I'll Protect You (Original Version)

Alright, who came up with the idea to put seven noble clans in one room?

"How much do you want to bet I'm grounded for the next five years?" I asked to Archer, nudging him in the chest. 

Archer smirked and seemed to contemplate his bet for a bit as we stood in front of the palace doors, waiting for someone to open them and provide us shelter from the freezing spring winds and rain.

That's right, Ireland. You thought you had bad spring rains? Well, welcome to Cimeria, where it's sometimes considered strange if it's not raining in the spring.

"Five? I don't think you'll be allowed to leave the house without a squad of agents ever. I overheard a conversation between Father and Grandmother discussing how many bodyguards you need now."

A string of profanities escaped my mouth and I ended up banging my head against the wooden doors with groans.
              "Actually," Archer continued with a rather cheerful one, "they might not even let you leave the house until they are completely, one-hundred percent sure that we no longer have any targets on our back."

"The sympathy and compassion that you are giving off right now is unbelievable. Please, don't exert all of your kindness onto me all at once," I said sarcastically, shooting him an angry glare.
                "Shh," he said, holding up a hand. "You talk too much."

The guards standing on either side of the door were probably laughing inside right now. I stuck out my tongue and kicked him with the leg that didn't have an ankle brace on it. However, my brother easily dodged the blow without even glancing down.

Just then, the grand doors of the Cimerian palace began to creak open. Standing between them, looking extremely agitated and on edge, was Alfred. His cross face instantly melted into a warm smile when he saw us standing there.

"Your Highnesses!" he exclaimed happily. "I did not know that you would be back today!"
            "Good morning, Alfred!" I replied back happily. "I would cripple your back with my hug but unfortunately, I have an ankle brace on, which prevents me from tackling others."
        .        "I fail to see how that's unfortunate," Archer commented. "It's good to see you, Alfred."

My brother walked forward to give Alfred a hug but the head butler backed away, shaking his head profusely, a furious glint in his eyes.
               "Oh, I would not do that right now, Your Highness," Alfred warned. "You have...guests."

My broher and I exchanged very alarmed looks. Guests? The only guests that ever came were for the grand parties our family had to hrow every year. I highly doubted anyone in my family was in the mood for festive celebrations.
             Our answer came quick, though, when Jasper charged into the South Entrance, a frenzied look in his eyes.

"Honestly, you guys pick now to show up?" he panted, doubling over to catch his breath. "Perfect timing, Archer."
             "The warm welcomes I get with this family is unbelievable," Archer sighed. "I haven't seem them in four months, and I recently got done with a very dangerous mission, and all I get is this? I feel a bit offended."

"No, you don't understand," Jasper cut in, standing up straight. "Abigail's trial called for a full court, did you know that?"
            "Of course I did," Archer scoffed.
           "Seven of the noble clans are here. Do you remember what the royal family is obligated to do during times like these?"

"Don't tell me..." I started off. "Really?"

"Your Highness!" about fifteen different voices called out.

"You've got to be kidding me," Archer groaned quietly, taking a step back so he was back outside with me.
As fast as I could, I planted a gigantic smile on my face as members from different clans came up to us.