The Crown Prince’s Royal Guard

TEMARI could sense the controlled and quiet power coming from the man who just entered the room. He was tall, taller than the Crown Prince, and his body was as wide as the door. He became alert and guarded when his gaze landed on Temari. His eyes narrowed at her for a moment as if he was ready to pull the sword hanging on his hips and attack her.

He didn't move an inch, though. Instead he looked past me and bowed deeply. "You asked for me, Your Highness?"

"Accompany the lady to her room, Kayden."

Temari froze and turned to the Crown Prince. He was already sitting in the settee next to the table with the candle. He was looking at the big man behind her and despite the serious expression, she could sense the affection in his eyes. It was an emotion she never saw from the first time she saw Rhys inside the castle. She assumed that he is close to the royal guard.

The man named Kayden didn't ask questions. He just bowed again and said, "As you wish, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince nodded then his gaze went back to Temari. He lifted his brows at her. She realized it was his silent way of dismissing her. She cleared her throat and remembered to do a curtsy. "Have a good night, Your Highness."

She lifted her head and looked at him. He was staring at her but she couldn't read his expression. "Stop going out of your room when you don't have to, my lady. You will get in real danger if you keep on doing that."

Temari didn't answer. She just curtsied again and went out of the room. She was surprised when the hallway looked normal than when she walked through it minutes ago. The heaviness in the air was also gone. Everything looked and felt normal.

After a moment she sensed the royal guard behind her. She looked back to see him carefully closing the door of the crown prince's sleeping quarters. Then he straightened to his full height, moved to fully face her and scowled at her.

Temari tensed. She was intimidated but didn't want to show it. She knew he has a reason to look mad. He just saw a woman inside his master's sleeping quarters. He must think she has bad intentions for being inside the crown prince's room.

She opened her mouth to say something but the royal guard cut her off. "Start walking, my lady. And no one must know that you've been with the crown prince inside his sleeping quarters. Bragging to others about your encounter with him will not help you secure the position of his future wife."

Temari was caught off guard by his gruff and threatening tone. She stood straight and her guard went up. "Your last statement is out of line. You have no right to threaten me or to imply that I went here to secure my position as his future wife. I have no such intentions."

The royal guard didn't answer but it was obvious he doesn't believe her. She lifted her chin and did her best to look like the snobby aristocrats she saw in the royal ball earlier. "I don't have to explain myself to you." Then Temari turned her back on him and began to walk away. She didn't care if he will follow her or not. She will find her way on her own, anyway.

She felt his presence behind her though. He followed her quietly. When she turned to one corner he gruffly said, "Not that way, lady."

She stopped and turned to go to the other side. She ignored the way he used 'lady' in a mocking way. They took a few more turns until Temari realized that she must've ran too far when she was chasing the cloaked stranger.

"Do you know where you are going?" the royal guard asked behind her.

Temari was tired because her encounter with Rhys spent too much of her energy. She no longer have the strength to control her emotions and act like a lady. She stopped, turned to the royal guard and gave him an annoyed and sharp look. "I know! I'm not a fool. I can go back to my room. You don't even have to accompany me!"

The royal guard frowned at her. She couldn't blame him. Temari was also surprised about her outburst. Her voice even echoed in the silent hallway. If she woke up someone because of her voice, she will be in trouble.

"You are not my master. I will not answer to you. The crown prince commanded me to walk you to your room and I will do it even if you hate it."

She pressed her lips together and glared at him.

He began to walk until he was ahead of her. He continued, "The next time you try to get close to the crown prince, especially without other people around, I will personally throw you out of the castle."

Temari was full blown mad at that point. She followed the royal guard with heavy steps. "Is that how you talk to a lady?"

The man didn't even hesitate when he answered, "A lady doesn't enter a man's room alone and in the middle of the night."

Temari scoffed. "How would you know? You're not a lady."

The royal guard turned his head to look at her. "A lady doesn't scoff either."

"Well, from where I came from ladies can do whatever they please without royal guards judging them."

The man suddenly stopped and turned his whole body to face her. It was so abrupt that Temari almost bumped against him. She took a step back when she saw the way he was looking at her. It was as if he was seeing right through her.

"W-what?"

The royal guard crossed his arms around his chest and said, "You are a strange little thing."

She glared at him. "I am not a thing."

He smirked. "I shall pay more attention to you, my lady." The way he said the last words were too insulting for her taste.

"You don't have to."

He didn't answer but his expression told Temari that he didn't care about her opinion. He stepped away and motioned for the door next to them. She realized that they are already in front of her room. She didn't even notice!

Without saying goodbye nor a single bow, the royal guard walked away, back to the darkness of the hallway where they came from.