The Protected (Book 2)

Chapter 16: Banquet

Princess Alana and her personal guard had started their tour, which consisted of us walking away from the stables in an awkward silence.

"Well... that may not have been the best introduction, although it may have been better than what I was going to say originally," said Mathew. "I did not think 'honey, I'm home' would have been very appropriate."

I bit my lip to keep me from laughing, but nothing stopped Alana from bursting into laughter. "Well yes, I guess so."

Mathew smiled at the princess which stirred a weird feeling inside of me. Jealousy. I had no right to be jealous. He wasn't mine.

Sebastian cleared his throat earning our attention. "Please forgive me for asking, but we still haven't gotten the name of your companion."

He was speaking about me. Sebastian eyed me curiously taking in my attire in confusion. I suppose I might be the first female he has seen in a uniform, not wearing a dress or skirt.

I opened my mouth to respond but Mathew beat me. "This is my royal guard, Lady Clarissa. She was the one who brought me here safely."

Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise while Alana let out a gasp.

"A female guard?" the princess asked.

I could almost sigh, I always received such reaction.

"Yes, the first in our kingdom," I replied.

I could see the prideful look Mathew was giving. "She is very talented, she is Captain Dorian's daughter after all--"

"You are the daughter of the Captain Dorian of Faraine? He is a legend, even here," said Sebastian in awe. Pride swelled up in my chest, I was proud of being my father's daughter. He was an amazing warrior.

"Yes, I have been trained by him personally ever since I was a child," I replied, watching Sebastian's expression turn more intrigued. I've never met anyone so interested as to who I was like Sebastian.

Princess Alana was laughing now. "Oh my, I have never seen Sebastian look so interested in anything as interested as he is in you Lady Clarissa."

I noticed the blush creeping up Sebastian's neck. I couldn't help but blush as well. "Please, Clarissa will suffice, you are to be my queen after all."

A smile crept on her lips. "I think I like you already."

I think I liked her too. It was so hard to hate Alana. Everything I had imagined her to be, the image I made of her in my head all fell when I actually met her. She was actually really likeable and impressive. I immediately felt horrible for judging her before even meeting her.

The princess and Sebastian gave us a full tour of the castle, the princess even showed us some secret tunnels and passage ways that she explained would make a fun game of hide and seek if we were up for it later. By the time the tour was done, the banquet had been set. We made our way to the banquet hall where the beautiful aroma of actually good food filled the air. I looked at Mathew who looked equally excited as I was.

Mathew was placed at the head of the table next to the princess and her family. I was originally placed towards the other end of the table but Mathew made sure I was seated right next to him. The prince kept surprising everyone by treated me by a higher status than a mere guard. Even though my mother was the Royal Vizier and my father was the Captain of the Guard along with being the only living son to one of the richest lords in Faraine. I had a high title but I only liked to show off my title as a guard because that was something I earned rather than being born into.