My name is Octavius Sharpe and I am the Crown Prince of Glear's bodyguard. I follow him everywhere, including to the Academy. Once there, we separate as he goes to class and I go to a designated building for all the bodyguards. I do not need to worry much because security teams patrol the grounds periodically.
This leaves us bodyguards with much time on our hands. Thankfully, the building I head into is fully equipped for people like us. There is a large gym, library, lounge area and even a fully equipped kitchen with staff. We do not really need to do much so we try to get to know each other as best as possible.
Just like the young lords or ladies we serve, we also fall into a social hierarchy. Since the Crown Prince is my master, my social status amongst us is the highest. The lowest should be a bodyguard whom I have never met before: Walliams.
He comes from the Baroness Harkins clan and I swear, I neve never met him. True it is difficult to remember all of the bodyguards, but I have to study them thoroughly. Being the bodyguard of the Crown Prince comes with useful perks to make my job easier.
For example, I have access to all the students files and am able to tell which bodyguard belongs to whom. That is how I know the name Walliams. When I first looked at the young lady's file, I was curious because the Academy had never had a full-ride scholarship student. When I saw that she had indicated that she had a bodyguard named Walliams, I was more curious to learn more about her that way.
Sadly, he never showed. I concluded that he actually belongs to the Baroness and had placed his name for show. Not everyone brings a bodyguard, I suppose.
**********
Today, I saw a new face. He was tall, with a hard gaze, a chiseled face, a strong voice that proclaimed his presence and most importantly, he felt very strong. I had always been proud because I was deemed the strongest here at the Academy amongst the guards. Now, here a new guy shows up announcing his authority with his mere presence alone.
Every bodyguard wants to be the best. You can only be called the best if you are deemed to be fit the title of "Shadow Guard." The Palace has many but they are mostly for the King, his Queen and his mother the Dowager Queen. As the Crown Prince's bodyguard, I must strive to be a Shadow Guard if I do not want to be replaced by the time he is crowned King. Luckily, I am very close from being recognized as a Shadow Guard.
Logically speaking, there are no Shadow Guards amongst us bodyguards at the Academy... until this gentleman as I believe him to be stronger than me. I had gone up to him to introduce myself and he very politely bowed to me.
He said his name was Ganthony Sanson and he was Lady Aphra Harkins bodyguard. I had stood there confused, prompting me to ask him about Walliams. His answer startled me more.
"Ah, I was not sure if you had met Walliams or not, but that boy is always next to our Lady. He is at home today, our Lady gave him the day off so I am here to take his place."
"You mean you are a substitute?" I had asked dumbfoundedly. "How come we never saw you before?"
"Walliams is always next to our Lady. I am very close to being a full fledge Shadow Guard, so I cannot stay by her side and follow her to class like Walliams can."
"Walliams is a Shadow Guard?" I asked dumbfoundedly again.
"Ah... Yes... He is always dwelling in her shadow. I am not up to par with Walliams, yet; however, I am sure that even if I were, Walliams would still be the number one guard she would ask to follow her in her shadow. After all, they have known each other since they were very young. He has been protecting her for at least the last six years. I have watched both of them growing up together and have seen how strong he has gotten over time. I remember like it was just yesterday the two of us sparring and him tripping down. Now, it is me falling down when we spar. I really cannot beat him."
"I see. So the two of you switch whenever you have the day off?" I asked, still with my permanently dumbfounded face.
"No. The other Shadow Guards normally will take turns to follow our Lady around. Soon, I too will be a Shadow Guard and wanted some first hand experience to follow her alone like the others would."
"So there are more Shadow Guards..." I mumbled more to myself while I was beginning to feel numb.
Most large households will have Shadow Guards, especially the upper nobles; however, they are mostly reserved for the heads of the family. Having just one is a symbol of authority and wealth. A Shadow Guard is expensive to employ, especially many at once. How are they able to maintain even one Shadow Guard? Is the family not impoverished like it was previously thought?
**********
The next day, I saw Ganthony again. It turns out, the day before, Walliams' younger brother came to visit and today he is with him.
"Walliams has never met the young one before. Having a little one around the house is entertaining and a bit exhausting as well."
"Little one? How old is Walliams?" I asked curiously.
"He is fifteen and will turn sixteen soon. Everyone thinks he is older though, like eighteen or nineteen."
"Fifteen and already a Shadow Guard!?" I exclaimed in surprise.
"Well, he was already considered as our Lady's bodyguard because of it; however, he has slowly gotten stronger over the years. In fact, he has many awards for mixed martial arts competitions and has numerous Muay Thai awards in national and international leagues."
"Muay Thai? Wow, that is amazing," I said shocked.
Muay Thai is a long thought of dead art that started becoming internationally recognized within the last three decades. It is very intense and very powerful. I gulped at the though of ever having to spar with Walliams.
***********
Yesterday, I was informed that Lady Aphra Harkins is going to wed the Crown Prince. Now today I happily went to Ganthony as I saw him arriving inside the building.
"Ganthony, good morning," I beamed at him as I mentally congratulated him, since the news had not been made public.
"...Sigh... Good morning, Octavius," he replied deadpan as I noticed he looked pale.
"I am certain that you heard the good news?" I hinted to keep it under wraps while he looked at me aggrieved.
"...Uh...Yeah... Good news..." he said with a forced smile.
"Walliams still with his brother?" I asked as he slumped a bit while he responded.
"...Yes... He is off somewhere with his brother..."
**********
"What good news? My Lady has been in a foul mood since she found out she was engaged to your Crown Prince. As if she didn't have a hard time rejecting two other princes, now she still falls in the arms of another whom she does not even know. An edict! How can she escape this one!? She has never been forced to do anything she did not want to do. Even had the choice to marry one of two princes in the future. Yet, she refused. Is someone going to die soon?
"Walliams, where are you? Stop hiding with your brother and take my place! I cannot handle her if she goes crazy! Those other Shadow Guards coming up with the excuse that I am now used to following her to school so I should continue going with her today.
"I know that they are just as much afraid as I am! Sigh. I am twenty-eight and my life is complicated by a teenage girl. So, no! This is not 'Good News!'"
**********
Later that day, with only one more class before the Academy lets out, I saw a female student make her way towards our building. I immediately recognize her as the Crown Prince's fiancé, Lady Aphra Ginny Harkins.
She entered the building with poise and grace, making me shocked once again to notice that she is used to people staring as she confidently walked in as if she has done so everyday.
"I am looking for my guard, Ganthony," she said with a voice so sweet, yet full of authority.
I inwardly nodded as I approved at my first impression of the future Crown Princess. Ganthony appeared quickly as he came to her and gave her a deep bow. My jaw dropped as I though "He is giving away that she will be the future Crown Princess!" But Lady Aphra didn't seem to mind too much.
"Ganthony, please have the car ready. I have an important appointment that I cannot miss," she stated unfazed by his deep bow.
Every servant only bows like that to the head of the household, even if their master is not the head. To their children that they are in charge of, it will be a bow of respect that almost looks like one is bending down to look at the tip of their toes. To the head, or master of the house, the bow is full on from the waist. Is she already acting like a Princess?