Kael

I am the princess. Every royal guard's nightmare.

Kael. 25. My guard for the past month. Stone-faced. Doesn't speak. Doesn't laugh. Follows me everywhere, exactly three steps behind. If I run, he runs. If I hide, he finds me in five minutes. He's unbearably good at his job.

Today's my new plan: to make him speak more than 3 words.

Plan A: I throw myself to the floor in the hallway and yell, "I've twisted my ankle!"

Kael looks at me. He crouches down. He touches my ankle professionally, without any emotion.

Kael: "It's not crooked, Your Highness."

Failed plan.

Plan B: At 3 a.m. I ring the emergency bell. He enters with his sword drawn, half asleep, shirtless.

Kael: "Your Highness! What's wrong?"

Your "There was a huge spider! There!"

He looks at the empty corner. He looks at me. He turns away.

Kael: "Good evening, Your Highness."

Your two words!

Plan C: I steal his sword while he's training and climb the tree in the garden.

Your "Kael! If you want her, come and get her!"

He sighs. It's the first time I've heard him sigh. He approaches the tree. He doesn't climb. He just looks up at me.

Kael "Come down, Your Highness."

Your "No."

Kael "Princess."

Your "No."

He remains silent for 10 seconds. Then he does something unexpected. He sits under the tree, leans back, and closes his eyes.

What are you up to?"

Kael: "Wait. I have all day. You'll get tired sooner."

I stay up there, with his giant sword that weighs a ton, looking at him. The sun shines on his face. He looks... human for the first time. Tired. Young.

Your "Kael... don't you get bored of following me?"

He opens one eye. He looks at me.

Kael "No."

Your "Why? I'm a mess."

Kael: "Because since I arrived, it's the first time in 7 years that my job isn't boring."

He gets up and opens his arms.

Kael: "Jump. I'll catch her. Promise of guard duty."