Chapter 15：The Personal Bodyguard: Part 1

I was reading the contract that the butler gave me. It was stated that I will be given the opportunity to be in a higher status depending on how I do my work. Also, there will be rewards, which His Majesty mentioned during the meeting yesterday. The rewards are not specific, it could be money, land, etc. In return, I should be guarding the Prince frequently. For me, I think it is a rare opportunity to be chosen as a bodyguard for the Prince and I am glad that His Majesty chose this decision although I was hesitant. I will really do my best!

My name is Elijah, and I am 23 years old. I was initially a knight and I was ordered to go to wars by His Majesty. I later received nobility title, which is Baron, because I was loyal to His Majesty.

My ancestors were having a poor life before the establishment of this kingdom. The kingdom was conquered many lands at that time. So, if any of the conquered lands rebelled against the king, they will have severe punishments. My father did tell me about some of the punishments that was done to the rebels. Some of them were imprisoned while others were executed. The removal of nobility titles were also happened during the rebellions.

I was laying down on my bed, covering my eyes with my both arms. I heard the sound of someone opening the door. He was my roommate.

"Here you are!" He said.

I opened my eyes and looked at him "Ohh ... What do you want from me?!"

"Hey! everyone is talking about you becoming the personal guard for the Prince. You are famous now!"

I adjusted my position and said "Hhh .... Yes I am." I smirked.

"Is it true that you defend the Prince by hitting the attacker in his face?!" He asked.

"Hhhh .... Yes." I laughed.

"So the rumors are true." He rubbed his chin.

"What rumors?" I laughed.

"That you are strong."

"Hhhhh .... Don't say that."

"It is true. You always exercises. I know you better than anyone."

"Mmmm .." I looked at the window beside me.

"When will you start working?" He asked.

I opened my eyes wildly when I heard him says that. It did not occur to me when I will be working. It does not mention in the contract also!

"Huh? Why are you silent?"

I looked at him and said blankly "I don't know when I will be working."

"Huh?! ... What are you saying. Are you joking?!"

He did not believe what I was saying, so I gave him the contract to read it.

He looked carefully at the contents of this contract for several seconds and then he lifted his head to look at me.

"You are right. It is about what you will receive after working as a bodyguard ..... Nothing more." He said.

"See? Do you believe me now!"

"Mmm ... Yes. But, what you will do now?! You don't even know when you will be working." He rubbed his chin.

"May be I will receive a letter or something informing me about it."

"But you should ask."

I laid down on my bed and sighed "Don't worry."

"You are cold as always."

"Yes I am." I moved to the side.

"And you are always humble."

I did not say anything afterwards. He then continued saying;

"Well ..... I will be going now. My break is over. See you soon." He waved his hands and went outside.

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"My dream is to be a knight once I am older, so that I can protect you forever."

"....."

"Really! It is a nice dream!"

"....."

"You did not forget my promise to you, did you?!"

"....."

"....."

"So you are joking about it?"

"....."

"Hhhh ... Of course, there is no way you could forget about this promise."

"....."

"Okay. I forgive you."

I opened my eyes impulsively and stood up while pressing my head against my hand. Why did I suddenly have those dreams?! This is the second time I dream about this.

"Uhh .. My head hurts. What time is it now?" I said it while still pressing my head.

I rang the bell that was beside me, but no one came. So I constantly rang the bell until one of the maids came.

"Yes Prince."

"Call the head maid." I said blankly.

"I can help you with anything, Prince."

"CALL THE HEAD MAID" I shouted.

She flinched "Y ... Yes Prince."

She went outside quickly and closed the door.

I sighed "My head hurts more now thanks to her."

Lately, I have been too emotional. If someone talks to me, I either shout or cry. My head maid get used to it. Also, I became more sensitive toward anyone who tries to reach me, either intentional or not, such as yesterday at the garden.

"Huh?! Yesterday?!" I became motionless.

"I don't know how many hours I slept? And I don't know which day is it."

Come to think of it, I was really tired once I entered the room, and as I laid down on the bed, I instantaneously slept after I said to the head maid to stay with me.

I heard the door opened and saw the head maid.

"Why did you leave? I told you to stay with me!"

"Ohh ... I am sorry .. You were sleeping so I went outside to avoid making noises."

I changed the subject and said "My head hurts."

"You should call the doctor instead of me."

I did not say anything afterwards, so she walked toward me and touch my forehead "Your temperature is quit high. I think you have a fever."

She then walked away and said "Let me call any maid to tell the doctor about your condition."

She opened partially the door and call for a maid that was cleaning nearby and then she left away.

She closed the door again.

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After several minutes, we heard someone knocking the door. The head maid opened the door and saw the doctor in front of her.

"I heard about the Prince's condition. Let me see him."

"He is laying down on the bed."

The doctor examined me and then said after a while "Indeed, you have a slight fever. I will give you some medicine to reduce the fever. You should take the medicine once every day for three days. Hopefully, you will be completely fine after the third day. Your condition is not too serious, so don't worry."

"Thank you doctor." The head maid said.

"Well .. I will be going if you don't need anything."

He left.

The head maid looked at me and said "You should have breakfast before eating the medicine."

She put the plate on the bed "Now eat."

I ate and then took my medicine.

We suddenly heard someone said behind the door "Excuse me?! I am the butler and I need to tell the Prince something."

The head maid opened the door and said "The Prince has a slight fever. He needs to rest."

"But he is summoned by His Majesty."

She looked at me for a while, then she looked at the butler, and said "Fine."

The butler entered the room "Sorry for the interruption Prince. His Majesty wants you in his office."

"What for!" I said it impulsively. What he wanted from me after being humiliated that day!

"I don't know why he wants you, but it is urgent. You need to come within 10 minutes."

I looked at him sharply and did not say anything.

The butler left and closed the door.

"What does Father want from me." I said it in an anger tone.

I looked at her "I don't want to go. I want to stay here forever! I don't want to be in danger again!"

She looked at my features pathetically and said "Listen. It is a mandatory call. You need to come."

"But ..."

"Please do what I say." She insisted.

I paused.

She took from the dressing room a shirt and a trouser and said "Wear these and don't forget to wear your binder."

I did what she said and then we went outside.

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The door was knocked.

"Yes?"

"It is the Prince. Your Majesty." The head maid said.

"Come in."

We went inside Father's office. I looked around and suddenly saw the guard from that day was standing beside Father. He was wearing a special rope I have never seen before. The color of his rope was white and it has a red embroidery on it.

Father stood up, pointed toward that guard and then said sharply "From today, he will be your personal bodyguard."

"Huh?!"