The Princess's Guard

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"Keep the helmet here, you don't really need it. It's just a small meeting with the princess so I don't really think you will suffer any head damage." said one of the guards that were about to escort me into the princess's headquarters.

"Okay. Is there anything else I need to remember?" I asked nervously.

"No, not really. Like I said, just bow before her, introduce yourself, your job, all that. Shake her hand if she wants to, than exit the room at her command." he answered. "I think the princess should be calling for you right about... now. Come on, let's go." he added.

I walked down the hallway nervously, with the two guards standing by my side. The palace was enormous, bigger than any house or building I'd lived in. To think that this building was built as a living space for mainly one family was mind-blowing. The floors were covered in crimson red carpets, the walls shined in their full marble glory, and there were intricate designs decorating the ceiling, almost resembling religious iconography. The light from the diamonds on the chandelier were reflecting on the ceiling, almost looking like tiny rainbows.

We moved upstairs for a few floors, and I carried myself inside the new armor that was given to me, climbing with almost a weight on my shoulders. Even with years of training, going upstairs in a suit of armor was never easy.

After the flight of stairs that seemed like they were never going to end, I was stopped by the guards saying that we had arrived at the floor where the princess resided.

"The princess is expecting to see you." said a man approaching us a few steps into the hallway, notifying us that the princess had called me into her room. Upon hearing this the guards commanded me to pick up my pace since the princess was urgently expecting me, and there were a few more new recruits she needed to see after me.

After less than a minute of very fast-paced walking, we had reached the door of the princess's headquarters.

The door was opened by two other guards from the inside as I heard the princess say "You may come in." her voice was raspy yet not deep, almost a vocal fry. She sounded conceited, and rightfully so, because she was the daughter of the king after all.

I walked towards her throne with the guards walking a few centimeters behind me. Her throne was plated with gold and had a royal purple seat. It was almost twice her size, but she seemed to fit on it just right anyway.

"It's great to be in your honor, your highness." I said before bowing down. "My name is Theresa, I'm twenty-two years old. I've been a knight for four years. My job here is to guard you and to protect you from any threat or tyranny."

"Very well." she said after looking me up and down. Her hazel eyes were staring onto my armor before making their way onto my face. "You're really young for a knight... especially at this position." she added passive-aggressively.

"I... started training very early." I said silently.

"I don't remember asking?" She said, in a snobby tone; which reminded me of what Arthur had said to me about her earlier. "Anyway... I have a trip coming up next month." she spoke after a few seconds of silence that felt like forever. "They want me to meet the prince of the neighboring nation, and they want you there because you're strong and also a girl my age or whatever. As if..."

"I would be honored to be your primary guard on the trip, your highness." I said hesitantly. I was afraid she was going to tell me off again.

"Good. My father wants me to grow accustomed to you by then though, so you will be spending your dining hours guarding me while i eat." She looked at her hand, twirled her long wavy black hair with her finger, and than went back to looking at me. "...so that I won't have to talk to you the whole time." she smiled slightly. I had grown slightly angry at her almost picking on me, but I told myself not to take it personally due to her being the princess.

"Anything else you'd like to add, Princess Norah?" Asked the guard behind me, looking at her.

"No. I'd like to be left alone now. You may leave." she said coldly.

"Thank you for your time, princess." I said before the guards lead me outside.

--
I took a deep sigh as I entered the living space. Both Edna and Clement looked at me, and Edna gave me an endearing smile.

"So... how'd it go?" Clement asked enthusiastically.

"I think I fumbled a little... but it was fine." I answered. "Apparently the princess has a trip coming up so I have to spend dining hours with her so that she grows accustomed to me." I said, trying to keep my frustration silent. There was a deep moral shame within me for ever feeling angry at a royal. I felt like I was almost a traitor to the nation.

"Don't worry too much about the slip-up." Said Edna. "I've encountered the princess while working with the king. She was a child back then, but she is known for having a bit of an attitude. She's probably forgotten about it already."

"Yeah!" added Clement, interrupting Edna's speech. "Also it's terrible that you're going to miss dining hour. Like... when are you going to eat?"

"On the breaks, I guess... though there won't be any knights around to talk to, I guess." I sighed.

"I'm on duty after dining hour but Edna is here!" Clement said. "...unless there's an emergency situation or something." he added. "Are you okay, by the way? You don't look like you're taking this all that great."

"I'm fine." I answered. "I just didn't think things would escalate so quickly here. I'm also getting used to it still. This place is huge..." I said, denying my own feelings of frustration.

"Alright than..." he replied. "Come talk to us when something's bothering you. We won't tell on you if you gossip a little, I promise." he winked.

"Clement, give her a break. You're smothering her with all the talk. She clearly needs to rest." Edna added while sitting on a chair and looking at both of us.

"No, it's okay, really." I smiled at her. "Also thanks Clement, but I don't think I need anything for now." I wanted to be left alone at that point. "I'll be heading to my room now. I need to relax... It will be a long month ahead of me after all." I added smiling slightly.

I walked into my room after I listened to both of the knights wishing me luck for the upcoming month, took off my suit of armor and got dressed into my night gown even though it was only the evening. I sat down on my bed, resting my whole body and mind while being ready to be called out again at any moment. My mind however would not rest. I had so many thoughts like what my schedule was going to be, and how guarding such an important person was going to be like...