A Fairy's Guardian (UNDER EDITING)

Chapter 3

!! Trigger warning: there will be talk about past abuse, abandonment, and sexual harassment. I will let you know when that part comes up and when it ends that way you can skip that part of the chapter. If you are sensitive to these topics, please don't push yourselves to read it. I love you guys and your mental health is important 🥰🥰!!

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"Shailyn meet King Viktor Ransley- my adopted father," Levi says casually, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Dad, this is Shailyn. With the number of escape attempts she's made today, might as well call her Houdini."

"You never told me the King was your Dad," I huffed, arms crossing tightly over my chest. No wonder they were so quick to bring me in, Levi lived here. As a fricken prince.

The King studied me with a raised eyebrow. "So what's this all about son?" He asked, clearly intruiged rather than concerned.

"Long story short? Shailyn here stole from me, got marked by fate, tried to bolt, got caught, tried to bolt again, and now we're here." Levi said casually.

"That was supposed to be the short version?" I asked him, one brow raised.

The King's head tilted slightly, eyes narrowing with interest. "So what would your version be then, fledging?" He questioned. His voice smooth but pointed as he leaned forward, mainting eye contact as if he could see right through me.

Shifting awkwardly, I looked away. "Stole from the Prince. Ran from him and his guard. Twice. That pretty much sums it up" I mumble, suddenly finding the floor very interesting to look at.

A hand rested gently on top of my head, drawing my attention back up. "I don't think it does, Shailyn. In fact, I'm willing to bet it doesn't even scratch the surface."

"Might wanna take a deep breath kid," Quinn advised from the doorway. "Told you that he would be interested in hearing your story."

While that may have been true, there was one little detail he forgot to mention.

This vampire king could sift through memorized. One hand on my forehead and bam, suddenly he saw everything that I've kept to myself.

⚠️⚠️!! Potential triggers start here, look for the next pair of caution signs if you wish to skip ahead.⚠️⚠️

He saw it all, my whole past. I know this because for a moment, every memory that haunted me on a daily basis was blocked. As if someone was plucking them out one by one before placing it back.

The memory of my father leaving at a young age was the first to be blocked. Then came the abuse from my mother, the physical, the verbal, the psychological. The dark, cold, and damp basements I'd be locked into. The tingly sensation that followed after my mother chocked me until I passed out, the constant accusation that I was the reason my father left. Those all went silent for a moment before slowly coming back as he moved on to the next memories.

He went through more memories of my my mother, until he got to the time where I finally ran away. It was right before highschool and I had been living on the streets ever since. I had been jumped a few times, touched in places I didn't want to be touched by both drunk men and women. Then there were times where I not to proudly ate food from a dumpster when it was too cold for food stands.

Everything I had been through was laid out right before him. I felt violated but at the same time I felt... Free? I had kept all of this to myself for so long, it felt strange to have it shared with someone. Wait, can he still hear my thoughts? OK, stop thinking.... Yeah, like that's gonna happen.

⚠️⚠️END OF POSSIBLE TRIGGERS, IT IS SAFE TO READ NOW.⚠️⚠️

"I see then," Viktor said after a brief moment of silence, his voice measured. "Here lies my dilemma, fledgling. You pickpocketed stole, that is true. But you only took what you needed. Even then, you gave whatever you could in return."

He leaned back slightly, his eyes softening as he continues. "Your intentions are not one of a criminal, but of someone trying to survive. Now, if you wouldn't mind," He gestured to my wrist lightly. "I'd to see your mark please."

I narrowed my eyes at him and shook my head. "What if I offer my servitude Your Majesty. I could be a servant and help clean to pay of my debt."

The King shot me a stern look, grabbing my arm with inhuman speed. "You don't get to tell me no, young lady," he said, voice low and firm, as he rolled up my right sleeve without hesitation.

"A servant is not who you are destined to be right now Shailyn...Ransley." His red  eyes inspected the mark with intense focus. "After getting to know you a bit more, I've made a decision. Quinn? Uncuff her please. She's been pardoned, officially, from all crimes committed today."

"Wait, what?" I asked, brows furrowed and unsure if I heard any of that correctly. Quinn chuckled at my confusion as he undid the cuffs.

The King turned his attention to Levi, who stood with his hands still in his pockets. A smug smile already beginning to form.

"Levi, as both your Father and King, I have an order for you. It is an order that came from the gods and goddesses themselves." A firm hand was placed on my shoulder as the King stood up behind me. "As Shailyn's Guardian, you are ordered to provide her with protection, structure, and support."

"Your Majesty," I objected, swallowing hard while trying to keep my voice even. "I would like to point out that, Levi is also your leader of the Royal Guards. Do you really want his mark distracting him from his duties to the kingdom?"

Your concern for my kingdom's safety is noted, Shailyn," The King said, his voice calm but determined. "However, as your guardian, Levi has certain obligations that cannot be neglected. Your safety and well-being fall within those duties."

"The gods wouldn't have marked us if it wasn't in everyone's best interest," Levi added in, his tone relaxed but unwavering. "They had to actually agree with one another, which isn't exactly common."

"Your new little classification isn't going to just disappear Shailyn," The King said gently. His gaze softened but his words landed heavy. "You're going to have to accept it sooner or later."

I clenched my jaw, fingers tapping on the side of my pants." This-- this isn't fair," I stammered, voice shaking." I didn't ask for any of this."

"Sometimes the things we need to most, are the things we want the least little one," The King remarked. His tone gentle, as if he was speaking to a kid. "Given what I saw within your memories, this is what will best heal you."

 Levi took his hands out of his pockets and stood straighter. "I Levi Ransley accept my role as Guardian," he said, voice deepening with authority. "From this moment forward, I agree to love, cherish, and protect Shailyn Evergreen. I will provide the structure and guidence my fledgling needs to grow and prosper. May the world now know her as Shailyn Ransley."