Soft & Still

Chapter 4

"I understand that as someone who doesn't live in this section of town that you wouldn't necessarily be the most familiar with the faces of our country's royal family, but to be completely unaware of their faces," the tone of Madame Rochelle's voice wasn't disdainful, but disappointment and surprise certainly weren't absent, "I believe it makes it all the more appalling to me since the boy you just met is my cousin. We've known each other since we were quite young."

"Cousin? Of the royal family?" Eyes widened, lips slightly parted, and raised eyebrows; (Y/N)'s face betrayed the usual calm demeanor that she tried to maintain while out on business dealings.

"Bless you, you truly didn't know? Almost everyone knows this, or so I assumed. Perhaps it is only those of us who live on this side of this city?" Madame Rochelle questioned to none but herself.

"That would explain why you were able to reserve a table at this café of all places with such short notice," (Y/N) said with dawning realization. Her statement was answered with a small smile from her royal company.

"Oh, but don't let this stop you from speaking to me normally. I tend to dislike too much formal speech," Picking up her teacup and saucer together, she takes a sip of her tea allowing her words to dissipate the growing tension of the disparage of classes that had begun to suck their conversation dry of true friendly banter.

A rough sigh and a small grin from the Madame's words made their way to (Y/N)'s visage, "You're right, then with your permission I'll continue to speak normally." Receiving only a hum in response as the Madame took another sip, a sense of an electric tingle made its way through (Y/N)'s blood stream making the tips of her fingers tingle with a drop of excitement.

Their tea ended pleasantly with many conversations held between the two ladies and it wasn't too long until (Y/N)'s chair scratched the ground for the third time that day whilst she had occupied it. Payment was exchanged and farewells were shared. Pleased with this client beyond all end, (Y/N) resolved silently to put her future orders at priority due to her new found fondness of Madame Rochelle. This wasn't the first time a client had insisted upon a tip of some sort; however, this was the first time one had been so pleasant.

Connections with the people who lived in the higher city was something often coveted between those who lived in the middle class and poverty ridden sections of the city. (Y/N)'s shoes clicked against the cobbled road with each step approaching the river crossing. (Y/N) considered how simple it seemed to her to get these connections. It was something she, like many others, had dreamed about having as a child. Being able to go out and look as though she belonged to that part of the city.

She let her eyes wander to her clothes as the faint scent of her perfume, significantly diminished as the day went on, wafts to fill her senses. It was a confusing place to be, she was both living what she had dreamed as a child but not simultaneously. Either way, (Y/N) thought, I'm just getting started. I have so much time to get closer to my childhood fantasies.

The walk back home was, as always, shorter and far less burdensome.