Smooth Sailing

Castle Walls // Chapter 1

The freshly polished floors of the castle glistened as the sun rose, shining through the large windows lining the halls. Samantha made her way quickly down the hallway, her shoes clacking along the floors as she approached a large bedroom door. She knocked twice on the wooden door, before pushing it open, shutting it behind her.

"G'morning your highness, lot's to do today."

Samantha crossed the room to a large bed, pulling the blankets from atop the sleeping figure laying on it. The figure groaned, rolling onto their stomach to bury their face in their pillows. Their ram's ears twitched towards Samantha as they groaned in annoyance, but without the protection of the blankets, they couldn't conceal their wagging tail.

"Mmm....not yet, 'm still tired...."

Samantha smiled, nudging the prince. They opened one eye, looking back at her before bursting into giggles. Samantha laughed in return, pulling on the prince's arm.

"I'd say the same, but we've things to do. Up, Bixbee. I can't carry you 'round the castle. We've already tried it."

Bixbee groaned again, sitting up to yawn and half-heartedly stretch. They swung their legs over the side of the bed, standing and making their way to a dress, already set on a wire mannequin. They looked it up and down for a bit, before smiling in approval, moving behind a dressing screen. Samantha gathered up the underdress, passing it over the screen and taking the chemise from them.

"How did you sleep, cupcake?"

There was a small laugh from behind the screen, muffled by fabric as the prince pulled on their underdress, staying careful to not let the horns sprouting from their head tear the fabric.

"Oh, well enough, Miss Samantha. And you?"

Bixbee stepped out from behind the dressing screen, nodding to the corset in Samantha's hands. Samantha made her way to them, helping to set the corset around their waist.

"Same as you, cupcake. I dreamt of you."

Samantha began lacing the corset as the prince smiled, looking back at her as best they could.

"Dreamt of me? Miss Samantha, there are far more interesting things to dream of. Like a certain butler, no?"

Samantha felt her face flush, and she laced part of the corset tightly, causing Bixbee to let out a small cry of protest. She gave a half smile, relacing the corset as she tried to cool her face.

"Who, Marshall? And why would I dream of him?"

Bixbee laughed as Samantha finished lacing the corset, turning to try and help Samantha with the gown. They raised an eyebrow as she averted her gaze, feeling the heat return to her face.

"'Why would I dream of him?' Miss Samantha, you two aren't very subtle with how you act around each other. Even Mother has said you two act like a honeymooning couple."

Bixbee lifted their arms as Samantha dropped the gown above their head, giving her a teasing grin as they poked her slowly reddening cheek.

"Cat got your tongue, Miss Samantha?"

Samantha playfully pouted in return, tapping their nose once before folding the chemise and tucking it under her arm. Her tail flicked quickly, brushing against the prince and sending them into a giggling fit. Bixbee smoothed the golden fabric of their dress, lifting the skirt to slip into their shoes before following Samantha to the door. Samantha cleared her throat, flashing them a look.

"Right then. Now don't go gossiping around the castle cupcake, we both know you talk too much for your own good."

Bixbee grasped at their chest in mock hurt, draping themselves over Samantha. Samantha sighed, before giving them a smile and pushing them out of the door and into the castle's hall.
The two separated as they made their way down the hall, slowly gaining their composure and falling into their roles with ease.