Soft & Still

Chapter 9

"I'm running out of pretty clothes that I haven't worn a million times by now," (Y/N) grumbled as she put herself together for her delivery. Her grumbling stopped long enough for her to feel that same pride fill her heart over the little bear plushy as it caught her attention as she stopped herself from stumbling over a stray shoe.

Mornings really weren't (Y/N)'s most favorite thing in the world, stumbling through them was the worst part of her day, but as soon as she made it through that first battle of fully waking up, the rest of the day was manageable. This is the reason that she would prefer to stay up later during the night to get work done and wake up a little later because she knew that she would get much more done just staying up a little later even if her dark circles constantly being covered by foundation and powder would beg to differ.

It took a little longer than she would have liked, but (Y/N) did get out of the door around the time she had hoped to with box and letter in hand. The directions explained in the letter begin at the main square nearest the castle with a lovely fountain carved in rolling marble. It was truly beautiful to look at so it wasn't difficult to find to be able follow the directions listed in the letter. Understanding that this meet up would occur in the royal family's castle, (Y/N) knew the general direction that she had to walk without having to rely in the directions heavily until she had to find her way to the gate.

As a child her parents had never allowed her too close to the gates of the castle because they were worried about the guards standing out front possibly being dangerous to her young self.

"State your business," The gruff voice of the guard sitting in his station to mark who enters and leaves the palace, or so (Y/N) assumed based on the descriptive paper on the desk in front of the man covered in scribbled handwriting.

"(Y/N) (L/N) stuffed animal artisan whom Prince Azrael Fleurlena ordered from," she held the box up so that the man could see it, "I have brought to deliver the order according to the directions specified in the letter previously sent to order this item."

He makes a motion for her to hand over the box and the letter, "Let me see those, there had been rumors Prince Azrael had ordered something strange to be delivered to him, so I trust your words; however," he groaned as he stood from his chair for the first time in what seemed like a good while, "still need to check and make sure for safety purposes."

"Of course," (Y/N) said while handing everything in her hands over to the man. He sifts through them, opening the box and before he can hide it a small smile comes to his face when he looks at the bear, but it disappears just as fast as it came up.

He pushes the box towards (Y/N) and takes the letter next, examining and opening the envelope reading the contents of the letter, "You're good to go, but would you rather someone to escort you where you need to go, or do you know where it is?"

"Well, if it wouldn't be too much of a bother," (Y/N) drags her words slightly unsure of how serious he is being. A guard would be immensely helpful, but she wasn't sure if it was something she would be allowed.

"Oh, none at all I assure you," the guard confirms, "Just wait a moment over to that side and someone will be with you shortly," He points to the right side of the window nearest the castle's inner courts and (Y/N) takes the box after thanking him for his kind offer and steps to the side waiting for her escort.

It isn't long before a different guard walks up to her and asks for her name to ensure he was speaking to the right person, "(Y/N)," she responds and he nods asking her to follow him. She does so without hesitation. He leads her through the gates and into a garden manicured beyond perfection. All types of ground cover at the perfect heights, decorative bushes and trees of all sorts without a single dead leaf to be seen on their primed branches.