Bodyguard

I was awake before Mom came and got me. She smiled. "Ah, I see you're excited."

I mentally winced. "I've decided that it would be better if I just made the best of this situation."

"That's my girl. What will you wear?"

I smiled. "My green dress will the black hems."

She chuckled. "Excellent choice. He'll be here in an hour." She left.

I took a shower, put the dress on, then my black boots with heels, brushed my hair, and put it in a braid. I went downstairs and ate breakfast quickly. "Will it only be him coming?" I asked.

"Yes," Dad said.

An hour later, a green elemental dragon was in the sky. He landed in front of us. "Hello, Mr. Garmadon," Mom said.

I twitched. No one calls him that! He inclined his head. "Your Majesties," he said.

"This is Y/n, your charge," Dad said motioning to me.

Green eyes met my e/c ones. "Princess," he said inclining his head again.

"Green Ninja," I said curtsying. I looked at my parents. "Would you like me to lead him to his room, Mom, Dad?"

Mom beamed at me. "Could you?"

I nodded. "Right this way, Green Ninja." I led him to the room next to mine. "I wish I could have repainted it but my parents only told me you were coming yesterday. So I did the best that I could," I said stepping into the room.

He stepped inside and looked around. "I see."

I stood as he looked at the weapon rack and then out the window. "Uh, my room is next door so you'll always know if I leave or not."

He looked at me coolly. "I'm not a fan of princesses but I will say thank you for doing what you could with the room and the short notice."

I paused. Did he just thank me and tell me he hated me in the same sentence? "You're welcome." I took a step out of the room.

"Where are you going?" 

I hesitated. This is going to be hard to get used to. "The ballroom. There are still a few decorations I have to hand up for tomorrow's ball."

He slid a sword on the holster on his back. "Okay."

I almost told him he didn't have to come but remembered that he was supposed to follow me everywhere. I nodded. "This way." I started off and he followed me. Once there I started directing the servants, telling them where to put everything. I scowled when they refused to hang one of the paintings. I grabbed it and put it up. I took a step back and then tilted it a little to the left. There. Done. I turned around and frowned when I saw Margie, the thirteen-year-old servant, get herself tangled in lights. I walked over. "Margie? How did you do that?" I asked as I started unknotting her.

"I, uh, don't know. No one wanted to help me hang this thing up, Princess," she said nervously.

I rolled my eyes and glanced at my bodyguard. He was watching me. I motioned for him to come over. "Will you help?" I asked when he was close.

His eyes narrowed. "I'm your guard nothing else."

I scowled at him. "You might be my guard but you could also help." I held up a strand. "All you have to do is hold this piece while I unwind her." He glared but took the strand and I had her turn. She was out after a few minutes and the Green Ninja retreated across the room. I sighed. "I'll help you hang these, Margie." Together we got them up and I looked around happily. "Perfect," I whispered.

My bodyguard came over. "Is this what you do every day?" He asked

I shook my head. "Only when we have parties." I looked at him. "What do you think?"

He glanced around. "I really don't care."

I huffed. "Figures my bodyguard refuses to give an opinion," I muttered. "Margie?"

She beamed. "I love it! It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

I chuckled. "You better get back to the kitchen."

She blanched and ran away. The Green Ninja watched her go. "Do you actually ask the servant's opinions?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why not? The Green Ninja, who is supposed to be my bodyguard, refused to give me his." I turned.

"Lloyd."

I looked at him. "What?"

He was still looking at me with that cool look. "My name is Lloyd. Use it."

I snorted and walked away. I knew he was following me but all I was doing was going to dinner. Mom smiled. "How do you like the new castle, Mr. Garmadon?"

He shrugged. "It's fine."

"We've been in the ballroom all day, Mom," I said. "You should see it! It's amazing."

"So says a servant," Lloyd muttered.

I shot a glare at him. "Shut up," I said under my breath.

Dad chuckled. "If you made the dismal place amazing then you've been super busy."

I sat. "It just needs some decorations and lights. The party will be so much fun."

Mom nodded. "I wish it was today."

I giggled. "That's because I haven't let you see what I've done to it and you're curious."

She sighed. "I suppose. Mr. Garmadon, you may sit. We'll be eating together." She motioned to the chair next to me. Lloyd sat. We filled out plates and started eating.

"So, I hope our little girl hasn't left you bored," Dad said.

"Not at all," Lloyd said smoothly. I looked at him and, since my parents could see my face, raised an eyebrow. He looked at me evenly then turned back to my father. "Your daughter is an excellent decorator," he added.

I snorted and looked at my plate. "Margie got stuck in the lights though," I said.

Mom laughed. "Oh, dear. I hope she's okay."

"We untangled her." I paused. "Mom, it seems that she got tangled because no one wanted to help her hang the lights."

"I'll ask around and see why," Dad said.

I nodded and finished my food. I knew Lloyd would follow me if I left the table so I stayed until he finished then I got up and left. I opened my door and glanced at him he had stopped at his door and was watching me carefully. Probably expecting me to make a run for it. "Goodnight, Lloyd," I said politely.

He inclined his head. "Goodnight."

I went into my room, changed my clothes, and flopped into bed. I was so excited for the next day that it took me a while to fall asleep. However, one thought stuck with me. If I told Lloyd more about myself, then maybe he wouldn't hate me so bad.