The Heir and her Guard

Chapter 1

A/N: In this book, Max is G!P. I wanted to experiment with something I haven't done before but if you are not comfortable with that you can read my other books where they're not. I will provide warnings on parts you may feel uncomfortable, but they are quite major plot points.

Princess Jane sat up in bed, rubbing the drowsiness out of her eyes. Her lady-in-waiting, Nancy, walked into the room and opened the blinds.

Jane winced and used the pillow to cover her eyes from the harsh morning sun. "Stop Nance." She whined.
She just chuckled and walked over to the bed, "It's 7 am, your royal highness. The King and Queen have requested your presence."
"Tell them I'm busy."
"They said it's urgent, ma'am."

Jane got out of bed as the others ladies rushed in to get her gowns and bed ready. "It's Jane, Nancy. You've known me basically all my life."
"That is true ma- Jane. However, Max still seems to call you by your royal titles, and she has known you since infancy." Nancy said, matter of factly.
"That is merely her own way of getting on my nerves. I have told her many times she may call me by my name, not by my titles."

The ladies dressed her as Nancy spoke. "Well, it's our duty to respect those titles ma'am."
Jane nodded, "I understand. But isn't my dearest brother William called Will around here?"
"Well- yes ma'am. But you are the heir, the jewel of Aveington itself."
"Isn't that my mother?"
"She is the respectable Queen, but you are the future of this kingdom."
"As the heir, I'd like to be addressed as Jane, not by my titles. I am simply a human as are you all."
"Very well Jane. Let me do your hair and you may go to the throne room."

Jane nodded and turned around, glad her request had been fulfilled.

20 or so minutes later, she was ready to talk to her parents. The other ladies left the room so it was only Nancy and Jane.
"Tell me Nancy, do you have any idea what my parents might need? It is ever so random."
"I don't have a clue. I suppose it must be something important." She opened Jane's bedroom door and held it open for her as she walked out.

Max, Jane's personal guard, was standing post outside the door as she did every morning. She turned once the door opened and nodded at Nancy.

"I shall take her from here. Throne room is it?" She asked.
"Yes. The King and Queen have said it is urgent." Nancy answered, shutting the door behind them both.
"Okay, let's go your royal highness." She smirked as Jane rolled her eyes.
"I shall see you later Nancy." Jane said.
"Of course." Nancy gave a small curtesy and headed down across the balcony.

Jane turned to Max as they began heading down the velvet carpeted stairs. "You do love to annoy me, don't you?" She asked.
Max looked at her innocently, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I've told you many times you may address me as Jane. There's no need for all the titles."
She chuckled, "But you're royalty. And as a princess, you have titles."
"I am aware. But as personal friends, there's no need."

They headed down the lavishly decorated halls, "Why do you prefer to be addressed as Jane?"
"Because it's my name. And your royal highness makes me feel rather inhumane. Ma'am just makes me feel old."
"Very well, ma'am." She laughed as Jane gave her a death stare.
"If I didn't have morals you'd be 6 feet under by now."
"If it wasn't under my oath to protect you, I'd have defended myself."
"So you're not allowed to defend yourself against me?" Jane asked, confused.
"Well I guess I could dodge. I wouldn't be able to fight back though."
"I wouldn't take it to heart." She said.
"Your parents would." Max explained.
"I'll keep that in mind." Jane joked.

As they reached the tall, secure doors of the throne room, the butlers opened the door and they entered.

The Queen, Jane's mother smiled as she saw them, and her father, the King, seemed to be thinking.