The Guard

27

THE GUARD
• Serena's pov •

It was the day before the big ball Arabella and Jaxson were having. The whole city- everyone was invited. The palace was making preparations a day early to make sure everything would go smoothly, and I wished I could help, but my nerves were getting the best of me.

Ruth had spent her day here with me, I helped her bake her lovely pies and cakes, and I never knew of someone who loved baking as she did. Maybe there was a new journey on her way.

Ruth rolls her dough over the glass counter while I add on little flowers on top of the cakes she had finished letting them cool down.

"Are you attending the ball tomorrow evening?"

With the shake of her head, I knew I wouldn't see her face there. I was bummed to say the least, but understanding in the way she did not wish to be in the spotlight yet.

"I do not do well with crowds, it has nothing to do with you, Serena." Her voice is soft, caring.

"I understand." I nod.

"Where is that gentleman?" She suddenly questions.

"What gentleman?"

"Your guard, I assume? He is always with you, I see that he is not here at the moment," she shared further.

Oh.

She is asking about Bridger.

"He is quite busy. He works for the King now." My voice is filled with tension, and she can tell so she does not push the conversation further.

She nods in understanding. "Are you excited for the ball?" She then smiles when changing the topic.

"Tomorrow I shall pick a suitor to wed," I say aloud and this time my heart cracks again, and my feelings come rushing back once more. "The council wishes for me to wed, so I must."

"Is that what you want?" Her eyes soften at my discomfort, already knowing that this is not what I want. What I want is Bridget Cunningham.

I shrug, fiddling with my shaky hands. I was never good at keeping my emotions down. "It does not matter what I want." I laugh. "What matters is who I am to the people of this country, I do not wish to let them down any longer."

"Is it worth your happiness?" A raised brow appears on her features when she retorts her words to me. "I do not mean to cross any lines, but it seems like you do not have that happy spark in your eyes like you once had."

My eyes are dull, no longer having that spark that I had presented to the world. It was gone, just like Bridger.

"What about you?" I changed the subject quickly. "Do you ever believe you will marry again?"

"No." She laughs, setting the doe over the unfinished pie. Her eyes leave my being, filtering over the pie. "I am facing a lot of attention from the people of this city from my divorce, I could never marry again, it would be treasonous."

"It would not, I would approve of it," I replied quickly. "You deserve love, Ruth. A real, true love. My sister would be sure to approve of your marriage with another, I can promise that to you."

"Not right now." Her voice breaks, and she holds tears in her brown eyes. A small smile lifts her lips, and she begins to bake her pie after a dozen more. "But thank you, you have done everything for me. Given me a fresh start at life, for that, I could never repay that back."

My hand covers her and she is shocked by my touch yet once again. I give her the sweetest smile.

"When you are ready for marriage again, I am here to support you," I remind.