As the man led me down the stone corridors, the man watched me with intrigue.

“How much do you know about our kingdom?” he asked. I simply shrugged in response.

“It is as I feared then…” he spoke almost to himself. “If you were a hired assassin, that would explain your lack of Intel.”

The man let out a heavy sigh before continuing.

“I am sure you have been able to determine by now, that I am not a king by any means.” The man explained.

It was true that I had found several things odd about his rule, however I had not expected him to admit to such a thing right away.

“It has been five years since the king had died.” The man explained. “His greatest fear in life had been who would rule the kingdom when he passed on. His youngest had given birth to a daughter, however she was foolish and cruel. Tradition states that only a member of the royal family can take the throne, but at the same time, the king could not bring himself to leave the kingdom in the hands of such a tyrant, but then, a miracle happened.”

The man paused for a second as he thought back on the memories.

“The daughter of the King’s oldest son was found. She had been thought to have been killed nine years prior with her family, but still she was found living alone in some backwater town.

The king declared that she would inherit the kingdom when he passed, and the country rejoiced. All save for the daughter of the youngest who swore to take back the crown by any means necessary.”

“So what does this have to do with me?” I replied, not overly interested in hearing the kingdom’s history.

The man let out a laugh at my question.

“You aren’t one to hide how you feel, are you?” he asked chuckling.

“I feel no motivation to hide emotions which are already clearly known.” I replied coldly.

The man smiled again. “I think I am going to like having you around.” He replied.

Pausing for a moment, he continued again. “I am merely a steward. I have been tasked with watching the kingdom until the Princess is of age, but have no power of my own. In a year’s time, the princess shall reach the age of twenty, and at that time take the throne along with a suitor who had been chosen beforehand. Once she achieves the throne, she shall have the power to deal with her cousin in any way she sees fit, but until then, we cannot touch a member of the royal family.

This is where your role comes in. The princess’ cousin knows her time is running short, and as such, has increased her efforts to assassinate the princess before her next birthday. You are a fighter powerful enough to break into the most fortified city in the entire kingdom. We want you to devote that power towards protecting her majesty.”

“And what shall happen to me after she takes the throne?” I asked coldly.

The steward simply shrugged.

“Should the princess live long enough to take the throne, your fate shall be in her hands, not mine. So I suggest you treat her well.”

“I see.” I replied quietly. It was a well thought out plan. Not only would my survival rely on hers, but my fate rested in how well she thought of me after.

The steward stopped me in front of a door.

“The princess’ room is on the other side of this door.” He explained.

For a moment he seemed to ponder if he should tell me something, but instead he simply gestured for me to enter. Casting him a sidelong glance, I opened the door.

As I entered the room, I felt a threat from above. Looking up, I saw a bucket of water falling towards me as if in slow motion.

Raising my hand, I grabbed the bottom of the bucket, and then flipped the bucket right side up, allowing the centrifugal force to keep the water inside. When I was finished I held a bucket full of water balanced on my hand.

“And yet another bodyguard shows up all washed up!” a voice called out from the other side of the room.

A young girl with long blond hair ran out from behind the bed.

“I keep telling you these bodyguards are worthless! They can’t even protect themselves let alo-”

She stopped her tirade as she saw the bucket in my hand. She stared unblinking for a few seconds before turning around in a huff.

“Well I am sure he has other faults.” She complained.

In spite of the situation, I could not help but give a slight smug smile to her surprise. Thankfully the steward walked between us before the princess could see my reaction.

“Now now, let us not be too hasty your highness.” The steward interjected with a forced smile. “It has been far too long since your last guard ran a- left us, and I feel quite certain that there are few people who would be safer to have on your side than this young man!”

I was beginning to question the ‘mercy’ I had been given with this new role when my thoughts were interrupted by a sudden presence.

The young princess stood before me, inches away as she looked up at my face. I could feel her warm breath on my chin as her eyes seemed to pierce my very being. There was no question, she was far too close. Just what kind of princess was this?

“Do you have a name?” the princess asked leaning in closer.

If she hadn’t worn such a scowl on her face I might have misunderstood her intentions. I found myself instinctively leaning back, not wanting to make the situation any more awkward than it already was.

“M-Maku.” I replied clumsily. “My name is Maku.”

“Oh? Maku?” she pondered sarcastically.

“I’m not sure about this one.” She complained, turning back to the steward. I let out a sigh of relief that my personal space was no longer invaded by her presence.

“He has an odd look in his eye.” She continued. “And a weird name like ‘Maku’? He’s not from around here is he.”

“Even still!” the steward interjected desperately. “Your highness, I am certain that if you give him a chance I am sure you will find him to be quite the valuable asset.

It is true he is not from our kingdom, but I believe that is actually one of his stronger points! Should he act up, we shall be able to punish him far harsher than if he were a citizen of our own kingdom!”

I felt my heart drop a little. It was depressing to consider the lack of value on my life to be my strongest selling point.

“I suppose you have a point.” The princess replied studying me again. “And if he acts up I have the right to get rid of him?”

“At your word your highness, we shall have every guard in the castle descend on him in an instance.”

I let out a sigh as the steward bowed low to the ground. I was beginning to have very little doubts that I should have simply begged for a quick execution.

The princess continued to stare at me for a few more minutes until at last she closed her eyes.

“Fine.” She replied begrudgingly.

With the superiority befitting royalty, she strode past me and out the door. She took two steps out the door, before turning to me with a frustrated look.

“Well?” she asked indignantly.

“I-I’m sorry?” I replied, still a little taken aback by everything that had happened.

With a disapproving ‘huff’ the princess turned away again.

“I am going for dinner!” she announced loudly. “If ‘you’ intend to simply let me be assassinated on my way there, then I guess we know what kind of personal guard you will make!”

Scrambling to put down the bucket of water I still held in my hand, I ran to the princess’ side. With another indignant ‘huff’ she continued her proud walk to the dining hall.

I gave out a quiet sigh. I had been right, execution would have certainly been less painful than this.