The Guard

3

THE GUARD
• Bridger's pov •

"To the start of something good, I hope," Jaxson says, cheering a shot with Ugene and I.

Although, Ugene sips on his water, he still cheers and has a great time.

I am already feeling good after my fifth shot, lazily looking over at the perfect courtier Jaxson seems to have. He eyes me from the corner of his eye, noticing that I'm staring.

"I have a question..." I begin.

Jaxson watches us two interact, but doesn't say a word.

"Do you have a wife back at home?" I question the lone courtier.

Ugene shakes his head. "No, I do not."

This makes Jaxson interested, he starts to chuckle. "I told him I never understood that because he would make a good one."

"And why haven't you?" I tilt my head. "There are plenty of ladies in Lockwood. A bundle of them here as well."

Ugene quickly looks away from my stare, locking his jaw which gives me a sign to shut up, but I don't because I'm tipsy and there's no going back. It makes me interested at his reaction because he either has lost a love like myself, or has his eye on someone.

Let's play cupid, shall we?

"What was that?" I quickly caught on.

Jaxson smirks. "What was what?"

"That look. Go ahead, share the news. Who is she?" I knew that look in his eyes. He was really interested.

"I have a job to maintain and that is making the King happy, I do not have time for a romance. On the other hand, you are one to talk," he shares, pushing the topic back to me which makes me down another shot.

I roll my eyes. "I have a job to maintain and that is keeping Serena safe, I do not have time for a romance," I bounce the words back to him.

Ugene smirks. "Alright then. That is settled."

I stand tall from the table, wobbling a bit and Jaxson holds his arm out just in case I fall flat on my face.

"Are you sure you are alright to pack your bags and move in at this time?"

"You assigned this to me, so yes, I am alright," I say, exiting the office before setting off towards my home and to the palace where I'll call home until Jaxson says I'm free to go.

• Serena's pov •

Moving in the new palace was the dreadful part of my day. From my sister hugging me to death, to my parents making sure every scope of the palace was secure for me to live. They even offered for me to live with them, but it was time I grew up.

I hadn't seen Bridger yet, only sign of him was from Jaxson whom said he would be here.

Jaxson had quite a few of gentleman to help build a barn for me since I loved horses, and somehow he managed to find that out and I still have no idea who it could've been because Arabella nor my parents knew that I always dreamt of living or having a farm.

Bridger..

Bridger knew.

He couldn't have.

Arabella and Josephine stayed to help make the palace dazzle more, we kept conversation on how Arabella's marriage was going or Josephine's love life. I felt more relief that they didn't question me on where I stood in finding a husband, but Bella wasn't the type to pressure me into marrying. It was my mother whom I had to worry for.