Fragile Desires (18+) (GxG)

Twenty-Six | Something New

Sunlight glinted off the Eiffel Tower, the rhythmic hum of Parisian traffic a constant counterpoint to the excited thump of my heart.

I was sixteen, on a daring Parisian adventure with Antonio, my best friend, who also happened to be my head bodyguard.

I had ditched the usual palace tours and suffocating etiquette lessons for a whirlwind exploration of the city's hidden corners.

One hidden gem was a tiny crepe stand nestled away on a cobblestone side street.

The air hung heavy with the intoxicating aroma of warm batter and melted butter, a stark contrast to the sterile perfection of the palace kitchens.

Antonio, ever the adventurous one, insisted I try a "galette complète" — a savory crepe filled with a chaotic symphony of ingredients—ham, cheese, a runny egg yolk, and even mushrooms.

Which was all a foreign concept to my royal palate.

Hesitation battled with a spark of curiosity within me.

Stepping outside the well-manicured gardens of my life, even in something as seemingly trivial as food, felt like a tiny act of adventure.

With a deep breath, I handed over a euro (Antonio, bless his resourceful heart, had stashed a few away for the occasion) and took the steaming crepe.

The first bite was a revelation.

The crispness of the crepe yielded to the richness of the cheese, the salty tang of the ham perfectly balanced by the earthy undertones of the mushrooms.

The runny egg yolk, a golden surprise, tied everything together in a burst of creamy goodness.

It was unlike anything I'd ever tasted before, a symphony of textures and flavors that exploded on my tongue.

As I devoured the crepe, a secret smile played on my lips.

It wasn't just the deliciousness, but the feeling of experiencing something new, something outside the well-crafted cage of my life.

- Azzy

♛Chapter Twenty-Six: Something New♛

Riva was exactly how I had left it yesterday, except today I felt different.

Today I was less on edge and more tamed.

More excited to go into my meeting with Renata.

I had spent the rest of my morning eating ripe cherries that I had requested from my team and doing my neutral makeup as I danced happily to music.

Until soon I was getting dressed in a high neck white long-sleeve top and a pleated plaid pink skirt with white stockings.

My pink hair remained slicked back into a low ponytail with a middle part that my straightened hair cascaded from.

I glanced down at my white stiletto heels clicking precisely against the floors of Riva, suddenly feeling nervous as Renata's assistant led me back to her office.