29 Let Your Guard Down

I stare at my reflection from the full-length mirror as I strip out of my dirty training clothes. Today's training was entirely exhausting; Rhys didn't spare me a minute to rest. It feels as if he's purposely training me much tougher to prepare myself for the worst.

Not that I mind, I like to improve by setting the difficulty even higher. I like the challenge to push me to become stronger.

Though, Rhys was disappointed when he found out that I had asked Blossom about visiting the town during our tea party yesterday. Blossom might have told him and strengthen the security around me. There would always be knights by the door and even outside my room during breakfast and at this very moment.

'Great, now I'm unable to roam around freely,' I think to myself as I dip myself in the tub of warm water that someone had prepared for me. A satisfied smile forms on my lips, the warm water with rose petals is putting my mind and body at ease.

"You're one stubborn girl, didn't I tell you that you're no longer allowed to step out of this castle," Rhys hisses. I let go of the string to send my arrow flying straight at the center of the circle, "why don't you listen?"

"It doesn't hurt to try," I defend myself while signaling him for another arrow. My eyebrows furrow now that I realize something. Rhys has been different for the past few days. He doesn't fool around anymore, and his icy cold eyes define him even better now that it's clouded with dullness and easy agitation.

When he left for a mission and came back to teach me self-defense the next day, his mood has never been the same. I wonder what might have happened in that mission to have sparked a drastic change in his personality.

It's honestly upsetting how Rhys is acting now. I can't help but say that I miss his old cheekiness. Now he acts more like a father who watches my every move and scolds me for the slightest mistake.

I punch the water, and it splashes out of the tub, "why are you like this!" I mutter out loud, my voice echoing throughout the walls of this large bathroom.

---

Prominent people of this castle are nowhere to be found, but I see the usual ones who care for the castle. I bow my head with a smile when I pass by the dwarf librarian who's probably heading toward the library. He acknowledges this and bows back as a common courtesy.

Right after passing him, I quicken my pace knowing that two soundless knights were trailing behind me. I tried speaking to them, but they had their helmets on and refused to have eye contact with me; instead, they follow my every move and wherever I go.

The thought of having them around wasn't so bad at first because I felt important and secured. But the constant feeling of having eyes on me wherever I go is getting uncomfortable. I badly want to get rid of them, yet it's just the first day of having them around.

This is why I'm trying to look for Blossom so she can brief me about suddenly having bodyguards. However, she's nowhere to be found, and that includes Rhys and Faye.

After nearly going through every part of the castle, I gave up and decided that I should take a stroll outside since it wasn't as sunny as yesterday. The weather is cloudy, and the breeze is cold. I don't know if it rains here, but the weather looks like it would.

I hold unto my dress when I step out to prevent it from flying up. The fresh afternoon wind blows past my warm cheeks. My hair isn't bothering me today because I tied it up in a ponytail and secured the stubborn strands with pins.

Taking my time, I walk slowly, listening to the sound of boots following a few feet away from me. I also hear the two of them chuckling and chatting with each other.

I stop in my tracks and turn towards them. They stop their silent conversation, hearing me out, "aren't you both tired of following me around all day?"

They look at each other for a second before looking back at me, simultaneously shaking their head no. Their heads moving in the same directions as if they must mirror each other's movements.

I blink, dumbfounded, not knowing what to say next, so I continued walking. Eyeing the Kingsto woods, my face falls, recalling the second time I've been there to train archery with Talus and the elves. Also, to discover a jewelry box that belongs to my grandmother.

But as I ponder while I walk like a man who lost his job, a familiar figure appears on that same tree where figures for some reason usually appear. This time I don't feel shaken up or frightened, knowing fully well who it is.

Talus emerges from behind the tree, waving at me; a bright smile appears on my face. I run toward him, taking the knights by surprise, and they shout for me to stop.

I keep my eye on Talus, who's waving both his hands this time, telling me to stop. My head tilts in confusion, and I halted in my tracks. I hear metals clashing and a thud. I turn around to see the knights on the ground after bumping into each other because of my abrupt stop.

I cover my mouth, preventing myself from letting out a laugh, "are you guys okay-" but I stop midsentence when I hear the arrow passing by my right ear and in between the legs of the knight, who thankfully has his legs open.

My eyes widen in horror, and they get up in an instant, one that runs in front of me and the other that stays behind me. My heart raises in an instant; I understand the need to have bodyguards now. I'm frightened to the core; the Beorene creatures are really after me.

"There!" the knight points towards the tree where I saw Talus, but this time it wasn't Talus. The figure was bigger and taller, I can't make out what it is, but it growls loudly, making both the knights run towards it with both their weapons out.

My arms fall to my side; why are they leaving me here all alone? By now, they have jumped over the fence and towards the creature that is now getting lost in the woods, followed by the knights who went after it.

What if the enemy is trying to deceive us by using that creature as bait to lure my guards away, and they can attack me when I'm left defenseless.

Nope, not today.

When I'm about to turn around and rush back inside the castle, I hear a whistle directed at me. I follow where it's coming from, and to my surprise, I see the elves together with Talus jumping in glee, signaling for me to go to them.

On the other hand, I frantically wave my hands and shake my head, mouthing them the word 'DANGER,' hoping that they'll get the message.