The Queen's Guard (gxg)

p r o t e c t

The week passed slow. I hadn't gotten that much sleep; my eyes were continuously burning, and I got headaches whenever I ventured out into the sun. I had to admit, that I was afraid. Father hadn't told me anything regarding the death threats and Maia kept a close eye on me wherever we went. She stayed behind me at all times, making sure I got the space I needed, but we walked together whenever we went into the secret garden. I had noticed that she enjoyed the koi pond and cherry blossom tree, I wondered if they were there when she had become the goddess she was?

I failed to recognise her as that too. The simple fact that she was in fact a deity slipped my mind on several occasions, whenever I looked at her, she was just a mere woman serving as my bodyguard.

Funny that, father had assigned me one and the need for her hasn't arisen. In fact, there had been no attempts of my life since I had found out the rumours. I believe I am safe simply because I haven't ventured out of the castle walls yet.

The week that was coming required me to visit every major village in the kingdom, which meant I had to see my aunt in Williamston. Travelling my kingdom was something I had wanted to do as a child, but having never gotten the chance, this would be my first time. I hadn't even seen the outskirts of the palace when I was younger. The first village was in fact, my aunts.

Father wouldn't be accompanying me of course, it was only me, Maia. The man who planned my everyday life wanted to come as well but I told him that I wished to do this by myself, not the mention the vast array of guards flanking my royal carriage. The man's name was Jonathan and I had grown accustomed to his presence. A nice fellow really, old, greying hair, wrinkles and a sad smile, a description of an old man awaiting death.

Yes, I am aware of the harsh reality Jonathan was forced to endure, but I was only speaking the truth. And he had told me on several occasions that he was ready to meet his fate.

A strange man, but a valuable asset to my royal party.

The ride to the first town was uneventful to say the least. Maia and I rode in the royal carriage with two magnificent white horses pulling the front. I could hear the sound of the other guards trailing behind and clenched my fist at the fact that I needed protecting.

I could feel Maia's eyes burning into my skull from the corner of my eye, she was sitting opposite to me. She hadn't spoken for the entirety of the trip and it was strange to be in such close proximity without speaking, "My Queen."

I shuddered at the sound of her tender voice. No matter how I expect other people to address me, it was weird hearing her not call me her darling, "Yes?" I looked at her and arched an eyebrow questionably.

"You look beautiful today." Maia spoke gently and sweetly, I wondered if she spoke to everyone like that. Regardless, she had complimented me on my looks everyday for the past week she had been my body guard.

"Thank you, Maia." I replied blushing, "You uh... You haven't called me Darling in a while. What's wrong?"

I saw her smile as I kept my eyes trained on the trees rushing past as the carriage continued to move forward, "Do you want me to call you My Darling? After all, you are the queen, I thought I had to show you at least some respect for your status."

"You protecting me and fulfilling your duty as my body guard is enough respect." I turned to look at her and I found a pair of striking blue eyes staring right at me with an amused expression on her face, "Besides. Weren't you the one saying that in private, I am in fact, your darling?"

"Well, when you say it like that, it makes me feel like I have some sort of ownership over you." Maia cocked her head and her white hair fell to the side, "But you're right. I did say that, didn't I? In that case, 'till now and forever, you will be My Darling."