Cursed By Fate

II

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As the training session progressed, Aria found herself struggling to focus. Her thoughts drifted to her new title as Ryker's royal guard, and she couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. What did it really mean to be Ryker's royal guard? The weight of the responsibility loomed over her, and she felt an urge to seek answers directly from him.

After the morning training ended, Aria decided to take a stroll through the vast halls of the palace, hoping to clear her mind. The castle was like a labyrinth, its grandeur overwhelming. She turned corner after corner, taking in the exquisite decor and ornate tapestries, but with every step, she felt more lost.

Eventually, she spotted a maid dusting a nearby ornate vase. Gathering her courage, Aria approached her. “Excuse me, could you tell me where Prince Ryker’s room is?”

The maid paused, glancing up at Aria with a raised eyebrow before nodding. “Of course, my lady. It’s down that hallway, the third door on your left,” she replied, pointing down a long corridor adorned with gilded frames.

“Thank you!” Aria said gratefully, her heart racing with anticipation. She hurried down the hallway, her footsteps echoing off the polished marble floors. After a moment, she reached the third door and raised her hand to knock. But as she did, a flicker of nervousness swept over her.

What will I say? What if I sound foolish? But she shook off her doubts. She needed to know what it meant to serve him.

With a deep breath, Aria knocked, but there was no response. Hesitating for a moment, she pushed the door open slowly and stepped inside.

The room was breathtaking, larger than she had imagined, filled with luxurious furnishings and ornate decorations. Sunlight streamed through large windows, illuminating the rich colors of the tapestries and plush carpets. Aria couldn’t help but admire the opulence surrounding her, momentarily forgetting her purpose.

Then, just as she turned to leave, a cold voice startled her. “What are you doing in my room?”

Aria spun around, her heart racing. There stood Prince Ryker, his chest bare and glistening with droplets of water, a towel hanging low around his waist. She was taken aback by the sight of his impressive physique, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. The mix of surprise and embarrassment left her momentarily speechless.

“I—uh…” she stammered, her eyes widening as she quickly turned her head away, feeling heat radiating from her face. “I didn’t mean to intrude! I was just looking for you!”

Ryker’s expression shifted from surprise to amusement, a smirk playing on his lips. “And who might you be?” he asked playfully, feigning ignorance. “A new guard, perhaps?”

Aria felt her heart drop slightly, unsure of how to respond. “It’s me, Aria. I’m your royal guard now,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Ah, Aria,” he echoed, pretending to ponder for a moment. “I see. Nice to meet you, new guard.” His tone was teasing, and it stung more than she expected. “I’ll call you ‘Little Shadow’ since you’re following me around all the time.”

“Little Shadow?” Aria repeated, her embarrassment mixed with irritation. “That’s not a real nickname!”

“It is now,” Ryker said, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. “It suits you, don’t you think? Always lurking around like a shadow, trying to figure out what I’m up to.”

Aria felt a mix of exasperation and warmth at his playful teasing. “I’m not lurking! I just wanted to ask what it means to be your royal guard.”

“Being my ‘Little Shadow’ means you’ll be at my side during all my royal duties,” he replied, his smirk widening. “And it also means you’ll need to keep up with me, so no slacking off. But knowing you, I suppose I shouldn’t expect much.”