Fated Forgery (Monster x Reader romance)

Grin & Bear It

"Quite odd," the gargoyle said.

Your knee jerk reaction was to smile. "What is?"

The gargoyle hopped from her crouched position on the window and stood slowly. Purposely. Really, really awkwardly.

She seemed to realize you were more puzzled than intimidated and cleared her throat, shaking out her hair.

"In the contract, things were made quite explicit. We emailed a map. There was a welcome package," she said, clarifying with a wave of claw and rustle of wings settling behind her.

The smooth grey of her skin was the same shade as the stone building, but shimmering and alive.

Your smile grew strained. "I'm so sorry. They must've gotten lost."

"Well, we were forced to guess with the address—" She glides forward and shakes your hand with a brisk, firm grip—"I'm Mila. Head grounds keeper."

The absolute internal whiplash of someone referring to themselves as a groundskeeper in the middle of Missouri was almost as fierce as when you'd learned there was an honest to god castle there too.

A castle with a grounds keeper. An entire castle full of gargoyles. There was even a moat! And you were here, silent and smiling and wondering if you could survive jumping out of the window.

You brought yourself back to the present before you could spiral further.

One step at a time. Just smile and get through it. Bear it, like you always did.

"Thank you for the guidance and nice to meet you," you said, introducing yourself in kind and accepting another handshake. Two seemed excessive but it was reassuring that Mila was friendly enough to go for another.

"Of course. I'll show you to your room and let the Lord know you're here. A day early is preferable to a day late, so worry not. Do you require a meal?"

You shook your head, hefting the straps of your over-stuffed backpack more squarely over your shoulders.

"I ate on the road, but thank you."

Mila brought her wings to wrap around her shoulders, two claws clasping over her clavicle. She lead you up toward the West end of the castle, thankfully not taking you up anymore flight of stairs.

The room she lead you to was at the end of a wide hallway, draped with rich, bright tapestries. Depictions of gargoyles frolicking in meadows, stretching awake in rafters, and dancing around bonfires covered the bland stone walls on both sides. Most of them were worn and a bit faded. But a few were vibrant and new, their style more modern as well.

The one over your door was one such tapestry. There wasn't much to it. A non-descript human and thin, spindly gargoyle stood side by side, holding their closest hands and raising their other in toast with bejeweled goblets.

"We shall let you rest till morning—our morning—of course. No need to worry about unwanted visitors pouring in."

Mila gestured to a thick rope of velvet and tassel that was strung through a hole in the wall next to the door frame, leveled just above the door knob.

"Pull this once you're presentable and someone will come to lead you to the dining hall," Mila said before opening the door and gesturing you forward. "Don't hesitate to change your mind about food tonight, as well."

You stalled in the doorway as Mila slipped past and crumpled fistfuls of newspaper into the fireplace.

"Thank you again," you said. "Will you be the one coming tomorrow?"