Chapter 489 - Another Announcement

Adrianna had been thinking for a long time about Nefasky. She wanted to visit Mihr's palace to meet his wife and children to pay her respects, but with everything happening too quickly there was no time. She knew that there would be a lot of inquisitiveness about the posts of the Military General because without the presence of a General, there could be a widespread fear of having a weak kingdom. Plus it also sent a vibe to the enemies that the Wizard Kingdom was not able to find someone to replace Mihr reiterating its shaky foundations. With the General in place, the situation was controlled inside as well as on the outside. And when Yanga came up with this proposition, Adrianna's mind raced to combine the situation in order to hit two birds with a stone. 

However, there was a problem. Who would be her personal bodyguard after Haldir? She had thought of many in the kingdom as one of the candidates, but wasn't convinced. Then she thought about one of the Mozias, but the problem with them was that they were trained in the army for the kingdom. They were nothing but a number. They were like robots and a personal bodyguard had to be more. He or she had to be connected to the ruler on an emotional basis, had to know what the queen wanted even before she spelled it out. It was at this time that Adrianna thought about Nefasky. She had invited her for the victory celebrations to the palace. 

Many eyebrows raised as to why she was called because now that her father was no longer a part of the Ministry. However, Adrianna ignored all that. 

That was the reason why she even asked about her health. It was a different matter that Adrianna had already asked her spies to bring her medical records copy from the human realm. She had even talked to the Healer of the Wizard Kingdom about Nefasky. Once she had done her complete investigations, Adrianna knew what to do. Although she wasn't very close to Nefasky—that was one thing she wasn't bothered about. As a ruler she knew that sometimes things propelled due to emotions as well. 

Being Mihr's daughter, Nefasky was the best candidate for the position of being her personal bodyguard. No one other than Adrianna, Dmitri, Isidorus and her family knew about her condition of having a slight fracture in the skull. 

In front of everyone present out there, she asked Nefasky, "Would you grace me as being my personal bodyguard?" 

The crowd in the South Gardens was in for another overwhelming astonishment. Ministers, their wives and their children became suddenly still. Hands were pressed against the chest of those who felt that this was the best tribute the Queen could pay to her past Military General and those who thought that this was an incorrect decision sucked in a quick breath with lips parting in another surprise. 

As for Nefasky, this was unexpected. A feeling of joy and wonder cruised through her body. She could never imagine that Adrianna would even consider her for any ministry job after the kind of relation they had in the Wizard Academy and here she was—standing in all glory as the Queen of the Wizard Kingdom, requesting a subject like her, who was physically not perfect to be her personal bodyguard. Was it because of her father? Her eyes were glazed with unshed tears as her gaze fixed on the person with whom she started on very shaky foundations. This person—her Queen had proven to her and to the world that personal agendas weren't her thing when it came to managing the Kingdom. It was more than that—it was her greatness. And the greatness of the Queen came with the way she loved, truly understood with her heart, with her eyes and with her ears. Nefasky saw Adrianna as the person whom others did not. She saw her up and close. She saw her as an intelligent and patient ruler. When the fog cleared from her eyes, her vision became better. Nefasky respected Adrianna as the Queen. 

After a stunning silence, in a choked voice Nefasky nodded her head and said, "Yes, my Queen," and immediately knelt down with a bow. "I will be more than honored to carry out my duties as your personal bodyguard. And I shall do that until the day I die." 

Adrianna held Nefasky from her shoulders and made her stand. "I am happy to have you onboard."

The crowd started to murmur and soon a short applause erupted. 

Adrianna looked at Isidorus. "Please do the needful." 

Isidorus was extremely happy with Adrianna's decision. She had fared so well in the difficult times. She was so down to the earth and real. She showed how much she valued relationships and exhibited that she was indeed one of the best rulers the Wizard Kingdom had ever had. It was time that she went to the noble court. It was time that the Crown knew what all had occurred in the past few days. 

Isidorus went to Nefasky. "Give me your left hand," he demanded. 

Suddenly there was mist, which covered Adrianna, Nefasky, Haldir and Isidorus. No one could see what was going on the inside. This was a private ceremony that no one could watch. 

Nefasky did as told. Isidorus held her hand with palm up. He curled his hand into a tight fist and brought it down upon Nefasky's palm with a thud. 

At first Nefasky was not sure what happened. It was strange what Isidorus did. But within a second, her hand became limp with pain. Her mind became numb as she saw that redness appeared on her palm. It was a searing pain like she was branded. She whimpered in pain and tears flowed. She knelt down upon the grass and pressed her hand with the other one and held it next to her chest. She remained like that for a minute. When the redness cleared and the pain subsided, she saw a tree emerge on her hand and amongst all the green leaves there was one golden leaf. 

"What is this?" she asked not because she was afraid but because she wanted to know what was happening to her. 

"That golden leaf represents you Nefasky. That will tell me about your whereabouts at all times," replied Isidorus looking coldly at her. "Even though you will be the Queen's personal bodyguard, you will always be under my radar. You are now bound to serve the Kingdom with your life. If you try to betray the Kingdom, you will be taken to the gallows. Your position is effective right from this day and this moment. Go to the Minister Block to get the essential items needed for this post."

Nefasky got up from the ground. She wiped her tears, bowed to Isidorus and the Queen and said, "My pleasure." 

The mist around them cleared immediately. 

The crowd was wondering what was happening on the inside. When the mist cleared they saw Nefasky standing there in front of Adrianna who was smiling. "You are most welcome," she said. This was the best tribute she could pay to Mihr—to the man who was the martyr of the war. 

Lenny was extremely surprised. With Nefasky as Adrianna's bodyguard, there were little chances that anyone could even think of harming her. Nefasky was a natural born bully and leader. She was a terror back in the academy. Lenny had to think of a way to get closer to Adrianna. 

So she stepped closer to Adrianna and gave her a proposition.