Stronger Than She Was: A Be My Princess x My Sweet Bodyguard Crossover

Chapter 1 - A Dream

Kiri's POV

4 Years After Her Mother's Death

I set the tea set on the serving cart next to the cakes. The princes of the six kingdoms had gathered here today to plan next week's ball. It was a sort of exercise their parents and Lord Michel had arranged for them to test their ability to work together. As I knocked on the door to the west drawing-room, I could hear Prince Keith and Prince Joshua arguing about something. I entered the room pushing the cart. The princes didn't even look up as I pushed the cart to the table and began serving them tea. These men had been my best friends since I was six, and I've memorized how they take their tea by now.

"We shouldn't use red wine! According to tradition, red wine has never been used at a ball thrown in Noble Michel Castle," Joshua yelled. He and Keith were standing on opposite sides of the table, leaning menacingly toward one another.

"The official drink of San Lorenzo is wine! This ball is being held to honor their new prime minister. Shouldn't we have wine in recognition of his country?" Keith argued back. His eyes held the fire and ferocity of a lion.

"You both have a point, but I don't think yelling it is going to help anything. It's just immature." Glenn sighed as he took his tea.

"If I may, I'm from San Lorenzo," I spoke up. I may have been their friend, but I still needed permission to speak.

"Of course, we'd love to hear the opinion of a San Lorenzian rose." Edward smiled warmly.

"I can say with absolute certainty that wine is toasted on special occasions. However, I also understand that tradition is a large part of Noble Michel. Would it not be possible to compromise and get champagne?" I asked as I placed the tray of cakes on the table.

"That is a good idea, but we were wanting to have a drink that resembled San Lorenzo's red flag." Roberto frowned.

"How about Rose Champagne? It has a deep pink tint that would compliment your color scheme." I suggested. Joshua and Keith slowly nodded and took their seats.

"That could work," Keith mumbled as he sipped his tea.

"Would you like to join us? We could use your insight." Wilfred offered a small smile as he indicated a seat at the table. The other princes nodded and urged me to join them.

I looked at the now empty cart and then back at the princes. "I'd love to, but I should be getting back to work. I've got a lot to do before school tonight." I smile at them and start to push the cart out.

"What happened to the old Kiki?" Roberto pouted. "You used to hang out with us all the time!"

"That was years ago." I smiled sadly at him before leaving. It was true. Before my mother died four years ago, I would hang out with the princes every chance I got, but things changed after I got back to the castle. I asked Lord Michel for a job so I could continue living in the castle and attend Charles University. I've been working non-stop for four years now, and I'm not sure how my mother did it.

After making my way back to the kitchen to drop off the cart before finishing cleaning the rooms, Zain stopped me. He seemed to tower over me, and his green eyes could pierce my soul. I know many a young maid that carried a torch for him, but he was so secretive that none of them got close to him.

"Kiri?" He said. "I was looking for you."

"Oh, sorry Master Zain, I was serving tea to the princes." I curtsied. Despite the fact that I am a fixture in castle due to the fact I've been living here since I was five, Zain is still my boss and therefore deserves my respect, so I address him as protocol demands. But if he would let me, I would love to drop all formality between us and become friends. Maybe, in time, we could be more.