audrey belle rosewood~ the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, and i can't help but smile at the scent of the cinnamon-y loaves i've come to love. i remember, when i was younger, i disliked it so much. now it's my favorite thing- it brings comfort. As i near the entry to the kitchens, the door is flung open, and i see leah standing there, in all of her flour-covered glory. "if it isn't my favorite little girl," she says, smiling brightly as she grabs my arm and pulls me into the room. almost immediately, i'm hit with so many different smells- rosemary, cinnamon, pepper. my mouth waters, even though i just had lunch. this is where i grew up- where food became my family. leah saunters over to the marble counter and picks up a plate with a heap of cinnamon bread. "hungry?" she asks cheerfully. she was my mother, the one i never had. "i am now," i respond. i pluck a round ball of bread from the plate, and take a bite. i sigh, content. "your baking always gets better, leah." she beams, her rosy cheeks even redder with happiness. "you didn't like these before, you know." i laugh a little. "i remember." "it's hard to believe you're fourteen already. Sometimes i wish you could still be that little girl i found on the doorstep." leah sighs and sets the plate down with a clink. "i still remember the day. it must've nearly been midnight when i found you, crying on the steps of the palace. barely keeping yourself awake. and you had the strangest eyes I'd ever seen. they were-" "purple," i cut in quietly. "i know. they still are." "i couldn't just leave you there," she continues. "i hoped you would find a home here." i smile, but it's a bit reserved. "i have." while the words are true, sometimes i wish i could see the world. i haven't seen much outside the walls of this palace for my entire life- and if i'm supposed to be a warrior, there's not much i can do here. leah smiles, but it's a sad one. "i've kept you too long, haven't I? you're growing too old to have me checking up on you all day." i wave the half-eaten loaf of bread in my hand. "i still have this." i pause before leaving the kitchen. "and... thanks." i've only made it halfway to my room when someone clears their throat behind me. a small boy stands there, fidgeting nervously. "yes?" i ask, a bit impatiently. he opens his mouth, only to rehearse a single line. "the king would like to speak with you." a/n:: wheeee audrey is so boring rn it's amazing how boring she is- it'll get better hopefully umm what is that tn- collab w the amazing lyss <33 shadowed kingdom chapter 1
