Chapter 11: Perfect!

ELVA’S POV

A year had passed, but Father hadn’t let me leave the palace. He promised me that he’d reveal me to the kingdom on my birthday and it was going to be a big day. Throughout the previous year, the farthest place I could go was the palace gate and a garden behind the palace where Mother planted daisies and dandelions. The only person from outside the palace walls who had been able to get a glance of my face was the pack artist. He came every month to paint a picture of me for Mother.

The first month of the new year had just ended, and our artist had come to do his job.

“Elva! You’re still dressed in your casual wear!” Mum exclaimed when she saw me descending the magnificently decorated twirling stairs, painted white and gold on the rails, with a red carpet covering the stairs.

“Is the artist here already?” I asked.

“Yes,” A subtle voice came from under the stairs, where the artist’s chair was usually kept whenever he was done painting. But it wasn’t the artist creeping ou