limerence (wlw)

chapter 1

The carriage stops just below the marble steps winding up towards two large iron doors. The ride was long and quiet, nervousness settling in the pit of my stomach, worsening with every passing minute.

I had never been quite as anxious for others jobs as I have been with this one. I had been requested to look over a princess, however it was a family name I had only ever heard of in stories. Coranthym. Tales of a dark and unkept castle, resembling a crypt, hidden from any sound or light. It definitely exceeded any expectations I had before arriving, It was quite beautiful in its own way.

"Are you nervous, Auden?" My family's Coachman, Cassian, asks.

"Perhaps a bit but I'm sure it shall pass with time. Thank you for bringing me, I won't hold you here any longer."

I exit the carriage and slowly ascend the stairs. I had thought that I might be met at the door upon my arrival, but not a light in the interior seemed to be lit and no sound came from the castle either. Maybe I was mistaken? I grabbed the iron ring attached to the door and tapped it three times. Nothing.
Hesitating I grab the handle, pulling the door open, releasing a noise that echoed throughout. Surely that would get someone's attention, if there should be anyone at all, I thought. I stepped through the door taking in the space around me.

Candles were lit along the walls. Fabrics in black and red hung along the windows, casting a faint glow along the floor, and soft music was playing from wherever the staircase led. I followed the sound til I reached the top, walking towards an open door with light creeping out of it.

I knocked on the door, someone stirred and the music stopped. Sudden footsteps come towards me and the door swings open. I look down to meet the eyes of a woman, long black curly hair fell around her shoulders and while she was clearly older, her features were still soft.

"I am so terribly sorry, Dame Auden, I didn't hear you knock. The King and Queen were just finishing up dinner and are about to head to their chambers. You can introduce yourself to them, if you'd like, and I will escort you to where you'll be staying with the princess."

Im assuming this is the families maid, though she's not dressed any less formally than the royals back at home. She opens the door for me to walk in and shuts it behind herself, gesturing for me to sit in an empty chair.

The King is looking at me deeply, either trying to search my thoughts or he's plotting my murder. The Queen smiles softly and breaks the silence, "We're very happy to have you. You seem to have quite the reputation where you come from."

"It's not everyday a woman is able to gain a position of chivalry."

"You're pretty experienced then, hm?"

"I'd like to think so." The queen giggled at my response.

"Oh I've heard of the lady knight that can take men down without much effort. You must not have heard much of our family though."

"Nothing but a bunch of stories and fairytales."

"What makes you think they're just stories." The Queen looks at me with a deadpan look, goosebumps roll down my spine. Then she and the King laugh and I allow my posture to relax again, giggling along with them.

"Just a jest! You must meet my daughter, she is the one you'll be looking after, after all. Oh, Korin's been incredibly excited to meet you. It isn't common for us to have guests."

The Maid opens the door and I stand to follow her out, nodding to the King and Queen before leaving. We climb more stairs, leading to a dark hallway, the only guidance I have being the glow from the flame the maid carries. She stops at a door embellished with the princess's name surrounded by lilies and botanical patterns.

She knocks three times and the door opens, my eyes meet her deep black ones, and though they're piercing, her gaze is soft. Her hair is black and pulled up into a bun, small curls fall on her forehead. I look down at her deep red lips, something that stood out amongst her soft features. My face heats realizing my mouth was open and I quickly close it as to not seem like a fool. I bow, "Nice to meet you princess, I'm Auden."

"My Mother has told me about you. You must come in." The princess grabs my hand to pull me in and the maid closes the door behind me. "You'll be staying with me in my chamber, I convinced Mother and Father that it would be a more appropriate arrangement, as my guard.

"Yes I suppose It would.." As soon as I am in the room the smell of Cardamom and Black tea fills my senses. Contrary to the rest of the castle, her room is decorated beautifully. Her walls are adorned with paintings and dried flowers, lit pillar candles sit along her dresser and a black sheer canopy hangs above her bed. A small bed is made beside it. She points and I take my place there as she sits on the edge of her bed, looking down at me.

"I hope it's to your liking, If it is not comfortable or warm enough I can let Marie know to bring you more blankets."

My face warms and I struggle to meet her eyes. "It's perfect, Thank you."

Her breathing slows and I finally allow my eyes to look at her, she's smiling but her eyes are somehow darker than before. As soon as I can blink the look is gone and she points to the screen behind me. "You can change into your sleepwear behind that, we must be up early tomorrow so that you can tell me more about yourself, i'll show you around the greenhouse too if you'd like."

I smile and nod. After I am changed I walk out to see that the Princess has already dozed off, the weight of the tiredness after the long trip suddenly hitting me. I climb into the blankets and before I fall into sleep I think that this place may not be so bad after all.