Their words floated on the breeze, lilting and melodic, but their tones carried an unmistakable edge. Even without understanding, Elara felt the weight of their disdain.
One woman, her gown shimmering like liquid gold, glanced at Elara and whispered to her companion. The man laughed softly, his eyes sweeping over Elara with an expression she couldn't quite place but didn't like.
Elara's stomach twisted. She couldn't make out their words, but the way they looked at her—as if she were something unpleasant, something out of place—was enough to make her want to shrink into herself.
Her cheeks burned, and she lowered her gaze, pulling her arms tighter around herself. She tried to ignore the feeling, to focus on the beauty of the kingdom, but the stares and whispers seemed to follow her, growing heavier with every step.
The magical city, which had seemed so welcoming from a distance, now felt cold and unkind. Elara's heart raced, her awe giving way to fear. She felt small—so small she wished she could simply disappear.
---
She stopped in front of a small shop nestled between two towering buildings. The display was filled with colorful, glowing confections that seemed to sparkle as though dusted with starlight. Plates of sweets shimmered in hues of pink, blue, and gold, and their rich, sugary scent wafted through the air, making her stomach twist with longing.
Elara hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. Behind the counter stood a man with sharp, angular features and the same ethereal glow as the others. His expression was unreadable, his hands moving with precision as he arranged the sweets.
Gathering her courage, Elara cleared her throat softly. "Umm… excuse me," she said, her voice trembling. "Where am I?"
The man froze, his hands pausing mid-motion. Slowly, he turned to face her, his glowing eyes narrowing as if trying to make sense of her. For a moment, there was silence, and Elara's heart sank.
Was that a stupid question? she thought, biting her lip. Yes, it is, she answered herself, the shame settling in her chest like a heavy stone.
Before she could apologize or explain, the man's face twisted in fury. He began shouting in a language she didn't understand, his voice sharp and cutting. The unfamiliar words hit her like blows, and she instinctively took a step back. His gestures grew wild, his anger palpable, and the few people nearby stopped to watch, their faces filled with amusement or scorn.
Elara's pulse raced as fear took hold. She mumbled an apology, though she doubted he understood, and turned to flee. Her breaths came in quick, shallow gasps as she hurried down the street, the man's angry shouts echoing in her ears.
"Where am I?" she whispered to herself, tears welling in her eyes. She felt a sob rise in her throat, but she swallowed it down. She couldn't cry here—not in front of these people who already looked at her as though she didn't belong.
---
She turned into a narrow alley, her feet carrying her away from the crowds and their relentless stares. The walls on either side of her were tall and smooth, their crystalline surfaces casting faint reflections of her pale face. The alley was dim, the magical light of the kingdom's streets unable to reach its depths.
Elara leaned against the cool surface of the wall, pressing her palms against her temples as she tried to steady her breathing. Her chest ached, and her mind raced with questions. What was happening? Why was she here? And how would she ever find her way back?
The whispers of the crowd still echoed in her mind, mingling with the memory of the vendor's angry shouts. She felt utterly lost, not just in the physical sense but in every way. The magical world that had seemed so enchanting now felt hostile, its beauty hiding a cold indifference—or worse, a disdain—for her.
"What is happening to me?" she whispered, her voice breaking. She slid down the wall, her knees drawing up to her chest as she hugged herself tightly. Her tears came then, hot and silent, as the weight of her situation pressed down on her.
For a moment, she allowed herself to feel the full depth of her fear and loneliness.