Prince's Bodyguard

Chapter 1

The tall gates were haunting to the core, mocking the modern landscape that grew around the gothic style castle. the thin iron pillars were evenly separated throughout the length on all sides of the palace's land, only changing slightly for the two entrances: the one for guests and one for seaside evacuations. Far beyond the medieval gates was the castle, separated by kilometers of land. it's lingering stature in the morning fog like a creature in a dream would chill any person's spine for the first time. Perhaps it was the namesake's idea to do so, to cause fear to their new guests as they enter the ancient lands for the first time. Arronhim Castle sits in the countryside of it's land, unlike many other monarch homes around the world being within the city's capital. It holds like a war torn fort, overlooking the sea that it resides beside ever since it was crafted in a forgotten time. what a daunting site to behold; all the battles of century's past mirroring from it's walls, memorializing its share of rise and fall of it's monarchs.

'Arronhim Castle', Millie thinks to herself in the regional accent, unlike her own. She  collects herself away from it's monstrous glare as she showed her temporary pass to the guard in front of her. He gave a collection of sharp nods as he moved backwards away from the car, motioning to his partner in the small command booth that all was clear. "welcome, Ms. Cardy. Hope to chat more once you're settled in. I'm Amir, and that cheery creature in the box is Aazim." He said, giving a warm grin towards her while throwing his hand back forwards his partner. She nodded once, glancing back to him as she readjusted in the driver's seat, placing the card back in her pocket. He was old, not much older than her father. A harmless face, but was worn over the years. His partner, younger than him but was still matured, looked through his travel mug at her, giving a half-hearted wave as he pressed the button. The smell of chai filling her nose as she drives off, mixing with the coffee she had in her car. She drives forward, away from her new coworkers and towards the place she will now call home.

'It's the same shit, different pot.' Millie thinks to herself as she drives towards the employee's parking area that hides behind the bridge connecting the royal family's quarters to the rest of the castle. collects her work bag and heads towards the assigned entrance adjacent to the parking area, leaving all her belongings in her car, not that there's anything worth stealing within the small collection of boxes. the doorway was large for a employee entrance, which she did not mind all that much as she was broader than most women who would have entered through this way. Millie glances down at her phone, letting out a satisfied exhale as she sees her new employer, Genner, had texted her while she drove in, giving her instructions on where to go to meet everyone. the castle was massive for a first time visitor: endless hallways, large windows, architecture that predates many countries at this time. 'At least it won't be boring' she blinks as she enters what Genner said was the great hall. a handful of people where already there. She glances at each one of them, collecting as much baseline profiles and gentle assumptions as she can. Genner, a stalky man no older than Amir with olive skin and almost ember-like irises greats her first.  "Hello Mildred, I'm glad to see you found your way. I hope you didn't get too lost yet." He says with a wink and a father-like grin, causing his beard to slope a bit. She nods, holding all her emotion in her eyes, a trick she learned in the forces. He notices, and continues "This is lyn, the head of maids," he gestures to a small woman, old enough to Millie's grandmother "Excuse yourself Gen, my proper title is 'Keeper of Chambers'" Lyn said, wrinkling her button-like nose and her chin pointed up at an angle, giving her a new found height. Gen rolled his eyes which caused Lyn to pinch his underarm, causing a yelp from him and a snicker from the rest of the unknowns. "This is Jean, the head chef," Genner continued, a mid-sized man stepped forward, tilting his head forward a bit for acknowledgement, his dark eyes showing little care with the show going on in the forefront. "Angus and Catalina, our land keepers" A plump woman with ocean eyes and soft features and a man who mirrors the Norseman reference paintings stepped forward. "and my husband 'slash' your boss, Asa." a man in a suit much like the one she received through the mail and well-kept graying hair locks eyes with Millie, studying her as she studies him.

After the formalities, and everyone resumes their posts. Genner kisses his husband on the cheek before running off to set up the next line of duties. Asa and Millie continue towards the security wing. As they enter the section assigned to the security team, a line of people usher towards the front of the room to get a full look at the new coworker. "Everyone, this is Mildred, as you all know. Be sure to do what you all do best and adapt her into the family." Asa says and gestures her to her new desk. The security collective are all well build, though in varying proportions, all ages and genders. They are all wearing the same suit she and Asa are wearing, but they have different colour cufflinks on their otherwise same black suit jacket. 'Must be the different security sub-sectors' she thought to herself.

She meets them one at a time, slowly forgetting each of their names and giving them nicknames that will be stored away for her personal use. "Mildred, follow me." Asa says while placing a hand on her shoulder. Millie nods and gives her new coworkers a 'See you all later' look, keeping her face neutral.

Millie follows her boss towards the royal keep, meeting a large staircase that travels up to the new floor she has yet to venture in. As she finishes up the stairs and walks onward down the corridor, the floor hollows out as it becomes the bridge she drove under earlier. She is now entering the royal keep. Passing by maids, butlers, handlers, and other staff, giving soft nods to all of them. Asa opens the door, allowing her to enter first. It seems to be a main room, a family room, but in exaggerated proportions. Another man, and two women walk into the room, wearing the exact same suits, and coloured cufflinks. 'Gold cufflinks mean royal specific guard, gotcha' she thought to herself.

"Mildred, this is Gwen, the Queen's Bodyguard," Asa gestures towards a tall, redheaded woman of somewhere from late 30s early 40s age, who in another time period would resemble Boadicea waved strictly in Millie's direction. "This is Carsh, The king's bodyguard" a large man with partly grayed hair, sharp features, towering over Gwen but has gentle forest floor eyes nodded towards her. "and finally, Keylie, the Princess's bodyguard." a younger girl, closer to Millie's age and stature met Millie's gaze. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a military bun, matching Gwen's, allowing her almost violet eyes and pale skin to be visible. 'Wait, Princess's?' "If she's the Princess's bodyguard, what am i here for?" Asa cocked his head to the side, giving her a pushed look. "What do you mean?". Millie stepped around so she can see his full profile. "I thought i was assigned to be the Princess's bodyguard." She torques her head back towards Keylie. "But Keylie looks well and alive. Why was i called in?". Asa looked at her again. Slowly, as if he finally clicked into her inquiry, grew an amused grin. "You're filling the position for the Prince's bodyguard."

The Prince's bodyguard?