Fragile Desires (18+) (GxG)

Thirty-Four | Company

Secrets, in my childhood, were like forbidden fruit hanging just beyond reach.

Lush, tempting, and surrounded by an aura of mystery.

My parents, the King and Queen, were masters at cultivating this orchard of hidden knowledge.

Conversations ceased abruptly when I entered a room, smiles exchanged that held unspoken messages.

Important documents vanished from desks with practiced ease, replaced by innocent papers the moment I drew near.

It wasn't outright lies, not exactly.

It was a carefully constructed facade, a world meticulously sanitized for a princess's consumption.

Discussions on political unrest, whispers of protest amongst the people—these were deemed unsuitable topics for a young girl's ears.

The inner workings of the kingdom, the delicate dance of diplomacy – these were secrets locked away in metaphorical safes, inaccessible to me, the supposed heir.

The frustration burned like a persistent fire within me.

I wished to understand the world beyond the perfect cage of the palace.

These secrets, I believed, held the key to unlocking the truth, the reality that lay hidden beneath the carefully curated image of a perfect kingdom.

But as the years passed, a new understanding dawned.

The secrets weren't just a shield protecting me from harsh realities, they were a burden, a weight even a princess couldn't ignore.

The weight of knowledge kept from the people they governed, the weight of decisions made behind closed doors.

How could I ever truly be Queen if the knowledge of ruling was consistently kept from me?

- Azzy

♛Chapter Thirty-Four: Company♛

For once one of my usual event dresses wasn't falling past my knee.

No, tonight's event was centered around a high-end bar—leaving me in a long-sleeve dress that grazed my mid-thigh.

The material was soft and the lightest shade of sage green.

My pink hair was down and in waves with some strands braided out of my face covered in a matte makeup look, which was heavier than usual.

The heels that wrapped up my ankles were the perfect shade of gold and matched my accessories perfectly.

I glanced at myself through the mirror, admiring how good I looked.

There was definitely a rare glow behind my usual smile.

"Toni?" I called out as I made my way into the open living area, looking for my best friend so we could leave.

Renata had to leave early to handle some things with work, so I would be meeting her there.

Antonio suddenly popped out from the kitchen, "Azzy—" his light eyes gave me a noticeable once over, "Wow, now I see why you have flowers waiting on you in the kitchen."