*Sorry readers but there will be no "Attention" for this book😉*
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Sakura has never found Ajehren handsome...until he became her father's personal bodyguard.
With blue, twinkling eyes and a perfect smile showing off pearly white teeth, he was easily the most attractive boy she has ever seen.
Nowadays she found herself gazing dreamily at him while he walked at her father's side, walking confidently in long, big strides. When he caught her looking, he always winked at her, not offended at all.
Sakura's father was an important magistrate, a person who acts as a judge at court when it comes to less serious crimes. With a bushy beard and piercing eyes, he looked more fierce and powerful than ever.
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Just a month ago, Ajehren found himself hired as the magistrate's bodyguard.
In this month, he had just seen a few glimpses of the magistrate's daughter, but he could already tell that she was stunning and absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.
Sometimes when he caught her looking at him, he would wink at her just so that he could see her blush, which made her seem like a blossoming flower.
No, he kept telling himself, I can't fall in love. I'm just a plain bodyguard who has to focus on his duties, not worthy of a wealthy magistrate's daughter. His job was to protect the magistrate and, if necessary, his family from any harm, not to fall in love with a girl he could never have.
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Sakura hummed as she combed through her chestnut-coloured, silky hair, thinking about her father's bodyguard the whole time. She shook her head, trying to clear her complicated, messy thoughts. She was a small, petite girl with a slender body and sparkling eyes, and she walked with such grace nobody could ever fake.
Just then someone rapped on her door harshly.
"Yes?" Sakura called.
"May I come in?" A gruff, familiar voice sounded, one that was known as her father's. It was a tradition and a rule that fathers must knock before entering their daughter's room, which was the only reason why the magistrate didn't barge into the room straight away.
There was no way Sakura could say no. "Yes, do come in please." She said.
Her father, Tenkehren came in and closed the door behind him. Without waiting for his daughter's permission, he sat down on her bed and smoked his cigar, small puffs of smoke drifting up into the air.
Sakura wrinkled her nose and quickly went to open the windows, for the fear that she might choke on the smoke.
"Well, Sakura, I have to tell you something that will change your forever," Sakura's father became instantly cheerful.
"Mmhmm..." Sakura replied as she anxiously twiddled her finger.
"Sakura, you're going to be married to the emperor after six months." Sakura's father dropped the bomb.
Sakura was gobsmacked. The last thing she wanted for her life was to be married to some wealthy but snobbish emperor who already has thousands of wives. How disrespectful he was to women! Also, the emperor was already forty years old whereas Sakura was only twenty years old! How was she supposed to spend her life with this man? She didn't even know him! Lots of disastrous thoughts swam in her head.
"Look, I know it's hard for you, but please, understand me a bit." The magistrate held his daughter's smooth, pale hands, a rare, affectionate gesture. "The emperor is one of the ways to get wealth and power, and I'm positive you would feel at least satisfied living with him."
Sakura bit her lip and looked at the ground. Then, slowly and uncertainly, she nodded. Her father leapt on it before she could change her mind. "So you agree, then. Let's shake on it," he said like businessman making a deal, the softness in his eyes gone. He was back to his hard, cold self again.
Sakura hesitated.
"Shake on it!" The magistrate's tone became menacing, an abrupt change detected in his manner.
Sakura shook her father's hand, a gesture that sealed her fate.
As soon as the door slammed behind her father, Sakura gave a loud wail and burst into tears. Why is this going to happen? She had predicted this and prepared for this yet it was just so heart-breaking. Why can't she make the choice of her own life? Why should she be married to a man who already has too many wives to play with? Why? Sakura's body racked with sobs.
A light tap sounded at her bedroom door.
"Come in," Sakura said, not able to think straight.
A man in dark uniform slowly came in, shutting the door soundlessly behind him.
"Are you all right, miss? I heard wailing from your room so I came to check on you." A deep, gentle voice said.
Sakura spun around and quickly recognised the person in front of her--the handsome bodyguard of her dad. "I'm okay..." She said as she wiped tears off her tearstained face and blushed fiercely.
"Are you sure? May I get you a cup of water?" The bodyguard asked, still concerned.
Sakura cracked a small smile. "Aren't you only supposed to protect my father?"
"Well in theory, I could also protect his family members from harm and I bet you're hurt, but not physically?"
Sakura almost laughed, forgetting her worries for the moment. "Yes, I'm still a bit hurt," she said, sadness returning to her face. "Can you please help me get a cup of water?"
"Sure, that's what I offered to do for you at the first place." Ajehren said, gave Sakura 'cute' wink, and rushed off, making Sakura blush again. Boy, I do blush a lot, she thought embarrassedly and looked at her round, perfectly-shaped and nourished nails on her long fingers,
By the time she looked up from examining her nails, Ajehren had already returned, holding a mug containing some water.
"Be careful; it's hot," Ajehren said as he handed the mug over to Sakura, "I should better go now. Don't want to be caught neglecting my duties," Ajehren smiled and waved, then, he walked out of the room.
Sakura slowly sipped her water, noting that it was the exact temperature she wanted it. She couldn't supress the feeling that she had a teeny tiny crush on Ajehren, but then she shook her head. Falling in love couldn't help that she was going to be married to the emperor...
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Hey guys thanks for reading my chapter one!! I'm going to be updating soon so keep your eyes peeled for them!! ^3^ :) <3
