The Princess's Guard

♤1♤

I was sat by a cliff that was guarded by fence right outside the courtyard, watching the sky change its hue every second as the sun was setting. Despite the fence's bars blocking me from seeing the sunset in its full glory, it was still enough for me to be mesmerized about, even after watching it for so many times.

Next to me was my good friend Arthur, whom i'd become close to while working guard duty for the mansion that stood a few feet behind us. We had grown familiar to each other due to being assigned as guard partners, and had developed a great and effective work chemistry even though we would sometimes banter with each other even when we were on the job. It was a rich and remote place after all, and taking some breaks occassionally didn't really hurt anyone.

"The sun looks like a damn tomato!" he chuckled, whilst watching the last moments of the sun going down.

"Shhh... Don't curse now. We're way too close to the house." I whispered.

"Okay... Okay... you and your da- ugh... rules. Always so strict. You really are no fun sometimes." he groaned.

"How do you think I came to this rank?" I said, half-jokingly. "Not everyone's a magic kid like you."

"You're strong as hell though. Don't you think that helped?" he answered. The sun had already gone down at this point, and the dark was starting to fall.

"Strong alone in a world of mages isn't enough. So much of the knights are magic users and I really had to work my head off to stand out."

"Fine, you're right. But it has paid off hasn't it? Tomorrow you're leaving as a guard to the princess. The princess! That's like... the best job a knight your age could be given!" He sounded like he was happy for me.

"Right... but there's no time to relax, especially now. And besides that... I don't think I'll be doing much. I don't think they would leave many important jobs to a young girl when there are experiences knights already at her guard." I said. Honest to myself, I didn't know why I had been assigned there either. I was twenty-two years old, only three years older than the princess. I was hard-working and dedicated, sure, but that still didn't explain why I would be assigned to such a high-rank position. I thought maybe I was assigned there so the princess could feel less alone on trips, with a guard close to her age she could relate and occassionally talk to. That was the most sensible explanation for me as I had heard the royal life could be very lonely.

Arthur sighed audibly, disconnecting me from my train of thought. "I'll miss you, Theresa. Seriously. You always made night duties less boring." His voice was shaken, as if he was about to tear up. Which was unlike him, because he had always been the warrior type, and would always ramble on about how important it was to be strong and manly.

"I'll miss you too, Arthur. You made my night duties more fun too, even when you were being a total hassle." I chuckled. "I hope you can become a warrior knight someday." I smiled at him slightly.

"Also I wish you great patience. They're probably going to make you deal with the princess since you will probably be the only other young girl there." he came close to my ear. "I heard she's a bitch. So spoiled... " He whispered.

"Don't say that about your highness!" I raised my voice a little bit.

"I never said that, I'm just repeating what I heard?" he exclaimed lightheartedly. "Anyway, it's getting dark. I think we should head back to our quarters now. You have to be up early, after all, miss princess' guard." He added, as if trying to distract me from what he had just said.

"Okay. Good night then. Make sure to be there tomorrow. I wouldn't want to leave without saying goodbye to you." I said through my teeth. Being sentimental was difficult for me, but this was the last time I was seeing him, so I wanted to express my feelings well.

"Okay! Good night. Let's just hope they bring you a nice carriage." He chuckled.

We waved at each other as the night fell into the sky, revealing the moon. I walked back to my quarters, and looked at everything for the last time. It was an eerie feeling, knowing this moment here is your last seeing those things, and being with those people. I got into my bed and closed my eyes, eagerly yet scaredly awaiting the next day.