The Princess and the Bodyguard

Ever since Kurtis Schubert's father died in war while Kurtis was 6, he wanted to be the princess's bodyguard. He was strong enough, witty enough, and certainly had the manners when he was in a good mood. He blamed the royal family, (particularly the king, Henry Elliot Astor) for the death of his beloved father and thought of no better way to strike back than to kill the only heir and precious hope of the kingdom. He joined a crew of assassins, accepted only by his cunning and ruthlessness. At age 14, only 2 years older than the princess, he became the youngest trainee at the academy. The other boys wanted the title, the money, and a shot at the beautiful princess. He wanted revenge. And so began the long competition of a lifetime they would prove once and for all who was the best among the school boys.
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Princess Christabel Melita Astor had long since lived a life of tragedy. At age 4 her mother was murdered by an assassin who snuck into the castle, attempting to murder the king, his son, and the young princess as well to end the royal line. Put under much careful protection, she was drawn away from the carefree comfort of the summer castle, her village friends, and her own wing in the castle for hide and seek with her cousins. Guards were checked and doubled as her education and protection became the only thing her father cared about. When she reached 12 years of age, the king issued a proclamation after a second attempted murder on her. She was to have a bodyguard to watch over her night and day. A NEW bodyguard, closer to her age. Christabel hopes to learn of the outside world that she had been forced to leave behind and maybe even a friend that she could confide in.

This is a CHALLENGE book from my friends, who insist that I can't write a romance novel without killing anyone. To that I say: characters who start off the book dead DO NOT count. Enjoy!