The Princess and the Bodyguard

Followed

            “What are you doing here?” hissed Nora.

            “I was about to ask you the same question,” said Ren.

            “How did you find me?” asked Nora incredulously.

            “It took a few minutes, but then I climbed onto the clock tower and spotted you in the crowd,” said Ren, pointing to a massive building overlooking the street.

            “You spotted me from there?” asked Nora. “How did you even know I was gone?”

            “I went to check how you were feeling and you were gone. I figured you would have wanted to see the city on your birthday so I went looking for you.”

            Nora shook Ren’s hand off her shoulder. “Well yes, I managed to escape the castle,” she said sarcastically. “And as you can see, I haven’t been attacked, mugged, kidnapped, or killed. In fact,” she added on a happier note, waving her prize around, “I won an Ursa.”

            “Your Highness, you aren’t hurt, but your father did not want you leaving the castle yet,” Ren said in a low voice. “It is only a matter of time before he finds you are gone and as a bodyguard, it is my responsibility to bring you back. He says it’s not safe.”

            Nora glared at Ren. “Ren, this is the first time in ten years I have left the castle. The only time I have ever seen people who do not know who I am, what I am, and are not concerned with what I will become. How more safe can I be? And how can I rule a kingdom when I have never seen it?”

            Ren sighed.

            “Princess, I know you are frustrated, but your father—”

            “—Will have discovered I’m gone already,” said Nora impatiently. “So I’m out here now, another hour will not change anything. I know you answer to my father, but can we please spend a little more time out enjoying the festival?”

            Ren looked at Nora, then glanced back to the castle and back again. Nora held her breath and crossed her fingers behind her back.

            “Okay, Princess,” said Ren finally. “But only for one hour and you have to stay with me.”

            Nora jumped up and down and hugged a startled Ren.

            “Thank you, Ren!” she said. Then a thought occurred to her. “So, if you are my bodyguard, you technically have to do what I say right?”

            “Of course, Princess, unless your father orders otherwise.”

            “Good. Then you can hold this,” grinned Nora, dumping the Ursa doll into his arms. “Now you hang on to Mrs. Claws and let’s go!”