Princess Elira was nearly sixteen.
Sixteen years had passed since the night her parents died—yet to her, that night did not exist. It was not a memory, not even a shadow. It was as if that part of her life had been erased completely.
She did not remember their faces.
She did not remember their voices.
All she knew… was what she had been told.
That they were gone.
And that was enough—at least, that was what everyone expected her to believe.
She had grown up within the walls of the palace, under the rule of her uncle—the king.
A life of comfort had never been denied to her.
Silk dresses in every color.
Jewels that shimmered like captured stars.
Books, music, art—anything she could ever wish for was placed gently into her hands.
She was taught everything a princess should know.
Grace.
Discipline.
Knowledge.
Private tutors guided her through endless lessons, shaping her into perfection.
From the outside, her life was flawless.
But there was one thing she was never given.
Freedom.
The rules were simple.
And unbreakable.
She was not allowed to leave the palace.
She was not allowed to question the king.
She was not allowed to ask why.
At first, she obeyed without thought.
Because that was what she had been taught to do.
The palace itself was vast—almost endless.
Thousands of rooms, each more beautiful than the last. Golden halls, painted ceilings, gardens that bloomed year-round… it was a world of luxury.
And yet—
To Elira, it felt like a cage.
She filled her days the only way she could.
She painted—losing herself in colors that felt more alive than her own world.
She danced—her movements graceful, yet carrying a quiet longing.
She sang softly to herself, her voice echoing through empty halls.
She wrote poetry—words she never had the courage to share.
Because there was no one to listen.
The servants were always present… but never truly there.
They spoke only when necessary.
They never lingered.
Never questioned.
Never connected.
As if even speaking too much to her was forbidden.
And so—
Despite having everything…
Elira had nothing.
There were nights she would stand by her window, staring beyond the palace walls.
At a world she had never seen.
A world that felt impossibly far away.
Why not me?
The question had lived in her heart for years.
Why was she the only one kept inside?
Why was she not allowed to step beyond the gates?
What was out there… that she wasn't meant to see?
The more she thought about it…
The less it made sense.
And the more it felt wrong.
She was a princess.
Yet she lived like a secret.
And deep within her—
A quiet feeling began to grow.
Not fear.
Not sadness.
Something stronger.
A need.
To know.
To see.
To break free from the walls that had held her for sixteen years.
Because somewhere beyond those gates…
There was a truth waiting for her.
And she could feel it—
Calling her.